Featuring Tapestry316

Today's feature is on Tapestry316 on Etsy. You can find the link at the top of this post. The owner of this shop is Kathleen and she is a joy to know. We are co-members on a couple of Etsy groups, Handmade For Life and CAST team (Christian Artists Street Team). She's a very talented artist who does drawings and watercolors. My favorite is her horse paintings, they are so beautiful!
Here is part of her profile on Etsy:

{Life is a tapestry woven by our memories!

“When I grow up I want to be a cowgirl…” Ah, the stuff that makes up our childhood hopes and dreams!

Well, I don’t know if you would call me a cowgirl – but I did realize my childhood dream of having a horse. In fact I have two lovely equine companions, as well as a number of other four footed friends. I think my mom and dad saw all of that coming. I remember how well they coped with the caterpillar colony, the wall of fish tanks, the turtle in the back yard, and – well, you get the picture!

Another thing I remember from my childhood is being surrounded by family treasures. Heirlooms like our youth chair that has seen five generations of children’s little feet and hands or the brass fish bell that has been rung by chubby little fingers since the 1920’s.

And, now? Now it is time to share! Handmade, homemade, vintage, antique, arts, crafts – and unique combinations of all of those things – are what I have to offer. Come and see my shop where the past meets the present!

Want to know more about me and my artwork? Check out my blog:
http://tapestry316.blogspot.com

Please see my Shop Policies for more details on my shipping, returns, etc. Satisfaction is guaranteed – if you have any problems, let me know within thirty days for a full refund or exchange. Your items will be made in a smoke free home; however, I do have an occasional critter stroll through. If you have allergies and want details, let me know. I will use your Etsy address for shipping – please make sure all the information is correct! Sometimes I do use gently recycled packing materials. That saves me money, saves you money and keeps all that stuff out of the landfill!

I am pleased to be a member of the Christian Artist Street Team (CAST), ACEO Etsy Team (ACEtsy), Western Fine Art Street Team (teamwest), and the Whoa Horse Artists Group (Whoa Team). Be sure to check out their team pages for more information.}



I hope you'll check out her shop! Browse around to see the beauty that she creates, and maybe you'll find that one piece that will complete the decor in your home!

WORLDWIDE AUTISM AWARENESS DAY

Today is Worldwide Autism Awareness Day. Actually, this month of April is Autism Awareness Month as well. Why is this important? Because for one, the light of my life and my joy, my son Noah has autism. I've been fighting this fight for over 7 years now. Another reason, because 1 in 150 kids is being diagnosed with this condition. It NEEDS awareness, people have to find out the facts about it. Parents need to know the warning signs, because the earlier you see the signs, the better chance your child has of responding to treatments and therapies.

What IS autism?
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a "spectrum disorder" that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. (Copied from the Autism Society of America's website).

My son Noah is on the severe side of the spectrum of autism. He has made huge progress and improvements the last couple of years, but there is still a long way to go. He finally started to talk after age 6, very simple one-word copying of words he heard. Now he can ask for what he wants, "banana please" is his favorite request. Most parents would think nothing of a child who says NO, but my son just found this word and he is almost 10. And he is using it properly, once even to answer a question.

This journey is full of sadness, for the child who may never be, for the "loss" of your child when you realize he doesn't communicate or look at you. The devastation of hearing the words, "your son (or daughter) has autism." Because you know, life will never be what you hoped it would be for your child. But then time goes on and the sadness lessens.

Some days we may cry off and on all day, because of stress or sometimes it hits you that your child is stuck inside his or her own head. Some days we get mad, because people in the store are staring and/or voicing their opinion about something they know nothing about. Sometimes I have to say, He has autism, he isn't just being a brat!

Then there are days (or moments) of joy. Us parents of children with autism find JOY in the milestones, no matter how "late" they reach them. It is the joy of knowing that he/she can do it, when doctors and others have said it would never happen. He or she lets you in just for a brief moment and you know you connected with your child. Those are the days we live for!

Thank you for reading about my journey with my son Noah. Please read the following websites for more information about autism.

http://www.autismweb.com/
http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer
http://www.autism.com/

and please check out this blog post about autism awareness day on a team blog I belong to:
http://handmadeforlife.blogspot.com/