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Friday 13 November 2020

Goodbye old friend

Hello, crafting friends!

It's time for one of those hard-to-make sympathy cards today. 


I've gone for a one layer card, using masking and sponging techniques to create a sky and ground off the edge of a thick card base. Trees were stamped along the ground line using a little stamp from Stampin' Up's Holiday Home (retired.) The scene was spritzed with water and left to dry. 


A spritzed card will usually warp as it dries but I find a visit to the bottom of a large pile of heavy books sorts that out! I know, I know, it's hard to keep up with my cutting edge technology! The card was finished with stamped birds from Take Flight 2 by Inkylicious, some detailing on the scene with a marker, and a heat-embossed sentiment from Uniko's Simply Said Blocks.

CHALLENGES
I'm linking this card up with CAS Mix Up where they theme is Off the Edge and they want watercolour to be the main feature. Helen is hosting Watercooler Wednesday's Occasions challenge this week and I'm entering my sympathy card there. I'm also joining in with Stamplorations CAS challenge where I'm sticking with the Anything Goes option.


AND IN OTHER NEWS
The card is on its way to the owners of The Baroness who has come to the end of a long and happy life at the grand old age of 16. Regular readers will remember her as one of Eva's pals, a dignified boxer dog.  She stayed with us often and was such a character. She would pretend to be above Eva's fun and games but would often join in despite herself and every now and again she would turn herself over for a tummy rub which always made me laugh. I especially loved collecting her from her house for walks: I would usually find her asleep on the sofa and would sit next to her and gently stroke her head until she woke, took one look at me and leapt up wagging madly with her whole body. I enjoyed watching the dogs running shoulder to shoulder ahead of me on our long country walks, Eva with her fluffy trousers and The Baroness with her smooth black leggings. As she got older and began to lose her sight, The Baroness relied on Eva to show her the way, but they would still sniff the hedgerows together and The Baroness would still kick up her heels and frolic with Eva despite her arthritis. Last winter I started to see a change in our old friend. She started to have seizures and became increasingly frail. She struggled to climb the stairs where she'd always slept alongside Eva at the foot of the bed. I couldn't bear to leave her downstairs on her own, so I would carry her up, and down again in the morning. It was such a privilege to know her and I can say, with absolute certainty, that we were friends.



Sending hugs,

18 comments:

  1. A beautiful card Vicky,the loss of a let leaves a huge hole in your heart and life,your card will be much appreciated

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  2. Such a peaceful one layer card, I adore your approach to the off the edge theme. Such a serene scene, I love every detail. Beautifully executed. Thank you so much for joining us at CAS Mix Up!

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  3. perfect sympathy card, beautiful scene and such soft colours XX

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  4. This is so gorgeous! I love the soft colors, and the watercoloring is lovely. It's the perfect sympathy/thinking of you card.

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  5. So sorry for the loss of Baroness, but sounds like she had a wonderfully happy, active dog life. Eva must really be missing her too. Your card for her owners is so beautiful and filled with love. So pleased you joined us at CAS Mix Up. Love and Hugs...Nancy

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  6. What a beautiful card and a lovely tribute to The Baroness, Vicky. She looks so happy in the photo of her and Eva running in the country. So sorry you've lost a dear friend. xx

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  7. I was once told that trees are most appropriate for sympathy cards so yours fits the sad occasion perfectly Vicky.

    Always so sad when we lose one of our loyal companions, we came close again this week but keeping it all crossed.

    B x

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  8. Always sad to lose a four-legged companion. The Baroness was a character and will be missed. You've made a lovely card for her owners.

    Hug xxx

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  9. OH! Vicky, I think this is the loveliest card I have seen in awhile, such a gentle peace about it. I'm sorry to hear about The Baroness, it's so hard to part with an animal who has been part of your life for a long time. I expect Eva will be looking around for her visits too.
    Faith x

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  10. So sorry for your loss, Vicky! What wonderful memories to treasure and a simple, beautiful card to express your love to Baroness' owners. Thanks so much for sharing this with us at CAS Mix Up!

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  11. I just love this gorgeous little country vignette, Vicky!!! So sweet and tells so much of a story! So very sorry to hear of the passing of your beautiful 4 legged friend! Try to remember the good times your shared! Thanks so much for joining us at Watercooler Wednesday Challenge this week! Take care! :)

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  12. A beautiful and peaceful card. Condolences to the family of The Baroness...and all who knew her.
    Judy

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  13. This card is just amazing, I love everything about it. Spritzing with water has added lovely interest and texture. I love those birds too, what a shame that it had to be made for such a sad occasion but I am sure it will bring a smile to the recipient. Thanks for joining us at CAS Mix up this month

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  14. Sad for your loss, but a lovely card, a fitting tribute xxx

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  15. What a lovely card. I'm sorry that you had the need for a sympathy card. I'm sure that the recipients will be grateful to receive it. Thanks for sharing at STAMPlorations CAS.

    sue n.

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  16. what a precious friend the baroness was to both you and Eva. Thank you for sharing her story and the card you created in her memory.

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  17. Oh Vicky, what a beautiful card!! It's breathtakingly beautiful!! Thanks for joining us at the STAMPlorations CAS card challenge!

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I'd love to know what you think. Do leave me a comment - it always makes my day! Vicky x


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