Sympathy Vase Card

Good Morning Friends! Needed to make a sympathy card for a friend last week as her MIL passed away. I think this is an area that so many have a difficult time with....not sure if it is just the concept or finding the right colors and words to say. But, remembering the cards that our family recieved last year with Dad's death, I remember the understated ones most.

I tried to get that feel here, I hope. This stamp has been in my stash for a very long time and I have never used it. Don't know why really. It is quite large for a standard A2 card so, I went up to the next size. And the color is a bit brighter than is showing up. Popped up the hydrangea bloom for some dimension.

Made me think of a painting that my Dad did for me some time back. Back before I had met Wayne, I had seen a picture of vased flowers in still life. I loved it and wondered if Dad could make it larger for me. Of course he could and did. Then we had a seven year split.....over stupid things in retrospect. He never gave up on me and kept the painting. When I found out that he was sick and I came back to the family in 2007, the first thing he did was bring over the painting. I had no idea the work that he put into it. I will post it tomorrow and tell you all about it.

I kick myself for having missed 7 years of relationship with my folks but, especially my Dad. And I am so grateful for having had the opportunity to be close to him at the end of his life. Life is too short friends, put up with the crabbiness and things you don't like about family....one day they will not be here....live without regrets. Okay, off soapbox now......

Thanks for looking and have a happy crafting day!!
Cindy

• Stamps - SU Warmest Regards (hostess), Hero Arts
• Paper - SU Whisper White and Lovely Lilac CS
• Ink - Ranger Archival Black Ink
• Accessories - Prismacolor Pencils, Baby Oil, Blending Stumps, Dimensionals

Lovely Sympathy Cards

These are the sympathy cards that friends made and sent to me for my Dad's death. They are in no particular order....all were much appreciated and treasured. Thank you ladies for thinking of me and my family.

Sharing in you Sorrow is from Michelle. I love the softness of the pink and gray together. Michelle has an amazing SCS gallery; her name is momis mama. We have not met each other in person but, have developed a friendship over time.

The 5 petal Dahalia card is from Dina. She is a wonderful friend and is my SU Demo. I really appreciate how dedicated she is to keeping and increasing her business. You can check out her blog http://inkinwithdink.typepad.com/ .

With Caring Thoughts is from Gillian. I have not met Gill, yet, either. She is in the SCS St. Louis Shoebox Stampers. We get together once every month to share, stamp and exchange cards. I love how Gill used all these papers to create such a unique card. You can see her SCS Gallery going to Jill with a G.

The last one is from Dianne or deelite from SCS (she is in the SCS St. Louis Shoebox Swapers too). First I must appologize for the rumpled appearance of her card. The post office delivered it in a plastic bag...yup, got damaged in the process. I tried to clean it up some but, could not get rid of all the stains at the bottom nor the distressed edge. I am still loving this watercoloring of the sailboat.....my Dad was a sailor! We owned boats when I was a child and my Dad taught my brother and I to sail.

Hope you enjoy these cards and will go see their galleries. They are lovely talented ladies!

Hugs to you!!

Cindy