Pages

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Poppies Full of Sympathy {PP131}

Happy Sunday, everyone! This week I am your hostess over at The Paper Players for our monthly Theme Challenge:
I find that sympathy cards are among the hardest to design--even more so than masculine cards.  For me, it's about finding just the right balance between enough embellishments to make it special but a clean design to convey peace and serenity.
So how did I do?  Do you feel calm looking at this card?  :-) One way I think it conveys a calming effect is through color.  The Color Coach came through on this one for me: Not Quite Navy, Pool Party and So Saffron are pleasing to the eye as well as cool and serene.  I stamped the large background stamp, Pleasant Poppies, onto Pool Party designer paper with Not Quite Navy ink.
I stamped it a second time and fussy cut a few flowers for added dimension.  This adds some interest but isn't too heavy or busy to detract from the overall feeling of the card.  I matted the focal image on So Saffron and added a sentiment from Loving Thoughts--also on So Saffron cardstock.  Just a touch of Not Quite Navy taffeta ribbon keeps it simple but elegant.

I hope you like my Poppies Full of Sympathy card and feel inspired to play along with our challenge at The Paper Players.  Be sure to stop by and check out the work of the other Design Team members...you won't be disappointed!  If you can play along with our challenge this week, just remember that it closes Friday, February 8th at Noon (PST).  Thanks for stopping by!
 
The Paper Players Design Team

Photobucket
Supplies
Stamps: Pleasant Poppies; Loving Thoughts 
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Paper: Not Quite Navy, So Saffron cardstock; In Color Designer Paper Patterns Stack
Extras: Not Quite Navy taffeta ribbon; paper snips

12 comments:

Nancy said...

Nance, a lovely card and you did indeed achieve the calm and tranquility you were seeking. You're right sympathy cards are very difficult to create, but you've done a wonderful job. The "popped" poppies (say that 3 times) are the perfect embellishments.
Luv,
Mom

LeAnne said...

Just lovely....a great way to use that DP. I just love stamping on DP! Your floral images look great stamped on it and popped up. And the banner is a great focal point. Thanks for a great challenge!

Marisa said...

This is fabulous, Nance! Just love poppies and you have created a fabulous arrangement with just a pop of colour. Wonderfully done!

Ann Schach said...

Beautiful, Nance! It is definitely calm and serene. The poppies were an excellent choice for the image. Popping some of them up adds so much dimension.

Linda Callahan said...

Soft and elegant! Just beautiful!

stampwithsandy said...

I think you achieved your goal perfectly, Nance. Love those poppies, they look great stamped on patterned paper, and the few popped up flowers are the perfect touch.

Diane - oliver.mdiane@comcast.net said...

Nance I think you achieved your calm and tranquil just perfectly here with the poppies. Love the 3D flower heads and the bow on the banner is perfect. hugs.

Anonymous said...

Just a beautiful card! Love the popped up poppies!

Amy O said...

This is a perfect sympathy card, Nance! I love your color choices and the simplicity of the design. I also love how you stamped on the dsp and popped up a few of the flowers. Thanks for a great challenge!

Christina said...

Beautifully done, Nance. Sympathy cards are such a delicate balance, and luckily I've not had to make many. But I love the subtle detail of the popped up flowers.

Anne Marie Hile said...

Holy moley, where did this week go? It's me finally getting over here to tell you thanks for the awesome challenge and to tell you how awesome I think your card is. I just love that stamp and the dimension added from the popped-up poppies is such a great detail. Beautiful, as always, my friend! :)

Margaret said...

This is a perfect design for a sympathy card. I love the stamping on the print DSP and leaving the flowers uncolored. Beautiful card!