Introducing With Sympathy

Cards conveying thoughts of sympathy can sometimes be the most difficult to create.  Sometimes just saying "with sympathy" doesn't seem like enough, so we've made the task easier with the thoughtful & eloquent sentiments included in one of our January stamp releases, entitled With Sympathy. 
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I created the card above with a soothing monochromatic color scheme of ocean tides & white (you can click on it for a larger view).  It is a very simplistic card, with my emphasis being on the sentiment.  This phrase really spoke to my heart and really inspired the motivation to tackle a stamp set of this delicate nature.  The font combination is created in a classic style that should carry you through many years & changing trends.  One of my favorite details of this card is the silver star charm tied with ocean tides satin ribbon.  It is just a little something, but for this card, a little is just enough.
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In addition to the With Sympathy stamp set, there are also two mini sets being released in conjunction with it.  The first I am showcasing here is called "With Sympathy: Loss of Child".  At a price of $5 for three meaningful sentiments and the bitty footprints, it is worth it to order the set and have it on hand if the need arises.  This particular sentiment just pulls at my heartstrings.  And I know that any parent that has suffered a loss, whether it be a miscarriage, stillbirth or other tragedy, would appreciate the thoughtfulness of the words. The background of this card was created with a large ivy stamp that is found in the main With Sympathy set.  I love how the large image can be used as a accent for a corner or repeated to create an overall pattern.
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The second mini set is entitled "With Sympathy: Loss of Pet".  This set came to be as a result of the numerous customer requests we had for something that filled a void in this area.  The $5 set includes three heartfelt sentiments and a small paw print.  I figure that price is about what you would pay for a card from Hallmark for such an occasion, without there being much of a selection.  But with these stamps in hand, you are better able to customize a card to the recipients style and needs, and make as many as you like for just a few pennies each.  On this particular card, I paired a image from Heart Prints with the set.  I think that choosing that type of accent really helps to communicate the *love" portion of the sentiment.
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Besides the amazing sentiments included in the three sets, there are also several beautiful images.  The images are so versatile that they will pair well with not only the sympathy sentiments included, but also any other favorites that you may have in your stamp collection. I asked the design team to show you both ideas & inspiration for creating sympathy cards and how to use the same card design with an everyday sentiment, thus showing the versatility of the set.  I have created a pdf download with all of their projects for you to save or print as a future reference. 

Download pti_versatility_with_sympathy.pdf

You can also visit each individuals blog for a close-up presentation of their work.  I have showcased the actual sympathy cards below, but they will have the alternative sentiment options on their respective blogs.  Just click on each artist's name below...
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Geny Cassady used the same sentiment I chose for my Loss of Child card.  I love the way she incorporated the tiny footprints as a focal point and an accent by layering them underneath the vellum that the sentiment is stamped on.
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Niki Estes created a very simple card that would be easy to replicate and switch out colors, depending on the time of year or the recipient's tastes.
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Lisa Johnson created a scrolling cut out with the large ivy image.  The detail she created with the coloring of the Copics is just amazing.
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Dawn McVey scattered butterflies around her sentiment and ivy, helping to create the scene for a very soothing feeling in one's heart.  I really like the way she accented the sentiment with the row of rhinestones.
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Lauren Meader used a bright & cheerful color scheme to help brighten someones day with her card.  A single butterfly is accented wit matted layers, helping to balance out the sentiment justified towards the left.
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Heather Nichols created this stunning card using my favorite sentiment from the main With Sympathy set.  Her resist technique is so unique and has such a soft effect.
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Becky Oehlers did some intricate cutting around a few key leaves of the ivy image.  The bright white & aqua mist look stunning together when paired with the black.  The cut-out butterflies help to add additional dimension.
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Debbie Olson created this striking black & cream color combination that I just love.  Her use of heat embossing the large vine image on the black cardstock creates a beautiful background for the heartwarming sentiment.
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Melissa Phillips used the stem & lavender stamp duo from the main With Sympathy set to create her focal point image.  I think that her color choices are so pretty and appropriate.
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Betsy Veldman created another Loss of Child card using one of the other sentiments included in the set.  The vintage look paired with the color scheme make it a very memorable & special project.
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Michelle Wooderson used a clean & classic layout to frame out her chosen sentiment & ivy image.  She interspersed small rhinestone stars throughout the ivy, which lend themselves nicely to the meaning behind the sentiment.
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With the printable pdf I attached above in hand along with this new With Sympathy stamp collection, you will be prepared to send a card of comfort when friends & family need it most.  We are giving away one complete collection here today as well to one randomly chosen comment.  Just leave a note of thanks for the Design Team and all the work they dedicated to today's post to be entered to win...

-With Sympathy stamp set
-With Sympathy: Loss of Child mini set
-With Sympathy: Loss of Pet mini set

Good luck to all of you on the contest!

Fine Print: This contest will close today, January 12th, 2009 at 11:59pm EST.  The winner will be announced shortly thereafter.  Please play nice, only one entry per person please.  Winner is responsible for contacting customer service with their shipping information in order to claim the prize.

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

15	

Timestamp: 2009-01-13 15:40:21 UTC

Comment #15 belongs to:

I love this stamp set, it has so many possibilities! I love the clean and simple style and I can only imagine what I might get to make . . . . Thanks for the opportunity to win!

Posted by: Chris L. | January 10, 2009 at 11:24 PM

Congratulations, Chris!  You've won all of the new With Sympathy stamp sets!  Please email customer service with your shipping information in order to claim your prize. Thanks to everyone for playing!

So many stampers struggle with sympathy cards and I am sure that the help the team has provided today will be something you will be able to reference in the future.  Thanks for stopping by today!
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Nichole's Supplies (see the pdf download or the designers individual blogs for their recipes)

Ocean Stars Sympathy card
Stamps: With Sympathy (available January 15th)
Ink: Fresh Snow & Ocean Tides
Paper: Stamper's Select White & Ocean Tides
Other: Ocean Tides Satin Ribbon, paper piercer, silver star charm (Nunn Designs)
Finished size: 3.75" x 8"

Loss of Child card
Stamps: With Sympathy & With Sympathy: Loss of Child (available January 15th)
Ink: Fresh Snow, Dark Chocolate & Sweet Blush
Paper: Classic Kraft, Vintage Cream & Sweet Blush
Other: Sweet Blush grosgrain, corner rounder from Fiskars, adhesive pearls from Paper Studio
Finished size: 4.25" x 4.25"

Loss of Pet card
Stamps: With Sympathy (available January 15th), Polka Dot Basics, Heart Prints
Ink: Dark Chocolate, vintage cream
Paper: classic kraft, pure poppy, dark chocolate vintage cream
Other: clear button, hemp twine, scalloped scissors from PAper Studio, foam dimensionals, EK Success heart punch
Finished size:4.25" x 5.5"

Comments

[Quinnie V.]

Can't believe I'm the first one. Wow, these sets are amazing, Nicole. I got all teary reading those sentiments. A must-have for me!

[Tamar]

These are so very beautiful - Perfect sentiments -w ell done :)

[Gina]

Nichole, thank you so much for coming up with such comprehensive options for sympathy cards. I wish I'd had these sets this past year, as I had two friends who had miscarriages and one friend who lost a pet. These phrases and images are wonderful, and it will be so good to know that I have the right thing to say when something sad happens to my loved ones.

[Alice Roushia]

These sets are fantastic. The DT did an excellent job on all of their cards. Each one is so warming that anyone who would receive one of these cards would really know someone cares and would help ease the loss of a loved one.

I know, I got a few cards from friends with handwritten notes that really comforted me when my Mother passed away.

Thanks for the chance to win these terrific sets. Alice

[Melanie Bray]

Again I am amazed at the thought and effort that goes into all these projects...and especially with such an important theme as this. These cards are ones that I don't have to do often, but when I do, I really try and make them extra special so THANK YOU all so much for your wonderful inspiration. Mel

[Joan B]

What beautiful cards for such a difficult occasion.

[Jewels]

This really is so Bautiful, I have no other words....which if you know me is a complete shocker!!! HAHA

[yuki]

This is such a great release! I can't hardly wait til the 15th!!!

[Sam]

These sentiments and designs are truly beautiful.

Not long to go now....:-).
Sam.

[valerie trog]

I am thrilled to see this tonight. My mother recently passed away. I have not even started on the Thank you cards becuase I've been struggling with finding the perfect saying/layout. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the "perhaps they are not stars" set. It will go perfect for these thank you cards. Thank you for putting another one of my puzzle pieces together. I may now make another check in my things to do list.

Valerie

PS. My mother would have loved it!

[Kim Ross]

Such wonderful samples! It's so nice that the pet add-on is available... for many pet owners, the furry (or finned or feathered) are very important in their lives. Can't wait for yet another spectacular release!

[Tammy]

Amazing, Nichole and the design team continue to wow me month after month. You are truly a wonderfully creative group of women and I am so happy to have found you all! I cannot wait to get my hands on the new releases. I love how you demonstrated the versatility of the sets.

[Steph Bailiff]

I will definitely be ordering this set. Sadly, I have a lot of use for it. Thank you for the simple yet meaningful sayings.

[Wendalyn]

The cards were all great can't wait to see the sets iin full

[nina]

These sentiments are so wonderful & heartfelt. I love what your designers have done with both the images and the sentiments. I am especially looking forward to the pet sentiments - that one's definitely going on my wishlist!

[Carolyn G.]

Nicole, these are really much needed sets. What great sentiments, and the designs are beautiful. Thanks for the great samples and the file to save for future use! What inspiration! Thanks again!
Carolyn G.

[Melissa McF]

Yes, a HUGE Thank You to all the design team members... my everyday go-to blogs for inspiration. Each one has their own special style and I've gotten so I can instantly recognize who created a posted (or published!) card.
And a Thank You to PTI for creating this set. Sympathy cards are the hardest for me to create but having PTI stamps to use will make it a lot easier.

[Susanne Brown]

I remember one sympathy card I received when my brother died during my first year of teaching. A note from a classmate of his with a brief sentiment and that handwritten memory. I read and re-read it many times as a testament to just what a good friend he was. Cards are one of the most important tools in the grieving process.

[Gerri K]

Each and every one of these cards is beautiful. The DT did a wonderful job. The sentiments touch my heart.

[Si L.]

I love the sayings you picked out for these set. I'm a pet lover so I'm getting the pet one for sure!

[Otter]

What a perfect set!!! The mini sets are perfect. Thanks Nichole!

[Danisha]

So many beautiful cards!!! You guys are truly an inspiration to me. Whenever I get stuck, I can go to one of your blogs and recieve many different kinds of ideas. Thanks for sharing your creativity!!

[Abbigale Patten]

This set is so beautiful, thanks for making such useful, timeless and meaningful stamps.
Abby

[Jannica]

Love all the cards that the DT had done. The sentiments are so touching.

[Pat]

Nichole--What a beautiful and thoughtful set, with such inspiring samples by the DT. Unfortunately, I am of an age that sympathy cards are more often needed, both for friends/relatives and beloved pets. I have searched stamp sets for ones such as these to no avail. Thank you for creating this set. Pat