Domestic Violence Awareness Month-Hop to Stop!

Hello friends!

When I read Becca Cruger’s announcement of “Hop to Stop” as an effort to raise awareness regarding domestic violence I knew I wanted to support this cause. The need to bring awareness to this issue is so-o great: 1 in 3 women will experience domestic violence over the course of their lifetimes. Yes, even if you have been fortunate enough to personally not be effected by DV you probably know someone who has. But many victims are forced to live in silent fear and yet often suffer with physical or mental issues.

Unfortunately here in Alaska we have the highest rate of Domestic Violence in the country. Many of the women have severe lasting effects which sometimes begin in childhood. It is difficult to see the lifelong effects as I did when I worked with individuals to find resources to support their lives as they try to make new choices.  Raising community awareness is a slow, hard process for this problem which generally is not discussed.  As a society we need to start talking more about this issue so changes can be made.

Here are the cards I will be sending to Becca: 

Step 1:  I start my cards by making focal image backgrounds by covering glossy paper with a combo of alcohol inks. Note-I did not add any blending fluid or rubbing alcohol. When dry I taped a circle stencil on top.

Step 2: Cut a piece of felt to use on a round handled blending tool.  Add a small puddle of rubbing alcohol on craft sheet.Lighten damped the blending tool with rubbing alcohol. Lightly covering each stencil opening.Remove stencil and dab off any excess rubbing alcohol.

 

Step 3:  Stamp image with archival ink.  Card bases are made with combinations of paint, ink, spray, and splatter. 

 

Sometimes I find it is easier to make a few extra technique backgrounds when the results are not predictable. This time I was happy with each one and decided to make a few more cards for this cause.

 

 

Becca has gathered support of 15 stamping related companies who are offering nearly $600 in prizes-What awesome support! Stampers are to link purple cards on her blog before Oct 14, 12noon CST.  Of course Becca has lots more details on her blog.

I am so pleased that cardmakers are beginning to take action to raise public awareness about Domestic Violence.  Thanks so much for considering supporting this cause by doing what papercrafters do so well…make a card!...Jan

Birthday card

Hi there!  

Hope you have time to create today!  I enjoyed playing with some Dylusion spray inks.  I sprayed the background with 3 colors nudging them to mix and blend. Followed by the ghosting technique of spraying water through a stencil (circles) drying and spraying white dylusion spray through a star stencil and drying. Note: Dylusions white linen is not an opaque white and paint takes on some the waterbased spray color.  I really like the depth this combination brings to a background. I made some extra background paper and stamp/embossed the sentiment so I could use it for grounding my bird. Scribbly birds are by Dina Wakely.

Thanks for stopping in! 

Follow-up to coffee blog hop

I just wanted to say a huge thanks to all who stopped by my blog and left comments on my coffee card post.  Unfortunately my community got hit hard with a heavy very wet snow the week of the hop.  Many trees broke under the weight of the snow causing power outages for most of the community.  I was without power for the 5 days of the hoping making it impossible for me to post comments.  I still remain without water since my well was effected by the large number of power surges.  Hopefully today will bring the needed fix!

I did pick a name of a lucky commenter for the stamp and stencil promised.  Happy Dance will soon be receiving some happy mail!

Several people asked about my musical coffee stamp.  The artist is Maryse Carrier and the stamp is available at Stampotique.