With Heartfelt Sympathy

Hello and welcome! Over the last month or so, I have been in need of quite a few sympathy cards, unfortunately. I like having a variety on hand because they are always needed unexpectedly and I like to send condolences quickly. 

I've mentioned before I like having sympathy cards that can be mailed and others that can accompany a sympathy basket. These 4 are mailable and I have plans to work on some with more layers.

To begin the set, I used the Wild Blooms Stencil Collection on 4 white A2 panels. This was a comedy of errors, but in the end it all worked out! The stencils aren't numbered and it has been awhile since I used the collection AND I didn't realize I was missing two of the steps! ha ha! I did find the missing two, so I was able to get them finished, but it's best do them in order! 

I had originally planned to make 4 different panels with all of the flowers on each card being the same color, but knew that would mean I would need to clean the flower stencil between each color! I decided it made more sense to make each panel the same and just use 4 different colors on each one! ha ha! I really like the results and I'm happy I didn't do all the same color!

Once I was done with all of the stenciling, I cut each panel to measure 5 inches by 3 3/4 inches.  I rounded the corners with a punch and then stamped the "with heartfelt" portion of the sentiment directly onto the panel using black ink. The sentiment used on the front is from the Perfect Pairs: Commodities Stamp Set. I die cut the sympathy portion 8 times from white cardstock using the Perfect Pairs: Commodities Die. I stamped 4 using black ink and then glued another one underneath so each word is double thick for stability. 

I used little pieces of foam squares to pop up the sentiment underneath the "with heartfelt" portion. 

I scored and cut 4 card bases from Soft Stone cardstock and then attached the stenciled panels using foam squares. It's hard for me not to use any dimension, but between this and the sentiment, these will still be easily mailed with regular postage.

It's no secret that I love a coordinating envelope, so I used the Show Your Stripes Stencil Collection to add the gingham design to the flaps of the envelopes. I also added the "Lifting you up in prayer today." sentiment, which is from the Praying for You Sentiments Stamp Set, in black ink on each of the four envelope flaps.

I forgot to photograph the inside of each card, but I cut 4 white panels measuring 4 by 5 1/4 inches and then stamped one of the sentiments from the Inside Greetings: With Sympathy on each panel. I used a tape runner to attach them to the inside. My daughter has been needing to use some of the sympathy cards and she likes if there is a sentiment on the inside. I like it too, so I was glad to have these all stamped and ready to go. Oftentimes I am in a rush when I am making cards and I don't take the time to stamp an inside greeting, but I'm always glad when I do! 

Thanks for fluttering by!