Powered by Blogger.

Starry Purple Hop to Stop

I'm linking up to the Hop to Stop today with this card featuring purple, the color of domestic violence. The hop is designed to raise awareness for victims and survivors of domestic violence.  
1 in 3 women will experience domestic violence over the course of their lifetimes. That's 33% of all the women you meet.  And yet, it's something that is rarely talked about in public. It's something that's hidden and hushed. But since papercrafters are some of the most amazing people out there, some of you have agreed to make a card (or cards) during the course of this hop to raise awareness for this issue. Together, we CAN make a powerful impact. 

I'm honored to say that Verve (along with several other fabulous companies) is once again a sponsor for the hop. Link up your newly created purple creations over on the official Hop to Stop post by October 30 for a chance to win some fantastic prizes! Come join us as we hop and create! 


As I started this project, I was thinking about imperfection and all the little (and not so little) things in life that can go unseen and unnoticed. And in the amazing power of the human spirit to shine through in an incredibly dark and oppressive world. To rise above the constant barrage of  noises telling us we are not good enough, not smart enough, not strong enough, not pretty enough, not perfect enough... just plain not enough.  And I wonder at the spark of hope that ignites against all odds that comes with the knowledge that we have come through the fire and that we are beautifully flawed, worthy of love, and oh-so-much-more than enough... perfect in our imperfection.

So, with all of those thoughts whirling around my head, I knew I wanted to make a mixed-media card. I started with a piece of cardstock, which I scraped some heavy gesso onto.  I love the unevenness and imperfection that this technique gives. Especially how the ink spreads in such unexpected ways depending on the amount of gesso that made it to the cardstock. Next I sponged three shades of purple distress ink (shaded lilac, wilted violet, dusty concord) over the panel and blended, making sure to create areas of both light and darkness. I stenciled on some stars to the top and bottom corner with a FolkArt stencil and a layer of both dusty concord and wilted violet.  I added a bit of black soot ink around the edges and then hand doodled an imperfect little line down at the bottom.


Next I stamped the flower from Autumn Blessings twice, one in duty concord and one in wilted violet, coloring with a waterbrush and then cutting with the coordinating Autumn Thanks Die Set.  The thanks is also cut from the same die set, using paper I had sponged the three colors of purple onto.  I added a few black leaves courtesy of the Sprightly Sprigs Die Set and then finished off with some Hocus Pocus Shaker Mix scattered around.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! May you see the beautiful, wondrous person that is YOU in a new and amazing way today.


Enabler's List
Stamps: Autumn Blessings (Verve Stamps)
Paper: white, black
Ink: wilted violet, shaded lilac, dusty concord, black soot (Ranger Distress), heavy gesso (Prima), copic marker, white pencil
Accessories: Autumn Thanks Die Set, Sprightly Sprigs Die Set (A Cut Above by VERVE), Hocus Pocus Shaker Mix (Verve), stars stencil (FolkArt), flatback pearls

25 comments

Becca Cruger said...

Sniffle* this post made me tear up a little bit. Not only is your card absolutely stunning, but your words are equally as striking. Love the thought and sentiment behind the uneven gessoed background. Beautiful, my friend. Thank you for being a sponsor and THANK YOU for raising your voice.

Chris Dring said...

Your card, and your post are both equally elegant and beautiful! Wow! Thank you very much for sponsoring this amazing blog hop!

Oh You Made Me Ink said...

Beautiful card! And, thanks for sponsoring the blog hop! I love your stuff!!

Andrea W said...

Absolutely lovely! The shades of purple, your background and the flowers make a wonderful card. Thanks for sponsoring the hop!

Barbara Godden said...

Gorgeous card, the background is fabulous and the flowers beautiful and your words inspiring.

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Fantastic card, love all this purple and the gorgous flowers!!

Anonymous said...

Julee you rock! Your art and words are so inspiring. I agree with every word and I'm so glad you shared them here. This is a worthy cause and I'm going to check it out. Your card is fabulous! I love all your mixed media cards and study them closely! The sponging the stamps and all your fabulous details are amazing just like your words of hope and encouragement.

cghundley said...

Gorgeous card and
great thoughts!
Purple is my fave
color.
Carla from Utah

Becca Yahrling said...

Look at all that yummy purple goodness. Love this beauty!

Michele K. Henderson said...

This is so amazing and your words are so wonderful! Thanks for a really beautiful inspiration and a warm fuzzy too!

Lizzy Hill said...

It's a beautiful card & a really thoughtful one at that! I'm popping over from Becca's blog - & I see you're sponsoring as well, so go you! Love that you used so much purple. Couldn't quite do that...purple is my hard to scrap colour!! But I gave it my best shot!!!

Pink Unicorn said...

Wow this is such a stunning card, I love the mixed media background and stunning colours. My appreciation of the card was further enhanced by reading your beautiful thoughts about the imperfections and the lighter and darker times reflected in the colours of your background.

Lisa said...

Awesome! Such a gorgeous creation... love those subtle stars on your background and all of the different tones and shades of purple you've created...

Woendi Levitt said...

Gorgeous shades of purple that work GREAT together. A beautiful card

Suman Pandit said...

love this purple beauty, a very thoughtful post too !!

Suchi said...

Beautiful card Julie! :)
Suchi xx

Glenda J said...

Such a stunning card! Love the background and the black accents are fabulous.

~amy~ said...

Julee, your card is absolutely beautiful. You and Verve are simply awesome.

Dee Earnshaw said...

Such a gorgeous card and for a great cause:)

Helen Gullett said...

This is so beautiful, lovely and stunning in purple.

Aileen said...

Beautiful card, love your design.

Lisa :) said...

This is a beautiful card for such an important cause!!!

Helen Wallace said...

An absolutely stunning card to support a great cause. One could not help but be uplifted by your blog post and your creativity.

Suzanne Reynolds said...

Beautiful card for a great cause...love the brightness of the background and technique you used.

Lori Kobular said...

Beautiful purple card! I love the stars and flowers together!