Thoughtful Journey Sympathy

Sympathy cards can be tricky to make ...you need to strike the balance between being not too somber, but not too cheerful either. I think this image from the Thoughtful Journey DSP is just perfect. 

My base card is the new Basic Beige cardstock. It works really well with the colours in this paper and is softer than a stark white. I think I'll be using it a lot! It reminds me a bit of the old Sahara Sand.

I've already used the sentiments from the new Unbounded Love stamp set a lot. They're a great size and a lovely font. I recommend getting the bundle - the dies co-ordinate with all the words, but they'll also work with lots of other sets you already own.

I've kept the embellishment on this card to a minimum - just some Linen Thread and a few Iridescent Foil Gems. 

Marelle

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Product List

Thoughtful Journey 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [163303] $21.75	Unbounded Love Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [163378] $44.00	Basic Beige A4 Cardstock [164512] $20.25	Iridescent Foil Gems [162842] $14.00
Linen Thread [104199] $8.75	Unbounded Love Bundle (English) [163384] $96.25	Unbounded Love Dies [163383] $63.00

Field of Flowers

Inking up new stamps for the first time is still one of my favourite things in the world, even when I'm making a card for a not-so-happy occasion. I made this card for a dear friend going through a difficult time and I hope it helped ease her pain a little.

The stamp set I've used is called Field of Flowers and you can purchase it as a Bundle, with the co-ordinating Confetti Flowers Border punch. I chose some soft colours - Terracotta Tile, Soft Sea Foam and Old Olive.

The Designer Series Paper I've used is called Ornate Garden, and I've chosen a subtle pattern so it doesn't compete too much with the gorgeous stamped flowers.

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Product List

Field Of Flowers Bundle [154108] $63.00

Field Of Flowers Photopolymer Stamp Set [152589] $30.00

Confetti Flowers Border Punch [152723] $40.00

Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper [152488] $26.00

Blossom Sympathy

I have another Forever Blossoms card to show you today. I kept this one very soft and simple, for a sympathy card. The colours are Petal Pink and Mint Macaron.

I think my favourite touch is swiping the Basket Weave texture with Whisper White ink. I coloured some Rhinestones with a Basic Black Blend for embellishment. You can see all the products I used to make this card listed below.

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Product List

Forever Blossoms Cling Stamp Set (English) [151457] $40.00	Forever Blossoms Bundle (English) [153781] $92.50	Basket Weave 3D Embossing Folder [151797] $16.00	Stitched So Sweetly Dies [151690] $56.00
Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220] $8.75	Basic Black Dark Stampin' Blends [147941] $7.75	Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147272] $15.50	Mint Macaron Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147283] $15.50
Uninked Stampin’ Craft Pad & Whisper White Refill [147277] $16.50	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $10.00

Healing Sympathy

I have a love/hate relationship with making sympathy cards... it is awful having to make one, but I always feel better when it's done. It's such a helpless feeling when someone you care about is grieving, and making a card for them isn't a big thing but it is something. I never make them in advance, partly because it feels like I'm pre-empting bad news, and partly because I like to personalise the card to the recipient.
For this card, I reached for Healing Hugs. This stamp set is becoming a go-to for all occasions. That rose is just stunning. I added a few pretty touches - lace trim, Delicate Lace edgelits, a few pearls and in the background, the Tufted Embossing Folder. I use this 'with sympathy' sentiment (from Flourishing Phrases) ALL the time...hope I don't wear it out!
Hopefully this card brought some healing sympathy to its recipient.


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Product List

Healing Hugs Clear-Mount Stamp Set [146530] $37.00	Flourishing Phrases Clear-Mount Stamp Set [141534] $64.00	Delicate Lace Edgelits Dies [147053] $50.00	Tufted Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [146335] $16.00
Very Vanilla 1/2" (1.3 Cm) Lace Trim [141672] $12.25	Mint Macaron Classic Stampin' Pad [147106] $13.00	Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Pad [147092] $13.00	Pearl Basic Jewels [144219] $8.75

CCMC456 Flourishing Phrases Sympathy

It's Thursday, and that means it's Challenge time again over at www.createwithconnieandmary.com.
It's a colour challenge this week, using 2 Retiring colours (Mint Macaron and Tip Top Taupe) and an old favourite (Old Olive):

Sometimes when I make a card, I'm happy with the result, and other times not so much. Can you guess which camp this card is in? It's in the 'almost there' camp. I think there's just a bit too much going on. I might re-make it in the future, and make the background more subtle.
Anyway, here are a few tips about this card:

• The Flourishing Phrases bundle is the star feature of this card. The stamp set and framelits are available as a bundle until May 31, but after that, they will only be available separately.
• I've used Shimmery White cardstock for my card base. I love the subtle shimmery elegance it lends to any project
• The lighter swirls in the background were stamped off, and then lightly watercoloured with a Blender pen and some White Craft ink.
• I've layered extra petals behind my flower, to give it a bit more oomph, and I've also cut out an extra flower centre in Tip Top Taupe.
• The ink spots are from the Timeless Textures stamp set
• There's a few Rhinestones scattered over this card...who doesn't love a touch of bling?
• How pretty is the Mint Macaron sheer linen ribbon? It's retiring, so grab it while you can!

I hope you like my card. Check out what the other talented stampers have come up with HERE. Don't forget you can play along over on the facebook page!


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Faux Woodgrain

This was one of the techniques we did during my May technique classes. It's called Faux Woodgrain. It's been around for a while, but has seen a resurgence of late!
I've seen this done a few different ways, but this is how I do it:
1. Swipe a piece of More Mustard cardstock with a More Mustard inkpad, using your stamp pad direct to paper. Repeat with Creamy Caramel, then Close to Cocoa, and then Chocolate Chip (if desired)
2. (optional) Use a ruler and Chocolate Chip marker to draw lines for floorboards and nail-holes. Make sure to stagger your joins!
3. Now swipe with Whisper White Craft ink, and set aside to dry.
4. A final swipe of More Mustard just to finish off.
You can also do this technique using sponges instead of inkpads direct to paper, but I prefer the inkpads. It's really such a quick, but effective background technique. Perfect for masculine cards.
I used 'Thoughts and Prayers' for the rest of my card, and I think it's all pretty self-explanatory (lots of sponging!). The finishing touch is the brass Build-a-Brad. I love these things! It's so much fun to make your own brad that co-ordinates perfectly with your project.

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Thoughts and Prayers
ink: More Mustard, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
card: More Mustard, Really Rust, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
other: Brass Build-a-Brad, Large Oval Punch, Designer Label Punch, Curly Label punch, Eyelet border punch, Chocolate Chip Wide Grosgrain ribbon, Chocolate Chip marker, Really Rust marker, Close to Cocoa marker, sponge daubers

Team Christmas Dinner

I have a ton of stuff to show you, but I just haven't taken any photos of any of it yet! I need to have a big photo session, but other things keep getting in the way! Most of them are fun things...Last night we had our team Christmas Dinner:

It was the best night! There were 16 of us, and Ruth was kind enough to host us all at her house. She went to so much trouble with table decorations (check them out on her blog), Kirrily did some games for us all (Ruth and I won, but everyone else got the prizes LOL), and all the food was so yummy, especially Liam's Cannelloni! Ruth and I did the other food, and we had a feast! We also had a Secret Santa (isn't it great to get a present that you just know you're going to love?! We gave each other items on our Stampin' Up! wishlist of course!), and a Christmas card swap. I feel so blessed to have a team of such lovely ladies!

Now, a card. I made this card as a sympathy card for a friend a little while ago, and I had some very sad news today that another friend of mine lost her baby boy, so I am feeling rather emotional....

I stamped in Black Stazon on Watercolour paper and used an Aquapainter and my inkpad to colour in. I used the Scallop edge punch to make the Rectangle. Check out THIS tutorial to find out how I did it. I'm so happy we have this punch now. I don't think it has made it back into my drawer since I got it!

Stamps: Paisley, Embrace life, Sincere Salutations
Ink: Versamark, Black Stazon, Purely Pomegranate
Cardstock: River Rock, Chocolate Chip, Purely Pomegranate, Watercolour paper
Other: wide Double-stitched Chocolate Chip ribbon, sponge daubers, Aquapainter, Scallop Edge punch

Heartfelt Sympathy

Sympathy cards are one type of card that I never keep in stock.... it would feel like I'm wishing bad luck on myself and others to keep any on hand. Not only that though, but if ever there was a "stamp for therapy" card, then a sympathy card would be it. It is a chance to immerse yourself in creating something for someone in need, and at the same time it somehow helps to heal your own grief.
Dave Abbott, the Australasian General Manager of Stampin' Up! passed away last week at the age of 41. I only met him a handful of times, but he was a man in a million. I attended his funeral yesterday and it was so sad seeing his wife and 3 young children grieving, but the service was a true reflection of what a special man he was.

Cardstock: Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Basic Black, Watercolour Paper
Inks: Black Stazon, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Sage Shadow
Stamps: Both Way Blossoms, Warmest Regards, Heartfelt Thanks, Paisley
Other: 1/2" circle punch, Small Oval Punch, Pewter Hodgepodge, Silver Organdy Ribbon
For this card, I stamped in Black Stazon, then I wet the whole piece of watercolour paper with my Aquapainter, and then dipped my Aquapainter into a drop of re-inker, and dabbed it on to the image. The colour spreads softly as the paper dries.