Sending Hugs and Prayers. . .

A friend in one of the many Facebook groups has had to put her husband, who she has been with for 48 years, into Hospice.  When asked what we, as a group, could do for her, she requested cards.  This is the one I made for her:

What I Used to Make my Card:
Vanilla Card Base
Watercolor Paper
Zig Clean Color Markers
Simon Says Stamp Beautiful Flowers Stamp, #SSS101826
Hero Arts Stamp & Cut Sympathy, #DC183
Hero Arts Pink Tourmaline Ink {only available in the MMH December 2017 kit}
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Pink Cardstock
Sequins {from stash}

I began by stamping the flowers onto a panel of watercolor paper using black ink.  Then I colored the flowers using my Zig Clean Color Markers.  Once the flowers were colored, I sorted through my papers to find one that matched the flowers, then cut the word "prayers" using the die included in the Stamp & Cut set.

Then I stamped the rest of the sentiment using the Bubble Gum ink, placed various sequins around the card, {I used some clear, pink, and white sequins} and the card was finished.  I am very pleased with how the card came out and I hope that it brings some joy to her and her family.

I am awful at making sympathy cards.  I never know what to say, what to write, what colors to use; I generally work myself into a frenzy of complete and utter self doubt.  I tried something new making this one.  I chose a pretty stamp and

Another Look

just went with what felt right.  Since the recipient is a card maker herself, {and honestly, one of the most creative people I know} I worried about every little mistake I made.  Then I realized that she wouldn't be scrutinizing my card; she'd be gaining comfort that someone felt enough for her that they took the time to make it.  I really need to concentrate on that rather than the imperfections.  After all, when I get a card that someone has sent me, I KNOW what that person did; I know the concern, self doubt, the traps we set up for ourselves.  And I just enjoy the card.  I don't look for mistakes.  I feel happy and loved.  That is going to be my thing for 2019.  Enjoy the process and know I am going to make someone happy.  Isn't that what life is all about?

Thank you for stopping by to view my card.  I appreciate every one of you! Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Sending Hugs and Prayers card in the following challenges:
Sparkles Monthly Challenge - M, #108 - Use Dies and/or Punches
The Flower Challenge - #25, Add Sparkle
The Artistic Stamper - M, Inktober {and happy 8th Blogaversary!}
Dream Valley Challenges - #188, Flowers
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
Scrapy Land - #99, Anything Goes w/ A brand they carry {Hero Arts}
Make It, Take It - M, Anything Goes
Colour Crazy Craft Challenge -  Anything Goes
Just Add Ink - #430, Inspirational Challenge, graphic below
Inkspirational Challenge - #171, Word Prompt - Comfort {graphic below}
Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies - M, Anything Goes {graphic below}

Just Add Ink

Inkspirational Challenge

HLS anything Goes with Dies