Did you know that Domestic Violence touches the lives of one in 3 women in their lifetime?  I have, at the moment, 97 women subscribed to this blog…98 including me.  This means that more than 30 of my subscribers will be touched by Domestic Violence in their lifetimes.  I was one of them, many of my hop participants were too.  Domestic Violence kills more women annually than breast cancer, but there are no DV walks for a cure and you typically only hear about the women who this condition steals…you seldom hear about those who got out and are making it and let me just tell you this…getting out is hell.  I know because I did it.  I used to walk in fear and now I go by faith!

My children and I celebrate our independence every year.  Yesterday was the 3rd anniversary of our divorce and our 4th year violence free.  Following the inspiration I received to celebrate BIG this year, I decided to host this hop.  Featured along the way are purple themed cards…it’s my favorite color and the color for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.  Each card will be donated to the Bradley Angle House in hopes of inspiring women who have finally found the courage to leave.  When I left…there was precious little to hope in.  With this hop, we will give hope to women where perhaps little now exists.  With your help and support, together we can raise $1k for the Bradley Angle House and hand 24 NEW families a chance at recovery.  Everyone deserves to be safe and happy don’t you think?

My personal goal is to create 24 cards in honor of the 24 families we WILL help when we meet the goal.  Here are just a few of my projects so far:

For these cards I used Spellbinders, beaded ribbon, regular ribbon, a ribbon sticker I got a LSS, and Verve and Kristal Andrew stamp sets.  I also used my all time favorite stamping ink (versafine), and some flowers and bling.  Inside I will hand write a special message to a woman in hopes it will give her something to hope in and she will be able to stay encouraged along her journey.

The two cards above feature more Spellbinders, eCraft’s Waterlife SD image (the anchor), Our Daily Bread Designs stamps, Verve stamps, Stampin’ Up edge punch and twine.  I even tried my hand at stitching…that hand needs more practice.

Finally there’s this one that has a bow tied on my hideously ugly bow board, Spellbinders, Our Daily Bread Designs stamps, and Tim Holtz stain or wash or whatever it’s called.  I have 16 more to go I think.

Your next stop along the hop is the amazingly talented and charming Raven Baca at Love 4 Stamps.  The women featured in this hop have so graciously blessed my life and will bless the lives of others with their generous contributions to this hop. Though only one A2 card was required, many of the participants made a dozen or more.  Thank you ladies, I appreciate each of you!   And to Kristal and Amy who rounded out the lineup at the last possible minute…HUGE applause, hugs and love!!!!   Kristal, I appreciate the influence you are in my life and the example you set to everyone around you.  Your charitable donations with your new stamp sets are amazing.  And now…to think you’ll include a DV related charity too…WOW!  Now onto the line-up:

What fun would a hop be without some blog candy to reward you for your time and effort in viewing each stop right?  Because this cause is so dear to me, I have arranged an incredible array of prizes.  First though, lemme share some more information with you.   About 4.8 million intimate partner-related physical assaults and rapes occur every year while many more assaults and rapes go unreported entirely. Over 3 million children witness violence in their home each year and those that do suffer physically and emotionally (my kids are among this statistic).  These statistics are sad and overwhelming, but help IS out there for those that choose to break the silence, but they need help.  Places like the Bradley Angle House are often invaluable.

Sponsors for this hop have been very generous and we have several Grand Prizes!  To be eligible to win, you must create a purple themed card like the ones featured in this hop and include a hand-written note of encouragement on the inside.  Your purple themed card(s) with a hope filled message inside could make all the difference, not to mention give YOU a chance to win the grand prize for this hop.  Cards must be postmarked by June 30th for inclusion in basket drawings and can be mailed to the following address:

What are these grand prizes you ask...brace yourselves because you will not believe your eyes!

The Big Deal Basket:  Prizes in this basket are far too plentiful to list individually.  We have items donated by Robert’s Crafts (including 4 Cricut Cartridges), My Creative Time, Kristal Andrew, Erin Lee Creative, Pink By Design, Verve, KaDoodle Bug Designs, Photocentric, Peachy Keen Stamps. Treasure Box Designs,  Our Daily Bread Designs, Kallio Kalleidoscapes, September Ninth and many more items donated by our hop participants.  I estimate the value of this basket to be well over $250.  One lucky winner will be shipped this basket full of goodies (entire contents not shown):

Because Life After Domestic Violence is Peachy Keen Prize:    This prize package includes 1 each of the following stamps:  PK-M16, PK-M20 PK 291, PK-287, PK-288,  PK-289.  You can visit the Peach Keen Store  to check out all the images, but included in this prize package are the following new releases:

Pampered Princess:  This prize package includes a vanilla scented candle, some Secret Garden shower gel from Victoria Secret, and a Michael Buble CD.  Often times when leaving a Domestic Violence situation women forget to take care of themselves…I suspect this is a condition women have in general and the winner of this prize package will have good reason to pamper herself like the princess she is!

Verv-a-licious:  Verve stamps are my all time favorite clear polymer stamp ever.  The winner of this prize will receive a $25 gift certificate to spend at http://shopverve.com.

Please Note:  Only people who send a card to the above address will be entered into the drawing for these prizes.  Again, purple as the primary color with a hand written note inside.   Want more chances to win the grand prize?  Additional entries will be given for each $1 donation you include with your card.  Would you prefer 1 entry, 10 entries, or is 100 entries more of what you had in mind?  It’s all up to you!  

Smaller  prizes include: The Bling Thing (an assortment of bling), I’m Turning Pail (a clear pail of Colorbok scrappy stuff, including chipboard albums), Just A Little Peach (more Peachy Keen Stamps),  Grab Your Cutters (a craft grab bag from Cutter’s Creek), and perhaps even more as Sponsor items are still trickling in.  To be eligible to win any of these smaller items, simply leave a comment on this post telling me if DV has made an impact on your family and who’s card you were most inspired by.

Remember, one in three women will be affected by DV in their lifetime…think of your 10 closest friends…which three of you will suffer this tragic experience?  While it was me, I pray it is never any more of you.  I hope you will help me give 24 deserving women and their families a chance at recovery.  Everyone deserves to be safe!  Even if you choose not to make a purple themed card, you can still send a donation to the address above.  Thank you in advance for your support!