Perky Penny Paper Arts

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

Katherine Cosimano - A Life Inspired

Ilina Crouse - Creativity Within

Dana Joy - Got Joy Creations

Jennifer McGuire Ink

Tracie Pond - Tracie Pond Designs

Marci Snee - My Crafty Contemplated Life

Vera Yates - Ling's Design Studio

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.