Monday, September 10, 2018

Welcome


Here are some sobering statistics:
  • Every year suicide is responsible for over 800,000 deaths, which equates to one death every 40 seconds. 
  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in the world, and 3rd in the United States for those aged 15-24 years old. 
  • Every life lost represents someone's partner, child, parent, friend, or colleague.  For each suicide approximately 135 people suffer intense grief or are otherwise affected.  This amounts to 108 million people per year who are profoundly impacted by suicidal behavior. 
Here's how you can help:
  • Follow along the stops on this Blog Hop as we share our personal stories and inspiration for creating cards with the 4" x 6" - I Care Stamp set.  This stamp set is manufactured in the USA by Simon Says Stamp© for Perky Penny Paper Arts©, and all profits from the sale of the stamp sets will be donated to support the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
  • Purchase one or more stamp sets by clicking {HERE}.  They make a great gifts and would also be wonderful as part of a stamping package to donate to shelters or other organizations.
  • Gather your friends, family, church group, sports club, or any other group you like to join you and....
  • Make cards, share stories, and discuss the ways you as a group can keep these conversations going in your community.
  • Gift your beautiful creations to strangers and friends alike.  You can even discreetly or not so discreetly stamp the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number on your cards so someone in need will have it if they need to reach out.
  • Post using #PPPICare so we can see all of your beautiful creations and other can be inspired to start conversations and help in their own ways as well.

  Blog Hop List

Joanne Soukup - You Are Here
Erica Andersson - CaCaCraft By Erica
 

My Post:
June 4th, 2018 was a normal day for me... I was checking on my Facebook feed and started seeing posts surrounding an old high school friends who's son had passed away.  There was no reason given initially but I just had a feeling I couldn't shake. Several weeks later my suspicions were confirmed and in the words of his mom depression took his life.  She is steadfast in the belief that her son would never had done this to himself. He was 21, popular, had a wonderful girlfriend, a year left in college and an adoring family, and no one knew he was sick.  No one knew of his depression.
We have all heard so many similar stories and been affected by suicide in some way. I kept thinking that as a card maker I could help make a difference and the I Care Stamp set idea was born. Because all we need to do is say I care to hopefully save a life. 

I had never created a stamp set but within a week, and with lots of googling I designed and sent this stamp set off for a sample to be created. The rest as they say is history.

You will find some incredible personal stories of survival and compassion, and card making inspiration from some amazing people. These women really stepped up with only 6 weeks to create in their already busy, busy schedules. Heidi, Tina, Erica, Kat, Ilina, Dana, Jennifer, Tracie, Marci and Vera you are my angels and I can't thank you enough!  I hope these posts inspires you to gather, share, make, and gift.


Check out this video where I show you some quick and easy card ideas you can share with  your non-card making friends. All you need is the stamp set, some card bases, and ink.
Thank you to Simon Says Stamp© and the entire Blog Hop Team!
Together we will all make a difference!

 *Suicidal behavior includes suicide, and also encompasses suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. For every suicide, 25 people make a suicide attempt and many more have serious thoughts of suicide.
** The Lifeline is composed of a large network of over 150 local- and state-funded crisis centers located across the United States. It is the counselors at these local crisis centers who answer the calls and chats the Lifeline receives from people in distress every single day. Lifeline crisis centers provide the specialized care of a local community center with the support of the national network.

SUPPLIES:

• Altenew RUBY RED Crisp Dye Ink Pad  
• Altenew AUTUMN BLAZE Crisp Dye Ink Pad 
• Altenew MAPLE YELLOW Crisp Dye Ink Pad 
• Altenew BAMBOO Crisp Dye Ink Pad 
• Altenew PERSIAN BLUE Crisp Dye Ink Pad 
• Altenew MIDNIGHT VIOLET Crisp Dye Ink Pad 
• Altenew RUBELLITE Crisp Dye Ink Pad 
• Altenew PINKALICIOUS Crisp Dye Ink Pad 
• Altenew PINK DIAMOND Crisp Dye Ink Pad 
• VersaFine Ink Pad, Onyx Black 
• Neenah Cardstock, Neenah Heavyweight, Classic Crest Solar White 110 lb, 25 pk 
• Tonic Comfort 8.5 Inch Guillotine Paper Trimmer by Tim Holtz

49 comments:

  1. What a wonderful Blog Hop! The Simon Says stamp set is awesome and I have already ordered mine! Thank you for doing this Blog Hop, my daughter came to me when she was 17 years old and told me she was having suicidal thoughts and I rushed her to the hospital! Pressures of going away to college and senior year in high school pressure became too much for her. I am happy to say she is still here with us today, but I constantly worry that she may commit suicide some day!

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    1. Thank you Lori! I am glad your daughter is doing better and she has a great mom who is there for her.

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  2. You have a very kind heart! This is a wonderful cause. Thank you for taking the time and making this happen.

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    1. Thank you so much for following along! It is my honor to be able to be helpful.

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  3. I lost my best friend in June. What a wonderful cause! Let’s bring mental illness out of the shadows and into the light!

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    1. I am so sorry for your loss Heidi. I hope this blog hop brings you some peace.

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  4. Joanne I would like to contact you, can you please contact me with how to contact you. Thank you!

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  5. Thank you for putting this together and being open for others to come together to talk about and help each other! This means so much to me!

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    1. I really hope that people get these set and arrange get togethers to make cards for a local shelter, the local high school guidance counselors office, even the local counseling center for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This is my next goal!

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  6. This is so amazing! You are so awesome for putting together this important blog hop! This can help so many people in so many different ways! I can't wait to see all the amazing cards in this hop!
    Crafty Hugs!
    Michele

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    1. If it helps just one I will have succeeded! Thank you for your kind words.

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  7. This whole project is amazing and I love it so much!!!!

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  8. Such a beautiful set! So many people can benefit from a kind word - this is a must have set for me and with proceeds going to such a great cause, even better!

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    1. I was astounded at the statistics! Especially regarding the kids. Absolutely heartbreaking!

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  9. Thank you for so much for doing this. My daughter is an attempt survivor, I've lost dear friends to suicide and I have struggled with depression for a very long time. Suicide is preventable, but we need to get the conversation about mental health out of the darkness... people need to know its okay to get help. Thank you again.

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    1. I have struggled with Clinical Depression and Anxiety for most of my adult life. We need to be able to say that without the stigma being attached!

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  10. Beautiful cards Joanne. I’m so happy to be a part of this hop.

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    1. You are an angel for helping me Dana. Thank you so much for participating!

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  11. Thank you for creating this stamp set and putting together this amazing blog hop. Suicide prevention is very close to my heart and I hope many people are helped by your efforts. Together we all CAN make a difference.

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  12. Thank you so much for creating this stamp set. This is a great cause and I will be purchasing this set.

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    1. Thank you so much Mary. I hope you love creating with it!

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  13. Such sweet cards. This is a wonderful set with great encouragement and a perfect for this very worthy cause.

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    1. Everyone did such an amazing job! Thank you for letting me know.

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  14. Joanne. This is the most awesome stamp set ever. I truly love your heart in this set. And I’m not referring to the heart stamp images. Although those are awesome as well.

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  15. Such an inspirational set. You did good!

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  16. A wonderful stamp set for a wonderful cause. Thank you for all the awareness you have created today! You are an inspiration! And I've shared it with the world too! Thank you!

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  17. Thank you for bringing suicide awareness & depression to the crafting world. I am so glad it is not a hushed topic any longer. I have lost too many family and friends to this. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness it is a sign of courage to get help. Too many have been told to suck it up & quit being weak by their superiors & peers when they should have been offered the understanding and encouragement to seek help. Thank you & all the designers in this hop.

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  18. Simple and beautiful cards. What an incredible way to honour your friend and countless others. Thank you.

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  19. Love the simplicity of the cards, but better yet the gentleness with the handling of this subject which affects many without any outward or apparent symptoms. You and the message you convey is an inspiration to us all to inspire others through our own card making. Well done!

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    1. I hope in the future I can encourage organized get togethers. I will post in my blog when I do :)

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  20. You are amazing! How incredible of you to design this stamp set and organize this hop to raise awareness!!! And I love the card designs you shared! So simple but yet so powerful too :) Thank you for all of the time and energy you put into making a difference in the world :)

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    1. It is so kind of you and everyone else to take the time to comment. It really warms my heart and encourages me to do more.

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  21. Came to your blog from Jennifer's hop post and just wanted to say how much I support you in this endeavor and all that you are doing to support others. tfs

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  22. Yo uve handled such a horrid subject so welp, I am a warrior with both mental & physical health problems & to hear other people not being patronising or negative about mental health issues is amazing. Good luck with your hop, I will try to invest in at least one set of stamps but harder to get in UK.

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    1. Cheers to you Andrea! Maybe you could find some stamping friends who will share the postage cost with you :)

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  23. Thank you for designing this set. I plan on making little business size cards and putting them around the house for myself. I cry.

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