Sympathy - Single layer card with Distress coloring and Perfect Pearls

It's really tough to know the "right" thing to say to a friend who is grieving the loss of a loved one. You want to say something that comforts and acknowledges the passing with something uplifting for the ones left behind. We often send flowers to speak for us.

This single layer sympathy card features Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps retired stamp sets and Distress ink watercolouring with a Perfect Pearls lace accent. Read on to see how I was able to make this a single layer card.

Supplies

LinkDeli.com

These are not affiliate links just the products I use and where you can find them, too (if they're not retired).

Putting It Together

The primary key to this single layer card is masking.

I decided to use the Kraftin' Kimmie July sketch as the layout inspiration for this card. A little bit of extra challenge to my single layer card.

I used dies to create two masks with value cardstock.

I made a card base with 140ob watercolour paper and then secured it with washi which also provided a masked border, too. Beneath my card, I used a Misti sheet that had been laminated (thank you, Betty!). I put removable adhesive on the backs of my masks so I could temporarily adhere them to my card.

Using a bit of clear packaging (recyling/reuse!), I stamped my flowers around the card. To keep my card from getting smudged each time I moved the stamp, I would put the clear packaging over my card, lay down the stamp where I wanted it, and then, after picking up the stamp on the door of the Misti, remove the plastic. This gives me a clean clear stamp for each of the impressions.

The flowers are unmounted rubber, a retired set from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps. I decided not to mount the stamp but to use it kind of like a clear stamp in the Misti. To make it stick to the door, I put removable adhesive on the back of the stamp. It's good for a lot of impressions. When the removable adhesive gets too smudgy and won't stick, rub it off and apply more.

After stamping the flowers, I started the painting with Distress ink and waterbrush. I simply smush the mini pad on to my work surface and pick up the ink with my brush. I used Shaded Lilac for the background.

I was trying to keep the painting relatively simple since I started on the project later than I intended and my self-imposed bedtime was creeping up fast.

Leaves: Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, and Forest Moss
Flowers: Broken China, Mermaid Lagoon, Chipped Sapphire, and Wild Honey

The lace masking did work somewhat but wasn't a obviously lace, so I used Biscotti Perfect Pearls to enhance the lace. Later, while thinking about it while I was trying to fall asleep, I shouldn't have done the lace as a mask but just painted it over the flowers with Perfect Pearls. Next time...

I removed the oval mask.

And then the washi. The key to removing the washi without damaging your paper is to pull it off slowly at an angle. This is the point, though, where I could finally see that my idea really was going to work. I'm glad I gave it the wide margin.

I decided to give the panel a touch of dimension and lightly scored around the flower "panel" using a straight edge.

I also lightly scored around the lace, too, and the oval.

To stamp the sentiment, I once again used my clear plastic packaging to place the stamp. This time I stamped on to the packaging to make sure my stamp was lined up exactly where I wanted it since it's a rubber stamp I can't see through. If I need to try more than once, I simply wipe the ink off the plastic or get another bit of packaging.

On most blog posts, this would be the point where I describe how each of the elements is secured to the card base. But, since this is a single layer card, I have none of that *laugh*

Inside, I stamped a second sentiment and the flowers in Smoke Blue to echo the front of the card. I also stamped the flowers on the envelope in Smoke Blue.

Look, Ma, it really is a single layer!

Challenges

Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Saturday: Retired Stamp

Incy Wincy Designs: Single Layer

Happy Little Stampers Watercolour: Blue

Addicted to Stamps and More: Make Your Mark

Happy Little Stampers with Dies: Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday: Anything Goes

Through the Craftroom Door: Anything Goes

Crafting from the Heart: Anything Goes