Light It Up Blue for Autism Awareness Blog Hop


Good morning, and welcome to the Light It Up Blue for Autism Awareness Blog Hop! You have probably arrived here from Veronica Zalis' or Tenia Nelson's blog.  Both of these remarkable ladies are the reason we have come together today...to spread knowledge, awareness, and understanding and to show our support to all those who are touched by autism.  I am not sure if you know this, but April is National Autism Awareness Month, and this hop affords us an opportunity to further the message of the Autism Society by "encouraging friends and collaborators to become partners in the movement towards acceptance and appreciation by getting [us] one step closer to a society where those with ASD (autism spectrum disorders) are truly valued for their unique talents and gifts."  For the past few years, I have had the pleasure and the privilege of working with autistic adults in a college setting, and they have been an incredible source of inspiration to me.  Each semester, they teach me something new and open up pieces of the world that I was blind to.  They are also a testament as to what can be achieved with patience, understanding, guidance, and acceptance.  I encourage you to visit the Autism Society or Autism Speaks to learn more about ASD; and please, share what you learn with your friends and your loved ones.  The more people that are informed, the better chance we have at making our world a kinder, gentler place for those living with this disorder.



For my card, I opted to keep it rather simple.  In my mind, I wanted to make a card using puzzle pieces like those found on the autism awareness ribbon, and I knew I wanted them to be various shades of blue, since blue is the color theme for this hop.  The only problem was...I do not own any puzzle dies.  Yes, I considered purchasing some, but worried they would not arrive in time.  Yes, I tossed around other creative ideas, but my mind could not let go of the original plan.  What to do?  I did the next best thing to buying dies...I purchased a $1 puzzle, painted the pieces in white, then painted them in three shades of blue, brushed on some Mod Podge, sprinkled some microfine glitter, added a final coat of Mod Podge to seal in the glitter, and voila, the card base was done.  To finish it off, I created the sentiment on my computer (MS Word), printed it out, colored it, and finished it off with some DecoArt ultra fine glitter paint...for just a bit more sparkle.  Anyone who knows me knows how much I love the sparkly stuff.  :)  Easy peasy and fun to boot!  It doesn't get much better than that.

Just an added reminder, there are loads of craftylicious prizes up for grabs to random commenters of this blog hop.  All of the participants' links can be found on Veronica's and Tenia's blogs...heads up, there are quite a few of us, and each one of us are passionate about promoting knowledge, awareness, and acceptance of ASD.  All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog and the other blogs along the hop, and winners will be announced on Monday, April 6, 2015.  Also, if you would like to help spread autism awareness, add your Light It Up Blue creation to the linky list.  You have until Sunday, April 5, 2015. :)  Here is a fabulous digi created and graciously donated by Jessica at Jessica Lynn Originals for you to use on your card/project:
Click on image to be taken to the website.  The image is FREE.
Here is another wonderful digi designed by the talented Amy Purdie from Amy Doodle's Stamp Co. to help you light it up blue:
Click on the image and save to your computer.



Here are all of our generous sponsors:
Plus, you will find a number of blog participants offering up some special surprises on their blogs as well.  Please, do not forget to show your love and appreciation to all these amazing people and businesses for their incredible generosity and thoughtfulness!!  I know that I could never thank them enough!!  They have all touched my heart immensely! :) 


Once again, I would like to THANK all of the amazing sponsors for their support and their generosity.  
THANK YOU!!!



A huge THANKS to you too for dropping by!!

Smiles and Hugs!!
Carolyn



Comments

  1. Absolutely gorgeous! Love the sparkle!

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  2. A fabulous card with a clever idea to use the puzzle pieces and a great blog hop!
    Kath x

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  3. wow , so pretty LOVE that sparkle!

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  4. What a GREAT idea to buy a little puzzle and make your own background! This came out beautiful!

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  5. Dude!!!!!! This card totally ROCKS, girl!! Thanks so much for participating in this AWESOME hop!! You ROCK and I LOVE you!!

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  6. Wow! Love the sparkle on this beauty!

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  7. LOVE the glitter! Great sentiment!

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  8. You're card is stunning. Actually made me cry thinking about how complete my life is with my 2 special boys.

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  9. How perfect is this card! And such a great way to create the background!

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  10. Great job I really love this card. Thank you so much for being part of this blog hop for such a great cause!!Happy Stamping/Keep Moving Forward!! I also saw that you had the link to Brentwood Owl.. thank you again.. I LOVE your sparkle card!!!!

    Jessica Lynn
    http://jessicalynnoriginalstamps.blogspot.com/

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  11. This glittery puzzle pieces look amazing, love this card!

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  13. Heart the card and hope a cure is around the corner!
    Heart Ya too <3

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  14. Necessity... the mother of invention... in this case, FAB invention! : )

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  15. LOVE you card! The sparkle is fabulous!

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  16. Your glittery puzzle pieces card: fabulous x awesome! Adding to the impact is your ingeniousness in how you created it! I would have taken a different tact, but you...perseverance and true creativity! WOW!
    ~c

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  17. I love that you made your own puzzle! It turned out great!

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  18. Wonderful card, and love how you used the puzzle pieces. Thanks for sharing the digi stamps too.

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  19. Love the thoughts and messages you put in this post!! I am thrilled to be able to be a part of this with amazing people like you!! I love the ingenuity you showed at purchasing a puzzle for the pieces needed for this card - smart thinking and I LOVE the sparkle on this card!! Thanks so much for participating and supporting this hop!! I hope you have a REALLY GREAT day!!!

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  20. I was delighted to find this blog hop in aid of Autism as our 8yo son has low spectrum autism. He is a wonderful boy, much loved by many. Your card is brilliant! Thank you to all the sponsors for supporting this cause.

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  21. Gorgeous card! I love how you've glittered up all the puzzle pieces.

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  22. This couldn't be any more awesome! What a fabulous design. The glittered puzzle pieces are GORGEOUS and such a fabulous way to share about autism awareness!!! You never cease to amaze me!

    Hugs and smiles!
    Wishing you and yours a happy and blessed Easter!

    Heather

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  23. Fabulous card!! LOVE the glitter puzzle pieces!!

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  24. Oh that is brilliant! I love that you bought the puzzle and decorated them so fabulously and then put them together on your card with a computer generated sentiment. I also love your message of kindness. LIUB! ~ I'm your newest follower.

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  25. GORGEOUS!!!! Perfect for this! Thank you so much for joining the hop ♥♥

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  26. Beautiful card for a great cause.

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  27. gorgeous! great design, love the glitter!!!

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  28. Gorgeous glittered puzzle pieces, love this and your whole post!

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  29. Love love love your sparkly card. The puzzle pieces are perfect! What a great way to bring it all together with your sentiment!

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  30. So sparkly! Love it. Happy World Autism Awareness Day!

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  31. Carolyn I love your glittery puzzle piece and card and your beautifully written post. So thankful that you joined the hop and all of your help making it a success! Thank you for joining the LIUB Blog Hop!

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  32. The glitter on your card is just lovely. I have two children with autism. Thank you for supporting this cause.

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  33. Great card! I love the sparkle you added to the puzzle pieces! Thanks for participating!

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  34. Beautiful card. I really love all the sparkle. And I usually dont like alot of it on one page. But your card. Is Fabulous. Thanks for taking part in the hop.

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  35. Carolyn, I would LOVE to hear your stories about working with adults with Autism in a college setting! I used to work with children with Autism at the Elementary level, and I have never heard about a college experience for these special kiddo! Anyway, your card is totally awesome! I LOVE all the glitter! HUGS! :) Mynn xx

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  36. Fabulous card! What a great idea to use puzzle pieces to create your card. xx

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  37. Gorgeous card!!! I love the glittered puzzle pieces!!!
    Great designs
    Kisses;)

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  38. Absolutely Perfect
    I see so many puzzle card today on the blog hop
    and yours wooowww so sparkle
    love it
    AWESOME MADE
    hugs,
    Monika
    (I love and proud to join this hop and hope you like to hop back to my card it is #155)

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  39. A lovely post, Carolyn - and what a fab idea to use actual jigsaw pieces. Love how you blinged them up! Looks great :)

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  40. Very smart and well done. And bonus points for sparkling! Nice work! facebook.com/wavingmywand

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  41. oh so sparkly! I love all the blues you used on the background and the WOW factor

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  42. Oh my glittery goodness! I LOVE this card!!!

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  43. Ok - you did this with ACTUAL puzzle pieces?!?! You crafty minx, that's genius! LOVE all the glitter!

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  44. Awesome card! Loving this hop! My baby boy (14-year-old, Jake) has Autism, so this is close to my heart!

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  45. Well Miss Carolyn...I did not even know you had a new blog! Guess I am your newest follower. Thanks for the invite...this has been a great experience my friend. Love your glittery card! Perfect for this blog hop! ♥ Sue Kment...p.s....thanks for linking me!!!

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  46. GREAT card ! And what a great idea to use real puzzle pieces for your card ! Thank you for sharing your creativity in this heart-warming blog hop !

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  47. Your card is gorgeous...love all the glitz.

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  48. FAbulous with the sparkly puzzle pieces.

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  49. I saw you at the Light It Up for Autism Awareness hop and came over to take a closer look.
    I loVe your wonderful card. Thanks for sharing and for helping to raise Autism Awareness.
    Crafty hugs,
    Dawn
    DesignsbyDragonfly {blogspot}

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  50. Wonderful way to make your LIUB card....a dollar puzzle....who woulda thunk it? :)
    Love all the glitteriness you added. Such a terrific card!!!
    Thanks so much for participating in this important hop!
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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  51. My goodness! This is awesome...and so creative!
    Thank you for the nice comments on my blog.
    Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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  52. Love all the glitter and glimmer of your puzzle pieces in this creative and beautiful card!

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  53. What a gorgeous card! Happy to be a part of this blog hop. Hope you have an awesome weekend too! ♥
    Suchi xx

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  54. Oooh, sparkly! And those puzzle pieces are too darn fun!

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  55. Carolyn this is just genius! I love how you altered the puzzle (so freaking clever!) and I'm so glad you joined in this hop that is making my heart sing :)

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  56. Ooohhh, love all the sparkle puzzle pieces!

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  57. That's a clever way to use a jigsaw puzzle!

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  58. What a fantastic idea to use pieces of a store bought puzzle! And of course, the sparkly is amazing!!

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  59. Thank you for the work that you do! I almost attempted something similar but opted to color instead, now I wish I had gone for it! Fantastic card.

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  60. What a fabulous card. So glad to participate in such a fun and talented way to raise awareness.

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  61. What a great idea to use actual puzzle pieces! And you jazzed them up really well!!

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  62. So clever to use actual puzzle pieces on your card! LOVE the shine and glitz details!

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  63. This is fabulous! I love the glitter on the puzzle pieces (great minds think alike ;) )! You did a great job on this card! Thanks for taking the time to spread Autism Awareness!

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  64. Most beautiful card with an inspiring slogan. I always liked the association between puzzle pieces and autism, I know that some parents of children with autism don't. For me it is true, I am forever trying to solve the puzzle of my son's condition.

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