Bloom & Grow : World Autism Awareness Day

AE_LoveWatchGrow

Today is World Autism Awareness Day.

As you may have read in the giveaway post yesterday, I teamed up with the designers at Songbird Ave to create a digital kit in honor of Autism Awareness month. All proceeds from the sale of this kit benefit Autism Speaks.

My son was diagnosed with autism right around the time he turned three. It has been quite a journey; many stories have been documented here along the way. We celebrate his successes both small & big, and diligently work through the challenges. We embrace him for the awesome, tender, hilarious, sweet kid that he is. 

You can read past posts about our journey here.

To learn more, including the signs of autism, go here. There is also  a pretty good FAQ here.

Below are two more examples using elements and templates from the Songbird Ave Bloom & Grow kit:

AE_CaptureTime

How about a layout where the entire background is a photo? I have done a few of these in the past with enlargements and am planning to do some more for Anna's book. I love working off one big image background - it poses a whole new set of design challenges.

AE_BecomeYou 

Loving scalloped edges right now. Either digitally, or with the Threading Water punch, I have been wanting a scalloped edge on just about everything I have put together recently. 

For information on working with digital layered templates check out my Hybrid/Digital Scrapbooking series of posts.


Dottedline

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I also wanted to take this opportunity to say Happy Birthday the Hero Arts blog. They do such a great job of showcasing stamping tips and providing inspiration for all levels of crafters. You may also be interested in their contests and videos. Happy Birthday!

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63 thoughts

  1. Asta says…
    04/02/2009

    Dear Ali, such a wonderful layouts. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. akilia says…
    04/02/2009

    I got to know this day, seeing your report last year.
    My daughter who is 6 years old has autism.
    Your courageous report was read and I was encouraged very much.
    I am holding the event by the blog, in order to spread this day to friends living in Japan.
    It is thanks to you that I was able to take such action.
    Thank you:)

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Karin Canazzi says…
    04/02/2009

    The scallops you are loving...embracing the baby girl in your life...
    enjoy because there really is nothing like having a daughter!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Nicky from Canada says…
    04/02/2009

    Love the post Ali, thanks for getting the word out there on Autism - Brody, our youngest is 7 and has autism - we do a lot of stuff for awareness thru his programs and fundraising. But I must truly thank you for helping me to document more and it has helped me immensely now when I look back and can be even more thankful for the growth because the documents help us to remember where we started, where we are now and where we are going.
    Thankyou
    Have an amazing day.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Jill says…
    04/02/2009

    Oh how I love the layout using the photo as the background!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Jennifer says…
    04/02/2009

    Love those layouts! I have enjoyed reading about Simon and your entire family's journey along the way.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. scrapmommaof3 says…
    04/02/2009

    just wanted to let you know that www.oscraps.com has a charity digital kit supporting autism available to buy in the month of April. It is an amazing kit and it says 100% of the proceeds help autism. thought you might want to know.
    love your blog and products.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. mary rogers says…
    04/02/2009

    today I am thankful for having you as a friend!
    thanks for sharing a part of you with us each day...
    xoxo

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Kristin Rutten says…
    04/02/2009

    Thanks for pointing us to Songbird Ave. and your beautiful new collab kit. I checked it out yesterday after reading your first post about it. What a great company and an easy & effective way to let people like me support worthy causes while doing what we love, especially when such high quality products are offered. Definitely gets my support...

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Chris Turnbull says…
    04/02/2009

    Hi Ali thankyou so much for sharing. Having a child with autism is indeed a journey into an amazing world...I have 2 autistic children...both my boys and both whom do not function very well in life at all without loads of help but whom are loved dearly in every way possible. Our own journey has been one of incredible courage, years of torture, years of incredible odds and I usually blog about so much of our own families journey....yes with all the bumps and hurdles along the way. Thanks for sharing....hugs xo

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Sarah says…
    04/02/2009

    What beautiful pages to document those precious lives!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Suz says…
    04/02/2009

    I just wanted to thank you so much for continuing to share your family. It's such an encouragement.
    Your digi kit is really great & helps create such wonderful layouts
    You're one awesome woman. Blessings to you & your wonderful family

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Linn Woodard says…
    04/02/2009

    I love the page of Chris and Anna with the full photo. By the way, have you seen that Stampin' Up! has a scallop edge punch?! It's on its way to my house right now!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Inga says…
    04/02/2009

    Ali,
    Thank you for letting all of us share your family's journey through the maze of autism. Thank you for giving it a voice (and Simon's adorable face). I appreciate how you you synthesize your amazing skills in sharing your story.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Leslie says…
    04/02/2009

    Thanks for this post, Ali. While I don't have children with Autism I do have a friend with a son that has it. He is in my daughter's class. She just LOVES helping him out at school. I have watched that family...they are amazing with Tony.
    God Bless you this day!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Angela W says…
    04/02/2009

    Thank you for sharing. I am not sure I knew that Simon had been diagnosed with Autism, but I am still fairly new to reading your blog. I know it has to be challenging at times, but it seems like you and Chris are doing the best you can for Simon that's all you really can do. He is so cute! Those are great layouts!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Joy Buss says…
    04/02/2009

    Hey Ali! Love the photo page of Chris and Anna! And, I agree, the scallops are a great subtle but elegant accent. Lots of inspiration! Thanks!
    We are counting down to our Autism Fundraiser Crop on April 25th. Can't wait! Happy Autism Awareness Day!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Jessica says…
    04/02/2009

    Ali,
    I did not realize that your son has autism. I just read a great fictional book entitled " The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon. The author has spent years working with autistic children and the book is from the viewpoint of an autistic boy. It was very insightful into how an autistic child processes information and what their world is like. I highly recommend it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. zigszoo says…
    04/02/2009

    Amazing pages Ali. I love the full picture background!
    Blessings to you and your family!
    www.deenaziegler.typepad.com

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. sarbear says…
    04/02/2009

    Ali, thanks so much for the inspiring pages, and for the digital kit to benefit Autism Speaks. You have inspired me to journal about my own expereince as a mom with a little boy with autism on my blog. Thanks.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. s a n s k u :) says…
    04/02/2009

    What font did you use in the happy birthday hero blog thingy? I love it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. ~KellyAnn~ says…
    04/02/2009

    Such gorgeous pages highlighting your precious family.
    Thanks for sharing your trials and triumphs with autism.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Elena says…
    04/02/2009

    I didn't realize it was today, so thanks for letting us all know! As a grad student in speech-language pathology it was really nice to read through some of your previous related entries. I love working with kids with Autism and their parents, but reading someone's personal story is a whole other, really useful and enlightening thing. I've been reading for awhile and enjoy your blog! :) Thanks.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Monica says…
    04/02/2009

    Hi Ali~
    I dedicated my Facebook page today to World Autism Awareness. Having been touched by Aspergers Syndrome with my five year old daughter, I plan to go back and read many of your journal entries about Simons process. Oh, and you are tempting me to start doing digital layouts, I love the look!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Kathy F says…
    04/02/2009

    Ali-
    I loved your LOs! :) The one of Chris and Anna is beautiful..the pic is wonderful! :) I also love the 1st LO on your page of Simon. He is so sweet! :)

    Reply 0 Replies

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