Light It Up For Autism Awareness Blog Hop

Hi, friends!  I was SUPER excited to see that there was a blog hop happening in the crafty blog world for Autism Awareness this month!  If you'd like to join us, start HERE!  I love the special people who happen to have Autism--they make me so happy.  

I used to work in a special needs classroom before I quit to go back to school, and those kids are the reason I am going back to school.  My goal is to get my degree, a Master's degree, and then start a charter school for these special little ones.  They are so unique, each and every one.  This uniqueness is what has inspired my card for the hop.  Come take a peek...

I decided to make a one layer card and keep it simple--that's how people with Autism like to roll!  Keep it simple, not too much noise. ;)  I used the brushstrokes2stamp and scribbles2stamp sets from The Stamps of Life for my images and sentiments.  I stamped in Sky, Blueberry, and Licorice ink on a Powdered Sugar cardstock base.  Some fun enamel stars and liquid pearls finished off the card.  The stars were to remind everyone that each person IS a star--even those with Autism!

I chose three sentiments that would be inspiring.  Those who have Autism are ALWAYS genuine and true to themselves.  This is something I greatly admire about these special folks.  If you've never had the chance to be around a person with Autism, I would encourage you to reach out and get to know one!  They are always unique, and you will learn so much from them! :)

That's all for me today, friends!  Please consider hopping with us to help light up the blog world blue for Autism Awareness!  If you don't know as much as you would like to about this unique condition, please check out Autism Speaks!  Until next time, HUGS and happy stamping, friends! :)

Great Impressions: Autism Awareness

Hi, friends!  I'm back with another card for the Great Impressions blog featuring stamps from the Great Impressions store!  This time I have a card that is for a cause that is near and dear to my heart--Autism Awareness.  April is Autism Awareness month and since I have worked with and am finishing my degree to be able to teach these kiddos, I felt I needed to bring attention to it this month somehow--and this image is PERFECT because the Autism Awareness symbol is a puzzle piece. :)

Here's the card~

Details~

Products used: F572 Heart Puzzle, B244 For Friends.

If you're wondering about how I created the color on the black card stock, I used liquid pearls and Stickles. :)  Hop over to the blog for a video tutorial on how to achieve this look with your stamps!  The flower was created by rolling ribbon and adding a button and enamel dot to the center.

Thank you so much for stopping by to take a peek!  Next week I'll be back with another creation for your viewing pleasure!  I hope you'll hop over to the Great Impressions blog to participate in our monthly challenge and if you use GI stamps, make sure to add it to our Customer Gallery, too!  HUGS and happy stamping to you all!

Blue: Many Meanings

Well, I was hoping to post this yesterday, but today seems more appropriate with recent happenings.  I'm not sure how many of you have heard, but there was a shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut today.  As an educator, I am shocked and horrified by this.  I know that words don't help very much, but this is what I posted on my Facebook account today and would like to share it in case anyone affected by this tragedy is reading my post.  I wrote:

"I don't know exactly what to say about the senseless tragedy that occurred today. I hope that the families of all involved can find peace in the Atonement of our Savior and that they can heal. I hope that the families that lost children will be able to know they are loved and are now in the arms of a loving God and a Savior who also loves them. I hope that those that have to endure life with the memory of this horrendous act will be able to turn their hearts toward heaven and know that He can bear their burden and guide them to peace. Words are not adequate. I wish I could be there to give hugs, meals, shed tears with my brothers and sisters, and try to fill the void that has been created during this Christmas season. ♥"

With that said, I'd like to share a card that I made yesterday in honor of the amazing children that I have the privilege to work with. For those of you who don't know, my REAL job is working with children who have special needs.  There are 8 amazing kids in my class and each of them has a different disability that they have to endure while here on earth.  This card is for them and for all the amazing people I know and love who have special needs.

Here is the card~

Details~

Inside of card

For these fabulous challenges~

A Day For Daisies: Shades of Blue

Crafty Creations: Wise Words

Word Art Wednesday: Uplifting Sentiment

Simon Says Stamp: Your Favorite

(I've used my favorite digi stamp company's image--ADFD!)

The color for Autism awareness is blue.  That is immediately what I thought of when I saw the challenge over at ADFD.  I remembered that I had the gorgeous "Blossoms for a Cause" digi and new that I had to use it.  Technically not all of the students in my class are diagnosed with Autism, but I feel that this card is still a fitting tribute to all the special children and adults that I have come to know over my few years of working with people who have special needs.  They are ALL a blessing in my life and each of them has taught me some very important lessons--the most important one is that God loves ALL of His children and wants ALL of us to be happy and return to live with Him.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.  Your visits mean the world to me!  I feel so blessed to be able to share what I love with such amazing people!  I do hope that you'll come and join in these amazing challenges.  I also hope that you'll take the time to say a prayer of comfort for those mourning the loss of loved ones and a prayer of thanksgiving for all the loved ones you have in your life.  Please go hug them.  Forgive those who have hurt you, move on.  Tell those you have hurt how sorry you are and that you will resolve to better starting now.  Love each and every person in your life.  You never know how much longer they will be in it.  Blessed stamping, friends.

Become Aware

As I have previously mentioned in earlier blogs, I work with children who have special needs. Since April is Autism Awareness month, I made some sparkling things to wear.for support. This year we have Rainbow Day, so I made some rainbow bracelets. I also made a blue keychain for my purse for year round. What cause do you support? I hope you take some time today to show your support for whatever cause is important to you!