Welcome to the Abusive Relationship Awareness Blog Hop. While this may not be your typical blog hop theme, we decided to put together this hop in order to shed light on a topic that often goes unspoken about, when the truth is many of us have either been in an abusive relationship or know of someone who has. We're here not to celebrate abusive relationships, but to bring hope to those who have been firsthand or secondhand victims and to provide awareness to help put an end to this growing problem.
All of our projects showcased in this hop have something to do with hope, love, and encouragement. The color for domestic violence is purple, and as you'll see purple was used on many of our projects.
Okay, I could share my horrid experience of years of mental, emotional and finally physical abuse or I can tell you how I survived and made my life better. I choose the latter. So here's my story.....approximately 17 years ago I made a decision that forever changed the life of my children and myself. I left my husband, the man that I thought would love, protect and provide for me my entire life. The father of my three children, my high school sweetheart, the love of my life; you get the picture right. The man that abused me in some sort of way the entire 13 years we were together; whether it was mental, emotional or physical. When I left the house that we shared, I took my clothes, my children and their clothes. We moved from a very comfortable 3 bedroom, 2 bath home into a 1 bedroom 1 bath home but all that didn't matter as long as there was no more fighting. I immediately began the healing process. I put my life in the Lord's hands, I know this sounds really cliche` but you don't understand I sorta lost my way. When I moved back to my home town, I started attending Church every Sunday at the Church that I attended when I was a child. I knew what I had to do, I had to find it in myself to truly forgive the person that destroyed me. And I did! I truly forgive him for everything he has ever done to me. By forgiving me, I sorta freed myself of all that negativity. My Grandmother always told me, "you can't get in heaven with a black heart". By taking that step, I was able to become the strong, independent woman I am today. I am able to love and trust again. And I only have the Lord to thank for that. I guess what I am trying to say is don't dwell on the dark times, move ahead make peace with yourself and begin the healing process.
For my project, I created a card....
Recipe:
A2 sized card base in dark purple - Recollections Paper
Background paper is from my stash (Sorry don't remember the name of it)
My rosette was created by cutting a strip of purple paper (Recollections) 1 1/2 X 12 then scoring it every 1/2 inch and fan folding it. Glue the two ends together and push down on the center to form the rosette. Add a circle to the back and then whatever you are putting on the top.
My sentiment is from K Andrew Design stamps - Positive Thoughts
To help promote awareness for abusive relationships, eleven sponsors have been kind enough to offer almost $200 worth of prizes to those who participate in the blog hop. Yes, you read that correctly, there will be 11 PRIZE WINNERS. Let's see what prizes are being offered...
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| Paper Piecings By Nikki - $15 Gift Certificate |
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| Shelly's Images - $9 Gift Certificate |
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| Designs on Cloud 9 - $20 Gift Certificate |
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| Scraptastical Kreations - $20 Gift Certificate |
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| Digital Delights - $10 Gift Certificate |
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| The Robin's Nest - $20 Gift Certificate |
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| Di's Digi Downloads - $10 Gift Certificate |
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| Close To My Heart - $10 Gift Certificate |
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| Quick Quotes - $15 Gift Certificate |
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| Perfect Paper Crafting - $30 Gift Certificate |
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| Erica's Craft Room - $25 Gift Certificate |
Here's what you have to do to be eligible to win any of these fabulous prizes:
1.) Leave a comment on each blog in the hop
2.) Become a follower of each blog if you aren't already
Winners will be randomly chosen and announced on Made Especially For You on Friday May 20th. Comments after Thursday May 19th will NOT be eligible to win any of the prizes.
Winners should contact Ashley at: especiallymadeblog@gmail.com
Ashley - http://especiallymade.blogspot.com
Jamie A - http://scrapqueen141.blogspot.com
Miranda - http://www.nanasscrapspot.com
Jessica - www.craftinandstampin.blogspot.com
Pam L - http://mzlavr2.blogspot.com
Monica - http://scraps2treasure.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for joining us! Be sure to check out the following links for more information on how you can help to prevent and bring awareness to abusive relationships and domestic violence.
Wow Miranda, stunning card, love the background paper and ribbon, and the rosette is so effective.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful sentiment and how true it is!
ReplyDeleteCheers from Bangalore, India
Sonia
cardsandschoolprojects.blogspot.com
Thank you for sharing your story!! It brought tears to my eyes. It has been 3 1/2 years since i left my abusive marriage and it has been a struggle to forgive but i know the only person I amm hurting by not forgiving is myself. He doesn't care what he did to me or how he hurt me. It is a slow process but i know i will eventually get there!! beautiful card!!
ReplyDeleteKristan
WOW! Your story is very inspiring. Thank you for sharing. I'm sure it will help some people in the same situation. Your card is absolutely beautiful. beautiful!
ReplyDeleteJessica
paperdeckerations.blogspot.com
paperdeckerations at gmail dot com
Very nice card & great sentiment...
ReplyDeletetexagrama7@gmail.com
Thank you for sharing your story! Your card is beautiful!
ReplyDeletemissstamper (at) yahoo.com
Love ur card. Thanks 4 sharing your story. Not many women have ur courage. I know first hand my mother stayed. I'm ur new follower
ReplyDeleteMCCR DT, Lisa
Thanks for sharing the better half of your story. It hurts too much too long to hold onto that hate and anger, the only way to move on it to forgive. I am so happy for you! Thanks for taking time to bring an awareness hop to the net!
ReplyDeleteYour card turned out so pretty and I love the sentiment.
ReplyDeletemarg0006@verizon.net
Loving Scrapper 101
such a wonderful card...love the purples and the dimension used!!
ReplyDeleteFabulous card and great sentiment and idea.
ReplyDeleteAwesome card and wonderful cause.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful card. Everything fits together just perfectly!!
ReplyDeletetlmiller.tasha@gmail.com
scrapbrat07.blogspot.com
Beautiful card ... that centre sentiment is just gorgeous. Thanks for the chance to hop for such an important cause.
ReplyDeleteMiranda,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story with us. It is so inspiring. I too left an abusive relationship over 27 years ago. My son has never known his biological father, but for the last 17 years, he has had a wonderful step dad and role model!!
Hugs to you and what a beautiful card!!
Kathy
Salido99@msn.com
http://3spoileddogs.blogspot.com/
Beautiful card and so true. I have forgiven some of the ones who abused me, I am still working to forgive others.
ReplyDelete<3 Pam
MzLavr2sCreations@live.com
i am so glad to hear that you made it through the dark tunnel and can hope and encouragement to others . Nice card
ReplyDeleteupnurse at aol dot com
wonderful card and sentiment. love that doily you made behind the senti
ReplyDelete~luanne
lovely card, and such a worthy cause for a hop!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story, that takes courage. I wasn't by a spouse I am fortunate to have a good one. However, as a child I was (by a non relative) and I kind of have the personal motto that 'I am not a victim because I was hurt, but a survivor because I didn't let the hurt dictate who I am now". Thank you for sharing and hugs to you.
love your project, but good for you! TFS
ReplyDeleteJanet Royer
http://janetscreativeworld.blogspot.com
Miranda I'm so proud and happy for you and your kids that you were able to get out. Think of this you not only saved your soul but you ex-husband. He need to see what he was doing. And I hope that your leaving was an wake up call for him. This is near and dear to me. I lost my cousin do to an abuse relationship. Just when she was ready to leave he killed her. Thanks so much for sharing your story and I cant say it enough I'm happy and proud you made a chose to want to live, leave, and be strong. Some women don't get that chance. And when they do its to late.
ReplyDeleteI love the sentiment you used on your card. Its perfect for the hop. TFS AJ~
Oh Miranda, 1st I love your card it is beautiful and the sentiment is so true.
ReplyDelete2nd Your post made me get so emotional, I don't know if it is because you are my DT SIS and I hate to think that you could have went through horrible things, or If it is the fact that I am super Happy for you that you found your way back to God and you let him heal you. I think that is such a power statement that you put it all in his hands.
I am so proud of you!!!!
God bless you!
Sarah
craftingwithsarah.blogspot.com
craftingwithsarah@gmail.com
MCCR DT
Thank you so much for sharing your story! I can totally relate to what you're saying. When I ended things with my ex-bf, I too, felt "lost". I really felt like I was at the end of my rope. I didn't know how I was going to make it. I just knew that I couldn't let my daughter and myself live in that environment anymore. I turned to God, and He has taken care of me and my daughter. I'm so blessed. I wish I could be as strong as you and forgive so easily, not just this relationship but with others who have wrong me. I applaud you. I'm still working on it myself. Thanks again for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful card and an amazing story Miranda. Thanks so much for sharing your accomplishment with us today! So inspiring msmith38652@gmail.com
ReplyDeletehttp://michelescraftroom.blogspot.com/
What a fabulous card with a powerful message! Thank you for sharing your experience! You are a true inspiration!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card!
ReplyDelete(:(:Smiles:):)
Robin
thecricutscrapper at yahoo dot com
Thank you for sharing your story! So glad you are safe and happy now! Beautiful card!! Christina
ReplyDeleteI love the sentiment on the card. Thanks for sharing with us and helping to increase awareness.
ReplyDeleteKathyJo
skrappindiva29 at hotmail dot com
http://skrappindiva.blogspot.com
Beautiful card! :) Thanks so much for sharing your inspirational story and for participating in the hop.
ReplyDeleteAshley
http://especiallymade.blogspot.com
Your story is beautiful. I prayer for my daughter to open her eyes. She goes from one abusive relationship to another and doesn't see it. This blog hop is such a wonderful thing!
ReplyDeletePrecious Hugs
OmaGloria
Getting Cricky DT Member