Sympathy cards are never easy for me to make but when I recently found myself needing a masculine one, here is the fall-themed one I came up with. I really liked this whole sheet of 6" x 6" Memory Box Twiggy patterned paper and didn't want to cut off any of the pattern, so this became a 6-inch square card.
I cut a window in the top, using Spellbinders Classic Rectangle Nestabilities (largest of the small set) and then die cut leaves out of some more Memory Box Twiggy paper using Spellbinders Leaf Assortment die set. I loved how this paper instantly gave my leaves such pretty variegated shading resembling real fall leaves! I brought out the embossed detail of the leaves by gently rubbing a brown fluid chalk ink cat-eye pad over the top.
The beautiful sympathy sentiment is from Kim Hughes' Silhouette Blooms I stamp set and was stamped with Tsukineko Memento Rich Cocoa ink on Neenah Natural White cardstock and then die cut with Spellbinders Tag die. Another die cut leaf accents it and both are popped up with dimensional foam tape.
Look at the beautiful embossed detail of that leaf! I used the blanket stitch stamp from The Rummage Bin's Primitive Christmas to stamp along the left folded side of the card, using Memento's Rich Cocoa ink.
The verse (I found from SimpleSympathy.com) was computer generated onto another sheet of coordinating patterned paper from the Twiggy pack. I adhered this 6-inch sheet on the inside of a folded piece of 6" x 12" cardstock, so the inside is just as pretty as the outside. This still gives me plenty of space for a handwritten note to the recipient.
To find the proper placement for the sentiment, I printed it out on regular printer paper near the center and then placed that sheet inside my card and adjusted it until I found the right font size and placement within the window. Then I marked the placement of the front of the card against the sheet of printer paper. Next, I placed my patterned cardstock on top of the markings on the printer paper, adhered it with temporary adhesive, then ran the paper back through my printer.
I adhered another die cut leaf to the inside of the front window, just to give it a professionally-finished look. Here's a closer look at the front window and verse:
The verse reads:
"Those we love don't go away,
They walk beside us every day,
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear."
I hope you don't find yourself needing a sympathy card anytime soon, but this card design could easily be adapted to any number of other themes as well.
