Why Mars?

Why Stitches?
Craft is my sanity saver, it has given me a sense of peace as well as a connection with others through reading blogs of designers I admire and sharing time crafting with others. It also gave me an opportunity to create something at a time when I was capable of little and for this I have to thank my sister who handed me her pattern books, paint and craftwood and said "Choose something" . She also got me sewing and now blogging. Where would I be without her?

There are two reasons for Mars.

One is that I have a husband and 3 sons (the Mars of the popular book "Venus and Mars". For instance when I asked my darling husband what he thought of the bits of fabric and sticheries I had laid out on the floor he said "I just see a pile of red rags".
The second reason is all about our youngest son, who is different, who really made me realise how excluding the word "normal" can be and how wonderful (albeit challenging and occasionally painful) being different is.

Liam was diagnosed shortly after his 2nd birthday with autism. We would dearly love to know how he views our world and what he is thinking. His sensory experiences differ to ours, yet he generally passes unnoticed in the crowd until these differences surface in a way people often cannot, will not or fail to understand. My son with his greater limitations is expected to bridge the gap between himself and a world where social skills and communication are natural and easy for most. Yet Liam is a gorgeous, affectionate and happy little boy, whom we adore. I would rather live on Mars with him, than on Earth without him, but Mars can be difficult to get to.