Being a "Special" Mom

I've decided to keep an art journal.  That's where all the "stuff" that I don't want to include in my regular scrapbooks will be kept.  You know, the raw emotions and feelings that I don't necessarily care to share with everyone.  My first page is about being the mother of a special needs child:  our son, David.  This is what the journaling says:

What is it like to be the mother of a special needs child?  Well, for one thing, it's never boring.  It's unpredictable, to say the least.

When I wake up in the morning, I really don't know what to expect.  Will he have a tantrum today?  Or will it be a total meltdown?  Will he throw something, break something, scream and curse at me?  Will I get to the point where I just want to run away and never come back?

This might make me sound like a terrible mother, but there are days when I just don't want to be a Mom.  I just want to be Jeanette.  I want to do what I want to do, go where I want to go, be what I want to be.  Does that really make me a bad mother?  I don't know, but it's the best I can do some days.  Besides, I'm still here, right?  I can't be that bad.

There are other days, though.  Days when he remembers things that I had long forgotten, times we've spent together that were true happiness.  Or he tells a joke that has me shaking and crying with laughter instead of anger.  There are days when a simple "I love you, Mom" is all I need to make my day.

So, I'll tell you what it's like to be the mother of a special needs child.  It's like being on a roller coaster ride.  Sometimes you're speeding uphill, sometimes you're speeding downhill, and sometimes you're coasting along on level tracks.

I hope you decide to give art journaling a try.  It's very freeing and quite therapeutic.  And let's not forget how much fun it is to play with art supplies.

Making Beads with Air-Dry Clay

Here is the video I promised you showing how to make beads with air-dry clay.  Enjoy!  And thanks for visiting.

New Jewelry in My Etsy Shop

Please visit my Etsy shop, www.scrapjanny.etsy.com, to see these and more of my jewelry creations.

I hope to be posting a video soon on how to make the air-dry clay beads that are in the top pair of earrings.  Thanks for stopping by!

Public Service Announcement

When will all this rain stop?  I mean, if I wanted all this rain, I'd live in Seattle.  Seriously, though, I want to remind everyone of the importance of turning on your headlights while driving in the rain.  Many people think that, because they have daytime running lights, that is enough.  Not true.  Daytime running lights do NOT include TAILLIGHTS.  Those are on only when you turn your lights on, or if your headlights come on automatically when it's dark out.  It is very difficult for the car in back of you to see you if it's pouring and your taillights aren't on.  So PLEASE remember to turn on your lights in the rain.

I'll get off my soapbox now.  Thank you!  :)

A Hippie Party

My daughter would have been a wonderful flower child, had she been born in the sixties instead of 2000, so it was no surprise when she told me that she wanted a "hippie/groovy" theme for her eleventh birthday party. Like any good mother, I took her to the party store and bought the themed paper goods:  plates, napkins, cups, table cloth, etc.  We also thought an enjoyable and theme-appropriate activity would be to tie-dye bandannas.  Off to the craft store we went, in search of plain white bandannas and tie-dye materials.  On the invitations, we told the children to come in sixties-themed clothing.The kids had a great time, and the tie-dyeing wasn't as messy as we had thought it would be.   The tie-dyed peace-sign cake that my niece made was also a big hit.   I took a lot of pictures, and I made the two-page layout below with some of them.

 

I decided to use black cardstock by American Crafts as my base.  I knew that I was going to use very bright, vibrant colors in my patterned paper, and I wanted the colors to stand out.  For the title, I used various acrylic paints to embellish chipboard letters like these from We R Memory Keepers.  I cut the embellishments from the party bags using my Cricut Expression. To make them shiny, I applied a coat of Diamond Glaze by JudiKins.  A decorative border, punched with a Martha Stewart border punch, completed the funky look that I was trying to create.Try adding some "groovy" touches to your child's next birthday party.  You don't have to make the theme a "hippie" style.  You can incorporate colorful products to make any party lively and fun. 

Some Sad News

I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm no longer working at The Ink Pad.  I'm very upset about it, but I thought everyone should know that I won't be teaching there anymore either.  I do plan to teach at other stores, though, so I'll update my blog when I have the information.

Stamping 101 April 17 at The Ink Pad

Stamping 101:  You’ve just bought some cool stamps (at The Ink Pad, of course).  You’ve even bought an inkpad or two.  You saw some gorgeous samples in the store.  Now what?  What do you do with all that stuff?  How do you begin?  Join me as I show you the basics of stamping:  which inks to use with which papers; how to get a clear, crisp impression; how to use rubber and unmounted stamps; and more.   No experience or supplies necessary.

Call now to reserve your spot; space is limited!  (212) 463-9876