So Sorry for your Loss card (08/01/2012)

Today's card is a sympathy card.  They are so hard to make, literally and figuratively.  Let's look at what I made:

I wanted to make a card with a sunset framed by trees.  I decided to use Lawn Fawn's Critters in the Forest pine tree, and stamped it with black ink on a dark green paper.  It wasn't quite dark enough, so I inked over it with Dusty Concord Distress Ink to darken it even further.

I made a card from cream cardstock, and made a cream panel as well, that I scored to make a frame.  I used a white cardstock for my actual stamping, so the stars would be whiter than the creamy background.  I needed a late sunset-sun, so I stamped a solid circle with a orangey Distress Ink, then covered it with clear embossing powder and heat embossed it.  I also stamped Lawn Fawn's Critters Ever After stars in versa mark, and added clear embossing powder and heat embossed those.  I did this so that the stars would resist the ink in the next step.

I decided to color my own sunset, so I pulled out several Distress Ink pads in yellows, oranges and reds, and my inker.  I covered most of the sun & star-stamped panel with the lightest of my inks.  I then kept layering the ink in sequential darker colors, as I worked my way up the card.  I wanted to give this card an almost-dusk feel and wanted the sky pretty dark, but still lit up. 

I framed the inked panel with pine trees, and trimmed off the tree that poked off the edge, and then layered this panel onto the card.

I used Technique Tuesday's So Sorry by Ali Edwards sentiment.  I stamped it on cream cardstock, then cut it with my new Spellbinders Reverse Wonky Rectangles die.  I LOVE this shape!  I softened it with a blush of ink to match the sunset, popped it up and adhered it to the card.

All-in-all, the card came out like I planned it to be, and I think it helps show how I feel about the loss a friend has endured.  I hope it helps the family know I am thinking of them during this difficult time.

Thanks for stopping by, have a magical day!

Chris