-
This paper bag centerpiece will be a cute addition to a child's birthday party, baby shower or other special holiday, just by adding ribbon and accessories and colors to match the decor. Use a bear cookie-cutter, clip art or a coloring page to find the simple outline of a bear standing with arms outstretched. Enlarge the bear pattern to fit a piece of paper 8 1/2 inches wide and 11 inches long. Print the pattern on card stock. Cut out the bear on the outline. Trace the bear shape on the outside of a brown paper bag and cut it out. Apply a line of craft glue around the edge of the bear, except for under the arm and halfway down the leg on one side. Place the bear, glue-side down, on the outside of a remaining piece of brown paper bag. Use an old iron to press the bear. This will dry the glue and press the glue seam flat. Cut out the bear, removing the excess brown bag. Fill the bear with stuffing through the side left open. Use an unsharpened pencil to push the stuffing into all areas of the bear. Apply glue to the inside edge of the opening and iron the bear closed.
Apply light pink acrylic paint to the cheeks and the ears on the front of the bear by lightly pouncing with a stencil brush. Hot glue a flat 1/2-inch button to the center of the face (the nose) and two flat 1/2-inch buttons (the eyes) 1/8 inch above the nose and 1/8 inch apart. Cut a 24 inch length of 1/2-inch wide ribbon and tie it into in a bow around the bear's neck. Poke a wooden skewer up between the legs of the bear and remove it. Apply glue to the blunt end of the skewer and reinsert into the hole. Push the skewer halfway up the body's length. Hot glue a floral foam brick inside a flower pot, basket or container suitable for the party decor. Cover the foam with Spanish moss, excelsior or shredded paper basket filler. Insert the wooden skewer of the bear into the floral brick so the bear looks like he is standing. Insert flowers into the foam around the bear or hot glue small toys and decorations appropriate for the party. -
This centerpiece is suitable for a Mother's Day tea party, baby shower or bridal shower. Select a hat to use as a centerpiece basket. A straw hat or lady's antique hat are ideal. Place the hat upside down. Set a stuffed teddy bear into the hat, hot-gluing it to secure it.
Dress your bear in a hat, collar, ribbons and pearls. The sizes for all of these accessories will depend on the size of your bear. Use a straw craft hat about 4 or 6 inches. Hot glue the hat to the bear's head, at an angle over one ear. The collar is a crocheted doily. Cut a slit from the side of the doily to the center. Insert the bear's neck into the doily and wrap the slit ends to the back. Secure the ends with hot glue. Cut a ribbon 24 inches long. Tie the ribbon in a bow around the bear's neck.
Finish the centerpiece with a pearl necklace draped around the neck, a china cup and saucer on the bear's lap and vintage hankies and ladies gloves tucked around the bear.
