Fe-Fe's World Of Craft, Creations and Kids.

This blog was started mainly for my crafting, however I also find myself writing about my family life too and in particular about my son Josh. Josh is just Josh to us and we're used to his quirky behaviour. As I don't want to have to mention Josh's autism every time I post about him, I thought I'd mention it here. Hopefully you will bear this in mind as you read and it may give you a little insight into the wonderful world of the autisic child in a very gentle way!

Monday, 17 September 2007

Blog Candy Time

I've noticed that my counter says I'm coming up to 1000 visitors to my blog. Now I know most of these are probably just me flitting in and out as I don't know how to filter my visits out, but still, 1000 visitors is 1000 visitors and so that means (in time honored tradition) that it's BLOG CANDY time.

Now I haven't actually got anything to give away as yet but I hope to remedy that this week. So if you'd like a chance to receive some surprise blog candy (I promise it will be papercraft orientated) please leave a comment and I'll get the kids to pick a name at random on Sunday.

This card I made for my friend's daughter who will be 9 at the end of October. My Mum gave me the double sided flowery/orange card a while ago and as I liked both sides I decided to do a card with the front slightly shorter than the back so that you can see the inside when the card is closed. I used the strip I cut off on the front of the card to help tie it all together. It's not quite my usual style but I'm quite pleased with the result.

38 comments:

Shh-Shh said...: I would of left a comment anyway, regardless of blog candy!.. well done anyway on a 1000 visits... Anyway back to the card, I love the funky feel to this one and the dancing girlie stamp is just fab.; 17 September 2007 at 19:13
Maria said...: Congratulations on your 1,000 hits!!

Your card looks fabulous! I love the patterns and the beautiful colors of your card!

Thank you for you sweet comment on my blog site. I really appreciate it!

Maria; 17 September 2007 at 19:50
Cathy M said...: Congrats on your 1000 visitors. Wow I was looking at your cards and they are wonderful. They are very creative and just love your style. Count me in on mystery candy, I don't care what it is, I just know it will me fun wants it shows up. Thanks for a chance.
cmeyers@hughes.net; 17 September 2007 at 20:10
Cathy M said...: Congrats on your 1000 visitors. Wow I was looking at your cards and they are wonderful. They are very creative and just love your style. Count me in on mystery candy, I don't care what it is, I just know it will me fun wants it shows up. Thanks for a chance.
cmeyers@hughes.net; 17 September 2007 at 20:11
jodene said...: I love this card. it is perfect for a young girl Love how colorful it is. Thanks for the chance. I love surprises!!; 17 September 2007 at 20:22
Angel said...: Congrats on your 1,000 hits! And I love this little card!; 17 September 2007 at 21:20
becca said...: that is such a cute card! congrats on the hits!; 17 September 2007 at 22:28
pescbrico said...: I like the fact we can see a bit of the inside from the outside! Congratulation on your 1000 hits!; 17 September 2007 at 22:29
Betty said...: That is a cute card!! Thanks for some blog candy!!; 18 September 2007 at 01:00
Jen said...: Congrats on 1,000 views! I love the double sided paper on that card and how you cut the card to show it.; 18 September 2007 at 01:11
Anonymous said...: Congrats on the 1000 hits.
The double sided card is so cute, love the way you showed the inside!
And thanks for the surprise candy!; 18 September 2007 at 01:37
Linda SS said...: Hey - that's a well deserved 1,000! Your cards are really great:); 18 September 2007 at 01:46
Ijsbeer said...: Congrats on 1000 hits!

I really really like that card! Hope you have a nice week!; 18 September 2007 at 02:23
Cheryl KVD said...: Ooohhh! I would love some surprise blog candy!! COngrats on the hits!!
Cheryl KVD; 18 September 2007 at 03:29
Anonymous said...: Congrats on receiving so many hits. Who wouldn't love getting some surprise blog candy. I know I would love to get some.; 18 September 2007 at 03:52
dasimonds said...: Love your card..Perfect for a nine year old. I really love the double-sided paper.
"Congratulations" on your 1000+ hits. Thanks for a chance to WIN your blog candy.; 18 September 2007 at 04:46
Anonymous said...: congrats on the hits :) I love your card!; 18 September 2007 at 05:57
Natalie said...: Congrats on all the hits! Aren't blogs fantastic!?! I love your work! It's just incredible! That card is just gorgeous - love the colors and the girly vibe! So cute!; 18 September 2007 at 06:00
Peggy Maier said...: Congratulations on 1000 hits! Your card is so pretty - just right for a young girl.; 18 September 2007 at 12:44
ScrapMomOf2 said...: Well, I would be leaving a comment anyway! I love this card! It's so cute and vibrant! I have two girls, and they BOTH would be thrilled to get a card like this! Great job!; 18 September 2007 at 13:49
Karen Gladney said...: Great card that you have here. Tks for the opportunity to win blog candy! Visit mine and u might win also.; 18 September 2007 at 15:54
sundance7 said...: Congratulations on your 1000 hits!! Cute card - love the colors! Thanks for a chance to win.; 18 September 2007 at 20:29
Anonymous said...: I love surprises so count me in the running to win your blog candy:) What a cute card - your friend's daughter will enjoy it.; 18 September 2007 at 21:58
Anonymous said...: Congrats on the 1,000 visitors. Your cards are so lovely (as is your name, Fiona) I'll have to suggest that pretty name to my pregnant niece.; 18 September 2007 at 22:03
mum-on-the-run said...: Congrats!! I remember getting so excited at my first 1000 hits!!; 18 September 2007 at 22:31
Scott Franson Photography said...: You have a wonderful blog.
Claudia; 18 September 2007 at 23:31
Rachel V. said...: Love what you did with that Imaginesce paper. I had that paper for a long time before I felt "comfortable" using it. You did an awesome job! And congrats on 1000 hits.; 19 September 2007 at 02:06
Anonymous said...: Love the card Very hippie chick!; 19 September 2007 at 05:07
Dee said...: Well done love, you deserve all the good comments - keep saying that you produce great stuff and this goes to prove it.

Shows how many are following your blog too...

Mum
XXXX; 19 September 2007 at 23:25
Risa said...: Hi Fe-Fe
Congrats on the 1000 hits!!!!!
You have a wonderful blog and your cards are fantastic!
Malieta:); 20 September 2007 at 02:31
ikkinlala said...: Congratulations on 1000 hits!

That's a cute card - it's a little wild for my tastes now, but I know I would have loved it when I was nine.; 20 September 2007 at 02:54
Brenmarie said...: Congrats on the 1000 visitors!; 20 September 2007 at 20:22
Franzi said...: Congratulations! And a really wonderful card for your friend`s daughter. Pretty!; 21 September 2007 at 11:07
Beth Norman-Roberts said...: Congrats on your first thousand visitors. Isn't it exciting?; 21 September 2007 at 11:18
Anonymous said...: I love your cards! I hope Bertie will start teaching again, but when I saw the card I was afraid that you lost your dog which really scared me:) Congrats on the 1,000.; 21 September 2007 at 18:02
Pattyjo said...: What a pretty card! Thanks for the chance at your blog goodies.

rholschen@air-pipe.com; 21 September 2007 at 19:27
Chiara said...: Congrats on the 1000 visitors!
You made a fantastic card!
Thanks for sharing!

Kisses,
Chiara; 21 September 2007 at 20:53
Kathi B said...: You have a wonderful blog. I am sure that all 1000 hits are not from you. I can see why you have as many hits as you do. Congrats and keep blogging. I know I'll be back.; 23 September 2007 at 04:21

Ode to Special Mums

Ode to Special Moms(by Erma Bombeck)

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures and a couple by habit. This year, nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen?

Somehow I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to make notes in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint, Matthew.
Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint, Cecilia.
"Rudledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint, give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."
Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."

The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy."

"Exactly," says God. "Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But has she patience?" asks the angel.

"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off, she'll handle it.
"I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has his own world. She has to make it live in her world, and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."

God smiles. "No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness."

The angel gasps, "Selfishness? Is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word.' She will never consider a 'step' ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle and know it! When she describes a tree or a sunset to her child, she will see it as few people ever see my creations."I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice...and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."

"And what about her patron saint?" asks the angel, pen poised midair.

God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."

"Welcome to Holland"

"Welcome to Holland" By Emily Perl Kingsley

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."

"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."
And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away...because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss. But...if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.