Introducing the Breast Cancer Awareness Nest

Pink is more than just the color 

        of feminine beauty and grace~

It is the symbol for 

bravery, courage, endurance, strength, 

and 

HOPE.

In honor of everyone

who has ever been touched by Breast Cancer

in their lives~

whether it be a personal battle 

or watching those we love

struggle to survive~

Introducing my latest Limited Edition designer

Breast Cancer Awareness nest

this nest features the color

 PINK

in a variety of textures and hues~

~

reminding us that Breast Cancer affects each of us

differently. 

~

in ways that are both

deeply personal and unique.

In the making for almost a year,
this newest Designer nest
has truly been a labor of love.
~
This beautiful nest
is a collaborative effort of an amazing
group of talented artists
(all of whom have generous hearts)
xoxo

Beginning here~
~
For the first time ever,
one of my nests features a removable brooch.
~
This beautiful felt brooch 
was designed specifically for this project 
by Paulette Racanelli.
(Beedeebabee)  

~~

Embroidered and beaded
by Paulette's patient and talented hands,
this brooch is easily removed from the nest
and can be worn 
as you desire. 

Each nest is adorned with a
"bouquet" of flowers and leaves
in a variety of
 textures.
~ 
Crochet flowers
(seen on the right side of the bouquet)
were made by my dear friend
Janet Yost
~

Jan turned a basket of yarn
that once belonged to my Mother
into these precious creations.
They are so very special
to me.

The most exquisite embroidered
felt leaves
embellish each nest.
~
My friend Deb Hembree
(Mosaic Magpie)
created each little felt leaf 
with love and added her special touch
of embroidery and beading.
Each leaf is a unique
masterpiece
of beads and stitches.
~
Deb has been involved with
every Designer nest
that I have ever made.
~
She is the most generous of souls.
xoxo

These precious little pottery leaves
were handmade by my 
amazingly talented friend
Julie Whitmore
(Julie Whitmore Pottery) 
~
Julie's handmade pottery pieces
are exquisite --
these little leaves are such
a beautiful addition to the nests.
~
as in nature
no two leaves are alike,
each is a totally unique
treasure.

HOPE
~
This beautiful little handmade
and painted bird 
was created specifically for this nest
by Kylie Parry
(Kylie Parry Studios)
~~
The little bird bears the
word "HOPE"
for all of us to see -- 
a remembrance of the HOPE
that we all have that a cure will be found
for this disease in our lifetime. 
~
(Kylie worked so very hard to finish
these little birds in time --  just before she gave birth 
to a beautiful little baby boy!)

Each nest is encircled with a 
hand painted silk chiffon scarf
created especially for this project by
Brenda Sipe Donahue. 
~~
Brenda took my dream idea
of a miniature "Pink Scarf"
and brought it to life beautifully
in these tiny little creations.
~
Each little scarf is uniquely painted -
no two are alike.
They each have the Breast Cancer Awareness
logo painted on the end of the scarf.
~
They are simply stunning.

These beautiful paper beads
 were created by
Carrie Petrocelli 
~~
Carrie created these gorgeous beads from
Breast Cancer Awareness 
advertisements
that I had saved from my assortment of
knitting magazines 
throughout the
 years. 
~
these little beads are absolutely gorgeous~
glittery, shimmery,
pink.

You know, 
I can not create these nests on my own.
These projects have become
 much to large for my
busy little hands.
~
In addition to the amazingly talented
artists who contribute their own 
special creations~
are the wonderful talents 
of my best friend Mary.
~~
She is my dearest friend,
my strongest supporter,
and the greatest listener
when it comes to my "nesting" ideas.
~
She devotes so much time and talent to these
special charitable ventures.
She never says no.
(I love her for that!)
~
She is
always ready and willing to help
 in anyway possible
to make my "nesting"
dreams come
 true.

Mary's special contributions
to these nests are her
stunning beaded
embellishments. 
Using an assortment of paper beads,
 swarovski crystals, 
and vintage beads
~
she creates magic  

Mary also added beading embellishments
to the little crochet flowers 
 created by my friend 
Jan.

Every embellishment on these nests
was created by hand -
with love,
by so many talented artists
for this
very special project.

My assortment of yarns
for these nests was one of the most
exquisite that I have ever used. 
~
Pink yarns in such a beautiful
arrangement of textures.
The art of combining them all together
in this nest
was truly a labor of love for me.

Tucked inside-
beautiful treasures!
~
three little handmade eggs
created by 
Petite Michelle Louise.
~
My nests are not complete
until Michelle's
precious little creations
are tenderly nestled
deep inside the 
fibers.

The charitable proceeds from these nests
will be donated to the
Susan G. Komen foundation.

If you are on the waiting list for these exquisite nests~
you will find them listed in my ETSY shop 
ready for your purchase now. 
The link to my ETSY shop is
HERE.
~
You will find the nests listed in sections
according to your last name.  
Just click on the section according to the first letter 
of your last name.

Tucked inside each box
when your nest is mailed to  you~
will be the latest in Breast Cancer Awareness
materials,
provided to you by the
Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Also tucked in side the box when it arrives
is a little gift from me~
xoxo
A wearable version of the little scarf 
that encircles the nest.

Handpainted by Brenda Sipe Donahue,
this beautiful
 one of a kind scarf,
is my very special gift to each of you 
who purchased one of these
Breast Cancer Awareness
nests. 
~

Your nests will arrive
in the most beautiful
packaging.
~
My friend Sue Kosec
has created 
the lovely hand stamped
tissue paper
and glittery,shimmery bird tags.
~
perfect compliments
for the nest
that is packaged inside.

These little tags will be
treasured keepsake items as well.
(kosec@sbcglobal.net)

I want you all to know that I have never been
 as emotionally attached to a project as I have this one.
~

Your letters and emails have touched my heart

and often brought me to tears.  

Reading the stories of your own personal

connections to Breast Cancer~

your loved ones,

your dear friends,

your neighbors,

your own personal battle with the disease-
~~

Hundreds of emails

and all of your stories speak of the

love and support that you received

or have given to those

who have been affected by this disease.

~~

So many of you requested these 

special nests.

My heart broke to have to tell you

that they were already reserved. 

~

My stance has always been that I do not repeat 

a design. 

But -- this is different.
I hope someday

to create another

 Breast Cancer Awareness nest~

a new design~

for this heartfelt cause.

~

I promise.

Some updates~

watch for the finale of the

Pink Scarf Project

to be posted early November!
(I've been taking photos for the last several days!
So many scarves have arrived here at the last moment -
the finale will be posted in 2 parts!)

~

Your scarves were photographed

in the most incredibly

 beautiful 

setting.
(You just wait!)

~
Your latest scarf donations
(alreaady photographed and shown here on my blog)
have now been added my 
the "Pink Scarf Project"
Pinterest Board.
~

Also~

I will announce the winners of the

Breast Cancer Awareness

inspirational mini album

and the very special
Breast Cancer Awareness wrap
that I designed for this project.
~
These will be given away
in the Finale post
 for the
Pink Scarf Project.
~
(if you would like a Breast Cancer Awareness
 wrap of your very own,
you can find one listed just now
in my etsy shop) 

Thank you for allowing me to create this special nest

in honor of everyone who has ever been touched 

by this miserable and life changing 

disease. 

~

You have shared your stories 

and I know what this nest means to you

and those you love.

~

I am humbled that I

could create something

that would touch your hearts
so much
~

xoxo

Vicki

ps-

I will be back soon with all the info that you need to know about this~

The Pink Scarf Project - "Early Fall Edition"

Autumn at Shaker Village has just begun.  The first of the golden leaves are dancing across the avenue of trees, swirling in the breeze, caught by the last of the warm summer winds~

Your pink scarf donations

traveled with me (and some friends)

to Pleasant Hill, KY

where they were photographed

at Shaker Village

and the surrounding area. 

~

Set against backdrops 

of handmade stone walls,

historic buildings,

and those iconic white picket fences~

Your donations were

beautifully photographed
in this quaint
early 1800's
historical village.

Donated by Patricia Eaton

"Bird Nest on the Ground "

~

Photographed at the 

Mt. Zion United Methodist Church

(located just before the entrance to Shaker Village)

Donated by Paulette Racanelli

"Beedeebabee"

~

(all photos shown in the rest of this post)

are taken on the grounds of

Shaker Village

Donated by Diane Meredith
~
Shaker Village is home to the sweetest kitties.
We tried to include them in photos whenever 
we could.
This little cutie never moved the entire time
we were taking the photos.
He just laid there and watched us. 
As you travel around the Village-
there are signs of "kitty love"
everywhere.

Donated by Julie Thompson

Donated by Valerie Powery

"Yarni Gras"

Donated by Brenda Banks Strange

Donated by Liz Waring

"Lululiz in Lalaland"

Donated by Janice Phelps Williams
"Applachian Morning"

 Donated by Terry Lummer
"Sharing Divine Inspiration"

Donated by Janet Yost

This little lady and the gentleman in the above photo
were the sweetest people you could ever meet~ 
They made us all feel so welcome in the Village.
~
Each of them recanted their own 
personal connections
 to Breast Cancer.
Co-workers at the village were Breast Cancer survivors.
His wife is a Breast Cancer survivor.  
They were so excited to play a small part in this little project
and it was truly a pleasure to meet them both.

 Donated by Susan Cook

Donated by Marilou Bain
~

My "Fay" my friend~ was my best friend in the whole world except for my husband who I was blessed to have in my life for 20 wonderful years, leaving behind 4 children at the age of 40. Fay left at 55:) we had a friendship of 25 yrs and our children played together, grew up together. She lived just down the street. I stayed with her until she took her last breathe as her husband left 3 yrs earlier and she needed me. I will say these losses shaped me, forever changed me and gave me a different outlook on life. I cherish easy day, having love and compassion for my fellow human beings along the way. 

Donated by Dee Dee Johnson

"Dee Dee's Craftspot" 

Donated by Esme
"Chocolate and Croissants"

Donated by Lu Berber
"Romance of Roses"
~
(created by Cheyenne Brown)
a talented knitter at 16 years old!

Donated by Mary Lynn Goode

We are almost a full year into this "Pink Scarf Project". 

 The deadline for contributions (October 5)

 is approaching 

quickly.

Tonight -- I carried 15 boxes/packages in from the mail.

~~

I am overwhelmed

both emotionally and physically.  

~

That you all could be so generous

 and consistently support this project 

over the course of this past year

is almost unimaginable.

Packages have arrived weekly

all year long.

Sometimes, every day.

~

Please allow me a bit of extra time

to respond to each of you who have 

recently mailed packages. 

Packages are arriving quicker

than I can catalog

the scarves and contact the

 contributors!! 

~

I want to let each and everyone of you know

that your package has arrived

and that I am so very grateful

 for your contribution. 

I just need a bit of

time~

xoxo

(from left to right)

Eloise, Marsha, Deb, me

It was SO much fun to make this trip to Shaker Village with my friends! The highlight of this trip was my opportunity to meet one of my dearest blogging friends - Deb Hembree. 

Deb is so beautiful and talented -- she has generously contributed her amazing creations to so many of my Designer nests -- including the soon to be previewed Breast Cancer Awareness nest.

You can find Deb at her blog Mosaic Magpie. 

We all had the most wonderful time together, touring the village

and photographing the scarves.

I simply could not have undertaken this huge

project of taking all the photos

without the help of my 

friends! 

(It's a job - believe me!!)

~~

Keepin' it real~ 

This photo made me laugh out loud!

(we look like a bunch of "bag ladies")

~

Look at all the Vera Bradley bags--

we loaded them up with all of your scarves

and carried them all over the Village!!

(We attracted lots of attention

believe me!)

Kitty Love~

Some updates~

The Breast Cancer Awareness nests are completed!  They will debut on my blog on October 12. I'm so anxious for you to see the photos and to read their stories. If you are on the waiting list for the nests~ I will be contacting you shortly before the 12th. (Or -- you can email me if you wish.)

If there is time before the Nests debut, I'd like to give you a little tour around Shaker Village -- it's so peaceful and beautiful there. Will just have to wait and see - I'm so very busy cataloging all the scarves right now!  Those of you who wish to contribute but cannot make the October 5th deadline -- can still send your scarves. I am able to accept scarf donations throughout the month of October, but the last date for scarves to arrive and be photographed is October 5.  I'm making preparations now for the beautiful finale! 

It's been an amazing journey~

      YOU are amazing~

xoxo

Vicki

ps -- I'm afraid to even say out loud the "number" of where we are now in the scarf count. It seems surreal~

Stay tuned.  xoxo