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Monday 14 July 2014

Something very, very special...

Hello everyone,

I hope you're all well. Some of you may have noticed me popping by once or twice recently. I was feeling a little better there for a little while, and the pain had abated, so took advantage of that to visit a couple of your blogs. If I didn't get round to you, I do apologise, and I'll try to do so soon!

First of all, my blog is officially 1 year (and 4 days!) old! I will be putting up a candy to celebrate some time very soon, so watch this space...

Now then, on to my very special project.

As some of you may know, my son is about to finish primary school. Now of course that in itself could be cause for a few special cards for teachers, but as my little man has Aspergers, school has been - to say the least - a roller-coaster ride so far. The first few years were a nightmare, and he was bounced around from school to school, and no-one seemed to want to even try to work with him. But all that changed a few years ago when he arrived at his current school (for the second time, under a new head!) and was paired up with his current 1 to 1 teacher. Suddenly things went well. He stopped being sent home every other day, and was improving both in behaviour and social situations. Now, he has a class full of friends, has missed exactly one afternoon of school all year (because of illness) and has excelled academically. And we owe so very much of it to his 1 to 1 teacher.
So naturally I wanted to do something special for her, and after a little thought, I decided on a mini album. She has always seemed to be fond of girlie things, so I thought the papers in the LOTV "heartfelt" pad would be perfect, and of course I had to use a couple of stamps too. namely James bear (as my son is known as "baby bear"), and "Never too old for a hug", as he is extremely affectionate and loves to hug people he is fond of.

I had picked up a MDF book from the MDF man at the Harrogate fair, and decided to use that.

Here's the front cover, complete with James!


 The wooden shapes are from Hobbycutz

A close-up of the charm chain:


Inside


There are lots of tags and flaps, etc. throughout the book, which have either photos or messages written by my son on the reverse.


I also added my all-time favourite picture of him, which just so happens to be a school photo, along with a list of facts about him.
"Smile" is from Fernli designs.


I personally LOVE how this page came out:


Such an adorable stamp! The butterflies on this and the previous page are from Fernli designs


Some flaps with messages written on the inside


Another of my favourites. I especially love the frame by Fernli designs. Couldn't resist adding it with a small picture inside.


So there it is.  A very special project for a very special person. I am personally extremely pleased with it, and hope she will appreciate it when we hand it to her on Friday.
I suspect there will be tears all round that day. But I for one am so very grateful that they will be a happy kind of tears as opposed to the tears of frustration we had before!

Hope you all didn't mind the extremely lengthy post, and thank you for sticking with me if you made it this far!

Naturally, I would like to enter this into the LOTV "take two" challenge. Though I think it's more of a "take five" in this case, lol.
And as it is, after all, a way to say thank you to someone very special to us, I would also like to enter it into this week's Lovely Lili challenge at The Ribbon Girl.

Wishing you all the very, very best.

Sammy-x

19 comments:

McCrafty's Cards said...

Wow Sammy, this is absolutely fabulous!!!
Kevin xx

mixamatoasties said...

That's beautiful Sammy and I'm sure it will provoke some tears!

Susan xx

Irish Cherokee said...

An excellent mini album Sammy. She will definitely like it. You certainly paid attention to the details. wonderful creation.

Blessings
Jim

JayBe said...

Wow! I loved reading your blogpost, Sammy - what an inspiring story. Your minibook is delightful - I adore anything LOTV. Coming from one who works in a primary school, I would be overwhelmed with such a beautiful gift and would treasure it. I hope your son goes on to excel at his new school and wish you all the best. Hugs, Jan xx (jaybescraftybitz.blospot.co.uk)

Sarah said...

What a fab project Sammy. I am sure she will love it and treasure it xx

Sue said...

This is stunning Sammy, your design is wonderful. I love the papers, images and such gorgeous detailing too. I am sure this will be treasured. It's good to know that your Son finally got the help he needed to help him enjoy school life.
Congrats on your first year of blogging too!
Sue xx

debby4000 said...

Oh what a wonderful mini book.
Luv
Debby

Carol said...

WOW I'm sure she will be thrilled - so pleased the teacher is brilliant with your son - wishing him good wishes that his next school will also have excellent teachers who he can relate to :)

Andria said...

Your gonna need tissues for her too. This is stunning so much love, thought and detail in each page. A very specialkeepsake I'm sure she'll treasure x

Unknown said...

This is a stunning gift and very demonstrative of a lot of love and appreciation. How lovely of you to put all that work in and what an amazing person the teacher in question must be to have helped turn your son's life around.
If you don't come in the Top 5 at LOTV for this I'll eat my card blanks!
xxxxx

Chris said...

Stunning project! It's absolutely gorgeous! I'm sure your son's wonderful teacher will receive it with delight and treasure it always.
Chris
x

Kat W said...

This really is incredibly special and beautiful. All the interactive elements are brilliant and so cleverly done with gorgeous details too!

This will be so treasured I am sure and I'm so pleased that things have gone so well for your son in the past few years :-)

Big hugs, Kat xx

Cass said...

absolutely gorgeous.She'll love it! I know what you mean about school.My son has AS too.He's just heading into P7 after the holidays. xx

Teresa said...

Wow! this is fabulous xx

Darnell said...

Hi Sammy! It was good to see you over at the Playhouse! Thank you for coming for a visit. I've not been around much myself this summer or else I was busy with the NBUS Challenge, so it's nice to connect again!

Your album for your son's special teacher is extraordinary! Truly extraordinary!! I'm so glad that he was placed with her and that he has grown and excelled this year! You've created a special gift that she will treasure, not only for it's beauty, but for the nontangible gifts of love, time, and gratitude that went into making it and that shine out from every page!!

Hugs, Darnell

aussie aNNie said...

Hi Sammy wow this is stunning what a lovely photo of your handsome son too. such a lovely gift for his teacher. I am sure you are finding he is growing up way too quickly. Hope you are feeling well...
♥aNNie The Journey is the Start


Ribbon Girl said...

That's a fabulous project - the one to one teacher receiving it will treasure it for years to come and I'm so pleased your son has done so well with her help! Thanks for joining in with our Lovely Lili challenge, Mary x

cotnob said...

This is absolutely gorgeous Sammy, a wonderful gift for what sounds like a wonderful person.
Pauline
x

Unknown said...

This is very special Sammy and I'm sure it will be much appreciated. A good teacher can make a world of difference to a child's education, I'm glad you found such a lovely one for your Son.

Thanks for entering our 'It Takes Two' challenge this month.

Good luck!

Anne xx
Lili of the Valley