Stampscapes Easel #2

This is one that was on my desk for WOYWW this week. The background was brayered with Adirondack Shell Pink/Watermelon /Cranberry. Stampscapes u/m Nature Sheet  set #6 provided the images: Lakeside Cabin,147F,Reeds lge,068D, Ledge, 054F and Water Pattern sm,231C. The birds are from Lavinia Stamps,  Flight of Ducks. This was matted onto black card, the corners punched with a SW punch, then matted onto Burgundy card.Card base was covered in a Burgundy embroidered paper, then I punched the lace strip using the Martha Stewart String Lace Border punch. A strip of corrugated black card went on top, and the Friend Description, (Stamps Away/Clevercut) stamped in black then cut out with a Nestie petite Scalloped Oval die. I mounted this with silicone glue so I could angle it upwards slightly.

Sympathy

A return to the same stamp for a sympathy card, this time in shades of purple. Stamped in black stazon, on an oil pastel background, then matted onto black card and trimmed to a narrow border. Two shades of purple vellum punched with a rope border and fixed down the centre of a white card blank. The sentiment is stamped onto an offcut of the background and fixed with foam pads.

Sympathy

It seems that most people find Sympathy cards difficult, and I  think the key to these is 'keep it simple'.You don't need to use every technique in your card-making arsenal- the fact that you have put your effort into the card will say more than any words.
     Also keep an eye open for stamp images that would be suitable- you want images that you can use in a very basic way- like this just on a pale brayered background for instance.Its very easy to buy stamps that have 'cute' appeal, but sometimes 'cute' just won't do it!
     The thing I love about this stamp is its versatility- it fits this subject perfectly, it would also  be really good for a mans card, and if you look further in the posts, you will find the image in reds and blues, where it seems to really come to life.
 I kept to a muted palette and a simple style for this one. The Treeline stamp from Crafty Individuals is stamped in Adirondack Espresso onto a background of brayed card using Adirondack Sandal, Latte and Hazelnut inkpads.The image was cut out using Nestabilities Labels 8, and a dark brown mat cut with the next die size up. I used two shades of brown vellum, and a Woodware border punch  to create the panel. The image was stuck down with DST, then a dark brown ribbon wrapped around the front & tied in a knot.The sentiment  (Clevercut/Stampsaway ) is stamped in the same Espresso ink onto a scrap of the brayered background, matted onto dark brown card again, and two small brown brads added.This was mounted with silicone glue, just to give a little height to allow for the legs of the brads. You could also use little sticky fixer pads spaced between the brads for the same end.