Simple and Elegant Sympathy Card

No one ever wants to need a sympathy card…

But we all do sometimes.  And if your time is limited but your heart is filled with sadness and support for those left behind, I have a wonderful card that you can make very quickly to express your thoughts.

It is simple but elegant.  I have created it using the Stampin’ Up! Forever Fern stamp set and Night of Navy cardstock.  But there are several colors that are both lovely to look at and appropriate for the occasion.

Here are the cardstock measurements:

Card front:

1. On a separate piece of Basic White or Very Vanilla, stamp two of the leaf sprays from the Forever Fern stamp set in Night of Navy.  Cut them out using the coordinating die from Forever Flourishing die set – or fussy cut each one.
2. Although I usually use Stampin’ Dimensionals to add height to die cuts, these cuts are very thin, and they might not arrive well after a meeting with the USPS mail equipment.  So, I cut 2 extra die cuts for each spray from plain cardstock.  I glued two of them together and then added the stamped image on top.  The sprays are now very thick. 
3. Place the 2 images on the smallest piece of Basic White or Very Vanilla cardstock to determine where you will want to stamp your sentiment.
4. Stamp the sentiment in Night of Navy ink. My sentiment came from the Stampin’ Up! Inspired Thoughts stamp set.
5. Adhere the leaf sprays to the front of the card using Stampin’ Up! Mini Dimensionals and begin to layer the cardstock pieces.

Inside card panel:

1. Using the second piece of Basic White or Very Vanilla cardstock, stamp an image of the leaf spray from the Stampin’ Up! Forever Fern stamp set in the corner of the card liner.
2. The sentiment stamp is from the Stampin’ Up! Inspired Thoughts stamp set. 
3. Glue the message liner into the card.

Envelope (optional): Stamp the leaf spray one last time on the outside of the envelope to add an elegant touch.

And voila!  You have a beautiful, tasteful card that shows your sympathy and support.

It is beautiful in other colors as well.  I’ve explored a few here.

Please know that I absolutely CASEd this card from Sage at StampingMadly.com.  Her design is beautiful.  I needed a sympathy card for a male colleague of mine and this one was just right. 

It’s so hard to find cards for men – no matter what the occasion is, happy or sad.

***What does CASEd mean?  Copied and selectively edited – it’s a compliment for sure.  But even more if the original designer is noted.

Thanks so much, Sage!