Happy Wednesday, peeps! It is never easy to lose a loved one, but to lose one on Christmas is especially difficult. My dear friend lost her aunt on Christmas day, and since I already had my Floral Boutique papers out on my desk, I used the Hand Stamped Sentiments sketch for a sympathy card. Here's the sketch:
And here is my card:
I used a white card base with a Night of Navy banner; a sentiment from Flourishing Phrases, and diecuts from Flourish thinlets; I diecut two small leaves from vellum to tuck behind the sentiment.
I thought I would show you some photos from our church, decorated for Christmas. But first, two of my little helpers from Christmas eve! We have a candlelight service, so I usually recruit some children to pass out the candles (battery-operated for the wee ones!) and the programs. Here is Cassidy with her friend Joel (who is quite a character, I might add, as well as one very smart young man!). He was in charge of the candles, she the programs!:
We have two poinsettia trees on either side of the stage/pulpit as well as a Nativity:
Window wreaths and candles:
We have a large sanctuary that is actually the upstairs of our building; to the left, you see part of the balcony. It was said that in the olden days (the building is from the 1800s), the elders would sit in the balcony and keep watch out the windows in case of an Indian attack!!! Not sure if that's true, but it makes for a fun story to tell our children! There are four large windows with shutters on each side of the sanctuary; on the pews, we put up candlesticks decorated with burlap and greenery and more wreaths between the windows. Guess who puts up those wreaths? My dear hubby, with a great big long pole!!! It's quite a sight!
Thanks for indulging me a wee bit!
Yes it is sad to lose a family member at Christmas my boys lost their father on Christmas day, have a Happy New Year.
ReplyDeletegreetings from Australia
Rene from OZ x
Beautiful card. I love Floral Boutique. Your church is lovely. I just love our church for Christmas especially. We have poinsettias on the altar surrounding the cross and down the sides and greenery and a candle in each of our stained glass windows. We have a candlelight service on Christmas Eve and when we sing Silent Night at the end tears are flowing. Happy New Year to you and your precious family. Looking forward to your blog in 2017.
ReplyDeleteI like your card alot and you've given me inspiration for making a card today. I think I will use items I received in my pre-order. Your church is beautiful...as is Cassidy. I love her dress and sweater. Thank you for sharing and have a BD.
ReplyDeleteYour card is gorgeous and such a great take on the sketch as well LeAnne! Your photos are just beautiful! TFS!! :)
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing all the beautiful pictures of your church decorated for Christmas! So pretty! It took me back many years ago when I use to attend the Christmas program at the church I attended as a child. Your hubby did a great job with hanging those wreaths!
ReplyDeleteYour card today is just as beautiful, LeAnne! My son's dad (my ex) just passed away on Christmas Eve. He never bothered with Ryan and so he built a wall up when it came to his dad. He had to sign papers for cremation which did not seem to faze him. I think I was more bothered as it's been sitting on my mind. Tough time of the year for losing loved ones but your card is sure to give comfort & peace in the difficult days ahead..
Such a stunning card, LeAnne ... it is sure to bring comfort to your friend. Thank you for sharing your lovely church, all dressed for Christmas... speaking of dressing: Cassidy's dress is just fabulous!!! Happiest New Year, my friend!
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One of my favorite colors! I'm so sorry for your friend- never easy but on Christmas makes it so much harder. It looks like your church was lovely!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear of your friend's loss. She'll be grateful for this lovely and thoughtful card. That's a cute pair of church helpers you've got there!! Your church looks so pretty! Ours was decorated with a sea of red poinsettias, green wreaths and trees with white lights!
ReplyDeleteYour church is so beautifully decorated. I love those Poinsettia trees.
ReplyDeleteThis card is gorgeous. I have loved this paper, stamp set and dies since it first came out but finally just got the bundle in Nov. I can't wait to use it and this card is a beautiful inspiration for me......I may be casing it soon. I'm sorry to hear of your friend's loss and I know this card will be of great comfort to her along with knowing how you care.
Gorgeous card! And gorgeous pictures!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sympathy card! Thanks for stopping by Hand Stamped Sentiments.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful card! That DSP makes for a beautiful card every time!
ReplyDeleteThat paper is so beautiful and perfect for a nice, serene sympathy card. The extras you've added with the die cut strip and vellum leaves are so nice! Thanks for playing with us at Hand Stamped Sentiments!
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