Childhood memories inspired my card for this week’s Paper Players Challenge…“Create a Sympathy Card”. When I was very, very young, my mother used to show me things from her “treasure box”…an old greeting card box filled with snippets of paper and trinkets. We would sit together on the bed, and she would carefully pull out the odds-and-ends of a lifetime of precious memories. One of those snippets of paper was a pencil sketch of praying hands, drawn by my mother after her father passed away. Through the years, the “treasure box” disappeared, but the vision of the praying hands has lingered in my mind. I hope you enjoy today’s card.
The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips: Colored Emboss Resist
This finished card measures 4-1/4″ wide by 5-1/2″ long.
- Beautiful background! The Flowering Vine from Thoughts and Prayers was inked in VersaMark, then heat embossed with White Stampin’ Emboss Powder. Crumb Cake, Pretty in Pink and Certainly Celery inks were then sponged over the embossed image. The Large Stippled Blossom, from the Stippled Blossom stamp set, was inked with Soft Suede, stamped off, then randomly stamped over the embossed images. Here is a picture before the embellishments and Praying Hands were added.
- Handsome hands! The Praying Hands image is perfectly framed within an oval created with the Ovals Collection Framelits. The oval shape plays perfectly into the vintage design of this card.
- Rose buds! Roses from the Artisan Embellishments kit add a hint of soft color to the monochromatic color scheme. A little Soft Suede ink was added to the edges. The gorgeous lace is also from the Artisan kit.
- Pearled papillons! Three pearls adorn each of the bodies of these Soft Suede Butterflies from the Papillon Potpourri stamp set.
- Simple sentiment! With Sympathy, from Loving Thoughts, was stamped onto Naturals Ivory card stock. This was matted onto a Very Vanilla banner which had been stamped with the Stippled Blossoms image.
It was an emotional afternoon as I created this card. Not only did memories of my mother come flooding to the surface, so did tears. But sometimes, remembering the past is a good thing…
I know that this very vintage card won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but won’t you let me know what you think of it? Your comments are important to me, and I do read each and every one of them. As always, if you ever have any questions about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away. Until next time…
Stamp Sets: Praying Hands (122043), Papillon Potpourri (W 123757, C 123759), Stippled Blossoms (W 126745, C 126747 ), Loving Thoughts (W 125843, C 125845); Inks: VersaMark (102283), Certainly Celery (126958), Pretty in Pink (126955), Soft Suede (126978), Crumb Cake (126975); Card Stock: Naturals Ivory (101849), Very Vanilla (101650); Tools: Heat Tool (129053), White Stampin’ Emboss Powder (109132), Ovals Collection Framelits (129381), Big Shot (113474), Stampin’ Sponges (101610), Sponge Daubers (102982); Glitz and Glam: Basic Pearls (119247), Artisan Embellishment Kit (129328)
I love your sympathy card. WOW!
Hi Ann, Thanks for all the wonderful tips on how you created this card WOW! I leaned a lot from this post and can really utilize the tips you shared! This is one beautiful card my friend!
What a gorgeous card, Ann! Thanks for sharing how you achieved all of the beautiful stamped layers. And thanks for sharing your story with us, which makes your card even more precious.
I love your inspiration story for the card. I can almost see it happening. The card is rich and beautiful! 🙂
Oh Ann, I enjoyed reading your story and memories of your mother as much as looking at all the details of your card. What a lovely memory to share for my challenge this week–thank you for trusting us with your memories! ((hugs))
Ann, This is more a work of art than a card, simply stunning! I must try all of these techniques; thanks for sharing! Sheila
Wow, Ann, this is incredibly beautiful! I thought you’d embossed the blossoms over DSP; LOVE how you created that background. The inspiration behind the card is a lovely story, too; thank you for sharing it with us.
Beautiful! You make such beautiful cards
Ann, This really a beautiful card! Very special and created from your own memories. Unfortunately I need several sympathy cards right now. I have a “Praying Hands” stamp (sorry it isn’t SU) so you have given me an idea of what I might try to create.
OMG this is gorgeous! Love the story of your memories… how precious those are. hugs.
Such a pretty card. Love the vintage look. Just beautiful!
What a lovely card. That background is gorgeous!
Gosh, that is such a beautiful card!!! Love it and Thank you for sharing your wonderful talents with us all!
Gorgeous card…lots of love in this card and it took my breath away! TFS!
This is so gorgeous dear Anne. I love that your mom made a drawing of these hands and kept it for all those years. Prayer and connecting to God is such a beautiful thing. Thanks for sharing this card and your memories with so many of us.
Bless your heart, Pauline
Oh, Ann, this is an exquisite card! I’m not a big vintage person…because I can’t create it…but this is one of my favorite cards that you’ve created! It took my breath away!
Thanks for sharing your precious memories too!
Ann, this card is truly beautiful!! I just love the background and the whole vintage look. What a lovely story too – big hugs to you. Thank you for sharing.
I am glad to see more sympathy cards on blogs. We don’t want to think about them, but we all do have to send them. I don’t think we ever stop thinking about amd missing our parents.
Your card is beautiful, Ann. And your treasured story, reminds me of talking with my grandmother about family treasures. Thank U for sharing.
Absolutely gorgeous! I love the way you share a part of you with the rest of us! I love the story and inspiration behind your card Ann! God Bless you for being you! 🙂
I love the way you share a part of you with the rest of us! I love the story and inspiration behind your card Ann! God Bless you for being you! 🙂
Wow, that’s a whole lotta card Ann. It is stunning. I always enjoy seeing how you make so many elements work on a card. Thanks for sharing your special memory of your mother.
Such a beautiful card. Your sweet memories of your mother ate precious. Yesterday was my mother’s birthday and I was indulging in some memories, too. My mother was taken too early from my life. I have been missing her for a very long time.
Loved it!!
Exquisite………..
I love all your cards but this one took my breath away….
What a lovely card Ann, thank-you for sharing it. I immediately checked to see what I have in stock and what I would need to purchase to make it. Copying is the ultimate compliment as long as I’m not using or selling it as my unique design, just for the folks and they know I’m not the creator of the original card.
I had to look up the Stippled Blossoms stamp set and find the Artisan Embellishments. I never would have considered buying the Stippled Blossoms set if I had not viewed your design. You have inspired me to create and to buy things from Stampin-up that I wouldn’t have considered.This isn’t the first of yours that I have enjoyed.
I do enjoy the boxer pics. and stories, the recent recipe and memories of my own mother.
Have a great day!
Thank you for sharing such a tender memory, it brought back memories of my mother sharing similar “treasures” from her parents and grandparents when I was young. It really built a connection between generations.
The background you created is very beautiful and with the praying hands and lovely embellishments, your card is a true work of art.
Ann, This is a wonderful memory that you have. And this is a beautiful card you have created.
Ann, This is a wonderful memory that you have. And this is a beautiful card you have created.
Oh, I’m tearing up too! What a special card and memory.
A beautiful card in traditional “Ann” style. So many wonderful details in this little gem. Thanks for sharing your memory.
Oh Ann, what a beautiful card! You can tell there is a lot of love put into this one and after reading your story, I can understand why. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful memory of your mother. Big hugs sent your way!
So lovely… I love cards that pluck an emotional string in my heart when I see them. Even without reading your story of wonderful memories, I could relate to the imagry, colors and embellishments you selected. Simply another wonderful card from you
Thanks for sharing such a sweet memory. I can see all the love you put into this card. It is beautiful!
What a GORGEOUS sympathy card!! I LOVE all the details you added! Absolutely STUNNING!! This would make a PERFECT addition to that treasure box!
What a perfect vintage card, Ann; beautiful! And thank you for sharing memories of you mother. We were both blessed with wonderful mothers; a day does not go by that I don’t think of mine with a memory or a wish that I could talk to her. Hope you are surviving your weather! Hugs
This card is just beautiful!!!! I LOVE it! So ‘vintagy’ yet very soft and soothing! Thanks for sharing!
Your heart was definitely into making this card. Memories of your mom-what a lovely may to express your feelings. Simply beautiful. Enjoy your cards immensely.
OMG so amazing! Truely a card that would be the perfect Sympathy card.
This is one of the best creations I have seen in ages. Ilove how you made the background on this card too.
So glad you share all that talent with us.
I have never seen a more beautiful background! The roses, lace, and butterflies are such pretty adornments.
Thank you for sharing this gorgeous card and the lovely memories of your mother.
What a gorgeous card and especially the background! Memories are precious indeed. Your Mother must have instilled many in you. Priceless!
I think I am almost speechless about the card and the story! It is absolutely __________ (fill in the blank).
Chris R. from Iowa
This card is so beautiful, and I like that you have gone the extra mile to make it special with the lace and pearls. Reading the story makes it even more outstanding, Thank you for sharing.
Wow! This is beautiful! Fantastic background.
Stunning Ann, just gorgeous!!!
I love your artwork and believe this one to be my all time favorite. This card takes my breath away. I love the story behind the card as well. Wonderful memories, which bring out emotions are the best ones to have. Have a fabulous week–hope the weather is calmer this week. Last week we went from severe thunderstorms/tornado warnings to ice and snow in 24 hrs. Dar
I absolutely love it! Very sentimental but effective.
Beautiful! Stunning! Astounding! I could go on and on. This card, “Knocked my socks off!!!”
I have been WOWed again! Beautiful. I just lost my Mom before Thanksgiving and I know exactly what you mean. My Mom lived with me for a couple years and I miss her so much. I have turned to stamping, paper projects and punching now to help fill the ‘void’ and I have so much to learn. Thank you so much for sharing!
WOW ! What a stunning card!!!!!
This is me, jaw on the floor! You are so talented Ann. Seriously talented!
Oh, this vintage card is totally my cup of tea, Ann! wow! Your embossed, stamped and inked background is stunning! You achieved wonderful depth and dimension with the inking and stamping. I would send the card even without those beautifully stamped Praying Hands. It is just so soft and warm and conveys a feeling of peace, love and comfort. What more could you want in a sympathy card?
Simply breathtaking. That background is jaw-dropping gorgeous.
Ann!
What a beautiful card. I, too have many wonderful thoughts of praying with my family and have made many sympathy cards with the Thoughts and Prayers set. It certainly is one of my favorites. Thanks for sharing your talent with all of us.
Simply gorgeous!
Ann, this card is absolutely beautiful and for the occasion it fits perfect. The recipient would treasure the card. You are very, very talented.
Absolutely the most beautiful card I’ve ever seen! Thank you for sharing this.
Wow, Ann, when I saw your card I said “wow” out loud! The background is beyond stunning. What a gorgeous, gorgeous technique you used to create it. And your embellishments from the artisan kit are perfect.
Ann ~ I can not word it any better than Kathi did in her comment. I was racing to the comment section to leave a comment as soon as I saw your card prior to reading your precious story. (I did go back and read your heartfelt story behind this creation!) This is the most beautiful card I have ever seen and the reason is obvious….it came from your heart! WOW!!!!!!!!!
Sometime tearful memories can be extremely healing and cleansing.
Blessing and Hugs to you Friend!
While reading your post, I was flooded with wonderful memories of my Grandmother. She too had a hand sketch of praying hands in her memory box. Maybe your mother helped guide your hands in the making of this card. Either way, this is a beautiful card. Thank you for sharing your talents and artwork. Karen
What lovely memories you’ve shared, as well as a beautiful card! Gorgeous card and your floral embellishments are just perfect!
Oh Ann, even before I read your story, my jaw dropped in awe of this gorgeous card! What a beautiful story of you and your mom and I can see how creating this card with memories of her would be a very emotional experience. I think this is one of the most beautiful cards you’ve ever created and what a wonderful tribute to your mom. I know she is smiling down on you and enjoying this card as well! Hugs to you my friend!
Extraordinary, Ann!
Ann you have outdone even yourself! This is amazing!
This is a beautiful card, Ann, and an even more lovely story. Brought tears to my eyes as I read it and remembered my own mother, who has now been gone for 49 years. I lost her when I was only 16 and today is the anniversary of her funeral, which I will never forget. She would have thought this was the most elegant card she ever saw. Thank you. You are such an inspiration to me.
Aw, Ann, this is gorgeous and i am sending you a cyber hug! Sounds like a cathartic experience you had making this. It is so very beautiful.
What a lovely card. Memories are such great things. Thanks for sharing with us. Hugs n’ Stuff, Lynne
Wow Ann – this card is absolutely breath taking. Your story brought back some memories for me as well. Thanks so much for sharing. You always inspire me.
Beautiful card,Ann. I love what you did with my favorite stamp set. Love the story that inspired this card.
Wow!
Oh Ann, that is absolutely stunning. I thought you had fancy background paper and stamped something on it with white ink. When I read you made it from scratch, I was beyond impressed. Wow! Your inspiration for this one really worked well : )
What a beautiful memory you shared, inspiration is huge when it comes from tender moments like this. Your card is a beautiful reflection of your memory. Well done Ann
Nicole
Ann, your card is as lovely as your sweet story. The details on your card are outstanding and I especially love the touch of pretty lace. Tfs!
Hugs, Ann. Thank you for sharing the story and your gorgeous creation. That background is just stunning.
An absolutley stunning card and what a memory to have of your Mother.
I love the background you created and will try it for myself.
Thank you for the inspiration x
A very beautiful card.