Holiday Gifts by Creative Corner Designs

Place your holiday orders now by visiting Creative Corner Designs or emailing jennifer@creativecornerdesigns.com

All items customized with your colors and style in mind!

Take advantage of our EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS by placing your order by 11-20:
Magnetic Calendars: $5
Wall Hanging: $8
Personalized Paint Buckets: $20

PHOTOS OF ITEMS ARE LOCATED ON THE SIDEBAR TO YOUR right. ENJOY!

Thanks! --Jen

Onto another creative adventure...

Exciting news! I am now a Memory Works Consultant!

Check it out here!

For the scrapbooking & card making enthusiast:
Now you can order your brand-name scrapbooking supplies through me (Basic Grey, Bo Bunny, We R Memory Keepers and more!)

For someone who is interested in learning how to scrapbook:
Keep your eyes peeled for my upcoming class schedule or book a party in your home. You bring your friends, I'll bring the fun!

"Bunny Online"

Last night, we went to Dave & Buster's as a family and T redeemed some of her tickets for an adorable little bunny that hops, squeaks and wiggles his ears. She named him Snuggles. T quietly began playing in her playroom and after throwing a load of laundry in the machine, I popped in to check on her.

I found her putting the finishing touches on her own paper bunny (which she has since named Daisy). I couldn't get over her creation! She explained that she laid her bunny down on the paper and traced it. Then, she added a circle for his tail and drew in an eye. Then she colored it in. I can't tell you how excited it made me to see her figure out how to do this on her own.

T has really started to show signs of some fantastic creativity...and that added some sunshine to my rainy Fall morning for sure! --Jen

P.S. I asked Talia what I should title this blog entry and she suggested, "Bunny Online". I love it!

Sharing Creativity

So, like most parents, I have been collecting every piece of artwork T has created since she could hold a crayon, in her once, chubby little fingers. Over the past year, she has really enjoyed coloring and crafting. We started collecting all of these masterpieces in a large basket in her playroom, which began to overflow.

So, I had a thought. Why not share these masterpieces with others? I told T of my plan and she was completely on board. First, we sorted through the basket and saved our most memorable and favorite pieces. I couldn't let go of her first painting of a unicorn and she couldn't let go of anything that resembled a princess, a pony of the color pink. :0) But, by the end of the day, we had gathered 40 masterpieces to share with others.

I made a phone call to a local nursing home and made arrangements for us to visit with the residents. Today, we met with a large group before they had their BINGO game for the day. Talia individually handed out her creations to each of the residents and said, "I made this for you." They loved her...how could they not! And they were very thankful.

Mid-way through our time with the residents, Talia said, "Look Mommy, they are all smiling!" My heart melted and I thought to myself, "Now it can't get any better than that!"

T with one of the residents... she was so cute! I loved her all dressed up with her pearls.

On our way out, I felt so proud of T! I was beaming from ear to ear!

Happy as a PIG in mud!

T started Pre-K this year. She and her classmates are learning all about pigs. I wanted to help reinforce her lessons, so we took a trip to the library and found a bunch of pig themed books to read at bedtime.

Later that day, as I was about to walk my empty milk container to the recycling bin in the backyard, it hit me... we could make a pig out of this!!! And so, we did! Talia was completely engrossed in transforming this once white milk container into a pretty little pink friend.

But, about midway through her painting, she stopped and said, "Mommy, I want to make my pig muddy!" In that moment, I felt such pride... 'atta girl! There is that spark of creativity. So, where some moms may have said no to messing up such a pretty project, I let T go to town. And I have to admit, watching her "muddy" her pig (and herself), was the most fun, by far.

Parents, and even teachers, often squash creative ideas because "that is not how it is done" or because it is "too messy" or "because bananas aren't red, they are yellow." I should know, I used to be like them. But now, I make the effort to embrace my daughter's creative thoughts. Today, I hope you all find a way to do something creative with someone you love.

A new lease on life

Whew! These past five months have been a doozy! Unfortunately, I suffer from Crohn's disease and have been battling a flare up since January. I had TREMENDOUS back pain and fatigue which was often unpredictable. Good one day, laid up in bed the next...ugh! As you can imagine, this greatly impacted my creativity. :0(

After trials of a variety of medications, I was admitted into the hospital in late August and had surgery. And one month later, I am ecstatic to say that I am feeling great and like I have a new lease on life! I am on the road to recovery and healing at home, surrounded by my family and close friends.

I can't wait to start getting creative again...I've got the itch to create, so keep your eyes peeled for new additions to my blog. For now, here are a few photos of some altered clipboards I made for my nephews on a good day several weeks ago. If you are interested in making one of your own, check out my "how-to" article on Craftbits. Don't forget to leave a comment and give me a rating while you are there. :0)

The Melody of Autism

Almost exactly four years ago, I had decided to become a stay at home mom. I was living in the Bronx, with all my friends "over the bridge" and felt really isolated. I quickly knew I had to find some new friends fast. I found a local SAHM group and met Michele, who remains one of my closest friends to this day. Michele and I eventually went on to start our own SAHM group and that is where I met Faith.

Faith is probably one of the most remarkable women I have ever met. She is beautiful, articulate, funny and ambitious. She has decided to homeschool her children and is also raising a son with autism. She does everything with such grace and patience and I really admire her strength of spirit.

Recently, Faith shared with me that she was planning to hold a fundraising event called "The Melody of Autism" which was to celebrate the music and joy

inspired by autism. I knew I

wanted to help. I provided a

Creative Corner Designs gift

certificate as a gate prize and

created a guestbook for the

event. The event was amazing...

inspiring...moving. I found

myself fighting back tears with

each new speaker and each new

performance. The talent that

filled the room was phenomenal

and beyond that, the message

of optimism and faith was one

that I will never forget. It was

a day where everyone stopped

and recognized all the beauty and

blessings that autism has brought

into our lives.

To find out more about Faith and her journey with her family and the Son-Rise program, visit her blogs:

http://homeschoolingoutsidethelines.blogspot.com/

http://recoveringjaedon.blogspot.com/

http://teamjaedon.blogspot.com/

Here are a few video clips from the event. Enjoy!