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World Autism Awareness Day International Stampin’ Up! Blog Hop

Welcome to the World Autism Awareness Day Blog Hop!  Raising awareness and funds for research and services for those with autism is very near and dear to me…I have a daughter with autism.  And I’m was so honored when Jenny Hall asked me to take part in this hop!

We have all created a handmade card with the focus on supporting those people with or in support of caregivers of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Here is my project:

I made a card with the focus on using blue since that is often the color used to represent autism awareness.  There is a little story that goes along with the sentiment on this card:

Last week I got a note from my daughter’s speech therapist at school.  Ms. Jill told me that she was having a terrible allergy day with a runny nose and really watery eyes and that when my daughter came into the room, she took one look at her and said, “Ms. Jill is sad.”  That might not seem like such a big deal, but that’s a pretty amazing statement to come out of the mouth of a child who is profoundly affected by autism and who struggles to understand the normal social cues that we all take for granted.

Of course I bawled like a baby for a minute as I read her note and I realized that my daughter understands far more than most of us give her credit for.  As much as I’m told over and over how many things she can not do, I’ll never stop believing in her and all that she can do, given the chance.  🙂

Here are the details about my card.  I used the Magical Mermaid stamp set for all of the stamped images, including the sentiment.

The background was created by sprinkling Prussian Blue Brusho Crystal Colour on a panel of Glossy White card stock and then spritzing it with water.  The mermaid image and sentiment from the Magical Mermaid stamp set were stamped in VersaMark Ink and heat embossed with Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder.  The mermaid was stamped on watercolor paper and then watercolored with Soft Suede, Powder Pink and Tranquil Tide inks and an Aqua Painter.

The border die is from the Flourish Thinlits Dies and the heart is from the Apron Builder Framelits Dies.  The sentiment banner was punched with the Banner Triple Punch.  The full list of supplies that I used to create this card can be found at the very bottom of this blog post.

This hop was set up to raise awareness and much needed funding for autism research.  The latest statistics show that 1 in 68 children is affected by autism.  You can help by donating any amount to the Organization for Autism Research by clicking the button below.

Thanks for stopping by!  On with the hop…you’re headed to Tina Riddle’s blog next!  And the full list of participants is right under the next button in case you get lost along the way.

Here is the full list of blog hop participants.  Right now your are at Amy Koenders.

My card design was inspired by Inspire.Create.Challenges #14.

If you need any stamping supplies, I’d be very happy to be your Demonstrator.  Just click on the Order Stampin’ Up! Online Now button on the right side of the screen to go directly to my online store or drop me an email if you have any questions.  Happy Stamping!

  • Visit my online store here.
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  • Earn FREE Stampin’ Up! Products – Join my Running Shoe Rewards Program – My online customer thank you program!
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  • I offer gift certificates for Stampin’ Up! merchandise too!  Click on my Gift Certificates page for more information.

Card stock cuts for this project:

  • Dapper Denim – 4-1/4″ x 11″ card base, 1-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ panel
  • Tranquil Tide – Flourish Thinlits die cut
  • Glossy White – 3-7/8″ x 5-1/8″ panel
  • Whisper White –  4″ x 5-1/4″ panel (inside card)
  • Watercolor Paper – hand cut image
  • Gold Foil Sheets – 4″ x 5-1/4″ panel, Apron Builder Thinlits die cut

Stampin’ Up! items used to create this project:

Magical Mermaid Wood-Mount Stamp Set

$28.00

Magical Mermaid Clear-Mount Stamp Set

$20.00

Apron Builder Framelits Dies

$29.00

Flourish Thinlits Dies

$29.00

Banner Triple Punch

$23.00

Brusho Crystal Colour

$30.00

Linen Thread

$4.50

Rhinestone Basic Jewels

$5.00

Gold Foil Sheets

$4.00

Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder

$5.00

Versamark Pad

$8.50

Dapper Denim Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50

Tranquil Tide Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50

Powder Pink Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50

Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50

Dapper Denim 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$8.00

Tranquil Tide 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$8.00

8-1/2" X 11" Glossy White Cardstock

$7.00

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$9.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.00

SNAIL Permanent Adhesive

$7.00

Big Shot

$110.00

Heat Tool

$30.00

Stampin' Spritzer

$3.00

Aqua Painters

$17.00

54 thoughts on “World Autism Awareness Day International Stampin’ Up! Blog Hop”

  1. That is such a heartwarming story about your daughter Amy. I have a son with Down’s Syndrome and he, too, is much more aware than people sometimes gives him credit for. The small things are so important!

    Reply

  3. Such a special & heart warming story behind the sentiment.. she seems like a very special girl!! Beautiful card.. I love the background with the stamped images over it!! Really lovely xx

    Reply

  6. Your card is so Gorgeous, Amy, and what an amazing tribute to this cause! I remember when you mentioned that you were looking forward to the day when your daughter would finally speak, and now she is not only speaking, but also with feelings and understanding. Now that’s worth celebrating and believing in. I’m so happy for you. You cried tears of joy~

    Reply

  8. You, your story and your card are all beautiful. Jenny invited me for next year. I need to study up on autism as all I really know of it is through Nate and Trip, along with Jake who was on Touch. I loved that show. You and Jenny are both remarkable mothers!

    Reply

  10. Simply…..stunning! I first saw your card, and thought ‘how beautiful!’ Then I saw the purpose and thought, ‘wonderful’. THEN, I read the story behind it and, I cried. Thanks for sharing. You are special, and your daughter is fortunate to have you for a mom. God gives special children to special parents. BTW, I hope the rest of your family are having a great time!!

    Reply

    • Thanks Sandi! Ha…it’s a good thing that I don’t wear makeup, I’d be a streaky mess right now. 🙂

      Reply

  12. Beautiful card and heart warming story. Those small moments in life can be the biggest gifts and give us hope, courage and renew our faith.

    Reply

  13. Got teary-eyed myself reading your story – what an amazing daughter you have! I am hoping to revisit the blog hop and visit everyone’s projects later this evening, but had to comment now and let you know how much I love your card and the story behind it!

    Reply

  14. So beautiful–the story and the card. I maybe mentioned last year that I taught in a school with high needs exceptional children and was always amazed at the progress the autisic students made. Sounds like your daughter has made wonderful progress. Your belief in her helps with that growth. Keep believing! She’ll keep learning. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

    • Thanks so much Susan! She’s got an amazing teacher this year and that’s made all the difference in the world for her! 🙂

      Reply

  19. Hi Amy, what a beautiful card and a great story to share with us! you really touched my heart with the story of your daughter!! all the blessings for you and your daughter, never stop believing in her! 🙂

    Reply

  20. Wow, Amy. Your card is truly gorgeous… but the little story about your daughter made me smile and tear up and the same time. Thanks for sharing all of this fantastic with us today.

    Reply

  24. Not sure what I love more Amy – your story or your card! Well … they are both beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

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