Beary Christmas! :)

Hello friends!

I'm popping in again to share a card I made with one of my favorite images! I believe this is a stampin' up image that's retired and I got it from a friend. Love the teddy bears! :) Here's my card and the challenges will be below, too.

Aren't these little bears cute?! I began by die cutting the two panels with the Lawn Fawn large, stitched rectangle dies. Then, I stamped the image with versafine ink. I then used my distress ink (broken china) to stamp the snowflakes (from the dollar bin at a local craft store) on the main image. After that was stamped, I inked the background and masking the main image so that the ink wouldn't get on the bears. The bears were colored in with inktense watercolor pencils. I added some slight shading once the colors had dried. Always easier to add color once that initial layer has dried. I did add some Wink of Stella to the hat of the bear wearing a green sweater so there's a shimmer on the card, too. I stamped the sentiment (Hero Arts)  and added the faux stitching using the distress ink/marker also.

The sketch I used also wanted an element on the outer panel. I chose to extend the snowflakes in white from the side and LOVE how that looks! Such a great sketch...may use it again for a birthday theme, too! :)

Here are the challenges and sketch:
1. Virginia's View Challenge--use distress ink
2. Simon Says Stamp! Wednesday Challenge--make a Christmas/Holiday card
3. CAS(E) this Sketch!--see sketch below. Great sketch, by the way!

Thanks for stopping by!
Pat