Saturday, July 19, 2014

Weeds & More

 I have a couple of sympathy cards to show you today.  Like everyone else, I hate making these and I always put it off and never have any on hand.  I really dislike making them when I 'need' one so I thought making them ahead of time might take some of that pressure/stress off.  The funny thing is that most often when a sympathy card is needed, I go buy one yet I know from experience that I cherish the handmade cards I received.  I am going to try to make more so I have some on hand.
Chelsea from The Paper Trail sent me a set of stamps called Weeds & More by Stacy Stamps. This set has three separate stamps and I've used two of them.  Great quality stamps made out of deeply etched rubber and you get such a crisp image each time.  In addition to the stamps, she also sent me an ink pad of Hero Arts Wet Cement which I used on the card above.  Below, I used Memento's Espresso Truffle which I use on nearly everything I stamp.  I also like the Memento Black but the Truffle is a little more subtle and I love the colour.  I wanted to compare the inks and yes, you do get a different look with each.  I liked the Hero Arts because it gives more of a watercolour look when you stamp it and the Memento is crisper and clearer.
With both images, I stamped the faded areas by first stamping the image on a scrap piece of paper and then on the cardstock and then one crisp one with lots of ink.  The sentiments on both cards are from Stampin' Up's Close as a Memory set.  I sponged in a little of Tim Holtz's Tumbled Glass Distress Ink on the dandelion image and added some Shabby Blue Frantage.  I used Shabby White Frantage for the top card.  That's it... the cards were very simple to make and took maybe 20 minutes each.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!
Challenges:
Sister Act - Anything Goes
Charisma Cardz - Anything Goes

14 comments:

Cathy P said...

I know what you mean about sympathy cards. I hate making them when they are needed, too.

Both of these are lovely, Marilyn! They make perfect sympathy cards, simple yet beautiful. I like the top one's subtle look and the dash of blue on the bottom card. Great eye for design. Of course they have your special touch of Frantage! Hugs, Cathy xx

Lorraine said...

Two beautiful cards. The designs and sentiments are perfect.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend
Lorraine x

Anonymous said...

These are both simply beautiful Marilyn, two perfect sympathy cards!
Helen x

Unknown said...

Twp beautiful and tasteful cards that wil be appreciated when the time comes love. xxx

Sue said...

Such beautiful card Marilyn. I love the images and the delicate colours are perfect.
Hugs Sue xx

kiwimeskreations said...

Beautiful cards Marilyn - I too try to have some sympathy cards on hand, as it is so hard to make them when you are in shock.
Blessings
Maxine

Doreen said...

These are just gorgeous.xxx

krcmasterpiece said...

I love the simplicity of them. Perfect for the occasion.

Renee said...

Gorgeous my friend!

Shelly Schmidt said...

Great idea to make Sympathy cards in advance. Loving the softness of these cards- the ink colors are so pretty and loving the color of the distress ink you added the the 2nd. The Frantage is such a great look as well.

Unknown said...

Beautiful job :-D Love them both!

Nancy said...

Wow! These are gorgeous, M! Really lovely and elegant cards, ideal for the purpose! :o)

Cat's sCrap said...

Simple and clean realization as I like. Very elegant ! Congratulations !

Thanks for joining us at Charisma Cardz.

Hugs from France.
Catherine.

Kat W said...

These are both gorgeous and just the right kind of images for a sympathy card.
I love the different looks of the card with the different inks and the shadow stamping effect is beautiful :-)

Big hugs, Kat xx