Amazing Silhouettes Sympathy Cards

February has been a whirlwind.  My mom had a fall in late January that had us all a bit out of sorts.  She is doing much better after a couple of weeks of recuperating with my sister and I taking turns in taking care of her in our homes.  She will be moving in with me at end of March.  My sister will have her one week each month.  

Tom and I went to Breckinridge for him to to ski at Copper Mountain for the week.  While he skiied, I watched the Olympics and worked on a backlog of Scrapbooking Kits that had piled up last year.   I got 4 completed and 10 more cut and ready to put together.  I'll continue to pick away at them over the next couple of months in preparation for a scrapbook retreat - my 1st in years!!!  I'm excited about that.  

We are now packing for a long-awaited trip to Kauai with our sons!  It's going to be extremely cold this week so temps in the 80's is going to be a real treat.  

Sadly, I've been making Sympathy cards recently.  I have such a difficult time making this genre of cards.  However, my hope is to bring a little comfort to the receiver.  

Today, I created my newest Sympathy cards using the Amazing Silhouettes Cling Stamp Set.  It's such a serene set.  Perfect for soft, comforting touches.  

Amazing Silhouettes

I found inspiration this afternoon on page 40 from the 2022 January - June Mini Catalog.  I changed it up a bit by using the Pretty Flowers Embossing Folder for the background with Basic White 8 1/2" x 11" Cardstock.  I used Coastal Cabana, Pale Papaya, and Fresh Freesia Classic Stampin' Pads for my three butterflies.  I cut two small butterflies from Vellum 8 1/2" x 11" Cardstock with Brilliant Wings dies.  The sentiment "Thinking of you with sympathy and prayers" from the Many Messages Cling Stamp Set was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad.  I finished the card by embellishing with the pretty iridescent sequins from the Expressions In Ink Ephemra Pack.  

The Amazing Silhouettes Cling Stamp set has three images:  a tree, a butterfly, and a leafy sprig.   

Amazing Silhouettes

I made three more sympathy cards using the tree image from the set.  I made two cards using a gatefold card design.  I used Gray Granite Classic Stampin' Pad, Gray Granite 1/4" Shimmer Ribbon, and Brick and Mortar 3D Embossing Folder to create this card.  I used the same sentiment, but used Basic Black 8 1/2" x 11" Cardstock and White Embossing Powder.  

I used Soft Sea Foam Classic Stampin' Pad, Expressions In Ink Epherma and Meadow Moments Embossing Folder to create this card.  I used the same sentiment, but used Basic White 8 1/2" x 11" Cardstock and Gold Embossing Powder.  

I used a sentiment from Timeless Tulips Photopolymer Stamp Set for the inside of the cards.  I love this sentiment as it is a simple, comforting sentiment - "May the memories of yesterday comfort you today".  I smudged the bottom of the inside of this card by brushing my thumb in my black ink pad - darn it, so I came up with a fix.  I die cut the sweet tulip border from the Tulips Dies in Soft Sea Foam 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock and adhered it right over the smudged part!

Tulips Dies

For the last card, I used Soft Sea Foam Classic Stampin' Pad, Soft Sea Foam 8 1/2" x 11" Cardstock, Basic White 8 1/2" x 11" Thick Cardstock, Expressions In Ink Epherma and Parisian Flourish 3D  Embossing Folder to create this card.  I used the "With Deepest Sympathy" sentiment from the Peaceful Moments Cling Stamp Set stamped in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad.  I used the Label Me Lovely Punch to cut out the sentiment.  I colored the Whisper White 1/4" Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon with Dark Soft Sea Foam Blends.    

My husband will get the first choice unfortunately for his cousin's wife who lost her 5-year battle with cancer last week.  We are so saddened by her loss as she was such a great mother and grandmother and should have had many more years of happiness with her family.    

8 more days for Sale-A-Bration and the extra special joining offer!  

Now through February 28, you can receive 2 additional stamp sets - any available stamp sets from the new 2022 January - June Mini Catalog  and/or the 2021 - 2022 Annual Catalog - your choice when you join my team!  This is in addition to your selecting any $125 in product for either or both catalogs for $99.  What a great deal!  Please message or email if you are interested and I'll be happy to get you signed up!  

March 2022 Paper Pumpkin - Beyond the Horizon

The Beyond the Horizon Paper Pumpkin Kit (March 2022) includes watercolor prints and designs inspired by the beautiful nature around us to create nine cards and coordinating envelopes. And paper pieces that perfectly coordinate with the New Horizons Suite Collection in the January–June 2022 Mini Catalog.

Don’t forget the FREE stamp set inside (yes—that’s two stamp sets in one kit!) as our way of saying THANK YOU to all of our wonderful Paper Pumpkin subscribers.

• This month’s kit contains enough elements to create 9 cards—3 each of 3 designs—and 9 coordinating envelopes. 
• The Beyond the Horizon Paper Pumpkin Kit includes a Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin’ Spot!
• This kit’s stamp set is perfect for any occasion. With sentiments that say “thanks”, “hello”, “thinking of you,” and so many more, you’ll be able to use this stamp set year round.
• And if you thought one stamp set was great just wait—this month’s kit comes with a BONUS stamp set for FREE! That’s two stamp sets in one kit! It’s our way of saying THANK YOU to you our Paper Pumpkin subscribers.
• That’s not all! This kit perfectly coordinates with the New Horizons Suite Collection in our January–June 2022 Mini Catalog  Which means even more exclusive elegant watercolor designs curated by our in-house artists just for you!
• Coordinating colors: Bumblebee, Calypso Coral, Evening Evergreen, Misty Moonlight, Night of Navy, Old Olive, Pale Papaya

Place your order any time prior to March 10th!  Perfect kit to bring to our March Monthly Kit Gathering on March 25th! 

One last inspiration this evening, I made a retirement card for a friend retiring from IBM yesterday using Oceanfront Photopolymer Stamp Set and Paradise Palms Bundle. 

I can't wait to watch the Kauai sunset, hear the ocean waves breaking the shore, see the swaying palm trees and sink my toes into the sand with a drink with an umbrella!  Enjoy your week and ...

Keep on Crafting!