Sweet Stampin' ~ CAS

I'm going to find this blog post hard to write, so bear with me as I do. I made this card for a very dear friend, who lost her big sister recently to the awful evil that is cancer. She left behind 3 beautiful kids not far into their teen years and a hubby who loved her deeply. She was a wonderful woman, full of joy and cheek and joie de vivre. She loved fashion and it was always high end, elegant, understated fashion. She and her best friend used to hunt out the most elegant CAS understated cards for each other every birthday and as they were air hostesses, they did this all over the world, so built up quite a special collection of these beautiful cards. So I thought it fitting (being that black was her favourite colour) to create a beautiful CAS elegant understated card for her little sis who is one of my dearest friends. I think my darling pal's big sis would have approved of this card. I couldn't share it when I first made it, so it's been waiting in the wings for the right moment and this is it.

We have a CAS challenge at Sweet Stampin' this week and I love the way the stampin' on this card came up. So I'm sharing it now in the hopes that it might encourage someone else who struggles to create Sympathy Cards, to take inspiration from this creation. I was inspired when looking for inspiration myself by this beautiful Sympathy Card. Thank you Tammy for sharing your beautiful card and for the inspiration you provided.

I used 3 different pieces of black cardstock, but mounted them on a white base top fold card. The first layer of black is a textured mat black card. The second layer of black card actually has a slight sheen to it, I used this to mat the main picture panel, which was stamped on plain black mat cardstock. I used my anti-static bag from Inkylicious to ensure there were no fingerprints that picked up the embossing powder. I then used two different images to create my scene. 

I love the imagery of a butterfly for Sympathy Cards, as they are the perfect metaphor for transformation and the hope that the spirit lives on. I used a lovely poppy stamp from Inkylicious called Poppy Silhouette. The meadow stamp which featured a beautiful fern (very 'Kiwi' flora) is from an Indigo Blue stamp set which I received with my Simply Cards & Papercraft magazine, issue 123. It's a beautiful set and has several stand alone elements to it. But this meadow scene was perfect to use with my Poppy Silhouette for this card. I used Versamark ink to stamp the images and then covered them with clear embossing powder. I'm so happy with the look of the stamping on this card.

I used black fun foam to mount the stamped panel onto the panel beneath, to add a little dimension and depth. I also used the fun foam to mount the sentiment tag too. I wrapped the ribbon around the two base black panels before sticking them down to the white base card. I tied a 'triple bow' with the black organza ribbon and added that to the ribbon strip. A very CAS design, to honour and celebrate the life of a beautiful mother, sister, wife and friend. Life is too short, it really is. 

Our wonderful sponsor for this challenge is Bunny Zoe's Crafts. Which I'm so sad to hear are closing their doors soon. So we are very lucky to have their sponsorship this challenge. I hope you'll come and enter our CAS challenge this week at Sweet Stampin'. I look forward to seeing what you create. I'll be back again before long with another crafty adventure. In the meantime embrace your life, make it the best you can for you and all the ones you love. Big hugs, Wends x

Challenge Entries:

The Ribbon Girl: February Card Challenge
The Crafter's Cafe: #142 ~ Monochromatic
ABC Challenge: A is for Animals ~ Butterfly
Whimsy Stamps Challenge: #90 ~ With Love
Stamping Sensations: February ~ Anything Goes
Moving Along With The Times: #13 ~ Things With Wings
Bunny Zoe's Crafts: February ~ Things With Wings - Butterfly
Creative Inspirations: #344 ~ Hugs & Kisses - A Card For A Friend
Creative Moments: #86 ~ Anything Goes - Option of Love (Love for a friend)

Update: I made the Top 3 on Creative Inspirations Challenge. So touched and delighted, thank you! x

Second Update: I won a lovely Crafty Sentiments Designs prize on the Creative Moments Challenge. Thank you so so much! What a happy day this has turned out to be! x