Help Solve the Puzzle

Autism is a, "disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior." According to the CDC an approximate 9 per 1,000 children in the United States are diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. (my source)  If we really stop to think about it someone in our life is probably affected by this disorder.  Maybe it's a co-worker or a neighbor, someone at church or book club, who's child is learning day to day how to see the world through the eyes of Autism. Or maybe it hits closer to home for you. Maybe your have a sibling, a child, a spouse, perhaps even you are dealing with a diagnosis that falls on the Autism spectrum. 
Autism affects the whole family. It is a day in and day out struggle to re-define the norm and give a voice to a disorder for which very little is really known.  Right now there is no medication for autism and "proper" treatment varies from person to person sometimes even from day to day and month to month.  One of the most important things for a child or individual w/ an ASD is a loving,committed, understanding support system.
I write this post because my life is touched by an Autism Spectrum Disorder, and I watch and pray daily that, if nothing else, we can dispel the ignorance of people who don't understand how it affects individuals and the people who love them.
An early slogan asked people to "Help Solve the Puzzle." The autism community therefore adopted the puzzle piece as it's symbol of awareness. The puzzle piece also represents how we are still trying to piece together everything about the disorder and each person on the spectrum is a very integral part to solving that puzzle. (my source for this paragraph)
Tonight I wanted to make a craft with a purpose.  So I made an autism wreath. This craft is really simple to make.  I did it in under 20 minutes w/ some puzzle pieces, a hot glue gun and ribbon.  I also treated myself to a mini bowdabra bow-maker which made the finishing touches simple and professional looking for under $10.

The ribbon has the autism awareness puzzle pieces

I used the method it shows in this link for gluing the puzzle pieces together.
 basic construction concept
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All Tied Up

I love the opportunity to bring new life to old items and while exploring www.freekidscrafts.com (See my "sites I cannot live without" section and click on "Lots of Simple Kids Crafts" to link there straight from this blog.) I found a tie t-shirt.  Ever seen the no-sew tie blankets? It's those only with a t-shirt! So much fun!! I had just finished making 6 tie blankets for Christmas presents and was a little tired of the process, but this looked too intriguing and I am always up for a new item in my wardrobe.  I won't bore you w/ the entire process. If you are interested you can check out this link: Recycled Knotted Tee Shirt

The one thing I will say is make sure the t-shirt you use is really big on you.  I used a t-shirt that was 1-2 sizes too big and it's almost a little too snug for my taste, but it's still unique and something I will use.  I am interested to try this on a woman's size shirt and use it as a swimsuit cover up for my girls this upcoming summer.  I'm also going to scan the thrift store racks for an XXXXXXXL sized men's tee to turn into a swimsuit cover for me. Okay maybe not that many X's but you get the idea.  Here are the pictures of the finished product. My prototype if you will. I have some things I want to tweak for my next one. :)

Just a Spoonful of Sugar Makes the Medicine Go Down.

Well, here it goes. I have tried blogging before and it has died off quickly, but I LOVE baking, crafting and photography. I have pictures and crafts filling up my house w/ no purpose other than to say to people..."HEY!! Look at what I did today!!!" Not trying to toot my own horn, just love putting stuff together. I get intense pleasure out of taking the odds and ends I have lying around and making a wreath, or taking a pound of ground beef and a cup of rice and coming up with a unique dining creation to feed 14 people. (Me and my family (4) My best friends and their families (10)) 
I have been known to put my kids in the car and run over to my best friend Becky's house for some much needed "Crafting Therapy." As our kids join together in their bedlam we sit around a large box of ribbon or felt creating/finishing a project and taking deep breaths as we join together in our mommy mantra. "We love our kids, We love our kids." 

Me and Becky and ALL our kids!!

Wreath that I showed up at Becky's house w/ half finished  for Crafting Therapy.

 A cake I decorated for my December Mothers of Preschoolers meeting

 Chocolate covered strawberry cake for my friend Jamie's Surprise party. Even the cake was chocolate strawberry, and I was extra proud because this was my first attempt at Chocolate covered Strawberries. I thought they looked exquisite!

Chocolate Cupcakes filled w/ strawberry mousse. The cup of plain mousse in the middle was for my husband. He is allergic to chocolate. Poor guy!! :P

Nothing brings a smile to  my face more than giving someone one of my creations. Whether it is a craft or a dinner or a baked good.  The fact that making it gave me joy and receiving it gives them joy, makes the process wonderful. Sometimes literally, sometimes figuratively it is the sugar of my life. I see most of the responsibilities of my adult life like taking my medicine.  We never really want to. We most of the time fight it and put it off, knowing the whole while it is in our best interest. But what I have learned is that Mary Poppins had it right. A spoonful of sugar does help the medicine of my life go down a little smoother.