A letter for everyone

Never mind what your politics, this letter written by Sarah Palin to her family and friends two weeks before her baby boy Trig was born.  Trig has downs syndrome and Sarah wrote as though she was God speaking to all her friends and family to tell them all.
There are lots of things that are so relevant to all parents of all children everywhere.




To the Sisters, Brother, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Friends of Trig Paxson Van Palin (or whatever you end up naming him!):


I am blessing you with this surprise baby because I only want the best for you. I've heard your prayers that this baby will be the happy and healthy, and I've answered them because I only want the best for you!


I heard your heart when you hinted that another boy would fit best into the Palin family, to round it out and complete that starting five line-up. Though another girl would be so nice, you didn't think you could ask for what you really wanted, but I knew so I gave you a boy.


Then, I put the idea in your hearts that his name should be "Trig," because it's so fitting, with two Norse meanings: "True and "Brave Victory" ...


Then, finally, I let Trig's mom and dad find out before he was born that this little boy will truly be a GIFT. They were told in early tests that Trig may provide more challenges, and more joy, than what they ever may have imagined or ever asked for. At first the news seemed unreal and sad and confusing. But I gave Trig's mom and dad lots of time to think about it because they needed to understand that everything will be OK. ...


This new person in your life can help everyone put things in perspective and bind {you} together and get everyone focused on what really matters. The baby will expand your world and let you see and feel things you haven't experienced yet. He'll show you what "true, brave victory" really means as those who love him will think less about self and focus less on what the world telss you is "normal" or "perfect."...


Trig will be his dad's little buddy and he'll wear Carhartts while he learns to tinker in the garage. He'll love to be read to, he'll want to play goalie, and he;ll steal mom's heart just like Track, Bristol, Willow, and Piper did. And Trig will be the cuddly, innocent dependent little brother that his siblings have been waiting for... in fact Trig will - in some diagnostic ways - always be a mischievous, dependent little brother, because I created him a bit different than a lot of babies born into this world today.


Every child is created special, with awesome purpose and amazing potential. Children are the most precious and promising ingredient in this mixed-up world you live in down there on earth. Trig is no different, except he has an extra chromosome. Doctors call it "Down syndrome," and Downs kids have challenges, but can bring you much delight and more love than you can ever imagine! ...


Trig's mom and dad don't want people to focus on the baby's extra chomosome. They're human, so they haven't known how to explain this to people who are caring and are interested in this new little Alaskan. ... Some will think Trig should not be allowed to be born because they fear a Downs child won't be considered "perfect" in your world. ...


Many people will express sympathy, but you don't want or need that, because Trig will be a joy. You will have to trust me on this.


I know it will take time to grasp this and come to accept that I only want the best for you, and I only give my best. Remember though: "my ways are not your ways, my thoughts are not your thoughts... for as heavens are higher than earth, my ways are higher than yours!"


I wrote that all down for you in the Good Book! Look it up! You claim that you believe me - now it's time to live out that belief!


Trig can't wait to meet you. I'm giving you ONLY THE BEST!


Love, Trig's Creator, Your Heavenly Father

Jelly Park

just look at all these wonderful illustrations, digital art and gifts. They are all going to available through a brand new store opening in July by Claire Keay.
You'll be able to visit the store at www.jellypark.co.uk

Colour Matched Necklace

Often a client will give me a piece of fabric or ribbon or ask me to create to match an outfit.  The lastest of these challenges has been this wonderful coloured light cotton fabric which is going to a dress for a wedding.

I had trouble actually matching the colours in the dress due to their muted tones, but eventually I found these wonderful acrylic frosted beads.  I have used a lovely raspberry cord to knot and link the beaded necklace.

Footprints in the sand

Tears over the television

In the last 24 hours I have wept whilst watching the television, not some soppy girly thing (as is quite normal), but at two documentarys.
The first I watched last night and was a fascinating documentary called "Our War ~ Ten years in Afganistan" which was filmed by soldiers in Afganistan and showed "The story of a group of friends from 3 Platoon, 1 Royal Anglian, who were sent to Helmand province in 2007 and filmed on a helmet camera by the platoon's sergeant."
Arriving in Afganistan, how they learn the hardships and reality of war on the frontline.  It was graffic, how could it be any other way?  These were lads, young men facing the reality of war and featured the death of one of them at the hands of the Taliban.  The medivac and the stunning news that the lad had died.  It also featured the families reaction and how they have been coming to terms with their young sons death.  There are to be more episodes in the coming weeks.
The second to make me weep was this morning when I caught up with the BBC documentary "Poor Kids" it was a shocking insight into the lives and hardships of the children in Britain who live below the poverty line, it's told by the children themselves who give you a look into their lives.  The horrors of their living conditions and situations they find themselves in.  Children for whom a meal is precious.  I wish they would show this in schools so that the many children and adults who moan about their lot in life would realise just  how lucky they are.
The programme was littered with shocking statistics.

• 3.5 million children live below the poverty line and this is set to rise by 11% under the current gov't policies in the next year.
• credit charges and higher fuel cost(for key meters) costs poor families £1280 a year more
• 85% of children living in damp houses and flats suffer from breathing problems
•  
• Poverty shortens lives. A boy in Manchester can expect to live seven years less than a boy in Barnet. A girl in Manchester can expect to live six years less than a girl in Kensington Chelsea and Westminster.
• Poor children are born too small; birth weight is on average 130 grams lower in children from social classes IV and V. Low birth weight is closely associated with infant death and chronic diseases in later life.
• Poverty shapes children's development. Before reaching his or her second birthday, a child from a poorer family is already more likely to show a lower level of attainment than a child from a better-off family. By the age of six a less able child from a rich family is likely to have overtaken an able child born into a poor family.
• Children aged up to 14 from unskilled families are 5 times more likely to die in an accident than children from professional families, and 15 times more likely to die in a fire at home.
• Children growing up in poverty are more likely to leave school at 16 with fewer qualifications.
• 2% of couples and 8% of lone parents cannot afford two pairs of shoes for each child.
• 12% of lone parents cannot afford celebrations with presents at special occasions. Mark Family and Children Study, 2004

The children on this film were so matter of fact and accepting about their situations.  How as adults can we turn our backs on them? 

The current rises in fuel charges, stopping of EMA, rise in cost of travel to school are just some of the things that are going to take more and more children to live in the housing situations and poverty shown in the programme and my heart breaks for them.

Please watch this programme and have your eyes opened to what we are allowing to happen to children in this country.

Add a strand necklaces

come and have a look at the whole range of Add A Strand Necklaces

More colours coming soon and also bracelets to match

Add A Strand Necklace

I've been working on several new products and am happy to unveil this one.  It's an Add a Strand necklace.  You can disassemble or assemble as required to produce a lovely necklace in three, two or single strand looks.

The colour and length of the necklace is down to your own choice and will be made up for you in a mix of crystals, gemstones, glass, and delica beads.
The clasp system is simple and unbulky allowing you to add a second  and even a third set of necklace strands onto one necklace giving you endless options.

I believe that this is the only multi strand necklace currently available with a single fastening unit. (if you know different let me know!)
I have been making this style of necklaces for brides for many years and am now going into the multi coloured route.  Please let me know your feed back as it will help me to improve my design etc.
you can purchase the necklace HERE