Sympathy Card

I recently participated in a Sympathy Card swap. Sympathy cards are generally difficult to make, and most of us don't have them on hand for when we need them. Then, suddenly, we need one and just have a difficult time making one at the last minute. We are dealing with our emotions or helping the one who needs it or any number of things. It is hard to make a card for such an occasion when card-making normally brings us joy.
So when it was suggested to do such a swap, I jumped on it. It completely made sense and made me happy to know that I would be able to have cards on hand to bless someone in such a difficult time.

So, here is the card I created:



I started with a cream colored cardstock card base. The purple paper is from one of the cardstock 6x12 paper pads from ProvoCraft. The filigree cross is from Easter 2010 cartridge. The cross shadow was created using my Gypsy and Elegant Edges cartridge. I layered and welded them, stretching one box for the longer portion and then cut. I used a Tim Holtz embossing folder Swirls #2 and lightly sanded the raised portion to give it more dimension. (and those who know me know how much I can't stand sandpaper!) Then I used a Martha Stewart border punch for a lacey look on the edge.


The cross is adhered with pop-dots to give it dimension.


I did not add an interior sentiment for many reasons: first- depending on the need, a different sentiment may be better than one I picked, so I felt it was better to leave it blank and allow the giver to write or stamp a sentiment inside; second- as I looked at it I realized it would also be a good card for Christenings, Baptisms, Dedications, Memorials, or any number of occasions that are not limited to a Sympathy need.

Use Your Stash Wednesday ~ Thank You window card

Hi everyone! Today is my Design Team post for Enjoying the Bug.

Since it is Wednesday, the theme is "Use Your Stash" and while I was initially going to create a birthday card for a 16 year old male, I had a few issues and decided to finish my Thank You card early.

Recipe Ingredients:
Gypsy machine
Cricut machine
George Cricut cartridge
White cardstock - always have this on hand
Dark Pink cardstock - from an old Cricut 6x6 pad
Light Pink cardstock - from an old Cricut 6x6 pad
Martha Stewart black glitter - left over from Halloween
Black pigment ink - I have no idea where I got this!
VersaMark - always have this on hand
CTMH Hollyhock ink
Inkadoo stamp from Big Lots
Embossing folder - I received this as a RAK, I think it is Tim Holtz's Burlap?
Plastic clamshell from a Cricut Cartridge - I save most of mine

I had created a window card using my Gypsy machine and George cartridge solely for the purpose of using the plastic from my Cricut cartridges. This was the perfect opportunity to use the file.

First, I selected my papers and laid them out on my Cricut mat. I have an Expression, but this file is easily modified for the Create or the Personal machines.

Then, I cut a piece of the plastic and wiped it clean on both sides. I adhered it to the darker pink using my ATG gun - this is super sticky, so get it right the first time.

Then I lightly inked the edges with black ink.

I then adhered the darker pink with the plastic to the white card base. You can see the lighter pink layer here. I had set aside the window cutouts from the white and dark pink for another project, but I will be using the lighter pink cutout.

I stamped the Thank You sentiment from the Inkadoo set with black pigment ink. I did attempt putting the Martha Stewart glitter on then, but it would not hold much of it. So I dried it off and stamped over it with the Versamark and then sprinkled the MS glitter on top. Next time I won't use the pigment ink - so I recommend that you use regular ink unless you plan to emboss the image.

I lightly inked the edges of the light pink cutout and then adhered it so the sentiment was centered in the window. (The above picture is truer to color than below. These pictures are way off in color as my little camera is misbehaving and I am using a borrowed laptop that doesn't have more than a basic paint program for editing. My apologies.)

Next, using the CTMH hollyhock ink again, I inked the sides of the light pink layer and ran it through my Cuttlebug machine using the burlap (?) embossing folder. Then I lightly "kissed" the textured image with the ink pad to make the texture pop a little more. The final touch was to ink the edges of the white card base with the CTMH Holloyhock ink to tie it all together.

I hope you enjoyed.

Now, your challenge is not only to use your stash, but to incorporate either a window or plastic into your creation!