Sympathy Cards Needed for Two Families!

My cousin-in-law, whom you just saw a birthday post a few days ago, lost her mother August 18th on her birthday.  How sad to always remember losing your mother on your birthday, but in this case, her daughter gave her Mom permission to find peace in heaven with her Dad, and that it would be the best birthday gift she could give her.  Very poignant. . .it brings tears to my eyes.

My other sympathy card goes to my son-in-law and my daughter in the loss of his father August 15th.  His illness has been going on for almost two years, and as the severity increased in the past two months, we have all been praying for God to ease his suffering and for him to find peace in heaven.  He passed away this past Sunday.  I'm hoping both families receive a little comfort from my handmade cards. . .take a look below:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Night of Navy, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Very Vanilla.  Stamps--Bloom with Hope (ret. 2015), Hardwood (background), Mixed Bunch (large flower-ret.), Petite Petals, .  Ink--Night of Navy, Whisper White Craft (ret.).  Dies--Hexagon Hive (ret.), Sizzlits Little Leaves (ret.).  Punches: Modern Label (ret.), Blossom (ret.), 5/8" Chevron Ribbon (ret.).  Pearls.  Other: EK Punch: Scallop Corners, Medium.  Computer verse.  Size: 5" x 6".  (TY Liz Thayer for original design idea).

The Card Story & Other Tidbits

For these two families, I decided to use a design that I was introduced to over two years ago in March 2014 at a cardmaking event hosted by Liz Thayer, my Stampin' Up upline.  This was an event where we were to make two cards of six designs.  As I began preparing the parts for this particular card, as is usual for me, ideas began popping in my head of some things I wanted to change on the basic design and the embellishments.  I knew I wanted to added a little more color, some more mat layers, change the sentiment, and tweak the embellishments just a bit.  I completed the stamping, punching and die-cutting needed, and I decided to pack up my card pieces to finish these two duplicate cards at home.

Believe it or not, I have looked at these cards at least ten times in the past two years and have never actually finished them, but I did decided that they would make lovely sympathy cards rather than the original "get well" design.  Remembering this thought, I pulled out the pieces and finished both cards to give to the loved ones of those who have passed on to peace with the Lord. 

Besides changing them to sympathy cards, my other changes are that I added a navy blue cardbase and a Crumb Cake mat layer to coordinate with my ribbon flag, which enlarged the cards, making them more my style.  I turned over the chevron-patterned ribbon, deciding to use the solid color on the back.  I moved the ribbon flag and flowers higher on the cards to allow more room that I thought was needed for the sentiment.  I added an under mat to my sentiment and also added more leaves to the flowers, using a different die.  Though Liz's original design to very evident, I think my changes here and there really add to the lovely original design, and it suits my cardmaking style.  I finished off my cards by creating an inside design that coordinates with the card front and a sympathy verse to suit the occasion.