Losing a beloved pet is never easy, but creating a handmade sympathy card can bring comfort—to both you and the person receiving it. This Handmade Sympathy Card for a Pet is a heartfelt way to honor a furry (or finned!) friend who’s crossed the rainbow bridge. Using the Stampin’ Up!® Pet Love Bundle, you can make a personalized keepsake that says, “I see your love—and I care.”
The Pet Love Bundle is full of small, meaningful details—tiny paw prints, playful accessories, and sweet sentiments that tug at the heartstrings. It’s one of those bundles that lets you say what words alone can’t. Whether you’re making this card for a friend or creating it as part of your own healing process, it’s a beautiful reminder of the connection we share with our pets.
Let’s Talk About Color
Color plays such an important role in how we express emotion, and this palette of Timid Tiger, Pretty Peacock, and Lost Lagoon does it beautifully. The orange represents warmth and affection, while the deep teals bring serenity and depth. Together, they create a harmonious blend that comforts without feeling somber. If you ever struggle with color combinations for sympathy cards, this trio is a great place to start.
To add visual interest, I used the Floral Charm Designer Paper for the patterned panels. Its subtle florals provide a soft, textured backdrop without overwhelming the design. The sentiment—“No longer by your side but always in your heart”—is stamped in Basic Gray Ink, which coordinates beautifully with the tones of the card. A simple stitched ribbon in Pretty Peacock anchors the layout, and the silver heart charm adds a gentle, tangible reminder of everlasting love.
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If you look closely, you’ll spot the sweet fish bone die-cut in the corner—a small but meaningful detail that ties the whole theme together. If you’re creating a card for a dog lover instead, you can easily swap the fish bone for the dog bone die from the same bundle. This simple substitution makes the design versatile for any pet owner. And using the Stampin’ Up! Cut & Emboss Machine makes quick work of it as well.
If you like this card, you’ll find the step-by-step Tutorial with full measurements and instructions below. Creating and sharing something handmade can bring comfort in ways words sometimes can’t. Whether it’s for a friend, a neighbor, or yourself, this project reminds us that love—especially pet love—never fades.
Don’t forget to pin this for later!
Thanks for stopping by for today’s card tutorial! My goal is to help you make quick & easy greeting cards for all occasions. If you’d like more detailed directions on how to make this card, feel free to email me. I hope you’ll join me again for more card-making ideas!
Sympathy Card for A Pet
Cardstock Measurements
- Timid Tiger Cardstock: 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" scored at 4-1/4"
- Basic White Cardstock: 4" x 5-1/4"
- Floral Charm Designer Paper: 3-3/4" x 5" (Pretty Peacock)
- Floral Charm Designer Paper: 3-3/4" x 2-1/4" (Timid Tiger)
- Lost Lagoon Cardstock: 2" x 4" (for die-cutting)
- Basic White Cardstock: 3/4" x 3"
- Scraps Timid Tiger, Basic Gray, Basic White Cardstocks (for die-cutting, approx 2" x 2" max)
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Fold the Timid Tiger cardstock in half at the scoreline to create your card base.
- Adhere the 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Basic White cardstock inside the card. Decorate as desired.
- Adhere the Timid Tiger Floral Charm paper to the Pretty Peacock Floral Charm Paper, about 3/4" down from the top; adhere to the front of the card.
- Stamp the sentiment onto the 3/4" x 3" piece of Basic White Cardstock using Basic Gray ink. Adhere to the card as shown in the sample.
- Stamp the collar image onto the 2" x 4" piece of Lost Lagoon cardstock using Basic Gray ink. Stamp the heart image onto the scrap of Basic White cardstock using Basic Gray ink.
- Run the stamped Lost Lagoon and stamped Basic White cardstock through the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine and die-cut using the appropriate Pet Love Dies. Tie the die-cut heart onto the collar using Baker's Twine and adhere the collar to the card using Stampin' Dimensionals.
- Run the scraps of Basic Gray and Timid Tiger through the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine and die-cut the mouse and fish scale (or bone and ball if preferred.) Adhere the die-cuts to the card as desired to finish.
Skill Level
Worker Bee projects are designed for the crafter who has a bit more time and enjoys creating a handmade card that features a technique or tool. In many cases, a Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine is required for die-cutting and/or embossing.
