Welcome! I am so glad you made it to my blog for the blog hop!
A small blurb about . . . EDS. You might be asking yourself . . . "What is it?"
Simply put, Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of thirteen individual genetic conditions, all of which affect the body’s connective tissue. Connective tissue keeps everything in place and provides support, like the mortar between bricks. Our bodies create faulty collagen (the stuff that makes your ligaments into snappy rubber bands) so for people with EDS we have no snap back in those ligaments making it impossible to keep our joints in place.
We can dislocate just about all of our bones on a regular basis as well as many other symptoms. OUCH! EDS is often an invisible disability. Symptoms commonly include, but are not limited to, long-term pain, chronic fatigue, dizziness, palpitations and digestive disorders. If you're wondering why the zebra is associated with EDS it's because in medical school doctors are taught "When you hear hooves think horses not zebras" In other words, it's very unlikely you will come across a rare disease so think of the more common diseases.
I have lived with this disorder my whole life and because it is not widely known, not even in the medical field, I was only diagnosed 6 years ago, and I am 50! It's been a long brutal road and I still struggle to understand how to care for my body daily because depending on what I dislocate it changes daily. So, you guessed it . . . I am a walking ragdoll! LOL It's a serious disorder that my family and I have chosen to approach with a certain amount of humor, to keep from going crazy! When I found out about this blog hop, I jumped at the chance to be a part of it and help spread the word about EDS. With that said, let's get crafty!
I used an old stamp set that I created for a stamp company I was once a part of, and it is near and dear to my heart. It features this adorable little zebra tucked in bed. I really wanted my zebra to stand out so I thought I would stencil the inside of the card and cut a circle out of the front of the card and cover it in transparency sheet. Then cut a smaller circle and glued it in the center of the larger circle, where I place my zebra!
First step was to stencil the inside using a zebra print stencil and Catherine Pooler inks in Something borrowed and Flirty Fuchsia.
I stamped my sentiment on a circle I cut from white cardstock and adhered it, but the same thing could be achieved by laying down a circle mask inside the card before you stencil.
First, I glued down black cardstock to my card front, and then I cut a large circle out of the front of the card and covered the inside with a transparency sheet. (You could also use a sheet of clear plastic that comes on the back of most stamps). I adhered a smaller black cardstock circle to the center of the large circle. Next, I stamped my image and colored my little zebra using Copic Markers.
Zebra's face and hair - C1/C2/C3/C7/100
Flowers - B000/B00/B05 (center flowers - B66/V04/FV2/B05)
Pillow - B000/B00/0
Blanket - B66/B05/FV2
I used foam tape to adhere my little zebra to the center circle and added a sentiment and some stamped flowers as little embellishments. I also added Crystal Stickles to the center of each flower for some sparkle. To finish it off I thought it needed a small silver glitter sticker border.
Please be sure to check out everyone's videos for lots of inspiration and there is also a giveaway! Alison and Michele will be offering giveaways on their channels. Winners will be chosen by Alison and Michele on 2/11/22. Comments will close on 2/8/22 at 12 pm EST. In order to be qualified to win, you must comment on each of the ten videos and be subscribed.
You can find the videos for the other designers Here:
I would like to leave you with a final note. Anyone with a rare disease or chronic pain disorder will tell you that support from caring friends and family is everything.
If you aren't sure what you can do, try these simple things:
Ask them what they need,
listen and believe them,
love them as they are,
be flexible with plans,
and send cards!
We all love getting a handmade card, but chronic pain and rare disorders can be crippling and leave you feeling isolated and alone. A card really can make all the difference and make you feel like you aren't battling your disease alone. Reach out and give someone battling this horrible disease, or a chronic pain illness your love and support. You won't believe what a difference you will make.
To learn more go to:
Home - The Ehlers Danlos Society : The Ehlers Danlos Society (ehlers-danlos.com)
Oh my word, these cards are so gorgeous. Such perfect sentiments!!
Posted by: amybeth928 | January 31, 2022 at 08:01 AM
I love this card! It's so perfect. I was definitely that zebra today. Thank you so much for being a part of this hop. You have been such a huge part of my EDS journey, and I am so grateful. Love you very much!
Posted by: Alison Heikkila | January 31, 2022 at 08:29 AM
These are awesome! Such cool backgrounds and sentiments! And thank you for the information on EDS I've never heard of this illness. Thank you for being a part of the hop to make us aware
Posted by: Meghan Kennihan | January 31, 2022 at 11:54 AM
Amy - not only is your card beautiful, but your final note is absolutely perfect and sooooo true! Great blog post. I hope that you are feeling better. With everything, I’m so glad you were able to participate in the hop. Thank you!! 🖤🤍
Posted by: Michele Margaret | January 31, 2022 at 12:40 PM
Thank you for bringing awareness to EDS, both my Son & I have EDS and it’s a daily struggle. Here’s hoping a cure can be found one day ❤️🇦🇺
Posted by: Miss.Chelle | January 31, 2022 at 07:03 PM
Your cards are so lovely. I'm glad you finally found a diagnosis. I had never heard of EDS until today. I have several friends and acquaintances going through similar struggles of having health issues and looking for answers.
Posted by: Annette Hopkins | February 01, 2022 at 04:53 AM
I really like the zebras---how adorable!! I like the BRIGHT colors you added to the cards, too. I am so glad that I found this hop, not only because the projects are so cute, but because I have learned a little bit about EDS, and need to check into it further. My son and I might have it. Especially my son.....
Posted by: Sharon Gullikson | February 02, 2022 at 04:31 PM
Really great cards
I'm sorry you have gone through this - taking so long to get a diagnosis must have been awful
Posted by: Gabrielle McCann | February 05, 2022 at 02:08 AM
Such a gorgeous card! I am really enjoying this hop and appreciate you all bringing awareness
Posted by: Mdmousecom | February 06, 2022 at 07:55 PM