I'm drawing a blank in my grief....please help

[squirrellyshirley]

Our family lost our 19 yr nephew to a tragic car accident this past weekend. I have been trying to think of something to do for my brother, his new wife and my ex-sister-in-law and I finally decided to make them each 20 or so hand stamped thank you notes for them to use...............but.............

I just keep staring at my stamps and nothing seems good enough, or too flowery, or not right. I need some CAS ideas that I can reproduce quickly but are masculine enough to represent a young man.......

I looked thro the CAS gallery but my tears well-up and I can't focus. Please post your ideas............

[mollymoo951]

(((hugs))) Shirley! Check out stampin' kub's blog.

[jackie1]

I am so sorry for your families and all that you are going through right now. I think that it is really sweet of you to think of making cards for them at a time like this.
Do you have the SU set Winds of Grace or Lovely as a Tree? If you have either one of these sets I would suggest using them on the front of the card and using a Thank you stamp on either the inside or the outside. I wouldn't do anything that you would have to do much coloring, unless it would help you through your greif.

[mollymoo951]

Here's the link.

http://www.stampinkub.com/blog/

[RJP111]

Shirley!

I'm so sorry, my condolences to you and your family. :(

Other than sending you {{hugs}}, I don't have any ideas for cards.

[mollymoo951]

Shirley, I'm posting a link to this in the FlyBaby Thoughts & Prayers thread.

[Kristin Moore]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. How amazingly strong of you to consider making something like that right now- I hope it is healing for you and I'm sure it will be very appreciated by your family members! I don't have specific samples in mind but how about the tall grass stamp in Inspired by Nature- I think it could provide a very comforting, soothing feel and be very gender neutral as well. I'll go see what I can find to help out.

Here's one that is simple. You could leave the flower off if you want and obviously change the sentiment. Inspired By Nature by Jayne Mercer at Splitcoaststampers

Great Guy Card by Speedystamper at Splitcoaststampers
Brayered Inspired by Nature by GardenB at Splitcoaststampers

A tree is always very symbollic and meaningful. Do you have Thoughts & Prayers or Lovely As a Tree? A clean and simple design with a tree and a thank you sentiment would be fitting I think. Hope this helps and good luck.

[mollymoo951]

This is really nice.

http://www.stampinkub.com/blog/?p=1158

Use a thank you stamp and doodle around the edges.

[mollymoo951]

Here's another one...you can use some DP and plain ribbon on this one. Stamp Thank you and punch it out and attach.

http://www.stampinkub.com/blog/?p=1047

[edith199]

first of all, I'm sorry that you & your family are having to deal with such an enormous loss...w


hat about something like this:

Hello . . . by JulieHRR at Splitcoaststampers

[biblesistersmom]

So sorry for your loss! Would you like any of us to send sympathy cards to your brother?

[Debra Cherney]

Hi Shirley, I'm so sorry for your loss.

I think you're idea is a really good one. It will even help you a little to do something for them. I agree with the Lovely as a Tree or trees and a nice verse with a Thank You inside.

[squirrellyshirley]

Thank you, Ladies!! ***sigh*** just when I think my tears are done.....they go again.

I am realizing that all my stamps are kind-of whimsical and sassy. I do have a couple of Verve Crosses, and some Verve Sets?? I have "friendship is shelter from lifes little storms".....would that be appropriate?? Or "simply said from the heart thank you"??

Yes, I wanted to be able to give them to both tomorrow at the services but realistically it might not be till next week.

Thanks again, those sillouhette ones are sooo nice!!

[squirrellyshirley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by biblesistersmom

So sorry for your loss! Would you like any of us to send sympathy cards to your brother?

uumm......I don't know......he and are have had a long time difficult relationship and he wouldn't even hug me the other day when I saw him for the first time in over 2 years.....so ......thank you so much for asking but I just don't know......

Prayers and hugs go a looooooooong way today!!

[squirrellyshirley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mollymoo951

Shirley, I'm posting a link to this in the FlyBaby Thoughts & Prayers thread.

((((((((((((hugs, Melissa)))))))))))))

After my DH lost his job in Jan, I haven't been ablt to make it back to the Flybaby thread......:(....but I have learned and am doing some routine cleaning that I learned from you FANTASTIC ladies and it has SAVED me this week enormously!!! ;)

[Kristin Moore]

Quote:

Originally Posted by squirrellyshirley

uumm......I don't know......he and are have had a long time difficult relationship and he wouldn't even hug me the other day when I saw him for the first time in over 2 years.....so ......thank you so much for asking but I just don't know......

Prayers and hugs go a looooooooong way today!!

prayers and hugs it is!!

[steubner]

I sent you a PM, Shirley

[RiverIsis]

I'm so sorry for your loss

Quote:

Originally Posted by squirrellyshirley

Thank you, Ladies!! ***sigh*** just when I think my tears are done.....they go again.

I am realizing that all my stamps are kind-of whimsical and sassy. I do have a couple of Verve Crosses, and some Verve Sets?? I have "friendship is shelter from lifes little storms".....would that be appropriate?? Or "simply said from the heart thank you"??

Yes, I wanted to be able to give them to both tomorrow at the services but realistically it might not be till next week.

Thanks again, those sillouhette ones are sooo nice!!

I hate to ask but can you remember what sets you have? With many minds working on it someone might see something that could be useful.

[Jeanne S]

I'm so sorry Shirley. These types of projects are always the hardest.

How about something simple like a single leaf or a branch.

[mollymoo951]

Quote:

Originally Posted by squirrellyshirley

Thank you, Ladies!! ***sigh*** just when I think my tears are done.....they go again.

I am realizing that all my stamps are kind-of whimsical and sassy. I do have a couple of Verve Crosses, and some Verve Sets?? I have "friendship is shelter from lifes little storms".....would that be appropriate?? Or "simply said from the heart thank you"??

Yes, I wanted to be able to give them to both tomorrow at the services but realistically it might not be till next week.

Thanks again, those sillouhette ones are sooo nice!!

"Simply said from the heart thank you"

[mollymoo951]

Quote:

Originally Posted by squirrellyshirley

((((((((((((hugs, Melissa)))))))))))))

After my DH lost his job in Jan, I haven't been ablt to make it back to the Flybaby thread......:(....but I have learned and am doing some routine cleaning that I learned from you FANTASTIC ladies and it has SAVED me this week enormously!!! ;)

(((hugs))) to you Shirley. We're here for ya...we're just a mouse click away!

[SilverDragoness]

Shirley if you would like I believe I have lovely as a tree and I could stamp and send you some images.

[sprtchick]

I cannot imagine the grief you are going through...so much left unsaid and undone in such a young life....my heart truly goes out to you and I will put you on my prayer list.
Blessings...

[MWDStamp]

I'm so sorry to hear about your nephew. Hugs to you and your family. Here is a CAS card I have done lots of times. The one posted says with sympathy, but I have also done them as thank you cards.

[polargirl]

Shirley, I'm so sorry you are going through this difficult time. SUs pocket sillouette type stamps are flowers but can make a simple but elegant thank you statement.

[momis mama]

i have no samples or ideas...

just thoughts and prayers for you and yours.

[mrslaird]

Shirley ~ HUGS!!! Even a flourish in masculine colors and a sentiment would be nice.

[kimilou]

Shirley, thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. Will be praying that this will somehow draw you and your brother close again. Praying for you too!

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[Kathyc]

Shirley, I'm so sorry for your loss; I did a search for Sympathy, Thank you in the gallery and found this pretty set of cards; if you have a set with a single stem like these (as Jeanne suggested) along with a Thank you greeting, they shoudl come together quickly.
Stem Assortment, Gift Selection by CAKath at Splitcoaststampers
A simple cross would also be lovely.

[a1r601]

Condolences to you and your family and lots of hugs and prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time. It is always when you lose a loved one, but even harder to comprehend when you lose you them at a young age.

Here is a sample sympathy card I made awhile back LSC205 Life is a Journey Sympathy CAS by a1r601 at Splitcoaststampers

I know it is not so masculine, but a butterfly or bird image can represent both. If you have the Baroque Motifs set, you can substitiute that for the flourishes I have in my card and use the medallion as the focal image. You can also just stamp trees on the base card and just put a ribbon.

Here is another example of a card you can do with the French Flair BG and medallion from Baroque Motifs (the medallion on the card is not from Baroque Motifs): Thinking of You - French Flair by a1r601 at Splitcoaststampers. You can omit the brads.

Blessings!

[a1r601]

Quote:

Originally Posted by squirrellyshirley

Thank you, Ladies!! ***sigh*** just when I think my tears are done.....they go again.

I am realizing that all my stamps are kind-of whimsical and sassy. I do have a couple of Verve Crosses, and some Verve Sets?? I have "friendship is shelter from lifes little storms".....would that be appropriate?? Or "simply said from the heart thank you"??

Yes, I wanted to be able to give them to both tomorrow at the services but realistically it might not be till next week.

Thanks again, those sillouhette ones are sooo nice!!

Even simpler, you can also use the Verve cross stamps and just put the sentiment (both of the sentiments would work) underneath the image and top off the card with a ribbon.

[squirrellyshirley]

aaahhhhh.......the tears are dry long enough to look at all these perfect examples. ......THANK YOU so much.......I have PTI Text Box set and the leaf from that set would be easy and elegant,oh.....oh.....the leaf from Best Blossoms!! And a few crosses......

Thanks again......words cannot express.....

Stamping these will help me.........

[MariLynn]

Shirley, I am sorry for your loss. I don't have any ideas, but I am sending a cyber hug. I will pray for you and your family.

[aprilchristine]

Shirley, I didn't see any mention of it above, but Gina K Designs just released a new set for the loss of a loved one. I haven't figured out this link thingy yet, but the name of the stamp sets are Guiding Light and Not Forgotten. I hope this helps. I am so sorry for your loss. If anyone can post the link, I would appreciate it. Thanks.

[DLS881]

Shirley, I am so sorry for your loss and I understand your grief. Our stories are very similar. My nephew was 17.

How about Lovely As a Tree or something similar?

[LateBlossom]

hugs and prayers to you and your family!

[NikiE]

Shirley, I am so sorry for your family's loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

[Crafter 4 Life]

So sorry for your family's loss. Losing a loved one is never an easy time. Could you stamp some monogram cards then the person sending it can include their thoughts in the reply? You could make them simple but elegant depending on the font you use. You could also embellish them with score marks and that way the cards are not gender specific.

Take care.

[nutsymuhl]

I just wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss.

[ceedee]

I am so sorry to hear of your tragic loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
I sure what ever you decide to make will be much appreciated.
{{hugs}}