As August meanders to a close and September looms out in the not so distant future, you'll find kids all happily (or not so happily) preparing to get back to the classroom and learn.  School buses start rolling again, new backpacks and clothes are on all the store shelves and all the sports and extra-curricular activities put aside for summer vacation are starting to push their way into my calendar schedule again.  

Believe it or not, summer might be over for the kids but the summer heat just getting started good here at my house. August is typically one of the hottest months in Houston, Texas.  By now, my electricity bill has doubled and my grass has turned yellow from the heat....my mind is drifting toward those days of crisp cool weather and falling leaves.  I believe you will find this evident in my work as well!  I just can't resist making the fall pumpkins and Thanksgiving designs....pretty soon, the Christmas bug will hit me and I'll have plenty of new designs listed for that.

For now, I wanted to offer you an idea that can be used for all seasons and all occasions in your paper crafting projects.  The ever popular PEEK-A-BOO Tear Bear!  This versatile little embellishment can be made to 'peek' over your photos, titles and tags.  You can add bows and hats and seasonal decorations to them.  They are small and simple and quick to make. 

You may purchase one or 2 of them ready-made at www.kritterkreations.com if you are short on time or materials or just want to see some examples.  I can make them in just about any color you want and I'm always happy to add bows and hats for you at no extra charge.  

OR if you think you would like to try one for yourself, I have included my personal pattern in this issue. I hope you enjoy it! I have never sold my tear bear patterns before and very few others have used my patterns for their bears ~ so if anything is unclear or you have questions ~ I am always available to help if I can!  To find materials like the mulberry paper, tear bear patterns, embellishments and chipboard albums to make your peek-a-boo bear projects....just do a search on ebay for: 
SBFC ~Scrapbooking Friends Creations is a great source for all of your scrapbooking, carmaking and general crafting needs!

Feel free to send me finished photos of any of the projects you make using any of these newsletter instructions.  I'd love to see them and if I get anyone willing to share, I will start a page on the website to show off *YOUR* work!  

MAKE A PEEK-A-BOO BEAR
BY:  Tonya Freeland
MATERIALS: 
PEEK-A-BOO PATTERN 
thick mulberry paper
water pen or paintbrush
decorative blending chalks
scissors
gel pens to embellish
glue

For eyes and nose you will need cardstock in the colors you want.  You can hand cut the eyes and nose if needed or you can use punches to get uniform shapes every time.  I personally use the EK Success tear drop shaped punchie for the eyes and hand cut my noses.  I know the oval punches and paw-print punches can be used also.  OR some artists paint beautiful eyes onto their bears...they can be hand drawn or use rub-ons....googly eyes or use your imagination to come up with your own style! I have included just a quick hand-drawn example of some faces/mouths for you to see but you should experiment to see what you like best: EXAMPLES of Eyes & Mouths 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.  Print this pdf pattern: PEEK-A-BOO PATTERN
2.  You can size the pattern larger or smaller easily on a copier if needed.
3.  Cut the pattern pieces out.
4.  Lay the cut pattern pieces out onto the backside of your thick mulberry paper and trace around the edges.
5.  Using the water pen or a paintbrush, trace a line of water around your pattern on the mulberry paper.
6.  Tear around the line of water carefully.
7.  Use a toothbrush to smooth and fluff your bear pieces
8.  Use the decorative chalks applied to the edges of each piece and on the cheeks to make them pink.
9.  Glue the ears and face to the head.
10. Add your eyes and nose~ embellish with the black and white gel pens by adding freckles, eyelashes, eyebrows etc.

Now you can arrange your bear head and paws on the page or projects according to your needs ~ add bows, hats and more to customize it even more.  Here is a 'sneak peek' of a TAG using this very same tear bear pattern from this newsletter.

 

Everyone has a different style and method to create their bears.  I invite you to experiment with facial expressions, look around at examples in the paper piecing area on ebay and see what you can create!  Good luck!