Symapthy Card

 It's never easy making a sympathy card yet it gives you the time to think about the person that has past and the person left to grieve. My friend lost her husband after a 3 and one half year struggle with cancer and the treatments. Her life has been all about caring for him. Daily trips to a Philadelphia Hospital for weeks on end. Adding to the fear and trauma the traffic was  a nightmare and parking an additional expense. After such a long hard journey I hope she can find some peace and comfort in knowing she did every thing in her power to help him. Peace be with you my friend.





I love this botanical stamp set from Gina K's Stamp TV. Silhouette stamps are great and can be used for every occasion. The dragonfly represents the impermanence of life. Very meaningful here.


I continued stamping with the botanical set using the emboss resist technique. So fun. I made this one a birthday card and left the next one with out any sentiment. I love the little scalloped golden edged lace my sister found when she was out on a treasure hunt at a thrift store.

I made this beach scene yesterday in air conditioned comfort. I cut the flip-flops by hand and added the strap by lacing it through the bottom, then coated it all with glossy accents. The little sea shells and sentiment were a gift set with a purchase from Gina K's Stamp TV. Included with the set (not shown) are a sand castle, a bucket and shovel, a beach ball, pinwheel and "build your dreams" & "Play like a kid" A delightful surprise addition to my order.

I like the effect of the torn papers for the ocean and sand. Again glossy accents adds some dimension and adheres the sand I poured over it. The inside says "have a ball"

Last up is a remake of the ladybug card I blotched. Simple and cute. The inside is another technique for dry embossing leaving a blank space.

I continue to find joy in creating and sharing the fun I have learning new techniques. Wishing you the same.

"When we cannot find contentment in ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere." ~ Francois Due de La Rochefoucauld



Be well, and craft on! Carole

Mix It Up Monday Think Pink

    I love challenges and card patterns. What they offer is the opportunity to stretch our skills. The "think pink" challenge is  focused on honoring one of the design team members of stampTV: AJ Otto  who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. We all believe that she is a fighter and will triumph. She is also celebrating a birthday next week. So in honor of AJ Otto I created this card, sending prayers for total recovery and wishing her a Happy Birthday. 


The harlequin pattern paper is from Crafty Secrets "Heartwarming Vintage Collection". I used Gina K's fabulous black card stock (quality shows) for the base, the strip (embossed with a harlequin Sizzix pattern)  the flourish and the outline circle from SB. The flourish is from Sizzix and MS border punch beneath the embossed strip. I made the roses with watercolor paper then used pink and yellow chalk to color them. I have discovered that pink is difficult to match. There are so many undertones, (some blue some yellow or purple) that you can't use just any pink. The sentiment is from Gina K's : Planting Seeds of Kindness, and 7 black beads finish it with a tiny black rhinestone ending the sentiment. I am pleased with the finished card and I've learned to work with colors I'm not drawn to...there's the stretch.


This is the delightful card pattern I used that inspired me to create the card. I look forward to using this pattern with colors I love, like blue or purple, black and red. What is great about some of the challenges is that you don't have to use their products or stamps and you can enter them in many different challenges as long as they apply to the criteria. Doubles your chances of winning. All though the winners are drawn at random it's always great to win.

Sympathy card

inside view

Here is one of the two sympathy cards I made. This one in black and white the other one I mailed was done in deep purple and white. I love the simplicity of the card yet it has a quality of elegance. Using the SB Fleur De Lis pendants with Gina K's pure luxury white card stock shows the quality. The sentiment stickers from Paper Wishes, a few silver flat beads and a sheer ribbon completes it. My thoughts and prayers for the family of the  bereaved are with me as I make the card and I feel that makes it more meaningful. I like to write a personal message about the person and place it on the inside of the card with photos corners. This allows the recipient to remove it and place it in memory album.


That's all for now, tomorrow I will spend time with my grandkids, that's always delightful and an opportunity to share my love of crafting with them. Be well. Carole


Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. ~Philip K. Dick

Black & White

I'm back again with a sympathy card in black & white. I love Spellbinders dies and sometimes that's all you need to make a fabulously simple card. I used the large and small Fleur De Lis dies for this card with a very good card stock from Gina K. (her link is on my blog favorites) There is a distinct difference with good paper, the cut is crisp and the embossing shows the quality. I used the mirror setting on acetate to print the words and then rubbed them on the card stock. I love that trick especially because I don't have many stamps. This is a bit uneven but I wasn't feeling steady. Martha Stewart score board is great for embossing an outline frame around a card it

adds a finishing detail.

I used the smaller Fleur De Lis die for this birthday card added some  "Gina K" lipstick red card stock for a pop of color. The hounds tooth paper has a sophisticated feel and  I think it could be used for a masculine or feminine birthday greeting.

 Also used on this card: MS photo corner punch, Spellbinders fancy tags, scalloped oval and small oval, cuttlebug embossing folder for the red and black strips. And a little bling with the red rhinestone in the center

That's all for now, I'll be checking out my favorite blogs for inspiration and ideas. Thanks for visiting, Be well:)