Bringing Comfort in Loss

One of my Splitcoaststamper friends recently lost her mother, and I wanted to send her a sympathy card in the hope of bringing her comfort, knowing that her friends are thinking about her and sending lots of prayers.

I had a challenge I needed to complete that required a clean and simple style card, using only a small percentage of the front card surface.  Now, this is really a challenge for me since clean and simple is definitely not my style, though I often like cards others have done that have this style.  I would certainly agree that this style lends itself well to sympathy cards; therefore, I thought I'd give it a go.

I'm actually pretty happy with my finished card, and I hope my friend will find it brings that comfort and peace I'm hoping for her.  I do have to admit, I just had to add a very petite mat layer border provided by the card base and in a color pulled from the ink-blended, masked circle behind the bird. Take a peek at the finished card below, both inside and out:

Ingredients:  SU Melon Mambo cs, White Metallic Shimmer cs (Amazon). SU stamps: Best Bird (2016-2018). SU dies: Flourish Thinlits (2016-2018/ trimmed). SU Inks: Daffodil Yellow, Calypso Coral, Melon Mambo. Melon Mambo flicked splatters. SU punch: Curvy Corner Trio (2015-2017inside). SU sequins: Iridescent Assortment. SU: Blending Brushes. Wink of Stella/ Clear. Chatterbox sentiment/ verse. Size: 4-1/2 x 6 inches.

Sympathy & Prayers

I needed to make sympathy cards for my son to give to a long-time friend from his high school days (and his parents), who lost his brother (and son) in an accident in late March.   His friend married a Polish young lady several years ago and resides in Poland; therefore, tragically, he was unable to come home for the funeral.  Our entire family sends prayers of comfort to help him and his family through this sorrowful time.

I decided to use the Stampin' Up Feels Like Frost nature scenes paper for both cards in the lavender and purple hues.  I think this paper, done in off-focus almost ethereal look, lends itself well to sympathy cards.  Both cards are in a similar design, one using a vellum overlay for the front and sentiment background and the other using the vellum only as a background for the sentiment.  Take a peek at the finished cards and inside scripture verses.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Night of Navy, Gorgeous Grape, Heather Highland, Whisper White.  Patterned Paper--Feels Like Frost (2019-21 Holidays).  Vellum--Transluscent.  Dies--Crosses of Hope framelits (2018-20 retired).  Other:  Cottage Cutz Expressions dies.  Pretty Pink Posh sequins--Sparkling Clear & Iridescent.  Triveni Crafts Pearl Sunflowers-White.  EK Corner punch--Victorian.  Size: 4-3/4 x 6 inches.

Remembering a Warm and Wonderful Lady!

My daughter-in-law lost her grandmother several months ago and her memorial service was held later in September, all when I was unable to make sympathy cards while recovering from hand surgeries.  Her grandma was a warm and delightful lady, who always had a big smile and never failed to stop and chat after church each Sunday.  She was always willing to lift and hand and do anything and everything to help.  She was part of the women's ministry who made and served our church's monthly breakfast, and she was an avid cake maker, as well...such beautiful creations!

I really wanted to acknowledge her memory and loss with a handmade sympathy card for my daughter-in -law and her mother.  Also, to let them know how thankful I was to have been able to get to know her even better after her granddaughter was engaged and married to my son!  Using the basic design from my October 28th post, I modified it once again with a change-up of colors, embossing folders, and the window creation using white heat embossing with the Flowering Flourish stamp, and for a more subtle effect, I used the reverse side.  I made the purple for my daughter-in-law and the pink for her mother.  Take a peek below at the finished cards inside and out!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Whisper White, Highland Heather, Pretty in Pink, Vellum-Translucent.  Stamps--Serene Garden (dove), Flourishing Phrases (oval window white embossed design).  Dies--Crosses of Hope (cross), Layering Ovals.  Ink--Sahara Sand (dove), Highland Heather & Pretty in Pink (oval window brayered coloring).  Embossing Powder--White.  Embossing Folder--Tufted Dynamic.  Other:  Colorbox--Snow Frost Glitter paper.  Dies--Spellbinders Grommet Tags w/modified ends using Spellbinders Classic Triple Scallop Edges. Ribbon--Offray 5/8" Sheer Stripe, 5/8" Sheer Ruffle.  Punch: EK Victorian Corners.  Copic coloring--doves.  Chatterbox sentiment/ verse.  Size:  4-3/4 x 6 inches.  (My card design was inspire by an Easter card by Dar Peterson.)

I've been on a mission to catch-up on back challenges that I was not able to enter for one reason or another; therefore, I checked my Splitcoaststamper Challenge List before beginning, I had lots of inspirations to be able to enter my finished cards into several challenges. 

Sympathy for the Loss of a Son!

A kind and thoughtful lady that I met, probably, ten years ago, who is my Mom's Stampin' Up demonstrator, lost her 16-year old son due to a car accident a few months ago.  I was unable to make a sympathy card for her son due to recovering from hand surgeries.  So, I had to be satisfied with sending thoughts and prayers to her and her family, as well as joining a Facebook condolence post on her behalf, but I made a note that I really wanted to make her a card in the future as soon as I was able.

Meanwhile, I had a card idea started "brewing" in my head based an Easter card made by my Stampin' Up demonstrator, Dar Peterson, several years ago.  I loved her idea of the pretty oval floral-printed vellum oval, which reminded me of a church stained glass window, that she used as the backdrop for the cross on her card.  I thought it would make a lovely feature for a sympathy card.  At the same time, I was reading up a little on the Splitcoaststamper challenges available at the time, especially the Inspiration Challenge, which I always like to enter.  I found a metal scroll, rustic cross and a light blue cross ornament, which reminded me of a scrolled lattice background stamp that in blue might make a lovely oval vellum "window" for my masculine sympathy card.  I searched through my background stamps and found the lattice-style stamp that I was thinking of and place it on my craft table as a reminder for the future when my hands were better.

My hand recovery came about just before my four-week visit to my Mom in California in October and November.  Before I left, I tried out my vellum oval "window" idea and made several ovals to take with me.  Space was limited as I was flying.  While there, Mom and I got busy making cards to try and catch-up on missed occasions and also to build our Christmas card stashes.  I specifically worked on my three needed sympathy cards...the first being the one for this lovely Stampin' Up friend's sorrowful loss.   

Using Dar's original design as an idea base, I made several modifications to her card to make it fit for a sympathy card, plus make it a "more me" card.  I enlarged my card by adding more color layers with a different embossing folder pattern, plus a different color treatment, ribbon style, and sentiment layering dies.  I also added Copic color to my dove, stamped my lattice-patterned oval vellum "window" using a background stamp in Baja Breeze ink, added a scallop mat layer, and composed my own sentiment and interior verse.  Take a peek below at the finished card inside and out!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Whisper White, Dapper Denim, Vellum-Translucent.  Stamps--Serene Garden (dove).  Dies--Crosses of Hope (cross), Layering Ovals.  Ink--Baja Breeze (oval window), Sahara Sand (dove)  Embossing Folder--Stripes.  Other:  Stamps--Just Rite Modern Lattice Background stamp (oval window).  Dies--Spellbinders Grommet Tags w/modified ends using Spellbinders Classic Triple Scallop Edges. Ribbon--Offray 5/8" Stitched.  Punch: EK Victorian Corners.  Copic coloring--dove.  Wink of Stella-Clear (dove wings).  Chatterbox sentiment/ verse.  Size:  4-3/4 x 6 inches.  (Thank you Dar Peterson for the wonderful card design from which my card evolved).

The Loss of Another Loved One!

This blog is very difficult to write.  I have just finished another sympathy card for my friend and cardmaking buddy, who just lost her Dad at the end of June, and 18 days later; she lost her mother due to an automobile accident!  It is difficult to find words words to comfort her, but to let her know she is my thoughts and prayers and hope that she receives solace from knowing how much her family and friends are thinking of her.

After getting my creative mojo juices flowing by checking out a few Splitcoasterstamper (SCS) challenges ideas before starting my friend's much needed sympathy card, I decided to try a new background technique (for me) using Shaving Cream and stamp pad re-inkers.  I was really pleased with the results.  I had the butterfly I ultimately used sitting on my craft table for a while.  It was a leftover from a failed background attempt, but the butterfly turned out well, so I thought I'd save for future use.  My card's color scheme came from the Inspiration challenge and the butterfly.

I'm pretty pleased with my results and hope that this card will help ease some of my friend's grief, and at least let her know that I have her in my thoughts and prayers.  Take a peek at the card below.  If you are interested, the design and construction story follows below the card recipe for materials used.

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Recipe:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Wild Wasabi, White Shimmer, and Watercolor paper.  DCWV Glitzy Glitter Stack (gold).  Stamps--Painted Petals (flowers).  Inks--Wild Wasabi, Crisp Cantaloupe, Calypso Coral.  Dies--Butterflies Thinlits; Layering Ovals Framelits.  Solid Thick Baker's Twine--Wild Wasabi.  Other:  Smooch--Pearlized Accent Ink/ Gold.  ImagineCrafts--Frost Shimmer Spritz.  Ribbon--Offray 5/8" Sheer Scallop/ White.  Chatterbox sentiment/ verse.  Size:      4-3/4" x 6".

The Story

One of the things I like about the challenges over at Splitcoaststampers is that you can enter them at any time.  If you missed one, and you've set yourself a goal to finish all challenges within a particular challenge in the current year., you can enter when you get the card made.  I always check out the current week's challenges first, and I usually starting with the Inspiration Challenge, which selects a website for you to browse for inspiration.  At Zazzle Souvenirs, I found a Celebration of Life Guest book with a lovely picture of a pretty butterfly, which reminded me of the finished butterfly that I had sitting around on my craft table for over three weeks waiting for an eventual home.  I thought this sympathy card might be a great way to use it.  

There was also a Free 4 All Challenge a few weeks ago that I missed where you were to find inspiration about something from one of your neighboring states from where you lived.  I researched Oregon, and found that they had several conservation programs going in different areas of the state and on different species of butterflies, because they were either endangered or close to being endangered because their habitats were being destroy by human growth in their migration paths.  There was also an old Ways To Use It Challenge back in March 2017 concerning butterflies that I missed with my knee surgery.  It seemed a foregone conclusion that I was meant to make a card with a butterfly on it!

Next, I searched the Featured Stamper Challenge that I missed last week for some layout ideas, and  I found several cards with layouts that I thought might work out.  I really had been wanting to try out the Shaving Cream background technique, so I checked out the Technique Lovers Challenge, and  found an old challenge from last year that involved using shaving cream.  I have shied away from this Technique Lovers Challenge and the Mix-Ability Challenge (mixed media) as I haven't tried many of the areas of cardmaking that these challenges often require.  I really feel nervous, as a beginning novice, to try many of the techniques and ideas that are used in these two challenges, but I've made myself a goal is start diving in...so I dive, I did!

My "stash" butterfly had a variegated color scheme.  I had used Stampin' Up's Wild Wasabi, Crisp Cantaloupe, and Calypso Coral inks with a Shimmer Frost Spritz on top and some smudged pearlized gold accent ink in a few spots, as well.  I decided to try the Wild Wasabi in the shaving cream on watercolor paper and see what happened.  I was trying for a Celadon Green (a soft light minty shade) so that I could enter the color-themed Alphabet Challenge for Letter C.  I was pretty thrilled with the results!  It turned out a lovely soft green just like I wanted.  It was several shades lighter than the actual Wild Wasabi ink color.  After drying the card front with my heat tool, I spritzed the entire surface with the Shimmer Frost Spritz.  

The layout idea had a verse panel with a bird perched on the top edge in the lower right third of the card front.  Instead of this, I stamped a floral arrangement on the lower right third using my MISTI stamping tool. I planned to have my butterfly rest on these blooms.  I flicked and dotted with Smooch pearlized gold accent ink, creating many tiny random gold dots over the surface.  I also added gold streaks to the flower leaves and stamen dots on the blooms.  As did the layout idea, I added the vertical ribbon band along the left side.  Mine was a white sheer scalloped ribbon, but instead of a ribbon bow, I centered a solid green thick Baker's twine down the ribbon center tying off with a green twine bow.  I added an oval sentiment with a gold glimmer scalloped mat toward the top left.  I die-cut a second open-cut butterfly from the gold glimmer paper and added it under my variegated "stash" butterfly, staggering it about 1/16" so that it just barely peeked under that top butterfly.  I was truly satisfied with my results.

Losing a Loved One!

A dear lady friend and cardmaking buddy has just lost her Dad, and another sympathy card is needed.  I was in the mood to make a soft and feminine card with some sort of flowers.

Following my usual pattern, I checked the Splitcoaststamper (SCS) challenges that I had not participated in to find some ideas to focus on and get my mojo moving.  Several challenges dealt with the possibility of using flowers, but I needed to come up with a color scheme and a layout.  I  found my color scheme from the newest Inspiration Challenge using a lovely coral, soft brown, and cream top from the Serengeti Fashions website and refined it with the Alphabet Challenge, Color Letter I for Ivory.  I came up with an idea for my layout from the Featured Stamper Challenge that used a quatrefoil background with a flower, though I modified my layout a bit to make more mine by using a lattice three-layered die-cut with only partial background coverage.

As my card evolved, I added more blossoms and more sizes than I first planned, and I added pearls and glitter to the flowers and to the lattice to give the card some sparkle.  Take a peek at my friend's finished sympathy card below, both the outside and  inside designs, plus the computer-composed sentiment and verse.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Soft Suede, Crisp Cantaloupe, Very Vanilla.  Stamps--Gorgeous Grunge (splatters); Flower Shop (large pansy); Petite Petals (small flower).  Ink--Soft Suede, Crisp Cantaloupe.  Die--Bigz Lattice (3 layers).  Punches--Pansy; Petite Petals.  Ribbon--3/4" Chevron Calypso Coral.  Glitter--Dazzling Diamonds.  Pearls.  Other products:  My Favorite Things Die--Interactive Oval Word Window.  Computer-made sentiment/ verse.  Size:  4-3/4" x 6".

Sympathy for the Loss of a Brother!

My daughter-in-law's father just lost his brother due to an accident and surgery complications, and once again, I needed to make another sympathy card.  This is the second recent loss of one of her uncles, as her mother lost one of her brothers about a month ago.  It seems like I have made several too many of these types of card lately.   

I was going to participate in the SCS Ways to Use It challenge several weeks ago, which required the use of a silhouette—stamped or die-cut, but I was not able to get to it.  I have an idea in mind using a partially finished card started over a year ago that will work great.  It is a leftover from a card class by Dar Peterson to which I have made several changes.  

I changed up the background from vertical coloring with Stampin' Up markers into a horizontal watercolored background using Crushed Curry and So Saffron ink and an aqua painter.  When the panel was dry, I added very fine dots of black paint for a bit more interest.  I also changed the direction of my Flourish Framelit die-cut going from bottom to top and place my sentiment in the top left corner instead of the bottom right.  I added some Wink of Stella for some sheen on my black silhouetted flourish, and I added white pearls instead of black-inked pearls.  Next, I die cut a decorative-edged, Daffodil Yellow layer instead of using a plain So Saffron layer, and I made my Delightful Dijon layer with less of its color edge showing.  Take a peek at my finished card below:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products: Cardstock--Whisper White, Daffodil Yellow, Delightful Dijon, Basic Black.  Stamps: Flourishing Phrases.  Ink: Crushed Curry, So Saffron, Basic Gray (sentiment).  Dies:  Flourish Framelits.  Pearls.   Other:  Die: Avery Elle Postage Stamp.  Folk Art Acrylic Paint: Licorice.  Chatterbox inside verse.  Size: 4-1/2" x 5-3/4."

Traveling Teapot Challenge...Sympathy Card #2!

Splitcoaststamper's Teapot Challenge for May 15, 2018 is for the mother and grandmother of our SCS friend's great niece, who has left us and gone to her final resting place with God.  I wanted to participate in this challenge and send my card on the way to this family, who are so grief stricken.  I am praying that all of our SCS cards will help bring solace to their wounded hearts.  It is always difficult to deal with losing loved ones, but when they are young as well, it makes it doubly difficult.  Take a peek at my card below, which is bright and cheerful, and I hope it bring a small smile to their faces.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Bermuda Bay, Lemon-Lime Twist, Whisper White.  Pattern Paper--Eastern Palace DSP.  Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers, Christmas Quilt (stamped bg).  Ink--Bermuda Bay, Lemon-Lime Twist.  Dies--Quilt Builder Framelits, Layering Ovals Framelits (plain/ scallop), Stitched Shapes Framelits.  Pearls.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

Hugs & Prayers for SCS Friend. . .

A wonderful Splitcoaststamper friend has lost her young, great niece, and I wanted to join the Teapot Party to let her know we are so sorry for her family's loss.  To lose someone is always difficult, but that much more so when they are very young!  I am sending our friend hugs and prayers in a card, sealed with a kiss.

I have had this fantastic stamp set that I know it has flooded Splitcoasterstampers and Pinterest with oodles of card, but I have never inked it up myself.  I thought this lovely tree and scenery would be just right for a sympathy card.  I'm hoping it bring comfort to our SCS friend.  Time will eventually help heal and allow her and her family to remember wonderful memories of this sweet little girl who has gone too early to a peaceful and loving place.  Take a peek below at my finished card inside and out.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up Products:  Cardstocks--Blushing Bride, Lucky Limeaide (ret.), Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla; Stamps--Sheltering Tree; Inks--Chocolate Chip, Pear Pizzaz, Strawberry Slush, Pink Pirouette, Memento Tuxedo Black, Burnt Brown Sugar (ink edge distressing); Embossing Folder--Petal Pair (2018 Occ); 1/2" Pink Pirouette seam binding ribbon (ret.).  Other:  Stash--Metal Leaf; Chatterbox sentiment/ verse (computer printed); Size--4-3/4" x 6".

Sympathy Card for Sibling-in-Laws

As I mentioned in several posts in the past few weeks, my son-in-law's father passed on to the Lord after a few years of dealing with a terminal illness.  My son-in-law has three sisters, and I wanted to send each of them a sympathy card to let them know that they and their families are in our thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.  

I made a card for their mother that I delivered while at the funeral, but I did not have time to make enough cards for each of the siblings before we left for Oregon.  I so liked the card I made for their mother that I decided to make three more cards using the same design but changing the color on each of them.  Take a look below at my finished cards for each of the sisters and their families in pastel shades of purple, pink, and soft greens and blues.  See: http://chatterboxcreations-1.blogspot.com/2016/08/a-sympathy-card-for-family-in-law.html for the original card post.

Ingredients/ All Cards:  SU Stamps-Simply Sketched (ret./ sentiment).  SU Dies-Butterflies & Bold Butterflies.  SU Glitter-Dazzling Diamonds.  Elmer's Spray Adhesive.  SU Punch-Curvy Corners (ret.).  Spellbinders dies-Roman Trellis Background; Classic Ovals SM; Scalloped Ovals LG.  Recollections-Flower.    Computer-made verse.  Wink of Stella-Clear.  Technique: Frosted Glittering (spray adhesive and glitter).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

Purple Ingredients:  Paper products: Bazzill cardstock-Purple Palisades.  SU cardstock-Whisper White.  DCWV-Pocket Full of Posies dp.  Memento Ink-Grape Jelly.  Recollections Purple Pearls.  Offray Ribbon-5/8" Stitched Satin; 5/8" Two-tone Sheer.

Pink Ingredients:  Paper products:  SU cardstock-Pink Pirouette, Whisper White.  My Mind's Eye-Everyday Tango Stack 2010.  SU Ink-Pretty in Pink.  SU Pearls (Copic colored).  SU Ribbon-Pink Pirouette Seam Binding.  Stash: 5/8" Metallic Stripe Sheer.

Soft Green/ Blue Ingredients:  Paper products: SU cardstock-Soft Sky, Whisper White.  Melissa Frances-Heart & Home Collection/Amanda.  Recollections Blue Pearls.  SU Ribbon-Pistachio Seam Binding.  Offray Ribbon-3/8" Two-tone Sheer.

A Sympathy Card for a Dear Husband. . .

My daughter's father-in-law just passed away from a long and painful illness.  With his type of illness, as time passes, it is a blessing for him to find peace in heaven with the Lord.  I wanted to make a special sympathy card for my son-in-law's mother so that she would know she is in our thoughts and prayers in hope that she will soon overcome her pain and be able to cherish the memories of her long married life of well over 50 years with her dear husband.  Take a look below at my finished card inside and out.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Shimmer white (cardbase), Daffodil Yellow, Whisper White.  Stamps--Simply Sketched (retired/ sentiment).  Punch--Curvy Corners (retired).  Dies--Butterflies & Bold Butterflies.  Glitter--Dazzling Diamonds.  Pearls (Copic colored).  Others:  Ink--Memento-Tuxedo Black.  Dies--Spellbinders: Roman Trellis Background; Classic Ovals SM; Scalloped Ovals LG.  Elmer's Spray Adhesive.  Recollections: Flower.  Stash--5/8" Trimmed Satin.  Computer-made verse.  Wink of Stella-Clear.  Technique: Frosted Glittering (using spray adhesive and glitter).  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

Tidbits

To make my background die glittered, I used what I call Glitter Frosting.  I have no idea if this is considered a technique, and if so, I have no idea what it is called; thus I named it Glitter Frosting.  

After you have cut out your cardstock with your die and Big Shot machine (or other die-cutting machine), place the die-cut in a protected area and spray it with a spray adhesive, which works better than trying to apply craft glue or liquid glue.  I use Elmer's Craft Spray Adhesive, which I purchased at WalMart.  (I also use a cardboard box lined with scratch paper to catch the excess adhesive over-spray.  I also do my spraying outside as the spray adhesive has a pretty powerful odor.  You also do not have to worry about the adhesive over-spray to much if it gets on your grass or driveway.)

After spraying on the adhesive, I gently pick up the wet die-cut with craft tweezers and move it to a clean piece of printer paper or other scrap paper about printer paper size.  Next, I sprinkle it with Iridescent Glitter (Stampin' Up Dazzling Diamonds) making sure all areas of the wet die-cut are liberally and thoroughly covered with glitter.  Again, I pick up the die-cut with the tweezers and tap it on its edge to shake off excess glitter.  I set it aside for about 30 minutes to be sure the adhesive is dry and the glitter is well set.  

Finally, I take a paint brush and gently brush the entire surface to further remove any more loose glitter.  When finished, you can pour the glitter off the printer paper back into your glitter bottle to be re-used in the future.

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.

Sadly, A Sympathy Card is Needed!

While I've been away from home, it seems all kinds of unforeseen things have happened.  It is strange how just a month of time can change a whole lifetime.   While I've been gone, my oldest son's girl friend's father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and within three weeks has already passed away.  Our family knows from several family experiences that this is a fast-moving, almost impossible to cure, or put into remission, cancer.  In most cases, such as this gentleman, it is a silent killer, usually quite advanced before you even know you are sick.  We were fortunate to have met and shared some time with my son's girl friend's father, and we grieve with her in her loss.

I wanted to send a card to her from my husband and myself to let her know that we are both keeping her and her father in our thoughts and prayers.  We hope and pray that her painful grief can be short-lived to allow her peace and thus the ability to remember her father in peace, cherishing her lifetime of loving and happy memories.  For her card, I cased a Liz Thayer original from a card class that I took with her just a few short weeks before I traveled south for my visit.  I changed the original card up a bit with a partial switch of front colors and added another color layer by using a new cardbase.  I substituted a new layered sentiment so that my card became a sympathy card, rather than a "hello" card.  I like the original card, but I really love the way the changes allows my card to present as a lovely sympathy card.

My finishing touch is always to create my own card interior to compliment the exterior design and make up or choose an appropriate verse suited to the occasion.  I have used the verse that I chose before, but wanted to use it again because I really love the way that it shares exactly what I hope for any person who has lost someone near and dear to them.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up Products:  Cardstocks--Very Vanilla, Smokey Slate, Pool Party.  Ink--Crumb Cake, Pool Party.  Dies:  Botanical Builder Framelits.  Embossing Folder: Boho Chic.  Punch:  Curvy Corners (retired/ inside); Sentiment underlay:  Blossom punch modified (retired).  Lace--Very Vanilla 1/2" Lace Trim.  3/8" Metallic Pool Party Ribbon (2016 Occasions retired).  Basic Pearls (inside pearls Copic colored).  Sentiment/ Verse: computer made.  Size:  4-1/2" x 5-3/4".

With Heartfelt Sympathy. . .

My dear friend, Sandy, seems to have had a run of unhappy events in the loss of several near and dear to her, from a long-time friend of nearly 50 years, a sister-in-law, a dear friend's niece, and another friend acquired through marriage.  I wanted to send her a card to let her know I was thinking of her and wished I could have been less busy to lend her an ear and a shoulder to lean on.  Unfortunately, my daughter's wedding planning seemed to take over my life and consume every minute of the day and night to iron out many details that were slipping through the cracks as our timeline grew shorter and shorter.  So, after the wedding, but a bit belatedly, I finished a card I started at a card event hosted by Liz Thayer way back in May, 2014.  I loved the design and the colors of this card, but my creative urges challenged me to tweak it a bit here and there to make it more me.  

Liking layers, I added an Elegant Eggplant cardbase beneath the Crumb Cake layer and adhered these two pieces together.  I then adhered the card front to the Summer Starfruit layer and popped this set of layers off the cardbase set of layers.  Early on, I decided I wanted to add a second stamped flower to my card front (for me it was too much negative space) and not just a single flower as in the original design.  I had already stamped this second flower on my card front at the card event.  I also had decided I wanted them raised up a bit farther toward the top of the card than the original flower.  

I'm can't remember if the original single flower had a second fussy-cut flower layer slightly popped on top, and it was also difficult to tell from the picture I took of Liz's original card with my cell phone.  If she didn't, I must have decided that was what I wanted to do to my flowers because there were two additional flowers stamped and colored on a scrap of paper in my baggie of half finished pieces from the event.   I had also stamped the sentiment on this scrap as well, so I must have been thinking of placing the sentiment in a different location than the original card.  The original card design had the sentiment stamped directly onto the upper card front.  I'm not sure what my thoughts were at the time of the event, but in the present time, I decided I liked the sentiment stamped directly onto the card front and not added as separate layer. 

After fussy-cutting my colored flowers from the scrap of paper, I popped them up with a double layer of glue dots, I also add some glittery shimmer to the flowers with my Clear Wink of Stella glitter brush pen.  This complimented the shimmer already on the card front pieces that I had started back in 2014.  I believe this shimmer was achieved by spritzing with a now retired spritzing agent.  From the picture, I can't tell if the original design had the shimmer on the card front pieces or not, but I assume they did.

My final changes were to add a tied lace ribbon knot onto the lace ribbon band and add pearls in the four corners of the card front.  I decided not to add the petite safety pin as was on the original card, it just didn't seem to go with my changes.  As, I said, I loved the original card design and its colors, but just had the creative urge to make a few changes making the card more my own.  I'm really please with the results and hope that my card will bring my friend a bit of solace to her days as she is reminded my thoughts and prayers are with her.  

I have added my inside creation that I coordinated with the front design and my verse, which I completed with my computer.  In addition, I have added the picture of the original card design below to help clarify the changes I made.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Elegant Eggplant, Crumb Cake, Summer Starfruit, Very Vanilla.  Stamps--Simply Sketched, En Francaise (both retired).  Ink--Crumb Cake, Elegant Eggplant, Summer Starfruit (distressing).  Markers--Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder.  Pearls.  Vintage Lace.  Other products: Encore Gold Metallic Ink.  Versamark Illuminate.  Wink of Stella-Clear.  (Thank you Liz Thayer for original card design.)

This is the original card design by Liz Thayer: 

With Sympathy. . .

My daughter, Jackie, was just married this past week-end, and unfortunately, one of her bridesmaid's lost her mother-in-law (and her two boys' grandmother) just a day before the wedding.  There is no best time for the loss of someone near and dear to us, but I am sadden that my daugther's longtime childhood friend was suffering this loss as she bravely carried on with her duties as a bridesmaid.  She is truly a great and good friend!

I wanted to send our families condolences to Heather and her boys, and especially thank them for finding it possible to still celebrate Jackie's wedding.  Though we would all have understood if they found it impossible to attend, we are so glad they were able to join us.  I kept an eye  out to be sure happier thoughts came their way, and see that they could set aside their sorrow for just a few hours while the celebration of the wedding and reception took place.  Our thoughts and prayers will be with them during this week while they attend to sadder duties on behalf of their loved one.

I decided to put together a sympathy card that used a combination of techniques taught by Liz Thayer at one of her cardmaking and teaching events well over a year ago.  The two techniques used were used:  1)masking & sponging and 2) stamping-off.

1.  First, I determined my finished card size to be 4-7/8" x 5-3/8", and I cut two pieces of Stampin' Up's Shimmer White cardstock at 5-1/2" to be sure I had enough to work with.  I cut a third from a scrap of cardstock to 4-1/2" x 5" to use as my mask.  I die-cut my mask cardstock with a rectangular opening like a picture frame.  Note: if you were going to use only the bottom masked layer as the finished front of your card, you would need to determine the exact size needed for your rectangular picture frame opening.  In my case, I am planning to overlay a top piece of cardstock with an oval cut-out for a framed card front overlaying the finished bottom masked layer, so I just needed to be sure my sponging/ stamping rectangular frame was a bit larger than the would-be oval frame opening. 

2.  I layered the picture frame over that second clean piece of cardstock as instructed above.  You can lightly tape the two exactly place pieces to your work surface with painter's tape or washi tape be be sure it does not move.  Lightly sponge the colors desired onto the underlaying piece of cardstock through the masked "window frame" by starting on the framed mask and moving lightly into the opening.  Repeat colors until you get the sponging effect desired.  For my finished card, I planned to use the same colors Liz used in teaching this technique because I thought they were beautiful together and lend themselves well to a sympathy card:  Crisp Cantaloupe and Pistachio Pudding inks (which are now retired).  

3.  Next is to stamp your desired image onto the complete sponged rectangle where desired.  I am using Stampin' Up's Pleasant Poppies (now retired).  I used my MISTI stamping tool to place my flower stamp exactly where I wanted, stamping in Memento Tuxedo Black ink.   

4.  To complete your stamped image with the shadow effect I used, you will need a few pieces of scrap paper to mask areas you do not want stamped on your sponged area below the main stamped flower image.  I used a few scraps of printer paper scraps.  I chose the parts of the flower stamp I wanted in my shadowed area and inked it up, then stamped-off on scrap paper once or twice depending on how light you want your shadows to be, and finally stamped on my sponged area below my main flower image.  Try a few samples of stamping-off until you decide what works best for you.  

5. The final step for my flower image was to finish off the image with a glimmery sheen.  In this case, I very lightly sponged the Versamark Illuminate Glimmer ink pad, sold by Stampin' Up, which has now been retired, over my completed flower image.  I believe the Illuminate Glimmer is sold in craft stores as Versamark Dazzle Frost and is still available on the market today.

6.  For my own card, I had decided to frame my sponged, stamped-off flower image.  Taking my second pre-cut Shimmer White cardstock, I die-cut an oval from the center of the cardstock, using a Spellbinders Petite Ovals die (#4 oval of 6).  When complete, I stamped my sentiment at the bottom using my MISTI stamping tool and adhered this oval framed layer on top of the finished sponged flower image. 

7.  I cut my Pistachio Pudding cardstock base to 4-7/8" x 5-3/8".  Then, I cut my Crisp Cantaloupe layer so there was 1/8" edge of the Pistachio showing around all edges of the Cataloupe.  I trimmed my Shimmer White framed image layers to allow for a 1/8" Cataloupe edge to show around all its edges. 

8.  My final step was a computer-made inside verse using a combination of several lines from sympathy verses I have composed over the years.  

I love the soft, soothing look of this sympathy card made just for Heather and her boys, and I hope it helps her to know we are thinking of her family in this time of sorrow.  Take a peek at the completed front of my card creations, along with a peek at the finished inside design.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks - Pistachio Pudding, Crisp Cantloupe, (2013-2015 In Colors/ retired) Shimmer White.  Stamps - Pleasant Poppies, Loving Thoughts (retired).  Ink - Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding (retired).  Versamark Illuminate Ink pad (to create image shimmer).  Other products: Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.  Spellbinders die:  Petite Ovals LG (#4 of 6).  My Favorite Things: Oval Stitched STAX (inside).  

Sympathy for a Dear Friend. . .

A long-standing, good friend has just lost her mother during the Christmas holidays.  This is a tough time that many of us have experienced, and it is difficult enough without happening during Christmas.  I attended a lovely Open House several days ago held on behalf of her and her family, and I wanted to make and send a sympathy card to let her know I'm thinking about her a lot.

I am using some stamp sets and products that I have had for some time, because they just spoke to me when thumbing through some of my cardmaking stash to decide what I wanted to do.  I used the Deco Labels framelits to shape my stamped flower and its Garden Green background mat.  I tried a little modification of the Deco Labels framelit by using its belly to form my sentiment shape and its green background mat.  Finally, I embossed the surface of the black card front with Stampin' Up's Square Lattice embossing folder, which has been retired now for several years.  I have always loved this embossing folder as it lends itself easily to many types of occasions from masculine cards, to Halloween cards, to just this type of card. . .in sympathy.  

Take a peek below at the finished product, along with the inside design and verse that I created.  I hope the verse brings my friend some solace.

Recipe:  SU cardstocks: Basic Black, Whisper White, Garden Green, Melon Mambo. SU Stamps: Simply Sketched (retired June 2014).  SU Framelit dies: Deco Labels.  SU Embossing Folder: Square Lattice.  SU Markers: Melon Mambo, Garden Green.  SU ribbon:  3/8" Gumball Green.  EK punch: Victorian Photo Corner.  Jewelry Essentials Facets.  Computer-made verse.

Sympathy Card #2

As mentioned in my previous post, I needed to send a sympathy card to my brother-in-law's brother's wife, Shelley, whose husband died unexpectedly while I was away in Oregon.

Needing cards as soon as possible, my second card to the rescue was one I made at a Stampin' Up Catalog Kick-Off Make 'N Take hosted by Dara Peterson and Luci.  This card was intended to be a Thinking of You card, but I chose not to add the sentiment shown on the original just because I felt it could be used for a variety of occasions, including a sympathy card.  I used a sentiment and a verse from a newly retired Stampin' Up stamp set, Bloom with Hope.  I was very please with the final outcome of this lovely card designed by Dara Peterson.

Here is a look at the finished inside design also using the Stampin' Up retired stamp set, Bloom with Hope for the inside verse.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up cardstocks: Watermelon Wonder (2015-2017 In Colors), Whisper White, Basic Black.  SU Stamps: You've Got This, Bloom with Hope (retired).  SU Ink: Watermelon Wonder.  Memento: Tuxedo Black. SU framelit dies: Deco Labels SU ribbon: 1" Dotted Lace/ Watermelon Wonder.  SU Marker: Delightful Dijon.  SU: rhinestones (Copic colored).

Sympathy Cards to Make. . .

While I was away in Oregon helping my daughter with re-decorating work on the beach house Tillamook Head bedroom, my husband called with some sad news.  Our brother-in-law (his youngest sister's husband), lost his only remaining brother, Walt, who developed  a very sudden and unexpected health issue.  He was taken in for emergency surgery, which he survived, but he died  unexpectedly a few days later due to complications with his diabetic condition.  He was a man in his mid-60's. . .so sad.

I needed to send a sympathy card to our brother-in-law, Dave, and to Walt's wife, Shelley.  I was already so far behind and belated on almost all of my June cards, but thankfully to the rescue came two cards that I recently made at two different cardmaking events.  My first card chosen to send to Dave was made at our May Girls' Get-Away Retreat and was designed by Liz Thayer.  The technique is to color the vellum on the backside with a coloring marker.  In this case, I used the Lost Lagoon Stampin' Up Marker.  On the front side, glue was applied to the butterflies and then sprinkled with glitter. This panel was then adhered to the card front.

I had almost completed the card at the event, but decided not to put on the sentiment, because I thought it could be used for a variety of occasions.  In addition, I switch the corded bow from the right side to the left side, deciding to place my sentiment to the lower right of the card bottom rather than on the left.  I thought the card when completely finished made a beautiful sympathy card.

My final step, as with all my cards, was to decide on an inside verse to suit a sympathy card.  I composed a little verse that I hope will let Dave know we are thinking of him and keeping him in our prayers.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up:  Cardstocks - Whisper White, Lost Lagoon; DSP - Sheer Perfection Vellum Stack (2015-SAB suppl.).  SU stamp: Thought & Prayers (sentiment).  Spellbinders dies: Petite Ovals; Petite Scallop Ovals.  QuicKutz die: Photo Corner (inside).  SU EF: Perfect Polka Dots (retired).  Thick Baker's Twine: Lost Lagoon (2-15-SAB suppl.).  SU Marker: Lost Lagoon.  SU: Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  SU rhinestones.

Swallowtail Sympathy Card

One of my husband's cousins that he grew up with past away this last week after a prolonged illness.  It is of some comfort that his cousin is now at peace and in a place more restful than his last months here.  I needed to set my mind to a sympathy card design.  Sometimes, I find it difficult to do sympathy card, but I've found that if I focus on a card that will be elegant, but restful and peaceful, the mojo flows.

I made a sympathy card for a long-time friend several months ago when her mother passed, and I really like the color palette for her card.  I decided to use it again:  black,  Crumb Cake, vanilla, and gold metallic, but change it up with a little pastel yellow instead of cream.  I had used the Stampin' Up Swallowtail stamp before, but never on a sympathy card, but I thought with this color palette it would be really pretty.

My previous sympathy card used a patterned paper in blacks and tans that I spritzed with my homemade Inca Gold Metallic spritzer.  I decided to use this idea on the Crumb Cake cardstock onto which I planned to stamp my Swallowtail butterfly.  I spritzed the cardstock and dried it, and I was ready to stamp.  I off-centered the butterfly to the right side of the card and stamped with Memento Ink, because I planned to color in parts of the wings with Copic markers.  

I designed a little multi-layer fishtail sentiment tag.  The sentiment is computer-made and punched out with the SU Word Window punch.  I trimmed off one curved end and fishtailed it to match the black and yellow layers below.  The other curve end (under the ribbon) is finished off with one of the onyx rhinestones...it looks really cute, if cute is the right word for a sympathy card. 

Now that the front design was complete, I set my efforts to creating a coordinating inside design and finding just the right sympathy verse.  I came upon this quote from Isiah 40:11 that I thought was perfect.  Using the computer, I decided to print my verse onto a piece of gold metallic spritzed Crumb Cake cardstock made just as I did for the front before I stamped the Swallowtail.  I placed the pre-prepared, dried cardstock in the printer and printed the verse.  I was very pleased with the results.

Recipe:  SU papers:  Basic Black, Crumb Cake. SU stamp: Swallowtail. SU Antique Brad. SU punch: Word Window (sentiment/ one end fishtailed).  Darice Core’dinations Glitter paper: String of Pearls.  Memento Ink: Tuxedo Black.  SU: Vintage Brad.  Ribbon Stash: 5/8” Gold metallic; 1/4” Gold Metallic edged black satin. Y08 Copic marker. Black rhinestones. Computer-made sentiment. Homemade Fishtail tag.  Homemade: Inca Gold Metallic Spritz (FolkArt Metallic Inca Gold Acrylic paint). Becca’s Bowmaker.  Inside: EK Victorian Photo Corner punch.

In Memory of a Lovely Lady

My husband's last surviving aunt just passed away in July.  She celebrated her 93rd birthday in late June, and we certainly were not expecting this sudden turn of events.  She was a wonderful person, so kindhearted and personable, and quite humorous as well.  She will be missed, but we know for sure that she has been welcomed with open arms into God's home in heaven.  We wanted to share our sympathy with her children, John's cousins and let Dan and Vali, and Sister Rebecca  know that we have been thinking of them often and praying that their loving memories of their mother give them solace from their grief.

For sympathy cards, I finished a few cards that I had started at a cardmaking class several months ago with Liz Thayer and converted them to sympathy cards.  I made just a few changes to Liz's original designs to change their sentiment focus.  I think Liz would approve of the changes I made for this time of sorrow.

 

Recipe Card #1:  Stampin' Up products: Cardstocks: Midnight Muse, Whisper White, Brown Sugar; Stamps: En Francaise background, Flowering Flourishes, Four Frames, Petite Pairs; Ink: Midnight Muse, Kraft White, Burnt Brown Sugar; Punch: Decorative Labels; Ribbon: Midnight Muse Stitched Satin; Button: Very Vintage.  Sizzix: Top Note die (inside). Technique: Embossed Resist; Sponging. 

Recipe: Card #2: Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks: Strawberry Slush, Black, Whisper White; Stamps: So Very Grateful (Spring 2014), Love &Sympathy; Simply Pressed Clay--Blossoms Clay Mold; Ribbon: Primrose Petals Satin Stitched ribbon. Ink: Strawberry Slush, StazOn: Black.  Spellbinder dies: Ovals SM, Scalloped Ovals SM.  Sizzix: Top Note die (inside).  Technique Crayon Resist, Sponging.