Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Sweet Stop and Paper Players: Sympathy

I make so many sympathy cards, but virtually all of them go to our church.  Since I do not know who will send them nor who will receive them, it's quite easy to step back and just enjoy the creation of the card.  This time, I have made this card for a friend who just lost her father to complications from Alzheimers.  I had to rely on some of my favorite challenges because I had no good, original ideas how to make this meaningful for her.



The butterfly is one of the new triple punches from EK Success (they also make the new triple punches for Stampin' Up).  I just found this one this morning at Michaels (50% off!)   It's a great deal but be prepared for some frustration if you run out and buy it.  The base butterfly - a solid butterfly - is VERY difficult to punch.  When you squeeze it as hard as you think you can, none of the inner parts of the butterfly are punched.  I googled and when I saw page after page of forum comments, I realize there is a problem with the EK Success Butterfly Layer Punch.  It turns out that for the solid butterfly, you have to push down evenly and very firmly over the entire punch (not just the squeeze part) - or some say they had luck pushing on the back of the punch - when you do this very firmly, you hear a final click and then the butterfly is fully punched.  It is a pain - - but if everybody is having the problem and since I really want the punch, I guess I will just deal with it.

Thanks to the following challenges for helping me through this card.

The Paper Players

The Sweet Stop
  • Stamps: Stampin' Up Thoughts and Prayers
  • Paper: Stampin' Up Razzleberry, Basic Gray, Old Olive CS and dsp
  • Ink: Versamark
  • Accessories: Stampin' Up Embossing Folder, Razzleberry Taffeta, gems, Martha Stewart Doily Tags, EK Success Layering Butterfly Punch

13 comments:

  1. Kim - this is really lovely - I'm sure your friend will really appreciate this card.

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  2. This is beautiful Kim, I don't find sympathy card easy to make...I'm sure your friend will find your thoughts and card a great comfort :)
    Jenny x

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  3. I like the non-traditional colours on this card and I'm sure your friend will really appreciate it.
    I find my Martha Stewart punches a little fussy too - especially the butterfly ones. The edges have always come out rough from the first time I used them and they take a heck of a lot of pressure to punch. Very frustrating...

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  4. Stunningly beautiful, Kim! I know you friend will appreciate the serene and calming beauty of this card. Thanks for sharing it with The Paper Players.

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  5. This is beautiful Kim, I love the pop of the white doily against the green, a really lovely sympathy card. I'm sure it will bring a smile to your friend's face, it's gorgeous.

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  6. Your effort with that punch paid off because the end product is beautiful! The elements on this combination challenge card are gorgeous and will be very comforting to your friend! Thanks for playing along with us at The Sweet Stop this week!

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  7. So pretty Kim. Love that butterfly in the doily frame. Pretty colors. Thank you for playing along with us at The Sweet Stop.

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  8. Such a pretty card, you CAN sit back and look at it. The butterfly trouble was worth it. Thanks for having fun with The Paper Players this week.

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  9. Aren't we lucky to have so many blog challenges out there to inspire us? Your card is beautiful! I absolutely love the design and your take on the colors is just fabulous. Great doily frame too ;) Thanks so much for playing along with the Paper Players this week!

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  10. What a lovely card--the white doily frame really makes this card a stand-out! Thanks for playing with the Paper Players this week!

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  11. What a beautiful card Kim! I love how the white pops against the other colors and the butterfly is a perfect symbol for a sympathy card. Thank you for sharing this with us at The Paper Players!

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  12. How lovely is this Kim! Such a pretty creation! The white does pop! Thanks for joining us at the Paper Players.

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  13. I can tell that there was a lot of love poured into this card, Kim! Wow! So many beautiful details and the colours are divine! Sounds like the punch is a bit of a pain ... but I know what you mean about "dealing with it"! Perhaps that is why it was 50% off??? I am waiting for my 1st triple layer punch in my next SU! order. I hope it works okay! Hugs xxaxx

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