Stenciled Background Sympathy Cards

Hello sweet friends,

I'm sharing a couple sympathy cards I made yesterday

using a beautiful and versatile new stencil called Sweater Weather 

from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps. I also used the hybrid inks from 

Kraftin' Kimmie - Bubbly Blue (brand new) for the background, 

Purple Petunia for the setiment, and Purple Pansy for the 

floral image on the second card.  I love these new inks. 

Here's the first card.  I sponged a little "heavier"

on the stencil to get a deeper background color. 

For this card, I wanted the background to be very subtle

so I sponged very lightly through the stencil.

The sentiment on both of these cards is a retired 

rubber stamp set from Kraftin' Kimmie. 

The flower image on the second card is from Stampin' Up.

 I tend to only make sympathy cards as I need to send them out.  

Making sympathy cards seems to be such a struggle for me. The reason 

for them makes me so sad, and yet I know that they are probably

some of the most appreciated cards that I send out. Do you 

struggle with making these as well?   

I was seeking inspiration to help me make these cards and found the 

following card challenge themes to help me 

Crazy 4 Challenges - C4C460 "Use less Stuff Day - One layer cards"

Little Red Wagon Challenges #471 "Just A Sentiment"

I'm also entering the Kraftin' Kimmie Release Week Anything Goes Challenge 

and Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #317 Make Your Mark

Thanks so much for stopping in to visit me today.

Big crafty hugs to each of you! D

4 Crafty Chicks Challenges {4CC #341} - Spring Fever with Sponging

Hello! Happy Thursday! 

This is my second week of guest designing for 

4 CRAFTY CHICK CHALLENGES! 

This week the theme challenge from Nance for 

4CC #341 is "Spring Fever with Sponging".

I woke up to about 2 inches of new snow today - bah!

Oh boy do I ever have spring fever! 

Can't wait to see the pretty flowers poking their

colorful faces out of the ground! 

Come on Spring!  I'm ready!

Here's my card to share with you for this challenge

I used a panel of cardstock (Stampin' Up!) that had 

the pattern already on it.  Then I used a sponge to rub 

different colored inks (also Stampin' Up!) around the panel 

to magically make the pattern appear.  I got a little heavy handed 

a time or two in spots - oops.  I also used sponge daubers to

get the spots of color in places.  The sentiment is one from 

 a set called "Sincere Thanks" by Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps.

 I finished the inside too with an extra piece of the panel

and a second sentiment from "Love Story Sentiments" 

also by Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps. 

So until spring actually shows up here I can

look at this and dream :o).  

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Double "D" Challenges - Think Spring

Crafty Sentiments Designs (3/7) Anything Goes

Incy Wincy Designs (3/6 - 3/19) Thank You Cards

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenges - Make your Own Background

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenges - For a Special Lady/Girl

Crafting From the Heart Challenges #149 - Anything Goes

Addicted to Stamps and More #232 - Make Your Mark

Thanks for stopping in to visit me today!

Hope you will join the chicks this week

and share your own beautiful creation!

Hugs! D