Thursday, October 9, 2008

October Breast Cancer Awareness Month

About 15 years ago I had a lumpectomy. I was told there was a 90% chance it was malignant. I was very lucky - it turned out to be a benign tumor but as my breast surgeon said it was still cancer and I had to be diligent. I am ever so thankful the outcome was positive. When a very good friend, Victoria Adams Brown asked if I would want to participate in creating an Art Bra for a Calendar, I said of course! That was in 2004. The 2005 Calendar was printed and distributed by Way to Women's Wellness Foundation (also created by Vickie) raised over $50,000 for Breast Cancer Treatment. We did calendars in 2006 and 2007 but by then there were so many other groups also making calendars we decided to turn our attention to another direction - to bring art and joy to Breast Cancer Treatment Centers by creating Crazy quilts for display. I digress, back to the bras. They are currently appearing in various venues. Recently, in Lubbock, Texas. Here is a link to a wonderful article http://lubbockonline.com/stories/100708/loc_341109771.shtml and here is a gallery of pictures taken at the show http://picasaweb.google.com/bwilson266/ATimeForWomen

Vickie can be best described by work of art above created by Leonie Hartley Hoover (blog here) named "Miss Dynamite", created in Vickie's Honor for the Somerset County’s Designer’s Cup Challenge at the Governor Tawes Library in Crisfield, MD October 29, 2008 from 6 - 8pm..

As for the calendars and subsequent touring displays, I created 5 bras the first year, one the second, and three the third. Unfortunately I only have a few pics .

Here is Hot Flash from the first calendar, 2005.


"The Girls - You can dress them up but you can't take them out just anywhere" Yes, that is really a Bra! This is the bra from the 2006 Calendar.







And "She Comes In Colors" This is the actual calendar pic from the 2007 and last calendar.











If your group would like to have the Bras appear at a show near you, please contact Vickie at victoria@ribbonsmyth.com Also, Visit her online store Ribbonsmyth for some GREAT embellishments .


More bras and other incredible stuff can be seen at Barbara's blog, Julie's blog , Mary's blog , Willa's blog , Allie's Blog, and while you're at it, check out the Ribbonsmyth blog too.

1 comment:

Donna SewAmazin said...

Hi Stephanie! Remember me from the old NY/NJ/PA Stitchathoners?

I just found your blog today, and its WONDERFUL! I've added it to my Bloglines subscriptions so I can follow all your latest work. I've seen your dolls at the Quilt shows in Edison and Somerset the past couple of years. They really are marvelous.

Congrats on your puppy adoption - we added a second pup, Penny (found her through petfinder.com)in January '08 to be a friend for Keli; Penny had kennel cough and gave it to Keli so I had two snotty nose girls to take care of. But they recovered and are both so funny and entertaining and keep me pretty busy.

Happy Stitching,
Donna