As we've discussed before, making sympathy cards before they are needed is preferable to trying to whip one up at the last minute. So I made this card after seeing this pin.
I really like how the white space surrounds the sentiment, with the black border (which mimics mourning cards from Victorian times, which were always edged in black). The sentiment becomes a very strong focal point in that broad strip of white. The black-and-white color scheme reflects how colorless grief can feel. And butterflies...transformation and new life.
Y'all know that I prefer a minimalist style, and while I love this card, all those butterflies started to make me feel twitchy.
So I made this card, which will, no doubt, make some of you twitchy.
I can easily imagine people to whom I would send one or the other. The unique vibe of each makes them both useful to have in my stash.
Which of the two would you personally prefer to receive? I ask in the interests of market research. Karen's Card Shop (the one at my church) had a request for sympathy cards, and I'm wondering which sort the majority of people might prefer, the abundant butterflies or the single one, or something between.
Supplies
stamps: Gina K Elegant Florals (sentiment), Hero Arts Antique Engravings
ink: Hero Arts intense black
paper: Papertrey
accessories: black Sharpie
I prefer the single butterfly to represent the life that has passed. You are sending it to someone who is grieving and this card is very respectful of that. The many butterflies although black and white seem more cheerful, fluttering about. When my mother died (too young) from pancreatic cancer, it was very jarring to receive what looked like happy cheerful cards when we were suffering. The cards that were more somber were perfect and I felt like they reflected the depth of my sorrow. I was not ready for bright flowers.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lynne. I also received a very cheerful sympathy card from someone, and it hurt. The disconnect between the bright, happy colors and my sadness felt so wrong, even though it was sent by a friend who would never intentionally hurt my feelings.
DeleteYou might have hit on exactly the little niggle I felt when I finished the first card. Perhaps the source of my twitchiness wasn't the lack of white space but the butterflies looking too cheerful. Thank you for the insight.
I personally like the single butterfly. In all honesty, I think most who have lost a loved one don't really notice the cards. They find comfort in the words written inside or in the thought that went to sending the card. I can honestly say I have no recollection of the cards received when my mom died, but remember the thoughts that were expressed within.
ReplyDeletethe second card.
ReplyDeleteAnother vote for the single butterfly. I like the first one but not as a sympathy card.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Starla... I often look through the cards for my daughter but have no idea what the fronts look like - those sentiments inside warm my heart
ReplyDeleteI agree with Starla... I often look through the cards for my daughter but have no idea what the fronts look like - those sentiments inside warm my heart
ReplyDeleteI'm usually a layering, lots of stuff kind of card gal, but in sympathy the single butterfly is more calming and to the point.
ReplyDeleteActually, I prefer the first example.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the single butterfly. It is calm, peaceful and respectful. It says "I am here. I understand. I offer presence. "
ReplyDeleteI actually would combine the two. I really like the first card with the multiple butterflies and the sentiment across the middle. And I like the single butterfly on the inside of the card. :-) I will be CASEing this card - I think it is elegantly simple and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteApril
They are both very pretty. I think I like the first one best with multiple butterflies. The multitude of butterflies seems to make you feel you are not alone.
ReplyDeleteI like them both although the recipient would, for me, dictate which card I would send.
ReplyDeleteHowdy! I like them both (of course), but for a sympathy card I'd go with the single butterfly. Seems (to me) to convey the right message. Thanks for asking!! big hugs, Sherry
ReplyDeleteI would like to see an 'offspring' of the two. Less butterflies than the first, but a couple more than the second. While the second is very classy, I sense the feeling of being left all alone. (perhaps a bit of overthinking here). I also concur with Starla, it's the words that bring the most comfort. Bur you already know that. :)
ReplyDeleteLu C
I do like them both, but with the second, the message is the focal point. If it's too plain, place it on the strip like you did the first card.
ReplyDeleteI like the multiple butterflies because I think of butterflies as visits from loved ones passed. The multi makes me think of everyone gone comforting you.
ReplyDeleteI also vote for the second card, although I would be grateful to receive either when bereaved.
ReplyDeleteLess than the first, more butterflies than the second.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan,
ReplyDeletefor some years I did make cards to sell.
Sympathy-cards were 'bestsellers' when I used white or cream cardstock, a simple black text ( like 'condoleances') and deep embossing with one of3 embossingfolders from Tim Holtz
These two https://www.google.nl/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=imgres&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjC3Zqvm_nOAhXCXBoKHacfBTwQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.familychristian.com%2Fsizzix-texture-fades-embossing-folders-by-tim-holtz-2-pkg-branch-tree-tall-pines.html&psig=AFQjCNFdO_X8geQni5WBeQDIE4C7ii2t1Q&ust=1473198807729561
and one with cattails.
I agree with Laura, I prefer just a tad more butterflies with maybe a slightly larger sentiment. Either card would be welcomed by me, though, when I am grieving.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Lynne. I love the black and white, but to me butterflies evoke spring, renewal, change, life, and sometimes even hope. None of which is appropriate for a sympathy card, especially when used in large quantities. Maybe a single silhouetted image would work... a transformation.
ReplyDeleteI've seen big names in the industry make garish sympathy cards with the latest stamp sets in tropical colors and wonder "What are they thinking?!?" I guess as card makers its hard to put away the copics and critter stamps to make an appropriate card. Like Lynne said, its very jarring to get what looks like a celebration card when a loved one has passed away. As a teen I wanted to get a sympathy card for a friend and my mom gave me the advice to pick out something with muted colors and minimal wording, so I could write my own message. Still good advice, now I use it in making my own cards.
And to answer the original question, I would prefer to receive the first card :-)
Single butterfly card. Too many stamped images creates chaos in my brain, or as you describe, feeling twitchy.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the single butterfly crowd. They first one has too much movement and cheer. I don't feel the single butterfly conveys being alone. To me it move represents the person lost, the one who passed and moved on. Plus since everyone grieves in their own way it represents your own reaction to the loss. You don't have to be part of a crowd, you are entitled to your own unique feelings.
ReplyDeleteAnd I appreciate hearing the comments of others about "cheery" sympathy cards. A friend and I were once discussing that maybe not all sympathy cards should be muted with neutral colors. Yet we both admitted that not too bright and not too cheery was also in order. It's a fine line to walk. Probably better to stick with the traditional.
I much prefer the second card. The single butterfly speaks to my heart. I do not care for bright and cheerful sympathy cards. They seem so inappropriate to me. I would never make one like that.
ReplyDeleteHaving just been the unfortunate recipient of a lot of sympathy cards, the second card is much more appropriate. However, I think we're overthinking this. I can't remember many cards now and it's only been 5 months, but I do remember what was handwritten inside, which is the most important part of the card. As long as we're on this subject, I found that all those "memories will bring you comfort", verses were wrong....for me. Maybe much later, but after a death, memories are actually quite painful...they are a remembrance of what you've lost. But that's just me. In the future, I will never use any verse relating to memories in a sympathy card I make.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the single butterfly. However, I echo what others have said - a warm expression of sympathy on the inside is very comforting and appreciated when one is grieving.
ReplyDeleteI much prefer the second card - I find the first one too busy and distracting, especially when I'm grieving. As so many others have said, what's written inside often says so much more that the art on the card does...
ReplyDelete