the tough stuff. . .sorry and sympathy cards

I find one of the hardest kind of cards to create (aside for cards for teenage guys) are sympathy cards. I worry about them being too much of an extreme in either direction. . .too bright, too cheery, or too depressing, and too dull. It's hard to find a balance.
I thought that this patterned paper, (Magnifique, from Close To My Heart) was a pretty good happy medium. And this stamp set from The {Stamps} of Life is a terrific set to have in your stash, for all the "I'm Sorry" kind of cards you need to make from time to time.

I tried to keep all of these cards pretty simple (oh wait, that's what I always do!) I wanted the focus to really be on the sentiment. On this first card, I paired the stamp, and CTMH paper with cardstock from Discount Cardstock. And the button and string are also from there, in the November kit. I tied a big sort of. . .double bow of sorts, through the button. I am not exactly sure how I did it, but I love the way it turned out!

More of the same CTMH paper, and DCS cardstock on this one, and another funky bow through a tiny button - this time I attached it onto a stamped circle (also from TSOL) which I thought was a nice little accent.

But I think that THIS one is my favorite. That red cardstock is the Doublemates cardstock from DCS . . .it's a lighter shade on one side, and I LOVE the way it looks when the edges are torn! Isn't that cool? I traced alongside the flower image with a white colored pencil, just to add a little more dimension and detail.

Hopefully we don't have to create too many cards to share our condolences. . . but it's awfully nice to have a few to turn to, just when our loved ones need them!

I promise I will be back soon with some BRIGHT CHEERY HAPPY CARDS, okay?! Don't get bummed out, with all this talk about sympathy, okay? ;) Hugs! Thanks so much for coming by today!

(card supplies: patterned paper - CTMH Magnifique, cardstock - Discount Cardstock (Berry Red Doublemates, Posh Aqua Satin Sparkle, Posh Felt Chocolate - all from November Kit, also Kraft and Ivory, stamps - The {Stamps} of Life Sympathy4You)