Stamping For Autism Awareness Blog Hop

 

Hi Folks! I am very proud to be participating in the Stamping For Autism Awareness Blog Hop organized by my friends Tenia Nelson and Veronica Zalis to promote awareness for Autism.

A dear friend of mine has a first grade son with Autism and I've seen her go through so many stages, including questioning if there was a medical issue at all, trying to get the right diagnosis, learning what it all means, advocating for her son with the school district, affecting change in the curriculum, and being on a constant search to find the best way to relate and communicate with her son as he grows. Promoting awareness of Autism will hopefully benefit my friend's son, and others like him, as they navigate their path, either through medical advances, or just through interactions with others in their community.

The folks from the Chibitronics team thought it would be a great idea to literally light our cards up blue in honor of this hop! Along with the Chibitronics, I've used the Essentials by Ellen Otterly Awesome Stamp Set along with the coordinating die set and the companion Otter Ware Stamp Set to create a layered ocean scene that lights up when you pull the last otter to the side. Let's take a closer look!

Here are the mechanics of this card. I added all the LEDs, copper tape and battery on top of the first layer of blue vellum (stamped with waves from the Otter Ware set). Constructing the card this way allows you to have more of a flat card, except for the middle that is popped up.

The battery is adhered directly on top of the copper tape going to the narrow, negative ends of the LEDs, and the pull tab has copper tape wrapped around it so that when it's pulled (stopped by the perpendicular cardstock on the left end of the pull tab) the copper tape will bridge the gap and turn the LEDs on. I put a piece of foam tape (with the green protective sheet still on) on top of the wrapped copper tape so it will be pressed against the base and have a stronger, more consistent connection.

Then I added a second layer of blue vellum on top of the circuitry to hide everything, as well as to make the water scene more dimensional. For the copper tape that wasn't hidden by the otters, and would otherwise show through, I covered it with an extra scrap of blue vellum. The other copper tape I just left exposed.

Then I added the otters, a punny sign, a heart, and a word balloon instructing the recipient to "pull me." The word balloon stamp actually comes with a tiny heart in the middle and two pointed ends, but I selectively inked the stamp to get rid of the tiny heart and the left pointed end, and filled in the gap with a pencil.

Then when you pull the right otter, the lights go on, illuminating the sea!

Here's a quick video so you can see the pull tab in action.

Even not lit up, it's a cute card with four of the otters just hanging out.

I hope you're enjoying the huge Stamping For Autism Awareness Blog Hop! Head back to the Chibitronics blog to check out the other cards from my teammates, as well as the rest of the hop! There is also a link up on the main Stamping For Autism Awareness blog post for anyone to share their own card. The deadline for uploading a card/project to the gallery is Sunday April 8 at 11:55 PM

Thanks for stopping by!
-Kelly


Affiliate Links:

Essentials By Ellen Clear Stamps, Otterly Awesome By Julie Ebersole

Essentials By Ellen Designer Dies, Otterly Awesome By Julie Ebersole

Essentials By Ellen Clear Stamps, Otter Ware By Julie Ebersole

Chibitronics Copper Tape, 16 ft (675353)

Chibitronics White LED Circuit Stickers, 30 pk (675346)

ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker, Set of 48

Catherine Pooler Ink Pad, Black Jack

ATG Double-Sided Refill Tape, 2 pk, 1/4"

ATG Kit, Advanced Tape Glider