Last year my family saw my lovely Great Auntie Rita for the first time in more than 10 years, 300+ miles and busy lives means the years fly without you realising. Sadly, I was told this morning that she has passed away. She was 93 and ready, so it’s less of a sad event than it could be. I wanted to send a card to her daughter and son in law, to say we’re thinking of them.
Sympathy cards always take me a very long time to begin. I am not religious and I feel hypocritical using religious based sentiment or imagery. A lot of sympathy cards in the shops look a bit samey to me, and the toppers I’ve got in kits tend to fit with that pattern. I struggle to think of a personal, appropriate style.
Rita was a happy person. She liked pinks and flowers, pretty things. A card to celebrate her life felt like it should reflect her.
I chose to use my Hunkydory For the Love of Stamps Delightful Dahlias set. At first I was going to use a separate ‘with sympathy’ sentiment, but the ‘with love’ that is in the stamp set said it better. I wanted flowers, and the bold Dahlia is great because it needs very little else to be a focal point.
This stamp collection is made of separate outline stamps and details; you stamp the outline of the flower and the leaves, then you can colour it yourself if you want, or simply cover the detail stamp in the colours you want and stamp over the outline for an instantly coloured image.
I wanted to keep this card very simple, so simply matted and layered white card and a pale pink pearlescent card, then added a few dots of glossy accents around the flower for detail.
So, it’s not quite a traditional sympathy card, but I feel it’s fitting to celebrate the life of a strong woman who enjoyed the little luxuries you can find in everyday life.
isntshecrafty 
Shop bought sympathy cards really annoy me, as they are either over the top religious or just don’t fit the family that they are meant for. I now prefer to make my own, if I have religious sentiments then I bear these in mind when I make the cards. unfortunately they are a stock card really.
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Firstly I am sorry for the loss of your Great Aunt, a member of the family doesn’t need to be seen on a regular basis for you to still have feelings for them and be sad at their passing.
The card is perfect. I have done many different types I even did one of a sailing boat on the horizon once, for a friend who liked nothing better than sitting on a cliff top and watching boats – it was appropriate and that’s all that matters.
Helen x
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Thank you. The saddest thing is that she was the last of the 8 siblings, it’s a generation gone. I know she liked handmade cards, so I hope it’s a fitting memory
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Oh what a lovely card. I, too make my own sympathy cards. I like to keep them simple, and yet it is still an expression of my sympathy to the person I am sending it to. I like to think they are a celebration of the person who has passed and should reflect upon that person. This is certainly fitting for your Aunt’s family. Thanks so much for sharing, and so sorry for your loss.
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Sorry for your loss, and sorry I missed this post. Sympathy cards are the hardest, I think. But this one is lovely and sounds perfect for the occasion.
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Thank you
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Beautiful card. Sorry for your loss. Soft colors are perfect for sympathy cards.
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This is gorgeous and so sorry for your loss. I love personalised cards anyway but this just has an extra meaning behind it x
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