Bustin' Out with ACS

Specs Appeal is my entry for the American Cancer Society fundraiser for breast cancer called Bustin' Out! (how clever is that?) The "rules" were to take a padded 36-C bra and embellish every inch, inside and out. So, after some pondering, I decided that my inspiration behind the design would be the Beauty, Hope, and Courage I have witnessed shining from within the brave women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. To symbolize beauty, I sewed white sequins to the outside of the bra because the color white reflects all visible light in the spectrum, and stands for love, purity and new beginnings. I chose sequins that are iridescent, because the bra glistens, shines and transforms from white to pink, changing as light hits it from different angles. I feel that women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer experience a similar inner transformation and this iridescent quality best represents the hope that many women have so poignantly described. I am humbled to witness how some find new meaning and purpose that often brings about a newly found sense of courage and strength. And because I am most inspired by the women who seek a "silver lining" and believe that our darkest hours are, in fact,"opportunities" for reflection and growth; I sewed a soft, silver metallic fabric to the inside of the bra. My hope is that the reflective qualities of the fabric would also mirror how the love and kindness we women send out into the world each day is reflected back into our own hearts and lives.

And because humor is an important component of healing, I've included a few humorous quotes, as well as a pair of sunglasses for "specs appeal"-- a nod to the Pat McDonald song "The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades" --as we look toward a future BRIGHT with hope and healing.

"I wanted to be the first person to burn my bra, but it would have taken the fire department four days to put it out"...Dolly Parton

"The only gossip I'm interested in are things from the Weekly World News-'Women's Bra Bursts, 11 Injured'...that kind of thing"...Johnny Depp

If you would like to learn more about the upcoming auction, you may click on the Bustin' Out website above, and please visit the awesome photographer's website here: Lucas Ridley You have to see his clever arrangements of the entries that are being made into cards for the auction/ Also on facebook here.

Hugs to all the courageous women who have heard the words "you have breast cancer"--You are an inspiration to us all.