Where to begin?
I feel like I have a million and one things on my mind this morning - lots of stuff I want to share.
Here's the list:
1. Did you see this? How awesome.
2. Regarding donations to Autism Speaks through the 6degrees badge on the right and the new goal: here it is and it is a BIG ONE:
1000 donations by March 31
We can do this...you can do this...and the goal needs to be big. The minimum donation is $10. Remember, every person counts in this effort - the contest to receive the $10,000 grant for Autism Speaks is based on the number of donations not the total amount. Also, you may want to check with your employer (or your spouse/partner) and find out if they make matching donations based on your charitable contribution (thanks Lourdes for bringing that one up to me). Please and thank you.
3. I got a bunch of emails this past weekend regarding Autism being all over the news. If you are online, if you looked at a newspaper or turned on the news it is highly likely that you saw the new numbers: 1 in 150. 1 in 150 kids in the United States have autism. Here is a link to the Wall Street Journal Article and Autism Speaks. This is SO NOT OK. In some areas of the country it is likely that those numbers are even worse. Why is this happening? What is the cause? So many factors are unknown...and now...how do we as a society help all these kids?
4. Paper Source (just check out their home page - it is visually inspiring in and of itself). Shopped there in Georgetown last weekend. Sigh. Happy paper place. Happy. Picked up lots of wonderful little goodies this year including some letterpress thank you notes, and Valentine's for Simon's classmates. While walking around the store I noticed a display that talked about how they are participating in something called The Campaign for Love and Forgiveness - thought that was pretty darn cool. More on the campaign can be found here.
5. Photos and commentary from the White House and the monuments will have to be a whole other post.
6. Some people were requesting additional information on that metal A hanging above my board from one of my posts from last week. I am pretty sure that came to me as a gift at some point over the last two years so I am not positive where it came from. If anyone has any info on it can you email me and I will post it. In general, my collection of A's come from antique/junk stores and generous students who come across them and bring them to me at classes.
7. The winners were announced for the Two Peas In A Bucket Why I Scrapbook contest. I did the judging on this one - what a challenge and a privilege to go through all these personal pages and choose just a couple winners - as you can see, I couldn't choose just a couple. So many of those pages spoke to me for so many different reasons, whether design, journaling, technique, etc. In the Honorable Mention section you can see where I designated (in a word or phrase) why I wanted it included in the list of ones that really stood out for me. You can view all the entries here.
8. Reading all those creative manifestos as they come in - wow - super cool.
9. Another way to do something good: goodsearch.com.
I know there is more. There is always more. Happy Monday. Look for those photos from DC either tonight or tomorrow. Peace.
Do I just make a donation on the Autism Speaks website?
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Love this post ALI!
ALL of it!
Will check out each and every link.
AND participate in making it to 1000!
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Ali,
We can't donate more than once and have the donation count towards the goal-- right? Just wanted to check.
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Bonjour and merci Ali for the challenge!!!
When I'll find a job, the first thing I'll do will be to donate somethin' for Simon!
I promise!
Giant hugs!
This is my french "arts bookbinding" of it :
http://twopeasinabucket.kaboose.com/pg.asp?gallery=1&cmd=display&layout_id=1086641
;o)
{ThE fReNcH tOuCh}
http://prolix.typepad.fr
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What a great idea, I love this blog.
Thank You
Candy
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Ali, I did not notice the reasons for the Honorable Mentions next to our layouts. I'm so glad you mentioned it here. I went back and took another look. It means a lot to see why you chose our layouts. Thank you!
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I can't believe you took the time to send me an email response! Thanks Ali! You are way too sweet and good and talented and....I could go on and on! Thanks! :)
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We have a Paper Source store in Minneapolis! I've heard it mentioned before but have never been. You've inspired me to get a field trip to go there with my crop-buddies. ('cause it's all of about a mile away from my house, so of course I need someone to go with me)
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I'll be donating through your site, Ali. Last month my daughter was diagnosed with Asperger's and my son with PDD-NOS. You're right, this is not OK, it's downright frightening. You're doing wonderful things for the cause Ali. Keep up the good work and know there is an army of moms behind you. We need to figure out why this is happening and turn it around ASAP.
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i didn't manage to post in time for the contest, but here is my 'why i scrap' layout on two peas:
http://twopeasinabucket.kaboose.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=1086395
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Don't know if you watch it or not, but Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will be building a house for a family with children with autism...
I think it will be on Sunday night... I can't wait to see the family and what they do for them!
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Ali ~ thanks for the mention the other day...lots of visitors have come by from here. Some great connections made.
The metal "A"....that was from me.
Had it for years, from tjmaxx.
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Just wanted to thank YOU for choosing my entry as a Journaling runner up. What a thrill. I am mom2olivia at 2peas!
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Michelle beat me to it...I was going to say that I bought my dd an A like that from TJMaxx but hers is white.
Love what you're doing to promote autism awareness. My A has PDD-NOS.
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Had to sit and have a little cry about McKenna's donation. How cool. How very cool.
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I fell like I should be like those people on the radio long time listener/first time caller. LOL Long time reader, first post. :) I finally have something to add though... I have the same "A" and got it at Marshall's.
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Oh - I really miss the papersource in Georgetown...the one in Bellevue just isn't the same.
Love DC and that whole area.
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Hey Ali, its Mona again and I am probably driving you crazy, but I cannot get over your passion!!! It's people like you that make us parents of autistic kids cry. You draw attention to it and say the words that we all want to say but can't. On behalf of my 2 autistic children I want to say thank you for all your work. I am scrapbooking an "Autism through my children's eyes - the eyes of the autistic" book and you are totally inspiring me!!! THANK YOU!!!
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I love your new banner, Ali! As always, it is beautiful and inspiring.
I don't comment often, but I wanted to tell you that I am inspired by your work, your blog, you missions every day! I love scrapbooking and am really trying to incoporate this art I love so much into my every day life, and your blog, your newsletters and your CK articles are a constant source of happiness and ideas!
Thank you SO MUCH! I don't think you even truly realize how many people you touch every day!
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Ali,
When we return from our long weekend in Florida, I will donate to Autism. I've been reading more about it over the last couple of weeks. Great job, making us aware and thank God for people like little Miss Downey and her generosity!
Looks like i have more research to do to check out the Love and Forgiveness campaign.
You are the best!
Sue
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Ali,
I hope you don't mind, I just found your blog via my friend Claudine Hellmuth. Funny how synchronicity plays a part at times, my friend Michelle Ward has a son with autism and just posted a few days ago. If you are interested her blog is:
http://michelleward.typepad.com/michelleward/
She is a fantastic artist and person!! Glad I found you and will continue to read and if you don't mind will add a link to you..
Blessings and Light to you..
Bernie Berlin
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I LOVE LOVE LOVE your new banner...
I am still struggling to get my blog to look nice, so it is kind of wonderful to go to your site today and that you did exactly what I was trying to do... I still have not found how just to do it, but I will crack it...
Do you do your own blog design and add things to it Ali?
Keep up the good works, we need women like you...
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I tried to respond to this post last night too and again, my Internet was just so not cooperating… Here’s my comment:
McKenna got me all choked up too... ;) It is so awesome, so inspiring, so HOPEFUL for the future to see these kids with such big hearts.
I will be making my donation for Simon when DH's next paycheck comes in. You should post something on 2Peas and at the CK boards; I bet you could get a big response. My daughter Hannah (age 4) may have autism too - or she might only be the most stubborn child in the history of the world. They're not sure. LOL In any case, thank you so much for all the autism links and info. It has done a lot for my peace of mind to be more informed about what could be happening, and to know I'm not alone out there.
{hugs} Heather
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Ali,
What McKenna did got me all welled up! Thanks for your everyday effort in helping us with our creativity! You totally rock!
I donated for Simon...I hope everyone takes a little time to help!
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Thanks for pointing me in the direction of The Campaign for Love and Forgiveness. Today is World Kindness Day and I find my community immersed in events that find us all in need of Love and Forgiveness. I hope we can all reach out to one another and make this Valentine's Day about a deeper love!
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