Friday, December 14, 2007

Blogger's Challenge -- Sympathy Cards

This week's Blogger's Challenge was to create a Sympathy Card. This was a easy- and a hard - challenge. I believe that sympathy cards should be simple, elegant, and not overworked. Sympathy cards, more than any other cards, are defined by what is INSIDE -- not what is outside. So my way of making sympathy cards is to create something soothing and elegant.

When my Mom passed a few years ago, I received hundreds of cards -- and although I was never able to scan and post them (they evoked too much emotion), I did look at them often and gained much comfort from the love and support they represented. Needless to say, I don't take sympathy cards lightly.

Hopefully today I have captured the soothing elegance I was striving for, The flower (from Stampin' Up!) on my card was stamped on acetate with a StazOn pad, then it was colored with Lumiere paint that was tinted with a smidge of Pearl Ex. I chose colors that matched the blue and green background -- which was made using the Watered Tintz technique from the December 2006 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. This was layered on a thin edge of black, then layered again on a Metallic Explosion background (done on matte paper, to bring down the bling) from the August 2006 issue of the TJNL. This was then mounted on Turquoise, then on a very pale blue.

The verse is from Firecracker Designs by Pamela (the sympathy stamp set from this company is wonderful, and VERY affordable).

Hopefully I won't need to send this card out anytime soon.

13 comments:

Connie Babbert said...

Pat...this is SO gorgeous! Perfect for a sympathy card. You've inspired me to pull out some of my finished backgrounds and use this set! Thanks!

Lynn Mercurio said...

Stunning beautiful as always, Pat. Love those colors.

Lisa Somerville said...

Beautiful Pat!

Anita Van Hal said...

Beautiful card, Pat! I love how you explained and described your feelings about sympathy cards and why you chose the elements you did. You're not only extremely talented, but a great teacher as well...thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

This card is beautiful. I also hope you don't have to send it anytime soon.

Juliet A said...

6 layers. It's a beautiful card, but if that is SU paper, it probably weighs a good 5 ounces.

Gerrie Johnnic said...

Luv the card!

PaperSunshine said...

Oh you definitely achieved your goal! It is elegant yet not over done. So soft and gorgeous too!

Vicki G said...

Pat, this is Lovely!!!

Lisa Bohler said...

You are so right about sympathy cards. Simply stunning card, Pat!

JeanM said...

I agree sympathy cards are very hard to crate. I love the simplicity and soothing colors of this card. Thank you for sharing
angel2cook

Stefanie said...

Beautiful card Pat! It is definitely soothing.

Lori said...

This is lovely--simple and soothing.