Finding myself in need of a handmade sympathy card has again reminded me I should keep some on hand. Making them ahead of time can be difficult. It's understandable given the nature of the occasion. Having a beautiful, heartfelt card ready can mean so much to someone going through a tough time.
I appreciate that the County Flowers stamp set includes a lovely sympathy sentiment. You can pick up this stamp set and coordinating dies in the Country Flowers Bundle and save a total of 20% with the extra 10% offered this month!
The soft pastel patterns from the Country Lace Designer Paper collection work wonderfully for this purpose. I mounted each layer on slightly larger pieces of black cardstock to highlight each section.
This contrast really makes the delicate patterns stand out and I think adds a touch of elegance to the card.
Creating the Focal Image
I stamped the stool and vase in Tuxedo Black Ink on paper patterns from the Country Wood Designer Paper collection and then cut them out with the coordinating dies. This technique gives the vase a worn, rustic look and the stool a wooden feel that I absolutely love. I applied a bit more color with my Pecan Pie and Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends on the left edges. The colors create depth, making the images pop a bit more and gives the card a more dimensional feel.
For the flowers and leaves I used Real Red, Highland Heather, and Old Olive Stampin' Blends. The colors turned out beautifully and complemented the card's overall design. These vibrant colors bring a sense of life and hope to an otherwise somber occasion. I attached them with Mini Stampin' Dimensionals for additional dimension.
I didn't want the sympathy greeting to be too large, so I first cut it out with a square from my go-to Stylish Shapes Dies. Then I lined up the perforations with the die again, repositioning it to cut off more of the bottom. This technique is a great way to get more use out of your dies and create custom shapes.
Crafting a handmade sympathy card often leaves me unsure of what to say inside. Do you feel the same? If so, click on this link for examples of thoughtful things to say in a sympathy card. It’s always helpful to have a few heartfelt sentiments ready.
Remember, all stamp-and-die bundles are an extra 10% off for the month of June. It's a great time to stock up and be prepared for any occasion.
Happy crafting!
