Sunday, October 19, 2014

With Sympathy

I think almost every card-maker struggles with sympathy cards. Card making is such a joyous and fun process that it seems almost wrong to create something for an occasion that's painful and sad. But a sympathy card can also be a source of comfort for the recipient.

This card wasn't made with anyone particular in mind, thankfully. I've stopped buying greeting cards from the store entirely, so I decided to create a small stash for myself with cards that would cover almost any occasion. Since I've been hitting pockets of being too busy to craft, I realize more than ever how valuable and important such a stash can be.

I started by cutting and scoring a piece of navy cardstock into a standard top-folding A2 card base (4 1/4 by 5 1/2"). Then I grabbed my Bigshot and cut out several stitched rectangular panels. I used a white woodgrain cardstock for the largest panel, a soft brown for the middle and plain white for the top.

I stamped several flower silhouettes from MFT's Peaceful Wildflowers in light gray ink, using second-generation stamping to add lighter images for extra depth. Second generation stamping is when you ink up a stamp, stamp it once on some scrap paper and the second time on your cardstock. It leaves you with a much lighter, faded or translucent image, which is perfect for the times you want a more subtle touch.

I stamped a sentiment from MFT's Grand Peaceful Wildflowers in navy ink.

I wanted to add a ribbon, but not add bulk to the card so it could be mailed out. So, I simply adhered a piece of ribbon to the middle panel, dividing it in half. I adhered the top panel to the middle panel with my standard adhesive, then mounted it on the woodgrain panel with foam tape. Lastly, I adhered the 3 panels to the card front, and the card was finished.

Supplies:
My Favorite Things Peaceful Wildflowers stamp
My Favorite Things Grand Peaceful Wildflowers stamp
My Favorite Things Hybrid ink in Nightshift Blue
Stampin' Up Classic inlkpads in Sahara Sand and Crumb Cake
Simon Says Stamp cardstock in Soft Navy, and in White Woodgrain
Neenah Solar White cardstock in 80lbs
Bazzill canvas cardstock in Fawn
My Favorite Things Blueprints 13 dies
Mama Elephant Femme Frames dies
Lawn Fawn Stitched Journaling card die
Stampin' Up Whisper White Organza ribbon
Tombow Craft Dot Adhesive Runner (pink)
3M Double-sided Foam Tape

4 comments:

  1. I stumbled on your blog via clicking on google about Sympathy and Illiness cards. I thought you did a fantastic job! I struggled making these kind of cards too. Such a pretty image and well thought out designs. Love it!

    I also read your post about your crafty thoughts and goals and boy, you completely wrote what I felt. I have put a halt on my crafty spending and am only using what I have for over several months now. I'm doing well, except I'm running out of stuff (It's a good thing). I do still buy crafty things, but only with a project in mind. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Sorry this comment is getting long! Have a great day! I am off to become a follower!

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    1. Yay! I'm so glad you found my blog! Thank you so much for your kind words about the card. It took a bit longer than usual to figure out what to make, since my regular bright and fun go-to elements didn't seem appropriate. But I do like how it turned out and I'm planning on playing with making a few more.

      And I'm so glad you liked the crafty thoughts and goals post! It gave me a real thrill to read that you feel the same way. I love that you're running out of things, too! It means you've been using all those awesome supplies, and that's really inspiring. I want to get to a point of running out of things, too. :D

      (No worries about the comment getting long! I loved reading every word.)

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  2. I struggle with sympathy cards. Fortunately I rarely have to make one but I confess I have been known to go with store bought cards. You, however, have nailed it - simple, elegant, and respectful.

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    1. Thank you, Kylie. :)

      I don't blame you at all for not wanting to make a sympathy card. Card-making is so fulfilling and happy that it seems a bit strange to make a somber card with it.

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