The Henna Art Quilt Project

As I research Henna Art and all the wonderful henna artists, I have come to realize everyone has their own beautiful and unique flare to this ancient art form. I have come to admire each and every individual style with all the spins and flares of their own expert artistry.
I would like to invite any Henna Artist who is interested to contribute 1-3 fabric panels each to be made into a Henna Art Quilt. The Henna Art Quilt will help raise awareness for Breast Cancer and the unique roll Henna Art plays in the lives of chemo patients.
I would like to raise awareness "How the beauty, joy and power henna art graces our minds and bodies. How important the Henna Artist is in giving chemo patients this gift."
Each artist has her/his own style. I want to capture that in a fiber arts form of a Quilt.
Wendy Rover had given me 3 henna crowns when I was doing chemo for breast cancer. I am not the only one with this idea. Far from it. There are many many wonderful examples out there. Its just not common knowledge. The Quilt will draw attention to this form of expression and hopefully allow others to seek it out.
I am asking each artist to make 1-3 panels. You can make one if you want, that's OK. The panels are 16 X 16 inches. (this includes the 2 inch border on all four sides) So that would make the WORK space 12 square inches. I would like each artist to sign their panels also. Separately each artist should write a small bio and put all website and contact info.
I am creating a blog and will be posting the panels as they come in with all contact info with them.
After the Henna Quilt/Quilts are made I am planning to arrange for them to be in a gallery here in Portland Oregon where they will be auctioned to raise monies for some special projects through the American Cancer Society that will benefit breast cancer patients.
I feel this is a win win situation. Awareness of Breast Cancer. Awareness of Henna Art as its importance in healing and empowerment. Awareness to the Awesome Henna Artists and the beauty they create. To empower the artist with the gift they posses.
I look forward to creating The Henna Art Quilt Blog and posting all of the awesome panels!

McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse

Its their 1st Annual Holiday Bazaar w/ Live Music by Skip vonKuske & the Dickens Carolers Its at 4:30-9:30pm
Please go and support this event!!! You will have a great time!!!

Tassels for a Cause TM

I designed a tassel for Breast Cancer Awareness to help raise funds for special projects. I am presently involved in learning the art of henna myself. Its a pay forward kind of thing. Its come full circle now. Its part of staying positive and passing that positive energy along.

If you want a Breast Cancer Tassel just e-mail me at lyndune@yahoo.com and we will arrange something. I can also write someones name on the pink ribbon if you like. Thank you for spending time on my blog. Let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions or questions feel free to share.

Tattoo Nipples.....something new to learn about

My landlady is a messauge tharapist and a tattoo artist. Part of her tattoo skills involve hiding skin inperfections for scares and such. She does eyebrows and cosmetic tattoo as well. This weekend she took a day class on how to do nipples. There were 20 in the class and they got to learn from actually working on several cancer survivors. From my research I have learned that sometimes your surgeon will do the tattooing or most commonly, they send you to a tattoo artist. Its your choice of course, if you want to get nipples. Some people choose not to. And thats ok.
I have found through my journey of life with all its twists and turns that I end up ok. It may not be what I had planned, but at least I am here for the ride!

Progress

I am going through the reconstruction of my breasts now. Each stage has been a challenge and a learning experience. Because of some other health issues I am having breast implants. I am looking forward to larger breasts than I had before. I always wanted that, but not quite this way!
None-the -less I had a choice. And that was cool.
There are many different ways to reconstruct a womans breast now. By using her own body tissues and of course the implants. Its amazing!!
Through a federal law, Insurances Companies have to allow breast reconstruction due to breast cancer. Even if it is years afterwards. If your breasts are uneven. If your breasts implants need replaceing. There is one proceedure that takes your belly tissue (Tummy Tuck) and constructs your breasts from that. I had been joking about that for years and now they can do it!!!
For me they can not. That other health issue prevents it. However I am looking forward to showing off my new girl friends soon.
To celebrate, I am taking up belly dancing! And Wendy is going to do her henna magic on me once again! I will be posting pics as all this comes about. Its important to share.
The last step, in all this will be tattooing my nipples on. That is another choice I have. All through this journey I have had choices. That is important to remember. And I hope by sharing my experiences, it won't be so frightening for others.
I have said this before.....................of course you never want to hear you have cancer. But the day you find out you have cancer "is the day you can begin to fight it!" Never think for a minute you don't want to know!!! Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read my blog. Hugs and Blessing to you all. Linda

Shield of Victory by Henna Artist Akiyo Ogura

This is a picture of a breast cancer survivor who wanted to celebrate her victory over breast cancer by getting her chest Hennaed. Again you can click on the picture and get a closer look at Akiyo's work. I think this is just STUNNING!! http://www.akiyohenna.com/

Henna Crowns by Akiyo

These are three Henna Crowns done by Akiyo of http://www.akiyohenna.com/ in New York City. You can click on the pictures and get a real close-up.