Cat Punch for FabFri119

It should be so easy to express love and affection for one another.  Why don’t people say “I adore you” or “you make me happy” more than they do?  That should be so simple, and the world needs more of it.  The most difficult expression, understandably, is that of sorrow.  How can we effectively embrace someone who is suffering from illness or share compassion for the loss of life?  The best way is to give a hug, offer some food and make a sweet card.

Pets are a big part of some families – and it’s sad when they are gone.  Today’s card is a sweet sympathy card to let the recipient know you are thinking about them after the loss of their pet.  The card follows our FabFriday layout and features some new products you’ll want to add to your wish list.  Here’s my card:

Sorry for Everything, Cat Punch, Stampin' Up!, Brian King, sympathy card

And here’s the banner for the challenge that inspired my card:

FabFri119Tips, Tricks and Reminders

  • Two New.  This project features the Sorry for Everything stamp set – what a gorgeous script that can be used for so many occasions.  Two new products from Stampin’ Up!’s 2017 Holiday Catalog (to be released September 1): one creates this cat silhouette, and the other creates the leafy accents.  The Cat Punch (coordinates with the Halloween bundle I showcased yesterday – see that card here) is likely to fly off the shelves on September 1st.  What a great tool that can be used all year long!  Here’s a look at this punch:
    Cat punch, Stampin' Up!

    Cat punch, Stampin’ Up!

    The sketch calls for an accent on the right of the card.  I reached for the Lantern Builder Framelits Dies that coordinate with the Seasonal Lantern to create a poof of flora.  I LOVE it!  I added another accent to the left side of the panel for balance.  Here’s a look at this wonderful, new bundle (the accents I used are shown inside the base of the lantern shape just below the red card):

    Seasonal Lantern Bundle, Stampin' Up!

    Seasonal Lantern Bundle, Stampin’ Up!

  • Textured Feline.  I wanted to add some visual texture to the kitty cat, so I dragged my Archival Basic Gray ink pad across Basic Gray cardstock before punching out the cat.  It feels so wrong to write those words – “…before punching out the cat.”  I’m not a violent person.  Here’s a closer look at the cat on the finished card:I added texture to the cat silhouette by dragging an ink pad over paper before punching, Stampin' Up!, Brian King
  • Color Combination.  I wouldn’t normally think of a pink shade for a sympathy card, but I really, really wanted Rose Red to pair with the Basic Gray and So Saffron card front I’d already created.  To tone down the brightness of the card base, I added a panel of Vellum Cardstock.  If you like this combination of Rose Red, Basic Gray and So Saffron, too, please save this: Stampin' Up! Color Inspiration: Rose Red, Basic Gray, So Saffron

Stamp Sets:  Sorry for Everything  Papers:  Rose Red, Basic Gray, So Saffron, Whisper White, Vellum cardstock  Inks:  Basic Gray  Accessories:  Cat punch, Lantern Builder Framelits Dies, Regals Enamel Shapes, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I hope you’ll pop over to the Fab Friday challenge site to see the cards by the design team members and to play along with this week’s challenge.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Brian

Shop Now button


Stampin’ Up! has restocked the Clearance Rack with lots of new items – all marked way down!  These are “while supplies last” deals, so you’ll want to get your order in soon.  🙂  Click below to see what’s left – you won’t be disappointed.


BIG NEWS!  Registration for World Card Making Day 2017 is officially OPEN!  If you’d like more information or want to register (it’s such a wonderful event!), then please CLICK HERE.


 

 

42 Comments

  1. Expressing sympathy is difficult and for people who have had their pets for a long time it can truly be heartbreaking. Receiving a beautiful card like this one would serve to lift their spirits. The muted color of the card is perfect.

  2. The large SORRY stamp is perfect, it strange that due to the size, it says you’re really-really sorry. It expresses how you truly feel! Pets are truly family, your card will warm anyone’s heart.

    • Thanks, Katrina. I agree that this oversized “sorry” is so perfectly beautiful that it works well for a sympathy sentiment – unexpected. So glad you like it.

  3. I love this card! It would make anyone feel better . And I can see the layout with a lot of other sentiments as well. The perfect card!

  4. Perfection! Love the little dealibobs from the lantern bundle!

  5. I love it , my next set !!♥️
    Hugs Frenchie

  6. We need more Brian’s in this world. Kind and caring who makes beautiful cards to brighten up our lives. This card is beautiful and just perfect to show sympathy to someone. Thanks for sharing

  7. Your expiation on how you made your card are spot on. Easy to follow for any crafter. I also like your layout that you created using the template. I have a hard time using templates as a starting point, so I am glad you posted both.

    • Thank you so much for your comment, Becky! I like to have a starting point when I make cards – usually a color combination or layout (sometimes both). I’m glad you like my card and explanations. I appreciate your comments.

  8. Oh Brian – you just give me my first smile of the day every day! Punching out the cat – LOL Anyway, yes – losing a pet can be very traumatic and I would never have thought to use this punch for that very special sympathy card. O.K. SU – now we need a doggie. Honestly I”m not being crass. I have had my heart broken losing a pet many times over and I know a card like yours would have certainly been appreciated. Great job Brian.

    • Thanks, Grace! I love to entertain and educate – and sometimes just share some stuff. I would love to have a dog punch – I’m a fan of almost all punches, so bring’em on! <3

  9. I’m inspired to go do something really reative with my cat punch now! Great card, as we always expect!

  10. I laughed out loud at your “it feels so wrong” comment! Love this card!

  11. Oh – this is wonderful, Brian! As a cat lover, I’ve spent too many hours crying over the loss of one of my “kids”. This card – is perfect. I love the cat punch – and a dog punch would be superb (I get asked to make a lot of pet sympathy cards!). And I hope hope hope this one sticks around! Well done, my friend! M

    P.S. I’m very glad the only cats you punch are paper. 😉

    • Thank you for your kind comment, Mary! I’m so glad you like the card I created – I had to play around with these elements a lot until I found (what I think is) the right balance of things. I love this punch, too! 🙂

  12. Chris R. from Iowa

    Thank you for the cat sympathy card. I am a dog person but lately several of my friends have lost their pets and I had been using just a paw print stamp. This will personalize the card a bit more for the cat lovers. I thought the cat punch might come in handy and this justifies the purchase!

    • It’s a really great punch! You are right, Chris – even if you are a dog person, you need the cat punch for cards that will be sent to a cat person. Such a sweet silhouette. Thanks for your comment.

  13. Well done, Brian. Purr-fect for a loss of a pet. Love the touch of greenery!

  14. “It feels so wrong…” to laugh at a blog post about Loss, but I’m still laughing about “punching out the cat!” On a serious note; could have used the Cat punch for a dear friend who lost her beloved furry black cat…but, I shall order it for her…

    • Hey Sandra, I’m so glad you got a giggle out of my post and that you like this punch – it’s truly wonderful! The catalog goes live September 1. You won’t have to be without again. 🙂

  15. Awww, this is so sweet, I almost teared up. (I lost a kitty this year.) I love how you combined pieces of different products to make this sweet, sweet card.

  16. Pretty card for a sad time . This punch is on it`s way to my house and I was glad it was not the SCARY HALLOWEEN CAT to be more versatile .
    You having the PUNCH probably is better than the real thing (as my memory recalls) TEE HEE !

    • Thanks, Sonny! Cat punch is definitely for people who know people with cats and not only people who have cats (not a requirement to own a cat to own the punch). Thanks for your comment!

  17. Brilliant…even down to the color combo!

  18. Beautiful sympathy card. The kitty adds just the right touch to let the recipient know this was personalized for them! I love the texture tip!

  19. Sweet and perfect in every way!

  20. MargaretAnn Hammond

    Thank you for sharing this card, I need to make a card to give this week and your timing was right on. I have a poem that I will be using for my card Now I have to decide if I will be putting it on the inside or the front, .

    • I’m so glad that my timing was good with this card, Margaret Ann. I’m sorry that you have to make such a card, but I’m glad you don’t have to worry about what to make. 🙂

  21. So clean and crisp, Brian. Now I must get the Sorry set!

Leave a Reply to Brian Cancel reply