One Strong Mother

Saturday Stitching…a cross stitch project I started (ahem) 20 years ago. It’s one of those work-on-it-when-you-have-nothing-else-to-do that I started one day and only picked it back up a handful of times over the years. Here’s to the year of gettin’ s**t done!

Throw back to 2020!

“Can you make a lap blanket out of cashmere sweaters?” Indeed, I can!
My customer wanted a simple, lightweight lap blanket for someone special who is currently undergoing chemotherapy.
I cut the cashmere sweaters into 6” strips then into 60° triangles. I backed the quilt with a cotton calico and hand tied.

Today is my hysterversary. On July 2, 2013 I had a radical hysterectomy for cervical Adenocarcinoma, Stage I. ‘Radical’ means all the parts and accessories were removed, including 13 lymph nodes…lucky # 13. All margins were clear and no further treatment was necessary.
A little back story- In 2008, I went to my lady doctor for an annual checkup. I was excited (Yay, a pap smear!) because I wanted to have a pre-pregnancy chat. Genetic testing proved that Jacob’s premature birth at 24 weeks and health issues were due to a non-hereditary chromosome disorder 1q.21.1 Duplication Syndrome. Up to that point we werent sure we’d have anymore kids. Sadly, my pap smear came back abnormal. I spent the next two years having multiple cervical biopsies in an effort to preserve fertility while getting rid of the bad stuff. In March 2010, I finally got the all-clear. With the help of a cerclage and progesterone shots, we were blessed with Owen in February 2011.
Another routine exam in May 2013 showed the everloving displasia returned. A biopsy confirmed my worst fears and surgery was scheduled.
Are you still with me? Thank you! Sharing this story every year is a reminder for all my lady friends to please stay on top of your doctor-recommended pap smears. I had no symptoms. No HPV. No visible tumor. No menstrual issues.
Love you all.

📸 | Avid Artistry, A Bo***ir Studio LLC
👰‍♀️ | Kim Pinaire
👟 | CONVERSE
💎 | Bluestreak Crystals & SWAROVSKI

Crystals for days on these bridal Chucks. I hand-glued 3,427 Swarovski crystals and flat back pearls. Well, sort of- I glued each one by hand but I have no idea how many I used. Pretty freaking cool though, eh?

Happy Wedding Kim & Matt 🖤♥️🖤♥️