World Autism Awareness Day Blog Hop

Welcome…to a very special post!  I was honored to be invited to take part in a blog hop recognizing today as Word Autism Awareness Day…and of course I said “Yes!”  First…while I was preparing for this hop I learned a ton about autism…including some astounding information about its prevalence.  I’d like to share a bit of that with you.

From www.autism-society.org:

• Autism is the most common of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders, affecting an estimated 1 in 88
  births (Centers for Disease Control Prevention, 2014). Roughly translated, this means as many as 1.5
  million Americans today are believed to have some form of autism. And this number is on the rise.
• Based on statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and other governmental agencies, autism is
  growing at a startling rate of 10-17 percent per year. At this rate, it is estimated that the prevalence of
  autism could reach 4 million Americans in the next decade.
• Autism knows no racial, ethnic, social boundaries, family income, lifestyle, or educational levels and can affect any family, and any child.
• Although the overall incidence of autism is consistent around the globe, it is four times more
  prevalent in boys than in girls.

Further…I learned that autism is the fastest growing disability among children in the United States!  And so…for all of that…this project comes straight from my heart.

I used white powder to heat emboss my sentiment from the Hold on to Hope stamp set on Night of Navy cardstock…and cut it out using a square Stitched Shapes Framelit.  I used the same die to cut a blue pattern in the Tutti Fruitti DSP…and I used the Simple Stripes folder to emboss a bit of Whisper White cardstock.  I stamped the Hold on to Hope flower cluster and single flower…stamped them again with clear powder for heat embossing…and die cut them using the coordinating Cross of Hope Framelits Dies.  I layered all of pieces to create my focal piece…adding bits of vellum and linen thread and Touches of Nature Elements accents.  I attached it all to a Whisper White Note Card…and added Rhinestone Basic Jewels.

In addition to the information I’ve already shared…I’ve also learned that the lifelong cost per individual with autism is estimated to be between $3-5 million dollars!     If you’re interested in helping…here’s a link to allow you to donate directly to the Organization for Autism Research…in an effort to assist individuals living with autism and bring more awareness…and in support of World Autism Awareness Day.

Supply List

• Stamps:  Hold on to Hope
• Paper:  Tutti Fruitti, Night of Navy, Whisper White
• Ink:  Night of Navy, Versamark
• Tools and Accessories:  Touches of Nature Elements, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Linen Thread, Clear Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Simple Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Cross of Hope Framelits Dies, Stamparatus (Available June 1, 2018)

Thank you ever so much for stopping here on your way through this very special blog hop.  Pam Staples is next…just click below to hop over to see what she has for you!

And just in case…here’s the hop list!

Have an AMAZING day!