A funny anecdote? A structured well-written storyline? Great photos? I'm sure I'm not the first person to fall into the trap of wanting to do all these things well, then finding that their blogging has slowed down as a result.
To be honest, I didn't really intend to start blogging, although it had crossed my mind a few times. But on the spur of the moment I thought I'd give it a go, share a few of my crafty creations, and maybe get in touch with some crafters out there in the big wide world.
And what I've learnt is, a good blog is all about sponteneity, openness, generosity of spirit, and humanness. And real life.
So here's what's real for me ...
I went to a seminar on the weekend about living with Aspergers Syndrome. I figured out about two years ago that I have it, but I haven't really come to terms with it yet. I realised on the weekend that I've been telling myself "I'm only a little bit Aspergers, so if I make an effort, I will grow out of it". It doesn't really work like that, does it. There's really no such thing as just a little bit Aspergers.
It's time for some self-acceptance don't you think? Time to accept the fact that I think differently than most people, I feel differently, I even see, hear and smell things differently. I process information differently, I make sense of the world differently ... and I have my own unique contribution to make to the world.
So maybe you'll hear a bit more about AS on this blog. And you are welcome to email me if you need to talk about it.
I apologise in advance if I inadvertently over-share. Just ignore it and come back for the next post, because I guarantee you that this blog will stay 95% about craft. OK, maybe 90% about craft and 10% about me. I'm definitely not dropping below 85% craft LOL.
I'll finish off this post talking about my life-long obsession with "making something out of nothing". I previously told you about the retro-cool pencil cups that I made from floppy disks that were thrown away at work. (They were more popular than I expected and I ended up making about five dozen!)
Well here's what I made last week from some used manila folders that were thrown away at work. Die-cut Christmas decorations!
I made heaps and heaps in a quite a few diffferent colours, but I really love the folk-art simplicity of these red-and-white garlands.
The loose die-cuts are a big hit with my colleagues. The pot plants are getting baubled (paper clips do the trick) and the windows are getting snowflaked. Makes a welcome change from the tatty tinsel that we usually drag out each year.
(In keeping with the spirit of self-acceptance, I won't apologise for my poor photos.)
Here's the window next to my desk. (The dust is on the outside not the inside!) A nice contrast with the brick wall behind the window LOL!
That's all from me for tonight. It's way past my bedtime!
I love the snowflakes and other decorations - such an inspired idea! And thanks for sharing about the AS, I'm sorry you weren't diagnosed earlier so you could have had more support and good luck with accepting yourself as who you are - it might be tough going at times but it's worth it in the end! Take care x
ReplyDeletecute snow flakes.........one thing I have learnt is you definitely can't "fix" AS.............just manage it........
ReplyDeleteMy son has Aspergers, and he's 19 now. When he was a kid it wasn't a credible, labeled disorder with any help available. I'm proud for you to accept who you are, now you can go forward. I have always told my son it could have been worse, he's got all his body parts, and there are some people who don't really understand things and aren't aware of it, the last is that it's important to keep challenging yourself, the more you stretch your brain the more it grows. Take Care. (I love what you've done with the decorations. The die cuts are fabulous and your disc idea is amazing)
ReplyDeleteI've worked with children with Asperger's and it doesn't seem to be so much of a disorder as very ordered. If you have a routine or a way of doing something and it works for you others will adjust to that being part of how you are. Any sudden changes are what throws a system out and can't always be predicted. You are probably more organised than a lot of people but that can be a good thing :). I tend to fly by the seat of my pants a lot!
ReplyDeleteLove your die cuts and those floppy disc pencil holders are great.
Cheers,
Robyn
I have had clients with Asperger's and I would be very interested in understanding it better - so thank you for sharing. There is a blog - Hendrixville - Crystal has three boys with Autism and I am pretty sure it is Asperger's. She is also a quilter. Anyway can you please tell us how you made the die cut decorations....
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing.I so love what you have done with the decs. Very clever. The pencil holder is so amazing.
ReplyDeleteI work in a school and we always hear about how asbergers affects children. People forget that children grow into adults. It will be lovely to hear your insights as an adult.
ReplyDeleteLove your decorations-you are so clever!
I love your blog, don't change and your projects are great! How did you make your floppy pencil boxes? Did you just glue the sides, they are definitely cool! Have a great week :)
ReplyDelete