Monday, November 17, 2008

TechnoStampers Sketch #44

Stamps: Whipper Snapper Wintertime Friends 2; Sentiment from SU! Season of Joy set
Paper: Ballet Blue; Pretty in Pink; White
Ink: Memento Black; Ballet Blue; Bashful Blue; Copics
Other: Dazzling Diamonds Glitter; Liquid Applique; Pink and Blue Organdy Ribbons
Tag Measures 5.5 x 4.25


I haven't been feeling well this weekend. But I scooted down to my craft room for an hour to make this giant tag for Mary Jo's Monday's Sketch Challenge.

This week it wasn't so much a sketch as a giant tag. I was going to make this a tag shaped card...but decided to keep a tag a tag and added the ribbon. I haven't used liquid applique in years...there is a reason for that...I like the way it looks on other peoples projects but not so much on mine. I don't like the "not totally white" look to it. And I feel like it just looks messy. Immediately after heating it I dumped some glitter on it to help it...but I still don't like it. I don't think you will see a lot of liquid applique in future posts here. After I had the tag completed, I got my heat gun and tried to puff the the liquid applique more...but I did nothing but start to curl my organdy ribbon. It worked...so I heated the rest of the bow and left it!
Even with the liquid applique, isn't this snowman image C-U-T-E?! I just love Whipper Snapper images!! Not to mention that they are fun for coloring with the copic markers. lots of space for blending. ;)

I have had several people comment or email me about how quickly I get the TechnoStamper challenges done. Ha! right! I don't do anything right away...I am a terrible procrastinator! I have these done on Mondays because I have the sketch for several weeks. When MJ first started doing her sketch challenges on her blog she was looking for people to be part of her sketch team. So that way when she put her sketch challenge up , she would also put up links to our cards to get the juices going for those that needed a bit of inspiration to participate. But with schedules, or whatever, she doesn't do it that way anymore. Regardless, there is a group of us that get the sketches early. No way do I run down at 11pm on Sunday and whip up a card! LOL! If you know me at all, you know how funny that is! Sometimes I am still making the card at 11 pm on Sunday night...but not because I just got the sketch! LOL!

Finally, I want to wish my little Declan a Happy 12th Birthday!
I can't believe that it has been 12 years since I became a mom. I can't believe that next year I will be a mom to a teenager! YIKES. That makes me feel old. I still remember holding Declan in the hospital and rubbing his tiny hand and being amazed at how soft his skin was. I remember how yummy he smelled. How small his little bottom was. How perfect he was. I remember looking at my husband holding him and just beaming. Then, I remember the midwife telling me that he had creases in his hands. huh?! Of course he might be a little wrinkly, he was just in fluid for 37 weeks! "These are different", she said. She was referring to one deep crease that runs straight across each palm. (sometimes referred to as simian crease) This is usually an indicator of Down Syndrome. I was 21 years old at the time (so I knew it all!) and figured she was just being overly cautious. He didn't look like he had DS. Even the geneticists that came over from Boston Children's Hospital couldn't give a for sure yes by his physical attributes and measurements. We had to wait 48 hours for the genetic test to be done. Jeez, that was a LONG 48 hours. But I remember never crying. I just knew that he was my perfect baby, no matter what.
I did cry eventually. When these things happen we have to mourn the child that we thought would be. At some point someone gave me this essay. It is a great description of how sometimes things aren't what we thought they would be...but still just as wonderful.

WELCOME TO HOLLAND

by Emily Perl Kingsly


I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."

"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.




Some days Declan can be quite a challenge. But he still is my perfect boy.

Have a Blessed Monday!

27 comments:

Danni said...

Very cute tag and adorable snowman!! I like liquid applique but not when you send it as it get squished!
Happy Birthday to your son!!

Pia said...

Happy Birthday Declan!

I can't believe that I have known you for so long.

Pia

Stefanie said...

Great post Kerry and a very happy birthday to Declan!

Lorie said...

Adorable tag Kerry! It is so happy!
AND

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DECLAN! Have a super fun day!

Sue from Oregon said...

What a wonderful post...and now that I know you are not this night owl...I always wondered how you did such an early post! Happy Birthday to your "baby boy" and thanks for sharing Holland with us all!

MJ said...

I so want to come to your house to stamp! You have the cutest stamps all the time, I am on my way, you still have that air mattress right?? Great job on the sketch, your snowman is adorable and the melted ribbon and liquid applique make it extra special.

Tell your darling son, Declan, Happy Birthday! Great poem too.

Kristen said...

Happy Birthday Declan!!!!!
It's amazing....I can still remember seeing him as a baby in the carrier. I have to admit that he was on of the cutest babies I have ever seen, and now he is 12 years old, and still just as cute. I hope he is getting a new movie for his b-day.
Great post, and holland has many other great adventures.

Amy Caraluzzi said...

Adorable tag, Kerry! I love the Liquid Applique...it adds great detail!

Anonymous said...

Kerry---You have the cutest stamps! Love your story about your "trips" living with children with physical & mental challenges is wonderful---very good way to explain it. I often wonder why God did not bless me with kids--maybe that's why--I would not have been able to handle it as well as you have. Your tikes are truly wonderful and so blessed to have you as their Mom.
Your tag card is great---I decided not play today as I have to clean up and re-set my craft table--some friends are coming over for us all to make cards for the sick & shut ins at our church.
Thanks for sharing! Nola

Michelle Quinno said...

Love your tag and it's not messy at all!

Also love your post about Declan. I can't imagine what a challenges you face on a daily basis. Yes, he is adorable and he'll always be your perfect little boy.

Love the new photos. They are getting so grown up looking!

Karen said...

This is a wonderful story. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

I always coming by your blog. Have you in my favorites, & I receive email when you post.

I just feel a blessing from visiting here today. By the way, the tag is so cute. Love the snowman. I want that stamp! Have a wonderful day celebrating your son's special day!

Toota-loo,
Karen

Susan Hackney said...

An adorable tag! I love that snowman! Happy Birthday Declan!

Ida said...

Super Tag Kerry...The snowman is so cute and I don't think the Liquid Applique looks bad at all. Great coloring.

Birthday Wishes to you Declan for a fantastic day of fun!

Basement Stamper said...

Happy Birthday Big Guy!!! Wow! 12 years old.

Debbie Fisher (debbiedee) said...

Happy Birthday Declan. You are quite the handsome fella! Ü

Kerry, love your tag and story.

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday to Declan. Big guy now huh?
The tag looks wonderful even if you do not mean it that way sometimes mistakes are made for the better.

Elena said...

Happy Birthday to Declan! Your mom is the best!
Very cute tag! Thank you for the inspiration!

Lisa Somerville said...

I hope Declan had a Happy Birthday! Beautiful Tag Kerry!

Anonymous said...

I am soo in LOVE with that snowman. too cute!
I hope your son has a wonderful day and thank you so much for sharing that essay, it was beautifully written.

Kathy W said...

Happy Birthday, God picks special people to be special parents!

the snowman is adorable just like your son.

Leona said...

Happy birthday to Declan....

I am loving the tag its to cute i love the stamps i just have to ban myself from them all lol

Janna said...

I love this tag!! The colors and image are perfect!

Happy birthday to your son!!

Smiles,

Janna

Lori said...

Your post about Declan is very touching. One of the best books that I have ever read deals with Down Syndrom. You may have already read the book, but if not please pick up "The Memory Keepers Daughter" by Kim Edwards. This story gives a fine appreciation of children with DS. And, how loving and special they are. Your children are all so beautiful. I read your adoption blog. You are so blessed. And, thanks for the nice comment on my blog.

Tammi said...

What a wonderful essay, thank you for sharing. Happy Birthday to Declan (what an interesting name, never heard that one before). They do grow so fast! Teenagers-hugs! :)

Your tag is so cute!! Love it in the pink & blue, just adorable!

Chrissy D said...

Happy Birthday Declan! WHat a beautiful child. I am sure you can really see the JOY of the LORD in him. I hope he had a wonderful birthday!

Shirley said...

How wonderful he has you as his mom. Happy Birthday to Declan and congratulations to you for your wonderful wonderful love for a perfect Declan. You are special just like him.

Candy said...

Love your tag and you have the most darling stamps! May I come over and play too?
Living in Holand must be a struggle when you were expecting to live in Italy.
But just think of all the joys that are still ahead for you there. You will be able to learn so much ( more than most of us ) and really enjoy your stay because it is such a special place.
Thank you for the wonderful blog today I {heart} it.

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