Breast Friends Art Collaborative

I was able to participate several months back in a collaborative project for JoAnnA from Mosshill Studios.

JoAnnA was diagnosed with breast cancer. Since I know what that diagnosis brings, I wanted to send a selection to the project.

Put together by Lelaina at Tattered Edge, the project was a book page and a charm for a bracelet.

JoAnnA starts her chemo treatments today and chose to take the book with her for the treatment time.

She is open about her faith and I chose a bible verse for my page. I also chose to create a pattern resembling a log cabin block. All stitched from threads I purchased as leftovers from Bucilla kits. Any of you who know me well know that I like to have symbolism in my work. So for those who have never walked this type of journey, I will explain.

The open area between all the colors represent the path. There are to be many turns as you progress. But even though some turns appear to be a dead end, there is always a way around or back.

All of the colors are different. No one's part in this journey will have the same meaning. Every encounter with illness brings different experience. Every person along the way brings their part to help you, support you, love you. Some of these people will only touch you briefly, others will walk a longer part of the path with you. Every thing has a place and a part and each will bring a sort of beauty on their own. At some point in the future you will be able to see that the picture is full of beauty in its own way.

The charm is recycled materials as well. The beads are the ones that fell off of dress trims when they were cut and it is wrapped around a recycled washer from my stash. Again different colors - representing all the differences in her journey and supporters.

To see more from this project go to Tattered Edge and follow the Flickr links.

I want to express my thanks to everyone who had a part in this. It was humbling to see my art in collaboration with all of these wonderfully talented and caring people.

JoAnnA, my new friend, I hope today goes as well as it can. I hope the outpouring of prayers and love from so many of us can be felt by you. We will walk along this path with you.

Have a beautiful day.