This three-tree image from PTI's new Through the Trees set is beautiful. It's also a bit big and busy, making it a bit harder for me to use cleanly. I challenged myself to use Brilliance pearlescent olive ink, which usually reminds me of a color I've only ever seen in diapers and on goose droppings, on the hope that even ugly colors can be beautiful if used properly. Pairing it with a StampinUp old olive card base and brown matte helps take the poo edge off nicely, I thought. But I still regret buying this color. Sigh.
The dark card base, rustic twine, and button add warmth to the card. I was worried they would clash with the slight shimmer of the ink, but they actually work nicely together. This would be a perfect sympathy card for a man.
Hope you like it and find some inspiration to fill out your stash of sympathy cards. These are so hard to make, but it's worse when you HAVE to make them on short notice.
If you've never experienced this for yourself: trust me. Go make some sympathy cards today for your stash. You won't regret it.
This is a most beautiful Sympathy card, Susan! I totally agree with you about making these on short notice as well.
ReplyDeleteNow, that's not such a bad color....after you've doctored it all up!! I just received my tree set and I can't wait to play! Going to take some of your cards for inspiration for sure!! I love your button and twine as I've totally been on a masculine focus these days (new years resolution!). And I too posted a sympathy card today ... cause you are right, you don't ever want to make one in that moment!!!
ReplyDeleteSusan, I LOVE your blog. I love the cards you make and I love how you write! I have a question for you... Are you able to get a good image using SU inks with PTI stamps? I love SU inks, papers, markers etc. because they all match. I find there aren't as many of there stamps that I love and I don't get a great image with their inks and clear stamps. Do you have any hints?
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Kim
Love this card, especially the button/twine combo. The "big and busy" trees prevented me from investing in this PTI set, but leave it to you to find the perfect venue for that stamp.
ReplyDeleteWhat great elements and colors for a sympathy card. It has a great feel to it. Love it all!
ReplyDeleteLove the card. I am resisting buying this set, but I'll probably end up getting it if you post a bunch of cards using it. I'll never think of olive colored ink quite the same way. Been a few years since I stopped changing diapers, but that color sticks with you forever.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to let you know - I gave you a blog award. Thanks for continually inspiring and amazing me. You can see my blog post for more information...
ReplyDeletehttp://encouragejoy.blogspot.com
This card is perfect. Love the colour and design!
ReplyDeleteWe are on the same creative wave length. I was looking at my very large button collection and thinking I should start using them on my cards. Thanks for the great CASE idea.
ReplyDeleteThe color seems alright, could be my monitor.
ReplyDeleteI like the complex image and the simple layout. Great job.
I had to make a sympathy card on short notice a couple of days ago, and I totally based it on your "off-the-edge stamping with a second layer" card from a few days ago. I don't have that tree stamp from SU Thoughts and Prayers, so I substituted with PTI Turning a New Leaf, and I didn't have pearls, so I used rhinestones (they weren't too glittery, just elegant). So THANK YOU for totally saving me by giving me a layout ready to go.
ReplyDeleteabsolument splendide, j'adoooore
ReplyDeletebravo
Lovely card, Susan, and you are so right about always having a stash on hand.
ReplyDeleteI knew I was going to love it when your cards started popping up with this set. I'll live vicariously through you until the trees are mine. I love the addition of the twine and the button. And you did make the baby poo color work rather well ;)
ReplyDeleteI never would have thought of that ink color in that way but now that you brought it up... yeah, goose poo is appropriate. But it still makes a lovely card.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I don't make sympathy cards in advance anymore. Last time I did that, within 3 days of making one, my m-i-l's sister died. I thought, "Gee I'm glad I had a card ready. Now I better make another to put back in my stash." Two days later, a co-workers mom died. So I used that second card and made a third. The next day we got news that a neighbor died. That's just too much of a coincidence for me. I think my sympathy cards must be a jinx. So now I only make them when I need them and that has only been one time in the last year.
This is the only stamp from this set I haven't used yet - now I know exactly what to do with it! Sadly I don't have the poo ink but I'm sure I can find something to use in it's place ;)
ReplyDeleteSusan (peebsmama),
ReplyDeleteWOW! I wouldn't make sympathy cards in advance, either! Sheesh. Why do people in our lives die in clusters like that? When my Grandmother passed, within two weeks so had my great aunt and a few weeks after that, the father of a friend. My sister's MIL, my uncle's mother, and my dear friend's grandmother all died this month ago within days of each other. It's truly sad how these clusters happen. Hugs, my stampin' friend!
Susan
You are so right about making sympathy cards ahead.
ReplyDeleteOMG I love this card, it is beautiful. I love the trees and the twine and button are so complimentary. I like this even for a happy birthday for a man, or thinking of you. It is versatile and beautiful but yes my dad would have loved this card a few months ago.
ReplyDeletelovely, serene...just what a sympathy card should be. I do need to follow your advice and restock my sympathy cards.
ReplyDeleteI just love what you are doing with this set (well anything you do is always so inspirational ...)
ReplyDeleteI too had the 'sympathy' cluster last year ... real sad ... but your advice is good so will make a few for my stash inspired by you of course!
TFS
Gorgeous sympathy card. Poo color and all. I kind of like that shade of green. But we used cloth diapers so I must be immune to it by now. ;) I didn't think I needed this set since I have SU's Lovely as a Tree, but you have me reconsidering. It's a very lovely CAS card.
ReplyDelete