WWC275 - Karen's Challenge: All About Occasions

As a rule I don't make Sympathy cards ahead.  I know some people like to have almost every occasion on hand and, generally, I do that as well.  I just don't make Sympathy cards ahead because I prefer not to think someone I know will pass away.  Just a little mental block.

Unfortunately not making a card ahead doesn't stop people from passing away, either.  I'm glad that I had this stunning stamp on hand.  It's by Stampendous and is probably the most moving stamp of its type that I have seen.  From the delicate foliage and blossoms to the beautifully written sentiment, this stamp took some of the sting out of the reason for the card's creation.

For the foliage, I first coloured the images with various greens and the purple and then used my stamping platform to stamp it on Mixed Media paper.  After that, I covered the image with Versamark and stamped it again, over the colours.  Taking the paper from the platform, I heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder.

With the stamping platform it's an easy matter to get the paper in precisely the same spot.  This was necessary because the actual rubber stamp is in one piece: both image and sentiment are combined.  I first stamped the sentiment using Smoky Slate ink and then covered the sentiment with Versamark and stamped it once more.  Taking the paper from the platform, I heat embossed the sentiment using silver embossing powder.

You can see in this image for which I used a flash, the sparkle of the clear embossing powder where it stands out against the watercolouring.  The silver, too, shows up   better with the flash.  I used a base of Heavy Whisper White and then added a matte of Gorgeous Grape.  The Mixed Media paper was roughed up along the perimeter with my distressing tool.

I love the way the card turned out and hope you do, too.  Have fun checking out our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge and I hope you'll link your creation before the deadline on Monday, June 15th.

I've also entered my card in the following challenges:

Lemon Shortbread Challenge #121 - Anything Goes

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Something Metallic

The Crafter's Cafe Challenge Blog #244 - June 1st, Anything Goes