Material Mondays - Music Shakers

For the past couple of years my mum – who has dementia has been finding textures quite fascinating especially the kitchen table which has a tiled effect – being smooth and cold to the touch.  I realised that texture is important to her and I am in the process of putting a few things together that will not only be stimulating but provide some therapeutic benefit for her as well, so while she is not able to communicate how it feels she can express it in other ways with a smile of remembering what she used a particular material for or just go with the experience.

I have found that music is also something that she really enjoys, and made these shakers, because music therapy is something that can have a great impact on those who are dealing with dementia.  These shakers are made from a variety of materials and I will see which one/s she prefers holding.

 

Shakers filled with pulses and covered with a variety of materials

I made them because sound and music can have such a positive effect on our health.   While I have been caring for mum for over 15 years I am still learning about dementia, how it has affected her and how it continues to affect her as her health declines.  Loneliness and isolation is something that many elderly go through, even those who are carers can find the role goes hand in hand with isolation.  I have found that until you have experienced dementia, or know someone who has you really don’t have any idea of the impact it has on lives and the once simple things that you took for granted can no longer been seen in the same light.

Duct tape shaker

I know that it has changed me in so many ways, and talking about the experience helps others to understand from another perspective.  I have shared much in this blog and you can find a link HERE and sharing is a good thing, even those hard to express parts knowing that you are not along in the walk can make such a difference.

Washi tape shaker

I made these shakers very easily with paper towel rolls and toilet roll tube.  You can fill them with a variety of materials, pulses, dried pasta, lentils, or a mixture.  

Fabric tape shaker

It is good to experiment cause they make different sounds depending on the size, you can cover them with whatever material you desire, and I have used duct tape, washi tape, fabric tape and chamois leather.  

Chamois leather shaker - painted using stencils

My favorite is the leather because of the scent as well, and I am looking forward to seeing which one becomes mums favorite and will let you know how she gets on with them.

Do share what you create and how you use it, remember as you are a blessing you will be blessed.

In the News - Encouraging the Young - Sir Karni Music

Welcome to In The News!  Today is going to be all about one young man who, has grown up and has many talents and I thought I would share his latest achievements with you.  We have to encourage our young, the men and women of our future to step out and use the gifts, talents and abilities that they have.  It is their generation that will be the worlds next leaders and movers and shakers and as we encourage them we see the fruits of our labor.

 Over the years I have shared aspects of my son Sekani's life, this little bundle of joy has provided us with an immense amount of laughter, love and he has a generous heart.

He was always caring and wanted to help, with his inquisitive and easy going nature he shone - he was known as a chatter box!

It is amazing to think that time has flown by so quickly and I wanted to congratulate him on an achievement that he has made.

Sekani, with his stand out and not follow the crowd personality, has been working hard on his music and collaborating with friends..

He is creating his own path, stepping out into the talents and gifts that he has and sharing them with others.

Our son, the young man whose name 'Sekani' means 'man of wealth and laughter', who has given us so far 19 years of laughter (and a few tears) - but that is all part of life as he matures into the man that God has called him to be.

As well as playing the piano, Sekani has been writing his own songs as well.  I wanted to share with you the latest project that he has been working on (in his home studio) which is his first song released on valentines day called 'I Wanna Be', featuring a couple of his friends, Pressure H and Tenzin C. The song has been taken from the album that he released.

Show him some love and visit his YouTube channel and listen to the song, and give him some encouragement.  His music links are - HERE

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

Listen - Mixed media art painting

I love music, a range of  and know that music has a healing effect on our bodies.  Here is a painting that I have been working on.....

Listening to the sounds

To the beat, the bass, the balance....

The sounds that make you bounce, make you sway and tap your feet...As you close your eyes feel the rhythm, as you let yourself go...... moving - the two step shuffle...

Listen to the Sound - Mixed Media Painting

Music that can take you away, uplift your spirits, make you laugh, and cause you be filled with emotion you shed a tear. 

 I would like to encourage my son Sekani to keep playing the piano and sharing his gifts.  He is brilliant at learning new songs and composing his own and I want to encourage him to take the next step in his music.  Take a listen to some snippets that he has put on his instagram account, and show him some love!