michelle ward

RUBBER UPDATE:

I have a living room full of rubber!  Not all the sheets have arrived but I'm starting to pack up what I have.  I will ship a batch of orders Saturday morning.  (8 of 10 of the news sheets are here and THEY ARE AWESOME!!!!)

How does your garden grow?

We went to the New York Botanical Gardens on Saturday.  CHIHULY was in the house!  Man, this guy can put on a show.  I've seen a few of his 'chandeliers', but this was WAY BETTER.  At every turn you were amazed.  Throughout the conservatory and scattered within the gardens there were installations of his blown glass wonders.  IMAGINATION - this guy HAS IT.  I love that he shares his creations with the universe.  His books don't capture the magnitude of the awesomeness you feel when experiencing an event like this.  His dvds come closer, especially since you get to see the glass being blown, swung, spun, and manipulated under his genius direction.  The dvds also take you behind the scenes as his team installs a show in a garden, over the canals of Venice, and many of his other venues.  Big round of applause to the worker bees who made this happen - couldn't imagine the coordination of getting a show like this installed.

Yesterday's experience was much like last years visit to Central Park to see The Gates by Christo.  YOU HAD TO BE THERE. If you're in the area, get to the Garden to see Chihuly before the end of October.  Check his schedule for a venue coming soon near you. 

Embrace Diversity

Here's a terrific video clip that illustrates how we are all different, yet all special in our own way.  This represents all children, all people.  I think it's an excellent tool for explaining what diversity means.  We can recognize ourselves here, each of us relating to one or more of the animals.  Here's to teachers who 'get it' and help our students realize their potential.   When I need to define what autism means, I think of this clip to help me find the words.

Watch here.  (Click on purple box.)

"W".....Wish....Witherell....Ward

One afternoon I was surfing around, following links from blog to blog and I came across Catherine's site.  The current entry I was reading showed her beautiful silver jewelry, made from PMC.  This girl rocks the clay!  She has made exquisite, inventive pieces of wearable art.  Her BIRDhouses are divine!  Go to her site and see, then visit her Etsy and buy one! 

This lovely "W" pendant is now mine!  I just had to have it - not only because it's sweet and clever....she stamped in { i s h } following the "W".....and of course I myself am a "W", (so is she!) but how about this:  Catherine stamped the clay with the image above, one of my own rubber designs for Stampers Anonymous! 

And the story continues.....I'm at her site, I'm so loving her stuff, I scroll up to meet the artist I'm viewing, and I recognize the friendly face.  After an email exchange I realize Catherine was a student of mine at Artfest.  It was a first time event for both of us.  So, HOW COOL IS THAT?  Small world.  Thanks Catherine!

Tees and Teaser

 

They are called graphic tees.  Sometimes referred to as printed tees.  They are everywhere.  Can't get enough of this style - whether in apparel or now seen in many paper lines.  In my last Somerset article when I mentioned being inspired by t-shirts this is the kind if stuff I was talking about.  You can pay 20ish or less for one at Old Navy, PacSun, Hot Topic, or even Target.  Trash and Vaudeville carries Monarchy - a line that was new to me until last weekend in NY and I had to have one as seen in the two upper left photos here...front and back (with an embroidered "M"). 

Teaser:  Since the recent edition of PostScript (Stampington's newletter) I have been getting emails asking about the new Clearly Impressed stamps I have designed for Stampington.  Their teaser showed a bird similar to one on my Painted Ladies sheet with GPP.  I WISH I could show you the new clear collections but we'll have to wait until the next PostScript.  I will say this - there are no repeats except for the one bird which is a different scale and is part of a set that introduces new images to compliment my WayWard line.  There will be five sets of images available and yes, you're going to want them! 

Physical Graffiti

If you're a Zep fan, you know what this is.

The coolest album cover ever.....it has die-cut windows that reveal images on the sleeve.  You can switch out the sleeve for different views.  Very Clever.

I live with a Zep fan.  The two biggest LZ fans I know are my husband and my brother-in-law.  (Shown below - Kevin and Graham)  Graham's sister Jenny and her family are visiting from England so last weekend we went into NYC to track down the Physical Graffiti building located at 96 and 98 St. Mark's Place in the West Village.  How cool is that?  The two fans in front of the building on the album cover they have loved for years.

When I was reading up on the trivia behind this album cover I learned that the 4th floor was edited out so the two buildings would fit the square format. 

Don't you miss 12" covers?  We have at least a dozen framed and hanging in our basement known as the pub.  C'mon, I'm married to an Englishman - yes we have a pub!

When I released my first sheet of rubber in the HomeWard Collection, I had this cover in mind.  A selection of windows and doors that could be used to build your own brownstone - AND I included an alphabet to fit in the windows.  And of course, it's called Physical Graffiti. 

 

Take a Minute.....

You Can Do It

Pay It Forward......Make Magic Happen......You Can Do It

Think about it.  We have the power, we just need to be reminded of it.

Making Magic

 

When I wrote the last post I was eager to share the incredible experience we had with our beloved Orcas and our new friends at Marineland - because when you live with Autism, you tend to be prepared with an exit plan in case things aren't working.....but I surely wasn't prepared for what was in store for us that day. Generous souls at work.

Those of you who have visited here, and know my Sam, realize that THIS was indeed a rare, unexpected, and very special event - and are so happy for him, and for me.  Those of you who don't know us, but have shared your heartfelt comments, have widened our circle of friends.  You've moved me and my family. 

MANY THANKS to Ali, who shared my link with her readers.  Like I told her, with a wave a magic wand, and a link on her site, she proved you can MAKE A DIFFERENCE and spread the love.  As many of you said - GIVING of yourself can make such an impact on someone's life just as the trainers did.  Being IN TUNE with people, that's the key.  It is SO COOL that we got to share this story with so many people around this globe - and that all of you GOT IT. Tears of happiness here too. 

I wish I had the time to write back to each and every one of you who read this story and offered your sweet responses on this blog and by email.  Please know we have loved reading them and cherish that you took the time to share in our joy.

Love, Sam's Mom

(EDIT:  Check it out!  Comment #69 is from Nicholas - the young man who set the day in motion.....THANKS NICHOLAS. Big round of applause for you!  Look how many people you touched with your simple gesture of telling Sean, Kendra, and Mike about Sam.  )

It's a Wonderful Life

Living with AUTISM is a challenge, but it’s wonderful and rewarding.  Many children with Autism thrive on routine.  They depend on it.  Our son Sam is one of those kids.  He sets his mind on how and when things should happen.  Here’s a story where foiled plans became a dream of a lifetime.

Last year we went to Niagara Falls.  We found out that Marineland, an amusement park with exhibits of many mammals, had Orcas.  Our son Sam has loved Killer Whales since he was about a year old.  I mean, HE LOVES THEM.  The walls in his room are covered in posters, and picture calendars, and we have dozens of Orca toys – plastic, plush, large, small, plus magnets, stickers, pillow cases.  AND did I mention books?  Countless books on whales and dolphins, but mostly Orcas.  Free Willy?  He’s a friend we watch nearly every day.  So off we went to Marineland on Thursday, August 16, 2005.

Once in the park we headed straight for Friendship Cove, home of 4 Orcas.  I can’t tell you how excited we all were to watch Sam’s face as he saw, for the first time in his life, a real Killer Whale.  It was a moment to remember, followed by many more that weekend.  LAST year you could purchase tickets to stand with the trainer to feed and pet an Orca.  Yeah, we all did it – more than once.  After a full day of fun with the family at the park Sam and I returned for a second day – 9 hours just standing at the tanks, watching the whales.  Sam was in heaven.  “Goodbye whales, see you next year”.  From the day we departed Canada Sam started talking about returning on Thursday, August 17, 2006.  If you know a child with Autism, you know that you had to talk about the upcoming trip daily, like 20 times a day.

Fast forward to this past August.  Sam was ready, wearing the same shirt as last year so the whales would recognize him.  His routine was working up until we got to Friendship Cove – no more ticket sales for feeding the whales.  Foiled!  The activity was replaced with a new Splash Show.  Sure, the Splash Show was fantastic, fascinating, but I could see the despair and confusion on my sweet boy’s face.   We stayed for two shows, took lots of photos and video, saw the rest of the park, went on rides, and returned to say good bye to the whales.  Sam and I returned again for a second day.  Didn’t take the video camera as I had enough footage, right?  Bad idea.  So we are there, planted into position as we were last year, to spend the day watching the whales swim around their wide open tanks.  You are literally two feet away from these beautiful mammals.  The Splash Show is every hour and half – so people start filling into the area ten minutes before show time, then disperse twenty minutes later, soaking wet, after the show.  The trainers notice we are there, and still there, and again, still there.  We talk with one of the attendants – he asks Sam about the pile of books he’s carrying.  This young man, Nicholas, bless his heart, cued in that Sam is no ordinary child, and tried to keep him engaged in conversation.  One thing was obvious to Nicholas – Sam ADORES the whales.  THEN, just prior to the next Splash Show, the “host” of the event, Sean, came over to talk with Sam.  I could feel myself leaving my body  - you know that kind of moment you have when something REALLY GOOD is happening and time stands still and you can barely speak and the tears flood down your face.  Sean tells Sam – I could really use a helper for the show.  Do you think you could help me?  WHAT DID HE JUST SAY?  Dear God, THANK YOU.  If I could have felt my legs at that moment I would have dropped to my knees.

The show begins.  Mike and Kendra, the whale trainers, introduce themselves to this hysterical mom, with winks and smiles, KNOWING, knowing.  Sean is at the microphone, introduces Sam Ward from NJ…..and Sam, who has memorized this show, mimics the trainers.  He knew what to do.  He knew the act.  They got such a kick out of it.  Sam was not afraid in the least to be in front of a HUGE crowd.  He directed the whales to do their tricks.  NEVER in my wildest dreams did I ever expect that Sam would have the chance of a lifetime.  All credit goes to Nicholas, who had the insight, and Sean, Mike, and Kendra, who had the hearts, to give this special boy a very special day.  Warm hearted thanks to our Marineland friends.  I know they feel rewarded, because you just get that from our Sam. 

Sam stayed behind the barricade with the trainers after the show.  The two whales, mother and daughter, were still floating near the trainer area,  - waiting, watching.  Sam opened his books to show them the Orca pictures.  Page after page.  The whales didn’t swim away.  Sam read to them.  Sam had observed everything they did in their “free time”, and he especially loved when they stuck their tongues out.  So Sam sticks his tongue out at the whales and they mimicked him!  The hour and half between shows flew by and Sam was honorary trainer for one more show.  Imagine my husband’s reaction when he came to pick us up outside the park at the end of the day!  Thank goodness I had my digital camera and could show him and the kids all the proof that we were the luckiest souls on earth that day.  Of course I wish they had been with us, but if they were, would it have all happened like it did?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  And Thursday, August 16, 2007?  You know where I’ll be!