{ Recupefashion Winner }

Thank you to all of you who entered the Recupefashion Tie Purse giveaway!

The winner randomly picked is:

Stephanie from confessions of a compulsive crafter

who said her favorite Recupefashion item was: "I love ALL of the tie purses...there is not one that I do not love. =)"

Congratulations Stephanie, please contact me with your info before Jan 1st, and fill free to grab my "I won at Nana's Box" button and add it to your blog:


Jan 3rd we will be announcing our next giveaway:
A pair of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Earrings from Kathy777

Thanks to Nathalie for her wonderful donation to our giveaways! You can follower her at her blog: Recuperation!

{ 3 more days }

Only 3 more days left to enter our

Recupefashion Giveaway!

It ends Dec. 30th!!

Enter now!

{Fabulous Feature Friday: Fighter } updated

Today's feature is Stacy from My Cancer Scoreboard. I met her through Meaghan, when she recruited me to make a Nana's Box for Stacy. I jumped at the chance! Stacy is currently fighting Melanoma cancer, and has been for over a year.

October 15, 2007, was the day my life as I knew it changed forever.
That day my doctor spoke the words "It's cancer."

When did you find out you had cancer?
I found out I had cancer October 15, 2007. I was currently attending college in Memphis, TN – 700 miles away from my family in Ohio. On my third visit to my doctor, I was referred to a Dermatology Oncologist who diagnosed my Melanoma.

- How did you tell your family and friends?
This is somewhat of a difficult question for me to answer, simply because looking back on the initial situation and my diagnosis, I know I should have went about this differently. As I mentioned, I was away from home at college in Memphis and felt that if I kept it to myself, somehow that meant it wasn’t really happening. You guessed it, at first I didn’t tell anyone. The thought of my family being in Ohio and worrying about me sickened me almost as much as my cancer diagnosis itself – I felt it was my responsibility to protect them. I kept my diagnosis to myself until the end of November - and at this time I only told my immediate family, making them promise not to mention it to anyone else. Coming from a relatively small town I knew how fast news traveled and I was determined that I was not going to be the subject of the town’s lastest gossip. Looking back, I would be devastated if someone in my family was sick and I didn’t know and really wish I would have went about it differently. Following the first of the year, (January, 2008) my determination to keep this all a secret began to fail and my name began to circulate through the gossip at home.

What was your life like before cancer?

It was hectic, busy, and stressful. I worked full-time as well as attended school full-time. I always had something going on. I thought I was enjoying my life and really believed that I loved the crazy, busy and stressful life I was leading. It really was to the point that I didn’t know what to do with myself without something I had to do. I continuously added things to my schedule and pushed myself harder and harder. When cancer came into my life, I quickly realized that my hectic lifestyle simply was not possible and it forced me to cut back. I slowly came to the conclusion that I had not been enjoying my hectic and stressful life as much as I thought. Cancer helped me realize that a balance was necessary in order to enjoy life and that I could only accomplish so much in a day.

What brought you hope and courage during the scary times?

Initially, prior to telling anyone about my diagnosis, my simple determination carried me through. But, I can’t exactly say those times were really the scariest of the scary times so far. During the truly hard and scary times since cancer my family, friends, and even strangers that offer continuous love and support are what give me hope when I find I have no hope at all.

How has cancer changed your life?
The real question, to me, is how has cancer NOT changed my life. Sometimes it’s hard to remember what my life really was like before I was diagnosed. I definitely feel like cancer made me grow up a lot, and very, very quick. It also made me realize that my priorities at the time were not at all in line with what I truly felt was important to me. I see the world in a completely different way. I find myself constantly thinking, “before you judge someone, walk a mile in their shoes.” And how true that really is in life. Do I thank cancer for the “growing up” or the “changes” in my life? Oh no. Not even close, at least not yet. But I do believe that cancer has been a major stepping stone for the positive in my life. When I wake up every day, regardless of how great or how horrible I feel, I am grateful. I wake up with the sole intention of assuring the people that mean the most to me in my life know it, while also staying focused on my priorities – making sure they are lined up as they should be. Cancer has made me a completely different person than I was and I’m still learning how to “fill the shoes” of this new person in positive ways.

How has it changed the relationship between you and your family and friends?

Cancer has changed my relationships mainly in how much more aware and appreciative I have become. My family and friends have done so much for me, more than I could have ever imagined possible. They mean everything to me and I make sure they know it, not part of the time, but all the time. I may be sick and in a horrible, mean, awful mood, but no matter how much I complain or come off in a negative way, I make sure they know the love, compassion and appreciation I have for them is endless.

{ Quote of the Day }

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. it is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous'?" Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

~ Marianne Williamson

{ Amys Angels }

There is a great site that I want to share with you all. It's called Cards by Amy's Angels. As you know I'm all about sending gifts... free of charge... to cancer patients. These wonderful women hand-make cards and mail them out to cancer fighting patients... anywhere in the world!! Isn't that amazing?!? Their inspiration is their friend Amy who on October 5, 2007 found a lump during a routine physical--Breast Cancer. Amy was 33. For the next 5 months, Amy sat through blood draws, chemotherapy sessions, radiation treatments. Today, Amy is now cancer free.

So, now you can send a cancer patient a Nana's Box, and then send them a hand-made card.... they'll be sure to know that you and many other people are thinking of them.

Winner of the Finestra Designs giveaway

The winner is:

Ann from AnnOnandOn

who commented: "This is a hard decision....I like the winter berries, winter pines and blue trees. Beautiful items. I just showed my husband...hint,hint...wink, wink. I'll see if it works."

She picked the Blue Trees for a cause:

Congratulations to our winner!!
Ann, please contact me via email with your info by Wed. Dec. 17th.

Be sure to check out our new giveaway- a tie purse from Recupefashion!

Recupefashion Giveaway!! ** NOW CLOSED**

We are kicking off our Recupefashion giveaway today!

We have teamed up with Nathalie at Recupefashion to giveaway this amazing and colorful

Orange Blossom Tie Purse!

* This beautiful purse is completely up cycled. Made with ties in the front and linen in the back.
It has an interior pocket which measures 5.5in X 5.5in in cotton.
The bag measures Top: 11.5in wide Bottom:16in wide
Height:10 Without the tip of the ties.
12 With the tip of the ties.
The handles are made with ties.
The bag has a zippered closure.

Here are the rules to enter:

1. Visit Recupefashion- then come back here & leave a comment telling us what you liked best.

2. For a second entry become a follower of our blog

3. For a third entry post about this giveaway and then leave us a comment letting us know where we can read about it. (third entry subject to verification)

Recupefashion is also having a sale: 20% off on all orders.
FROM NOW THROUGH THE END OF DECEMBER.
Also, get a FREE PAIR OF EARRINGS WITH EVERY ORDER.
Just mention "FREE EARRING" in sellers notes on your check out.. and your earrings will automatically be included with your order.

Giveaway ends Dec. 30th!!

Finestra Designs...

Thanks to everyone who entered the Finestra Designs giveaway!
The winner will be announced here tomorrow.
So be sure to check back!
We will also be kicking off our next giveaway as well. You won't want to miss it!

Almost over!

Only a few more hours left to enter our Finestra Designs giveaway!
It ends tomorrow at 5 pm!!! (Dec. 14th)
Go enter NOW!

{Fabulous Feature Friday: a friend in Ghana}

I recently received and email from a women named Talula, who is teaching at a school in Ghana. She came across my blog and emailed me asking if I would make a box for her dear friend, Jenny, who lives in the states. You see, even thousands of miles away she is thinking of her friend as she fights ovarian cancer. I was touched and got to work on the box right away.The little that I know about Jenny, from which her friend Talulu told me is that she has always been interested in India (before cancer she was planning to go on a missions trip there). She loves paisley and traditional mehndi designs. Which is what I decided to use to design her box. Her favorite color is chartreuse... hmmm.... I had to look that one up... basically a shade of green... very pretty. She also loves all jewel tones. I was asked to put on the box the word: "FAITH".

{ Broken Objects }

When the Japanese mend broken objects, they aggrandize the damage by filling the cracks with gold. They believe that when something's suffered damage and has a history it becomes more beautiful.

~Barbara Bloom

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Have you entered our Finestra Designs giveaway?

The winner gets to pick a pendent of their choice!! Go enter now! It ends Sunday!

New Nana's Box 'family members'

Dale - who is a breast cancer survivor.
She is a grandmother who loves to watch America Idol and Dancing with the stars!
Her box was ordered by her dear friend, Lurenda.

Front

Inside

Back of the box

Rebecca

Rebecca is a Mommy from Texas- who was just diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Front

Inside

Back

Kim

Kim is a cancer survivor! Due to her cancer she is now going through kidney treatments, 2 -3 times a week.
She was diagnosed at 24.

Front

Inside

Back

{ My favorite little D's }

Kat over at Sunshine and Lemonade did a fun little meme a few weeks ago. I loved it so much that I decided to do it as well. She did a post about her favorite things...with a twist. The twist: list 10 things that you like that begin with a certain letter. The letter 'O' was chosen for her. She however, randomly, picked the letter 'D' for me. I decided to take it to another level and focus my favorites around cancer education, awareness, and cancer fighting...... so here goes:
1. Designing- not in the traditional sense more like- designing Nana's Boxes ;) scrapbook layouts and chipboard books. I'm more of a paper and glue designer!2. Daisies- specifically Gerber Daisies. I love them. And flowers for anyone who is fighting cancer is a good thing. Who's day doesn't brighten when they get beautiful, colorful daisies?
3. Vitamin D- new research indicates that vitamin D—whether produced in the skin through exposure to ultraviolet rays (from sunlight or sun lamps) or obtained from supplement's with vitamin D3 pills—may help cancer patients.

4. Dogs- especially the therapy ones, but dogs in general. Something about them is soothing and loving. I can't wait til I get into a place where I can finally be the proud owner of one. 5. Donations- of hair, money, time, efforts and donations to my giveaways! In fact, I have made a pact with my sister to grow my hair out until Christmas of next year and then donate it all to charity. It's pretty exciting!

6. Dedication- to cause of fighting cancer. I am completely, 100% dedicated to doing my part in the fight against cancer. Have you seen these 'I fight cancer badges' yet?

Click on join the fight to get yours!

7. Dairy- specifically frozen dairy from coldstone.... catch my drift? Who doens't think that a little ice cream makes you feel better when your down in the dumps or feeling crappy? Especially when sitting in a hopsital- ice cream... or dairy... always does the trick.8. Dr. Seuss- because I use this quote of his in my Nana's Boxes:

"I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind.
Some come from ahead and some come from behind.
But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see.
Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!"

9. Doctors and researchers- this is Dr. Huira Kopera, who is a cancer researcher at the University of Michigan, she recieves a grant from the American Cancer Society to do cancer research. I have the opportunity of working with her on the Ann Arbor Relay for Life Committee. It's thanks to Doctors and researchers like her who are working everyday to find a cure. Dr. Kopera is also personally involved in the fight against cancer, she lost her father to cancer 3 years ago. 10. Defeat- as in defeating cancer and surviving... like my mom and many other strong men and women out there who have defeated cancer and continue to defeat it everyday.

Be sure to enter our Finestra Designs Giveaway! The winner gets to pick a piece from her website! Go HERE to enter!

Also check out our Friday Feature!

{ Fabulous Feature Friday: Thankful }

Make sure to enter our Finestra Designs Giveaway!
The winner gets to pick a pendent from her site!
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Today's Fabulous feature is Michelle, from Her Cup Overfloweth.
I met her when she was featured over at my bloggy friend, Meaghans site. I was so touched by Michelle's story that I had to share it on my site.

In January of 2006 I was diagnosed with Stage I Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma, which is a fancy word for uterine cancer. I had a low grade version of this extremely rare cancer and at 28, almost 29 years old, I was blown away by my diagnosis. It was stage one, yes...It certainly was not the end of the world, I was thankful to be alive, I did not have to have chemo or radiation and in what seemed like a whirlwind of events, I was diagnosed, treated and given the blessing of "no evidence of disease". What I haven't told you in this story is that at 29, I had a total abdominal hysterectomy. This meant they took everything-ovaries, tubes, uterus. It also meant that I would be enjoying premature menopause.
With a 2 year old and 1 year old, there was little time to stop and contemplate what it all meant.
The last three years have made me continually thankful for my two precious children. For you see, had my husband and I waited to have children-they might not exist. I was pregnant with my daughter 3 months after getting married and pregnant with my son 7 months after my daughter was born. I was diagnosed with cancer when my son was 9 months old........I am deeply deeply thankful for my two little blessings. Cancer survivors and those in the midst of battle often say they are thankful for each day they are alive. It's not just some pithy saying...they say it because it's true.

How did you tell you family and friends?

Well, My uterine cancer made itself known to me in the form of severe bleeding and my gynecologist discovered a fibroid that was attached to my uterine wall. Fibroids are usually benign, so there was very little cause for worry. Two weeks after the fibroid was removed I got "the call". I can remember speaking with my doctor at 7pm in the evening over the phone and him telling me I had endometrial stromal sarcoma. My husband was right next to me and after I got off the phone he just held me while I cried. I then called my parents and my husband called his parents. I couldn't be the one to tell people after that. It was really hard and I didn't want to have to endure all the questions (most of which I did not know the answers to yet). My kids are still so little (they were only around 2 and 10 months old when I was diagnosed and treated)...we have told them I had "owies in my tummy", but eventually we will tell them more.

Does your family have a history of Uterine Cancer?

No. My birth mother did have cervical cancer...but I was told the kind she had was Stage I and not hereditary. And my particular cancer is extremely rare. While Uterine Cancers make up a significant portion of all Gynecologic Cancers, ESS is diagnosed in only 3% of those cases.

What was your life like before cancer?

I was just your average stay-at-home mom. I had two little ones and my husband and I were just trying to get by financially. Life only stopped for a short while for me...I had two small children to take care of and I needed to get back to taking care of them. That may have helped me heal faster!

What brought/ is bringing you hope during the scary times?

My faith in God has been the only source of hope during the tough times. I tried for a long time to do it "my way" and it turns out that trusting God completely with my illness has brought the truest healing. After my hysterectomy, for two years I had to get check ups and CT scans to make sure the cancer hadn't recurred. And let me tell you, that waiting game is no fun! But, ultimately, whether or not my cancer ever comes back, my hope is in heaven, not in this flawed thing called my body.

How has cancer changed your life?

Well, the most obvious way is that I can no longer have children, but I am so grateful to God for the incredible gift in the two he already gave me and having cancer has given me a renewed heart for adoption. The aftermath of a cancer survivor's life is something not many people talk about. Even though I no longer have ESS, there are still struggles I deal with. Having a total abdominal hysterectomy induces early menopause. Because my cancer is estrogen driven, I cannot be on any kind of hormone replacement therapy for that menopause. Let me just tell you - not fun! But if having menopause means I'm healed, then so be it. Having cancer has also made me grateful for each day I am alive, each day more I get to spend with my sweet children and loving husband! On a day to day level, however, my life hasn't changed much- I just got right back on that "horse" called life!

How has it changed your relationship between you and your family and friends?

That's a tough one. I am not sure I can see specifically where things have changed. I try to work on my relationships in light of my cancer (sort of a "live like you were dying" philosophy). But, I 'm not perfect! :) My marriage has probably suffered the most - It's hard to feel young and sexy and desirable when you have the hormones of a sixty year old menopausal woman! But mostly I am just thankful for the chance to be with him and the rest of my wonderful family. I am still here and that must mean God's not finished with me yet!

To read more about Michelle visit her blog.
For more information about Uterine Cancer and screenings visit this site.

Winner of the Crafty & Contemporary layout

The winner of the Crafty & Contemporary 2 page scrapbook layout is:

DiPaola Momma

who said she would use it for:
"I'd use it for the tons of pics I took this year when I finished walking 39.3 miles in the Avon Breast Cancer walk here in DC. I walked in memory of my Aunt Paula. We raised over $2000 in her name and DC raised nearly 8 million! The day after I was more sore and more proud than I'd ever been!!"
and also- what she likes best about Crafty and Contemporary:
"I like that her stuff looks cool and not just country crafty like my grandma would make. I LOVE the colors and textures"

Congrat's!!! Be sure to email me your info before Fri. Dec. 5
Feel free to grab my "I Won at Nana's Box" button!

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Have you entered our Finestra Designs Pendent giveaway??
Enter it now!

{ Merry SITSmas! }

Happy Holidays Everyone,

~Love from all of us at Nana's Box!

"GIVE of your hands
to SERVE
and your hearts
to LOVE."
- Mother Teresa

For those of you who haven't heard of SITS visit their blog to find out what its all about. You'll be glad you did. Today is their blog Christmas card party! Following the holiday spirit I'd like to share with you some of my favorite Fabulous Feature Friday posts:

The Butterfly- I met Joanie over at SITS!
A beloved Professor- a wonderful teacher that was lost to cancer
I BEAT cancer! - I also met Meaghan over at SITS!
The husband side - a loving husbands tale of his wife's cancer

To found out why I started Nana's Box read my story HERE

If you are interested in ordering a Nana's Box, free of charge,
for a friend or loved one click here

Also, enter our Finestra Designs GIVEAWAY! The winner gets to pick a pendent from her etsy site.
Enter here.

Finestra Designs GIVEAWAY!! (NOW CLOSED)

Today we are kicking off our December Giveaways!!!

For our first giveaway we have teamed up with
Kari over at Finestra Designs to giveaway a personal selection piece from her designer pendents! This wonderful lady donates 20% of each of her sales to a charity of the buyers choice! Isn't she amazing!?!

She has graciously donated to our December giveaways by allowing
the winner to pick a pendent - of THEIR CHOICE-
from Finestra Designs amazing collection!

Here is just a sample of her work:Here are the rules to enter the giveaway:

1. Visit Finestra Designs and tell us what your favorite pendant is.... you might just win it!
Leave a comment on this blog letting us know your favorite. Be sure to leave your contact info in the comment!

2. For a second entry become a follower of our blog. If you already follow us, you automatically get the second entry.

3. For a third entry blog about this Giveaway! Then come back and tell us where we can read about it.

4. One entry for commenting about your favorite piece, a second for being a follower, a third for blogging about the giveaway. Please post a SEPARATE COMMENT for EACH entry. (it makes my job easier)

Good luck! Giveaway ends Dec. 13th.
The winner will be posted here on December 14th.