Hi everyone, sympathy cards are one of my least favourite cards to make. I usually try and have a few in my stash – just in case – but this time I didn’t. Recently, friends lost their gorgeous 14-year-old pup. Katie was a wonderful, happy and sassy girl – much like my Lexi. Despite having many health issues and failing hearing, she always announced my arrival when I visited and then tried to knock out everything in her path with her tail which wagged with such exuberance as she came over to get lots of pats. I was heartbroken for my friends and wanted to pass on our sympathy.
My first thought was to make a card that featured a dog or the Rainbow Bridge poem. When I googled the words I came across an article that said that for some people, the Rainbow Bridge poem can make grief more profound. I didn’t want to do that. Seeing all the offcuts from my recent cards using the Perfectly Pencilled Designer Series Paper on my desk, I decided that flowers might be the way to go. And because I needed to make a card in a hurry I CASEd (Copy And Share Everything) myself. This is a design I have created a few times and I still really love it!
As the offcuts from the Perfectly Pencilled Designer Series Paper were already coloured with Bubble Bath, Daffodil Delight and Granny Apple Green Stampin’ Blends I decided to continue with this colour scheme. I hoped the colours would uplift and remind them of the happy times with their special friend, maybe not immediately, but someday.
I adhered all the cut-off pieces to a panel of Basic White cardstock. I then trimmed this to size before adding it to a panel of Basic Grey cardstock which was just a couple of millimetres larger.
For the card base, I used Bubble Bath cardstock and then embossed it with the Stitched Greenery die to add that gorgeous pattern. This die remains one of my favourite ways to add interest to card bases especially when the focal point is a flower. The flower panel was popped up on the card base with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
For the sentiment, I used the ‘With Deepest Sympathy’ stamp from the Peaceful Moments stamp set. I inked it with Versamark before stamping it on Basic Grey cardstock and embossing it with white embossing powder. After heating the embossing powder, I fussy cut around the sentiment and adhered it to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
I ummed and aahed for quite a while as to whether to add any bling or not. It’s not a festive occasion after all. In the end, I did add some Iridescent Pearls Basic Jewels but I think if I were to make this as a sympathy card again, I would leave them off.
Here’s the card…
I’ve already given the card to my friends and they said they loved it and our message of support meant a lot to them. It’s all you can ask for on such a sad occasion, isn’t it? I love that we can use a handmade card to let people know we love and care for them in the good times…and in the sad times.
Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you have a great day!
