Stripes and something very important…..

Time has flown away again this week, so that has left very little time for Less is Mores’ challenge of Stripes, and there were so many things I wanted to try but I finally had to resort to an old favourite of doodling (where I originally started this blog). It really is the simplest way to create a card and funnily enough it always seems to get quite a response (hopefully positive) but I think people are always surprised if you have created something hand drawn. Of course the card is unashamedly “homemade” and I would never be ambitious enough to draw something properly but I do think everyone can doodle!! Consequently a little quirky doodled card has often elicited very favourable comments sometimes more than when I have slaved over my cuttlebug, stamps and backing papers!!!????? (not sure what that says about my card making!!)

As you can see I did resort to the safety net of creating a stencil….basically another couple of egg shapes….similar to my birds….but this time ears and a tail…and ….tah dah….a cat!

I did have a quick play with some other ideas but ran out of time and it just wasn’t working so it was back to the doodling!!

But the other very important card which was very quick to make and is most propably going to take longer to explain ….

This is a hello to a very special young man in America (this iron on motif has been lurking in my sewing things for an eternity so felt it would be better used on a card!).

If you follow “Ginger’s House” blog you will already know about Sebastian. Ginger creates wonderful free word art, is a very talented scrapbooker and a very talented writer….I love visiting her blog. She is also obviously a very special teacher as she decided to share her thoughts about one of her pupils and decided to appeal for people to send cards to this special young man. She explains it better on her blog so if you’re interested check out the Cards for Sebastian post.

It rang bells with me as I was fortunate to work with a very similar young man when he was about that age, and quite frankly in three years I think he taught me more than I taught him. My young friend had cerebral palsy, was quadriplegic, had many other related problems plus had also had a very rough start to his home life, but he was an amazing young man, smart, funny, entertaining and most of all compassionate to others…not bad for a 5 year old!

The main thing I learnt from my young friend was his condition was only one part of him, it had shaped who he was and to him it wasn’t a problem….in fact the only disabilities he had were the ones imposed on him by society. Living in his world for a while I realised how complicated society made his life, he was able to do most things if given the support and not presented with hurdles to constantly overcome.

……oh dear I could talk about this for ages…..and I mustn’t, as I sound like I am preaching but I wanted to explain why I wanted to join in Ginger’s Card drive for Sebastian. It’s a lovely opportunity to show that people do care, it doesn’t matter who or where you are, and it’s not about pity, it’s about recognising genuine worth.