Creating a sympathy card means that someone has passed away and no matter why or how it happened makes it very difficult to deal with.

The daughter of a family member, a partner, a mother was involved in a tragic accident and leaves to morn not only her family but her friends as well. To have a young life ended so suddenly makes it even more difficult for those left behind to deal with, especially for her very young son.

Why do these things happen?  Is it being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Is it fate? There are always so many questions left unanswered for those that are left behind.  It is only time that will heal the broken hearts and she will live forever in the hearts of the ones that loved her.

When I designed this sympathy card, I wanted it to be subtle, serene and peaceful.  By using muted colours and accessories that accentuate the serene, I think that I achieved what I set out to do.

I also used a technique that I had not used before, and while I had to redo the image a couple of times, I am satisfied with the effect that I was trying to achieve.  More about the technique later.

Stamps: Postage Due (c – 126397 w- 126395 p108 2012/13 Annual Catalogue), Petite Pairs (c – 122497, w- 122495, p134 2012/13 Annual Catalogue) 

Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Primrose Petals Core’dinations, Crumb Cake Neutrals DSP Stack

Ink: Crumb Cake, Primrose Petals, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight

Accessories: Tea Lace Paper Doilies, Artisan Embellishments Kit, White Embossing Powder, Stampin’ Sanding Block, Stamp-a-ma-jig, 1-1/4” Square Punch, 1-3/8” Square Punch, Other: Plastic Container

The Postage Due stamp set is one that I have coveted since it made its appearance in the 2012/13 Annual Catalogue.  Just don’t know why it took me so long to get it.

Clear Mount – #126397 Wood Mount – #126392

The technique I used is a form of water colouring and like I said previously, it can take a bit of time to get it right. 

• Using a plastic sheet or case (one large enough to accommodate your stamp), add your colours of choice from reinkers.  I used Primrose Petals, Crumb Cake, Old Olive and Daffodil Delight. Position your inks where you want the various colours to show up on your image.
• Spray water on your inks so that they begin to swirl and move together.  Don’t mix them too much or they will become muddy.
• Once you have the inks where you want them, ink up your stamp.
• Stamp on your card stock and hold a bit longer than usual so that the ink can soak into the card stock
• Let dry.  You can use your heat gun to speed up the drying process
• Ink your stamp with Versamark after cleaning it. Using your stamp-a-ma-jig, offset the stamp with the Versamark onto your image.
• Heat emboss using White Embossing powder.
• You now have your embossed water colour image.

Give it a try.

Happy Stamping.