A very special thank you.
I have been thinking over the past few weeks about what I could do as a thank you to all of you for the awesome support you have shown to Autism Speaks (and to me and my family) over the last few months. No matter whether we end up with the number one spot (the top 6 receive a matching donation up to $10,000), we as a group of people have done something awesome.
Of course, number one is a good place to be. Love watching the power of the people.
Sitting here today, getting ready for classes this weekend in Vancouver, BC at ARTistry, I thought of an idea: I can share a class with you - instructions & supply list. I was going to wait until the end of the contest to post this, but I am just feeling really inspired and excited today and want to share this with you NOW.
This is a fun mini-book: filled with different textures and goodies that help you celebrate the life of someone you love yesterday, today, tomorrow - always. This is an updated version of a class I have taught a few times over the last year. Enjoy it.
Click to download the instructions (2.7MB file) : Download ytta_HowTo
(You will need Adobe Reader to view this file: go here to download this program if you don't already have it.)
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, Always Supply List
(know that I totally encourage you to use your stash at home to adapt this project to what you have on hand - otherwise a Google search will help you find the supplies listed below at online retailers or check out your local scrapbook store)
Maya Road 4x4 Binder Book
7gypsies A La Card Stickers Love (#17405)
7gypsies Etchings Life Rub On Sheet (#17060)
Chatterbox Patterned Paper, Loft Flowering Vine (#24408) and Loft (#20824)
SEI Paisley & Petals Cardstock Tabs (#7-8452)
My Mind's Eye Bohemia Patterned Paper ("You & Me" Swirl/Brown #BH1111)
Scenic Route Patterned Paper Rockland Sweetland Street (#SR584)
Creative Imaginations Narratives Antique Love Patterned Paper (#14814)
Heidi Swapp Mask Daisy (#HS63368)
Hambly Chic Circles Screen Print (#HO543)
Embossing Ink (clear)
Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (clear) (also known as UTEE)
Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Weathered Wood (#TIM20257)
Heat gun for embossing the cover
4, 4x6 photos that can be cropped to 4x4
4, 2x2 photos
Again, thank you. Have fun!
Also - check this out: Technique Tuesday is making a difference. That is so awesome, so cool, so wonderful.
Thank you so much Ali! Wow, that is generous and can't wait to work on this. I also want to say, thank you for being you. Thank you for sharing yourself, and your family with us. You inspire me constantly to OPEN MY EYES. Feeling truly blessed by your inspiration.
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Thank you Ali. I am excited to make this. I love the Heidi Swapp mask and using it on the album cover is awesome.
I hope your numbers keep climbing.
Teresa
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Love that album. I am all about the mini album.
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Ali... you are so inspiring.
Bek
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Oh, Ali, that is so sweet of you to share. I took this class in Tracy and sent it to my sister for her birthday. She loved it. ;)
Peace, Eileen
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Thanks so much Ali!! You are so sweet! Thanks for being an inspiration!
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thank you ali for continuing to inspire me :)
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you are so awesome, and so sweet - we all donate b/c its such a great cause, and b/c you inspire us each day, and you turn around and thank us
it is you who should be thanked, for raising both money and awareness
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Thank you for the great project! I'm an avid reader of your blog. My four year-old nephew has Autism and I'm learning something new about it every day. I have the utmost respect for you and what you are doing to raise awareness and money for Autism Speaks. Simon is absolutely adorable! It is obvious in his pictures that he is a happy little boy that you are very proud of. THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO!!!
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Thank you Ali. But you have already done soooooo much for me. I'm going to echo what another "Jen" had posted earlier regarding reading your blogs.
I also have a son Vincent who has autism. He is almost 7 now. He was first diagnosed at 3 y/o. At the time, I was so lost. My world was turned upside down. Scrapbooking was put aside for me. My biggest challenge was I didn't know how to scrapbook about his autism. People scrapped about happy occasions like holidays, birthdays and milestones. My pictures of Vince's holidays were of him crying (I know now that he was over stimulated). I didn't have the heart or stomach to scrap these events. I gave up on scrapbooking all together.
Enter Ali Edwards.
I already knew you because I loved your first book & I always read you articles in CK. In one of your articles, you were discussing your blog and how you talk about autsim. That's when I discovered your wonderful blog and learned how you and your family have dealt with autism. Needless to say, I have been hooked every since. I just can't thank you enough for introducing me to your concept of celebrating the everyday. Reading your blog and your adventures has touched me in so many ways. It has changed my life AND the way I scrapbook. I learned to love scrapbooking again because of you. Scrapping Vince's uniqueness has been so therapeutic for me. It's just so cool to see your ideas of how you scrap about Simon's autism. I see the pictures of his PECS in your layouts and it gives me inspiration to scrap Vince's therapy. You are so open and honest about your life and it really shows in your scrapbooking.
So Ali, THANK YOU for being YOU. And the instructions to your cool mini album is just icing on the cake for me.
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Ali, how awesome! When I saw the picture of the album my first thought was "Gosh, I would love to see how she made that" ... and then I read the post. I'm super excited! Hopefully I can get my hands on those products soon, and get to it. Thank you so much!
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thanks so much ali. can't wait to make it. have a great trip.
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wow! thanks for the album instructions! I was so excited to see the numbers of donations jump! I think it WILL happen!!!! Peace!
-rani
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Thanks for the instruction Ali!! While I never expected anything in return for my donation, I do love that you shared this with us.
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Thanks for the instructions Ali - it looks like an awesome project! I'm constantly in awe of how the scrapbooking community, and others are all working together for such a great cause. And I'm so inspired by you, and your family and how you are battling autism - I'm sure it's not easy. And thanks for always being so real.
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I don't know if you already know this, but Larry King Live was supposed to talk about autism tonight on his show. I have it set to tape later, so I haven't seen it yet.
Thanks for the instructions! Can't wait to put it together!
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WOW! I was SO excited to see this today Ali, thank you so much for your generous and kind heart. Can't wait to give it a try. Sue
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Ali -
We are 3 shy of 700 donations! Amazing!!
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WoW! Awesome project! Thanks so much! You're a great inspiration!!
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Hi Ali, I met you in Australia last year and just wanted to let you know that I have been watching your progress with the Autism Speaks stuff and am really encouraged by you and your family. I have seen many children with Autism in my teaching career and only wish some of them had a family like you are providing for Simon. Unfortunately I can not add to your donations as I am in Australia, but I wanted you to know that I am 1000% behind you and what you are doing. You are one of the finest mothers that I have seen in action. Thank you for your gift to us all just by being the person that you are. Have a great weekend teaching, and I look forward to seeing Simon's badge in the top spot by Monday.
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thank YOU, ali.
cheers!
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I am packing right now for your Canada class. I am so excited. But I was OVERJOYED by the new number that your Six Degrees has hit. When I last checked 2 days ago, you were just over $12,000! What the HECK????? How exciting is that for you?
I am so looking forward to this weekend and your class. it was a tough topic...I had NO DESIRE to do a book about me...but I am muddling through! Thanks for the "challenge". -AH
www.amyhollands.typepad.com
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Wow Ali - that is amazingly kind of you. You are a very generous and kind spirited person. SO much good is coming from your kindness. Thanks you xx Janelle
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Thank you so much.
Autism may never affect me personally, but I am glad to help.
And, it may just affect me one day.
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Ali, thank you so much for taking the time to do this book for us. Wonderful. I hope you continue to add to the monetary collection. Who knows what good will come from this simple act? We do need to find a cure/cause.
Blessings
carolynn from michigan
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