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Monday, June 27, 2011

FEATURED DESIGNER: Maggi Harding

Time for another S:CY Designer Spotlight Feature! First, I have to tell you all that I've met  Maggi "in real life." She and her Dh and their pets (Chili and Chena) were travelling in their motorhome and stopped in to visit us here in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. I can attest to the fact that I loved meeting Maggi!! Warm and witty, Maggi's artwork reflects the warmth and friendliness of her personality in a way that is true to life and honest.

Please join me in enjoying this opportunity to learn more about an integral part of our Design Team: Maggi Harding.

Maggi was a Guest Designer at S:CY in the not-too-distant past and is now fulfilling a DT position here. How lucky are we? Well..... I'll let you read thru her Spotlight and see some of her favourite projects, and I bet I already know what you'll decide! :) 


S:CY Design Team Member
Maggi Harding
Maggi has some interesting thoughts about her SB'ing style. I asked her how she'd describe it. Her response was intriguing and revealing. "I really struggle with this question because it is a question that is almost always asked on DT applications and such. I have divided my SB'ing into two styles, there’s the artsy work I do and the “pure” scrapbooking that I do. My artsy work tends to be vintage shabby chic and somewhat 3-D. It usually has one or maybe two photos and no journaling. These layouts I do for the artistic adventure to see how I can enhance the photo. My other style centers on pure scrapbooking where I use multiple photos and usually includes journaling. Here the focus is on telling the story of the pictures whereas my artsy scrapbooking focuses simply on the art. I think if you put one of each style side by side you would wonder if the same artist created both layouts."

This layout (below) is very special to me because I took the time to put some feelings on paper and because it is not my style at all but it’s a style that I admire. So I was happy that I was able to capture that style for once. I don’t “do” negative space and this is as much blank space as you’ll ever see on one of my layouts!

"I'm a Southern Gal"  layout created by
Maggi Harding 
Journaling~  I’m a Southern Gal

"I don’t think I realized how much I love red clay dirt under my fingernails until we moved back to North Carolina. I’ve always claimed the world as my home since Dad was in the Army and we lived on 3 different continents while I was growing up. However, I recently realized how much southern blood runs through these world-traveled veins of mine.
I wondered if I would like being back here in the south where the pace is just a bit slower and people are just a little different. However, the decision was based on a need to be close to my parents in their final years so the decision was really a no-brainer. This is where I belong right now, I reasoned with myself, because my parents need me. From the moment we moved into our home, I fell in love with my south all over again. It has been more than 30 years since I called this place home and yet it felt so right from the very beginning. How I loved it when the FedEx man delivered a package to me and called me shug. Now you may think that silly or disrespectful, but it’s not, it’s the south. It’s how we love each other, just because we are friends and neighbors. How I love going to “town” and I still marvel at the gentle smiles from strangers who say good morning to me.
And I love that age-old southern question, who are your people? I’ve been asked that so many times when I mention the name of the small southern town near here where my parents grew up. Do you know so and so? Yes, I know them, I went to school with them or my brother did. We are bound by tobacco fields and pig pickins. Our grandparents dipped snuff, we all know what real barbeque is, and they don’t make it in Texas! Basketball is a religion second only to being a Baptist or Methodist.
When I think of the south, I see rafts of azaleas seeming to float around the ancient live oaks and tall pines that they surround. I see white and pink lacey dogwoods dressing up the understory of the tall trees. The first fall I set about turning our house into a southern oasis by planting 30 some azalea bushes. I was rewarded the following spring with beautiful pink, white and red blooms. When the first azaleas bloomed, it brought a smile to my heart and I knew I had found my forever home after 30 years of wandering. Those bright flowers just wrapped their blooms around my soul and vested it with a calming peace."

Maggi has fine tuned her artistic abilities. I asked her for some design tips and she had a couple to share with us. On the topic of embellishments, she advises that things "generally look best when done in odd numbered groups meaning that 3 or 5 flowers look a lot better than 2 or 4 flowers. This is a classic design element not just in scrapbooking but in other designing as well. Take a look at flower arrangements, groupings of display items, etc. You will usually see an odd numbered grouping."

Another of Maggi's tips involves using "ink, ink and more ink!!"  She says it is a technique that she returnes to again and again. Why? I'll let her explain..."Ink adds the illusion of dimension to paper when used along the edges. I also like using it to add color to my embellishments, for example a green leaf is pretty when cut from green paper, but, think about what a leaf looks like, really – it is more than one color and the way light hits it affects the leaf’s appearance. By adding touches of ink to the plain green paper leaf, you give it visual interest so that the leaf is not just a cut-out of green paper."


Maggi is a scrapbooker who "hardly ever" makes cards.  She reports that if she does make them, "they can easily take more time than a layout because they just don’t seem to come together for me!"


In terms of the time spent on an individual layout,  Maggi says that she can "Generally... get one layout done in a day and that day may be as long as 10 hours but more likely 5 – 6 hours. I spend a lot of time matching papers and photos. When I’ve finally decided on papers, I go through all my embellishments and pick out things that might work and all of this takes me a long time."
 
I asked Maggi to share some advice with us about how she decides if a layout is "done" to her satisfaction. This is different for us all, and here's what Maggi had to say. "When the page is “bulging at the seams” and there is not any room left for ANYTHING, then I am usually done! LOL!! Seriously, I look for balance, and that’s a hard concept to define but my layouts are not done until their appearance is balanced. I look at colors and often think of the odd rules discussed earlier. Yesterday I was analyzing a layout for balance and was satisfied with it. I used three colors and they appear in 3 different ways on the layout evenly scattered over the page. I don’t like for one side of the layout to be heavy with embellishments and the other side blank."


When it comes to the subjects of her scrapping hobby, Maggi loves to scrap pictures of her dogs. As she puts it: "They are my 'children' and I really enjoy taking those special photos of them and turning them into scrapbook pages." This is in evidence when, as you look back through some of the recent LOs Maggi has created for S:CY, the personalities of her critters shine forth in the art she has created to showcase her love for them.


"Go"  layout created by Maggi Harding
Here's what Maggi had to say about the above LO..."This layout represents an art challenge to myself which was to master the wet distressing look that I love so much! After working on this layout for hours and hours, I finally left it for the night and went to bed very unhappy with my efforts. It looked like a torn up mess to me and really, I was annoyed that I had wasted several sheets of paper and all that time!! However, I am persistent and I don’t like to let anything best me so I went back to it the next morning and pulled out the flowers, Dusty Attic chipboard vine, and the paints to add to the layout. Then it came together and I decided I loved it! I even won a monthly challenge at Swirlydoo’s to scrap an action photo. Oh and that’s the other reason I love this layout, the photo is of my new puppy Nika in her first snowfall, and it was a doozy, 12 inches, and that’s totally unheard of for eastern NC! The quote is: 'Where ever you go, go with all your heart.' Confuscius "

Who can take a great pic like the one featured in the LO above without a decent camera? Good question! When I asked Maggi about what she uses, she told me that she is the owner of a Canon XLTii Rebel DSLR and described to me why she loves it: "It takes great photos and is lightweight as far as DSLR’s go. I have issues with my neck and back and anything heavy will aggravate that condition so weight was a big factor when I decided on a digital camera."  Really critical information to know- and some that might not always be mentioned when we talk about cameras. The overall weight of each unit and their ergonomic factor **is** important! 

An ability to meet deadlines is innate for Maggi: she is a tax accountant. As she says-- "My whole life has been one deadline after another. Consequently, I am good at it, because I have always had to meet my clients’ expectations as well as Unce Sam’s filing deadlines." She has been able to transfer these habits and skills to the scrappy world.

In terms of items Maggi is passionate about creating, she likes to design and make mini-albums... one specific type in particular! Says Maggi, "I love making paperbag albums (PBAs) and have given away 7-8 of them. I like to use a lot of quotes and vintage images in my PBAs and then scatter in some photos to personalize the PBA. I only have one that I have kept for myself."

Maggi chatted about why she loves to make PBAs so much,  saying "...because in my mind, there are no rules, so I tend to let my imagination go a little further over the edge than with a traditional scrapbook page. Here are just the front and back covers of a PBA that I did. Please visit my blog and on the sidebar is a slide show of other PBA’s that I’ve done."

PBA by Maggi Harding- Front Cover
PBA by Maggi Harding - Back Cover
I asked Maggi to describe the most special place she has ever visited. She replied that "Alaska owns my heart is so many ways. We lived there for 5 ½ years from 1995 – 2000, and just spent the summer there in 2010. The word that I often hear people use to describe Alaska is VAST, and it’s the word that always comes to my mind. It is so vast, so wild, so beautiful, and so unihabited, these are the things that draw me back there and why it’s my favorite place on this earth. "

Here is another of Maggi's favourite projects:

"Today" book cover created by
 Maggi Harding
When describing it, Maggi talked about how she has a lot of projects she really loves..."and for different reasons. Some I love because of the artistic achievement, some because the journaling is special and some just because it was a fun thing to do. I’ve chosen this altered book cover because... it helps keep my scrapbooking world organized and it's in a collage style which is a style that I really enjoy playing with!"

Maggi, thanks for sharing so much of yourself with us today in the Spotlight Feature, and through your work at S:CY. It's been a treat to learn more about you and your art!

~

Friday, June 24, 2011

Sketch 10-11

Hello Everyone!

I have a brand new Sketch to share with you all today! Perfect way to welcome a Friday, don't you think?

Sketch 10-11 creates an opportunity for you to feature two- and possibly three- photos on your page. Do you like tags? Well, we have one in the sketch this week! Use it any way you like: accent a photo, journal on it, or just make it into something pretty.

Have fun, and remember to link up your  creation in the Comments section. We'd love to pop on over to your sitre or Blog and share some love!   Our Team loves to visit so please share with us!

Here's the latest  S:CY sketch, just for you...


Sketch 10-11 created by
 S:CY Team Leader Ali MacDonald
 To start things off this morning, here is a creation from our June Guest Designer, Lain Ehmann!

"Snuggly Time" layout created by
 S:CY June 2011 Guest Designer Lain Ehmann

Remember to check out Lain's "MotherLOAD" scrapbooking workshop coming SOON over  at Big Picture Classes! It's going to be AWESOME!

Here are some more creations using Sketch 10-11. These are from our S:CY Design Team Members, and there are quite a wide variety of layouts this week, spanning many themes, time-frames, skill-sets and techniques. Soooo, time to get yourself a cuppa, sit a back, and Enjoy!


"Being Friends" LO created by
S:CY Design Team Member Sylvia Galindo

"Puppies Gone WILD!" layout created by
 S:CY Design Team Member Cheryl Casas
[ Note: Cheryl used the Scraps of Darkness June kit for this LO.]

"Marvelous March" layout created by
 S:CY Design Team Member Tammy Pyette

"Create" layout designed by
 S:CY Design Team Member Tammy Pyette
[Credits: Shabby princess papers and embellishments.]


 Two-page "Create" LO by Tammy, inspired by Sketch 10-11 which was used for the right-side page

Journaling on the left page reads: "The designs kept getting more complex. It was usually all held together with tape. Lots and LOTS of tape. This one even transformed or "cubed up" like the movie WALL-E."

 "Distracted" layout created
by S:CY Designer Jackie Primmer-Plank 

"Pose" layout  created by
 S:CY Design Team Member Mandy Harrell

"Bingo Night" layout created by
 S:CY Design Team Member Heather Getson
Journaling reads: It appears to me that I have become somewhat of a bingo enthusiast. I attend bingo on a weekly basis on Saturdays at Boutiller's Glen Campground, where I am a seasonal camper through the months of May to October. I also play radio bingo every Monday night, sponsored through the local Lions Club.The monetary prizes range in denomination from $27.00 - $15,000. I just started playing radio bingo in January, 2011 and have not won thus far, but I am setting my sights on the $15,000 jackpot. My belief is that the odds of winning BIG, are difficult, as there are at least 1000 players each week and each toting numerous bingo cards in play. However, that is only a prediction, and if one does not play, then they will never know the consequences.The most money I have won at the campground was $156.00 which I think is great, as I only spend approximately $180.00 per season. Therefore, If I could continue that same winning streak each season, then I would be pleased with my overall performance. I may never become rich with my bingo obsession, but it's an enjoyable form of entertainment for me, and has the saying goes: "You can't win, if you don't play!" So, here's to continued perseverance and many wins!


"Christmas '09" layout created by
 S:CY Design Team Member Lindy Rabenstine

"Then and Now"  layout created by
 S:CY Design Team Member Helen Hollinger
[Please note Helen's NEW Blog addy via the link here and on the sidebar. Thanks!]
 
"Puppy Love" layout created by
 S:CY Design Team Member Maggi Harding
Journaling reads: When our sweet white poodle Chili died, we had an empty spot in our hearts; poor Chena was so lonely without her playmate. We knew the only cure for our blues was a new puppy! As soon as we got home, on August 25, from our summer in Alaska, I started searching for a puppy. We brought Nika home on September 4.

"Do you Want to Play Chess?" layout created by
 S:CY Senior Designer Ann Seleshanko
"Artwork by Daniel- 2009" layout created by
S:CY Team Leader Ali MacDonald

[Note: Layout #31 created for Lain Ehmann's May 2011 LOAD class. Daniel's Grade 4 Christmas ornament was created using his fingerprints! What a treasure!]
Hope you've enjoyed the variety of styles, themes and techniques presented this week by the DT at Sketches: Creatively Yours.

A very warm "THANKS" to the members of the S:CY Design Team who went above and beyond to create something that was truly beautiful from Sketch 10-11. You always make me smile when I open the emails containing your layouts, and when getting ready to create the Blog post... it's exciting to see what you've created with each Sketch!

Finally, a very special "THANK YOU" to our Guest Designer this month, the one and only Lain Ehmann! It has been a pleasure having you work alongside us in June! 

If you haven't already done so, be sure to check out Lain's latest class, the  MotherLOAD Workshop available now at Big Picture Classes. You will love Lain's positivity, her fun approach to scrapbooking, and the REAL warmth, humour and fun she brings to the process.

Thanks for coming by-  tell a friend about S:CY, let us know if you try a sketch, and have yourself a WONDERFULLY SCRAPPY day!

~

Sunday, June 19, 2011

FEATURED DESIGNER: Heather Getson


Heather Getson lives in the Maritimes, and warm friendliness peeks through in everything she does. Heather has been on the DT here at S:CY since April and you can count on her to make well thought-out comments—you know that she truly considered the effort that went into the creations she’s commenting on!



Sketches: Creatively Yours Design Team Member
Heather Getson
 Heather  admits  that she is a night-time scrapper, mainly finding time to SB after her family has retired for the night. Heather scraps pretty much by herself.... her Aunt has been scrapping for 6 years, and Heather says she’d love to have her as a real-life scrappy companion, “but unfortunately, we live a fair distance from each other, so we don't have the privilege of being ‘scrappin’ buddies.’ ”

Heather received a very special gift when she was expecting her son, Zachary. In her own words… "The best gift I was ever given was a scrapbooking starter kit as a baby present, when our son was born in 2001. My neighbour asked if I was interested in scrapbooking and I had coincidentally been considering investigating the hobby for some time. Therefore, that was her deciding factor, and she presented me with a beautiful kit comprised of an album, patterned papers, cardstock, gel pens, glue sticks, decorative scissors, stickers, etc. I was in my glory and kept continuously looking at the kit's contents, but it was actually an entire year later before I designed my first scrapbook page. Nonetheless, that gift started me on a journey which I am still embarking on ten years later, and have never once considered looking back. It is my way of tapping into my artistic nature and creating a family legacy all at once."

One of Heather’s favourite projects was created in 2009. It is a tray she purchased from the Dollar Store and altered. Heather tells the story, injecting it with her characteristically warm sense of humour… “I just loved seeing the transformation from a plain tray into a useful and whimsical project. The intent was to use it for my son to serve Santa's snack to him, on Christmas Eve. However, in April of 2009, my son became fully educated about Santa's visit. Therefore, this was one of the traditions which then fell by the wayside at Christmas... but nonetheless, I still used it as part of my Christmas decor. Some things just cannot be controlled! LOL!”

Altered Tray for "Santa's Snack"
created by Designer (and Mom) Heather Getson
 In chatting about supplies, Heather says that her fave CS colour is teal. She loves the rich vibrancy of this colour and the fact that it contrasts well with so many different shades. Heather tells me that her "go-to" favourite brands of cardstock are Bazzill and Core’dinations. She says ”I just love the weight and texture of both of those cardstocks.” Heather writes the name and manufacturer on a label and places it on the back on each piece of CS…this makes it easy for her to determine what she needs to reorder or purchase. She says "I prefer to store both pattern paper and cardstock in open vertical boxes." Like so many scrappers, her "cardstock is sorted and labelled according to color and the patterned paper is sorted and labelled according to various themes."

Heather has a standard plan for getting herself out of a scrapping rut. She browses through online galleries or her idea binder, in search of a project that she particularly likes. Once she becomes inspired to design, she purposefully chooses a smaller project like a tag or a card because, she explains, this keeps her from feeling overwhelmed. Heather says that this “almost always does the trick and I'm on the road to recovery!”
In terms of deciding when a project is finished, Heather always snaps or scans a picture of it. This, she says, enables her to see the overall design and instantly shows any changes needed in order to gain a good balance. She adds “I am also a big fan of incorporating white space, so that, coupled with the balance, determines that a project is finished to my satisfaction.” Heather says she would likely be termed a "slow scrapper” but also feels that “consequently, I am satisfied with the finished project.”

Heather shared an 8.5" x 11" layout as another of her favourite projects today. She felt honoured to have had this published in the BasicGrey Gallery. To create this LO, she used one of Becky Fleck's Page Map sketches. Says Heather "I also used the gorgeous patterned papers of the older Basic Grey lines of Lucky and Fusion."
"For You" layout created by
 Designer Heather Getson

Journaling:
"The gratification of receiving a gift of a flower/bouquet, cannot be surpassed, especially when hand delivered by a 31/2 year old boy, donning an irresistible smile.

While we are out enjoying the great outdoors, Zachary, you simply cannot bypass a clump of flowers without stopping to pick some for your mummy.
As I pretend not to notice, moments later, I am rewarded with not only a bouquet of flowers, but also a memory to cherish for years to come.
On the surface, it may only resemble dandelion weeds, but in the eye of the beholder, it holds the magnificence of a rose, especially when knowingly presented with love. Your reward is a kiss and hug, and hopefully the satisfaction of knowing that your mummy truly loves you.
As adults living in a fast – paced world, we need to be occasionally reminded,to take a moment, to view the world as seen through the eyes of a child. Take the time to enjoy the simple things in life that are so often taken for granted.
Zachary I hope as you mature in years, you will remember take those moments to enjoy the simple things in life,and continue to express yourself with the caring nature you possess today.
Love Mummy"

Heather is a very organized person who has a few tips that she can share about how she organizes her scrappy work in preparation for deadlines. She generally doesn’t have a problem meeting them! Prioritizing is her trick~ as she says: “I usually prioritize the list of projects according to their completion dates, and then estimate how much time needed to complete each project. I then apply an ample time frame to each task and this enables me to be finished several days in advance of any due dates."

Heather worked as the Design Team Coordinator at an online forum until recently.  In addition to being pubbed in  "Ready, Set, Create", Scrapbooks and Cards Today, Stamping Stationery and Scrapbooking, and through Publications International, Heather has been published three times in Crafts ‘n Things Magazine. One of her projects was a Geisha Bookmark.

Heather describes her bookmark project as follows:
"I chose to design a bookmark using the masking technique, and chose colors and patterns to coincide with an Asian theme and this was the end result which I was pleased with."
"Geisha Bookmark" created by
 Designer Heather Getson
 Published by Crafts 'n Things Magazine, April 2008

Heather wanted to design a project using this gorgeous stamp from "Time To Stamp" (presently "I Brake For Stamps") entitled "Geisha,"  as it was one of her favourite stamps in an ever growing personal collection.
The stamp is still available for purchase here:  Geisha Stamp
Heather graciously included the directions for the masking technique that she used on her bookmark:
Basic Masking Technique -

Supplies:
Post-It Note
Scissors
Stamps
Cardstock
Ink

Step By Step:
Step 1.
Stamp the image you would like to have in the foreground (very front) of the scene on your cardstock.
Step 2.
Stamp the same image on a Post-It Note, or a piece of cardstock.
Step 3.
Carefully cut out the image on the Post-It Note or cardstock, around the outside perimeter of the image.
Step 4.
Layer your cut out image, over the image on your cardstock.
Step 5.
Stamp your second image over your mask. This image will appear to be in the background.
Step 6.
Color your image if desired.


Thanks Heather for sharing your tips, projects and the instructions for the Geisha Bookmark with us today during your Designer Spotlight feature.

We're looking forward to seeing more of your work as we roll on into the summer!  
~

Friday, June 17, 2011

Ann's Card Sketch 3

Hello again, everyone!

Thanks for popping by!

I have a treat for your sketch-loving eyes this week! ;)

Today's Card Sketch, which was created by S:CY Senior Designer Ann Seleshanko,  features both horizontal and vertical elements... plus "a little something" circular!

How do you like it? Isn't it gorgeous!?

Thanks Ann!
 Card Sketch 3 created by
S:CY Senior Designer Ann Seleshanko
Here's what the S:CY Design Team Came up with this week! Enjoy all of these creations!

First, a card from our June Guest Design Team Member...


"All-occasion" card created by
June S:CY Guest  Designer Lain Ehmann 

"Anniversary" card created by
S:CY Design Team Member Jackie Primmer-Plank

 "So sweet" card created by
 S:CY Design Team Member Amy Manis

"In Sympathy" card created by
S:CY Design Team Member Heather Bridges Topich

"You're so..." card created by
 S:CY Design Team Member Lindy Rabenstine

"Bumblebee" all-occasion card created by
 S:CY Design Team Member Sylvia Galindo

"Happy Birthday: TWO" card created by
S:CY Design Team Member Patchi Moussatche
 
"Celebrate" card created by
 S:CY Design Team Member Helen Hollinger

"Enjoy the Ride" card created by
 S:CY Design Team Member Renee Hagler

"Celebrate" card created by
 S:CY Design Team Leader Ali MacDonald 

"For You" Card created by
 S:CY Senior Designer Ann Seleshanko

Hope everyone is having a wonderful end-of-the-week!! Enjoy your Friday and the weekend, of course!!

Thanks so much for your wonderfully versatile June Sketch,  Ann... :)

Warm "Thanks" to our June Guest Designer Lain, for  the beautiful card.

Thanks to the entire S:CY Design Team for the beautiful card creations they submitted for our Sketch Blog post this week! Those cards will DEFINITELY brighten someone's day!!

Have a GREAT weekend everyone!

~

Friday, June 10, 2011

Sketch 09-11

Hello S:CY followers and friends!
It's FRIDAY again!!


With early summer in full swing here in the Maritimes, life is busy... I know it's the same for everyone, all over!!

I want to shout out to all the S:CY Designers and our June Guest Designer, Lain Ehmann, to say a BIG THANKS for all you're doing for S:CY in terms of your creativity every week and for passing the word about the inspiration that is right here, free for the taking. Telling everyone you know about S:CY is MUCH appreciated!


This week's S:CY Sketch once again provides scrappers with a multi-photo opportunity for creativity. A centrally placed title and an off-centre journaling block add some interest.... and an arched element in contrast to two small squares provides a bit of challenge to those "up for it!"

 Sketch 09-11 created by
 S:CY Team Leader Ali MacDonald
Hope you like this week's S:CY Sketch. Please be sure to post a link to your creations in the  "Comments" section so that we can see what you do with this  sketch:  "a guide to inspiration!" We'll pop by to say hello and leave some love.

Enjoy these beautiful DT creations!!


"Valentine's Fundue: 2-2011" layout created by
S:CY June Guest Design Team Member Lain Ehmann

"Kiss the Princess" layout created by
S:CY Design Team Member Jackie Primmer-Plank

"You and Me at the Zoo" layout created by
 S:CY Design Team Member Amy Manis


"Back Then" layout created by
S:CY Design Team Member Mandy Harrell

"Little Fairy" layout created by
 S:CY Design Team Member Tammy Pyette

[Credits: pixie dust brush was from http://rl-brushes.deviantart.com/art/Pixie-Dust-Trails-brushes-21343581]


 "May Hugs and Snuggles" created by
 S:CY Design Team Member Tammy Pyette
[Credits: Papers and elements from DDiva.]
 
"Annie Meets Pinata" layout ceated by
 S:CY Design Team Member Heather Bridges Topich

"Brother * Sister" layout created
by S:CY Design Team Member Sylvia Tomala 

"Playing in the Saronic Gulf" layout created by
 S:CY Senior Design Team Member Ann Seleshanko

 "Walking" layout created by
 S:CY Team Leader Ali MacDonald
[This LO was created for Day 26 of May 2011 LOAD with Lain Ehmann]

Journaling reads:

WALKING
Because Noah’s Autism Spectrum Disorder can cause him to impulsively bolt away, possibly into a dangerous situation, someone still needed to hold his hand when we were out with his Dog Guide.
In this photo, you can see how we did outings/walks with Noah and Argo before we had the waist belt (tether) training. Pete would hold the leash, Noah held Argo’s harness handle, and Bryan (or another sibling/grown up) held Noah’s other hand to keep him safe from bolting.

In May 2011, as soon as the Lions Foundation of Canada’s Head Trainer Chris Fowler came and taught us how to use the waist belt, another “pair of hands” was no longer necessary. :)

Here’s why….Once Noah and Argo were tethered together on outings, just one grown up was needed. That person held Argo’s leash. If, while out, Noah tried to bolt, all the adult would have to say is “Argo: STAY!” Argo will immediately lie down so that Noah cannot bolt away into danger. (Ever try to drag a 73 lb Labrador Retriever? Nope! Not possible! **wink**)

What a help and wow, does it ever ease our minds that Argo knows EXACTLY what to do should it be necessary to protect Noah!!!


Photo of Daddy, Argo, Noah (9) and big brother Bryan (15 ½) in April 2011 on an outing before the tether belt training. :)
Thanks for stopping by everyone! Have a wonderful week! Be sure to try the sketch and let us see what you create by leaving us that all-important link in the "Comments" section!!!
 ~ Ali and Ann, and the S:CY Design Team Members