Pink- the Color of Hope (my Breast Cancer Awareness Nest)

She was the cook, the hostess, the comforter--
the keeper of all the mysterious secrets for how to do just about everything~~
(The Spirit of a Woman)

Most of us have known at least one incredible woman in our lives
 who has an unalterable inner strength and determination. 
 She is a sister, a Mother, a family member, a friend--

 She is a victim of breast cancer -- 

and she will fight to survive.  

  

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness 
and in honor of every woman who has ever had to battle
 this incorrigible demon--

My Breast Cancer Awareness nest will debut in October of 2013.

All charitable profits will benefit the

Susan G. Komen Foundation

for the promotion of

Breast Cancer Awareness.

   

 "The shape of a woman's life is formed not only by circumstances and events
 but by her resilience--
 from which can unfold unexpected resourcefulness
 and moments of sheer grace."

Charlene Spreknak, Author of  "Missing Mary"

 "There is in every true woman's heart, a spark of heavenly fire 
which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, 
but which kindles up and beams and blazes

 in the dark hour of adversity."

Washington Irving 

 "You gain strength, courage and confidence 
by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. 
 You are able to say to yourself,

 'I lived through this horror.  I can take the next thing that comes along.' 

You must do the thing that you think you can not do.

Eleanor Roosevelt 

 

 How many women do you know and love in your life?

Do you have sisters? Best friends? Women who you admire?

Statistically - about 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. 

There is hardly any woman who has not been touched by breast cancer

at some point in her life. 

 With over 1 million new cases diagnosed each year -- 

chances are that every woman knows at least one woman who has breast cancer. 

 

Whether it is their own diagnosis or that of someone they love -- 

Breast Cancer Awareness knowledge can empower a woman's struggle to survive.

  I am a woman of substance created by God,

beautiful on the inside as well as the out--

Loved and cherished by many,

One of God's beautiful designs--

I am unique---

There is only one me.

(Woman of Substance) 

 In October 2013 ---  I will debut 22 amazingly beautiful Breast Cancer Awareness nests.

Unlike anything that I have ever done before--

these nests will fittingly honor--

 the spirit of a woman. 

 (a little self-portrait here!)

Dainty, delicate, and feminine--
 these nests will speak to the soul of every woman. 

Some facts about the nests--

This nest will be the cooperative efforts
 of some of the most amazing artists and designers 

that I have ever worked with. 

Their talents and contributions will make this nest 
one of the most collectable that I have ever
 created.  

 ~~~

For the first time ever --

each little nest will be embellished with a removable and wearable handmade brooch-

delicately embroidered and embellished with tiny beads and seed pearls--

you may proudly wear this unique and original design brooch
  to show your support of
 Breast Cancer Awareness.

 

Using a variety of textures that will amaze you (!!!)-

each nest will be embellished with dainty handmade flowers
and leaves  
in an artistic rendering 
of a beautiful flower 
bouquet.
~~
My Mother first taught me to knit when I was 13 years old.  
I remember that I made an ugly scarf
 for a class project.
I really did enjoy the practice of knitting,
 but back then -- knitting wasn't cool --
 especially when you were
 13 years old.  
So -- I put down my needles~~
for over 35 years.
 ~~ 
Just days before my Mother passed away --
 she re-introduced me to knitting again. 
We were trying to find something to do 
that would occupy her mind and keep her hands busy.  
When she asked for her knitting needles --
 I realized that I had forgotten the skill.
So -- she taught me again, 
and we knitted
 together.  
~~
I believe that my Mother rekindled my passion for knitting --
that, in turn, created my obsession for beautiful yarns,
which in turn, has lead me down the path to these
nests. 
~~
After my Mother passed away,
 my sisters and I found bags of my Mothers old worsted yarns
when we were cleaning out the attic at her house.  
Honestly -- I almost threw it all away 
But - I didn't
~~
My friend Jan and my sister Denise are making tiny crochet flowers
 from my Mother's yarns-- 
Mary will work her special magic and embellish
 each of the little flowers
 with beautiful sequins and beads~
You will find these little flowers 
nestled amongst the other embellishments 
on the nests. 
I am so proud that I am able to use my Mother's yarn in such
a very special way~  

Joining me in this special project are the amazing talents of--
Maire Dodd
Brenda Sype-Donahue
Michelle Ferullo
Deb Hembree
Sue Kosec
Kylie Parry
Carrie Elizabeth Petrocelli
Paulette Racanelle
Mary Scott
LeAnn Weih
Julie Whitmore
Janet Yost
~~
Denise Burnett (my sister)
~~
(for now-- I am linking to the blogs and professional websites of my talented friends. 
Next October I will be linking to their etsy shops -
 some of them will have special items for sale in celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness.)
~~
Mary will work more beading magic with gorgeous vintage beads and embellishments.  

Delicate florals, swarovski crystals,vintage glass beads-

I've been collecting some amazing vintage jewelry pieces for use in this project.

Created from the pages of
 my knitting magazines
 and from Breast Cancer Awareness materials -- 
 each little nest will be embellished 
with handmade, sparkly, glittery, paper beads --
 so unique and beautiful --

they are truly amazing.

tiny little birds

glazed, pink, dainty

will embellish each nest-
(be still my heart!)

tiny little treasures will bear the name of that thing that we must always have--

HOPE

 Each nest will be embellished with a tiny little "nest sized" hand painted silk chiffon scarf.

Lovingly wrapped and entwined ~the nest will be encircled with a signature piece of art -- 
 Created by a truly gifted and talented artist --- these tiny little scarves are 
simply and stunningly-
 beautiful.

~~~ 

My gift to each person who purchases one of these Breast Cancer Awareness nests --

will be one of these gorgeous "big girl" sized scarves.
Designed to match the tiny little nest scarf--
this will be your very own one of a kind accessory to wear-
 signifying your support
of Breast Cancer Awareness. 
~~

(as modeled by our little grand daughter Keri Beth.)

She tells her Papaw all the time that she is a "big girl!"

With only 22 of these nests to be created --
 they are extremely limited in quantity.

Those of you who are interested--
may email me now
for information 
or to place your name 
on the waiting 
list. 
This very special nest 
will truly be a year in the making~
and will debut next year -
 October 2013. 

I'm so deeply honored to have this opportunity to create this Breast Cancer Awareness nest
for the benefit of the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  
Spreading the message of Breast Cancer Awareness is so very important.  

~~ 
Knowledge is empowering and can save lives--
each little nest will be packaged to include
the latest in Breast Cancer Awareness literature.
 ~~ 
On a more personal note--
Like many of you I'm sure,  I have treasured friends who've fought
their own battles with breast cancer.
Some have survived-- and sadly, some have not.
To me -- they are all heroes.
They define the courageous and undeniable spirit of women everywhere. 
"If you want to see a woman fight -- just make her mad."  
~~

This Breast Cancer Awareness nest
is dedicated to the memory of my Mother
Barbara Pope
and to women everywhere --who thankfully,
have the ability 
to get mad~
 

xoxo,
Vicki

ps-- Have you noticed my beautiful blog header?
(a million and one Thanks to my friend Karen Valentine for making my blog SO beautiful and for creating my fabulous "Pink Scarf Project"event badge!!) You know I love you!
~~
 I'm turning my blog PINK for the next few months to CELEBRATE the spirit of women and the announcement of my Breast Cancer Awareness nest.  Please join me here for my next post when I introduce my "Pink Scarf Project"-- a unique Awareness event in which you are all invited to participate.  We've lots to talk about -- lots to CELEBRATE-- and there will be a wonderful give away as well!  I made something SO pretty --- and I'm giving it away to you!