Every Blister Saves a Sister:My Komen 3-Day Experience

Hello friends! I am back in Iowa and have had a little time to recover from my Komen 3-Day journey...and to say it was another incredible event would be an understatement. I am proud to say Team Twinkle Toes completed another fabulous sixty miles last weekend in Dallas, TX...and I have the badly blistered feet to prove it (although not as badly blistered as last year). Crossing the finish line, hand in hand, with my three teammates was an emotional experience, full of laughter, tears, cheers, a little pain, and a huge sense of achievement....there really are not words to describe it. The entire walk was AMAZING - even the rain - I savored the entire experience - taking lots of photos, meeting lots of people, and truly enjoying my surroundings. My legs, heart, feet, and lungs were ready (another full year of training definitely paid off), and I was able to take in the Dallas/Fort Worth scenery that encompassed me. I did manage to get another set of "Belinda blisters" - but don't worry - I am all good - my feet are taped up - and, it was definitely worth the pain, as the funds we raised will help so many and make an impact in so many lives.  There were numerous memorable moments - in fact, WAY too many to list...so, I will share a plethora of captioned photos with you that will give you just a peek at my experience (you should be able to click on them for larger views)...it was fun to see many 3-Day alumni that walk, crew, and cheer each year...and it was wonderful to have several new routes this year!

Twinkle Toes right before the opening ceremony...
L-R: Lori, Sandy, Lois, me

Walkers and crew gather for the opening ceremony...

A photo The 3-Day captured with Team Twinkle Toes starting out on day
one. We are in the front right (the four in black and pink)...^^^

Yard decorations along the route...

Another photo The 3-Day captured of Team Twinkle
Toes crossing the street (waving front left)...

First photo with firemen...it's a yearly tradition for me...

The backdrop reads "I'm keeping the promise for"...and we are pointing at our
"friend" and coach (Lois) who is a 19-year survivor...
Top L-R: Lori, Lois, Sandy...and that is me in the front with the sign...

Lori and I crossing the finish line on day one...still smiling after 20 miles...

This is me and Sandy's pink tent - our home for two nights...

The camp growing on day one...

A nighttime image of camp, as the rain moves in....

Route decoration....

Superman - a FAVORITE cheerleader...

Lori and I meeting new friends (well, we actually met these same
characters last year)...and yes that is tiny me  in the back
between the gold and white shirts...

Cheering station on a rainy, gray, and gloomy morning....

We had the funniest memorable conversations with the chicken, who we called
the "cheese guy"...

A photo The 3-Day captured of the incredible youth core...they
were the BEST again this year...I love my sneaky sticks!!

The dining tent at dusk...

The remembrance tents at dusk...

Many of you have asked about the showers...here are the semi-trucks
we shower in each evening....

A FAVORITE safety crew member - the "kilt guy"...
we loved seeing him again this year (and 70-pounds lighter!)....

The PERFECT "potty lady" - we love her...
...and yes, I got a star sticker for washing my hands...

Our very own Lois was a top fundraiser...raising just shy of an
AMAZING $10,000 this year...and yes, that is her on the poster
we spotted on Beverly Drive on day three!!!

The CUTEST cheerleader on the route!! She stamped each
of us with a ribbon and then posed for me!

Second photo with firemen...and yes, I am laughing on day three...

Just because I needed a photo of this craziness....

Team Twinkle Toes at mile marker 59...
Top L-R: Lois, Sandy, Lori...and me down low...

Because we needed a photo with Texas cowboys....
this was right before the final finish line...

A photo I captured of some fabulous safety crew members as
we entered Fair Park...

A photo I captured of some fabulous safety crew members as
we entered Fair Park...

Team Twinkle Toes at the Cotton Bowl finish line...60 miles complete!!

A photo I captured of some fabulous safety crew members and their
adorable dog before the closing ceremony...

Lori, Lois, and Sandy lining up for the closing ceremony...
I love my team!

The closing ceremony...

The final flag being raised - WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP!

A photo The 3-Day captured of me holding up my shoes at the
closing ceremony....

In closing (if you are still reading), I will share the thank you note I e-mailed to my donors earlier this week...this sums it up...my heart is full...

My dear friends, family, and needlework enthusiasts,

A GIGANTIC heartfelt thank you for supporting me on my Komen 3-Day journey! I have made it home from the event in Dallas - it was an UNBELIEVABLE three days and I am extremely proud to report we completed the 60-miles again this year. It was an AMAZING, challenging, fun, (at times) painful, and breathtaking experience...filled with heartfelt memories.

Because of your generosity, and the support of all of my donors, family, friends, and team members, I raised over $5,800 to help end breast cancer...our small, but mighty Team Twinkle Toes (four walkers) raised just shy of $22,000 for this important cause...and the Dallas event (1,100 walkers and 325 crew members) raised an OUTSTANDING $2,800,000! I cannot thank you enough for your support, love, and encouragement - I am so very touched by your generosity and kindness.

I also want to take a moment and express my sincere gratitude to those of you who made donations to our team captain for expenses, to those of you who sent care packages to me before the trip, to my mother and Dan who helped me with airlines tickets, shoes, and gear, and to those of you who sent sweet treats with notes to me in camp - you helped lighten the financial burden and truly enhanced my experience - I am forever grateful.

Finally, a HUGE thank you to my three Twinkle Toes teammates - you are beautiful inside and out and I was proud to share another 60-miles with you...you made this experience truly special and I can't wait to do another blister-filled 60-miles with you in San Diego - that Kool-Aid was delicious!

It takes a village...and YOU all made this INCREDIBLE journey possible and I thank YOU from the bottom of my heart. Together we ARE making a difference!

xoxo,
Belinda
Baby Twinkle

Check out the Komen 3-Day blog for a recap of the event and if you look carefully, you will see Team Twinkle Toes:
http://blog.the3day.org/2015/11/08/2015-dallasfort-worth-3-day-wrap-up/

Team Twinkle Toes is thrilled to announce we are headed back to San Diego in 2016!

So now, life gets back to "normal" - I play catch-up...I start sewing/quilting like a mad woman...I work on my new designs...I answer correspondence...I fill orders...I tackle the HUGE "to do" list...I stay medicated and try to keep my feet elevated...then, in a few weeks I will get back to training/fundraising for the 2016 Komen 3-Day in San Diego...it's all GREAT!

One final note - some of you are aware we had a death in the family the morning I returned from Dallas. My husband's 96-year-old grandmother passed away at home in her sleep. Services are Friday and Saturday in Ohio - so please be patient with me. Thank you for your condolences and kind words - she was loved and cherished and lived a full life - her caring soul will be missed, but I know she is now at peace with grandpa in heaven and I have another angel smiling down on me...

On My Way to Texas...

Well friends, it's that time again - I am actually leaving for Dallas for the Komen 3-Day walk in a few hours (I have an extremely early flight) and I think I am just about ready to go...that is, if my suitcase will zip up and be within the 50 pound limit! Note to self - ship all the gear to walking destination ahead of time - much, much easier...

 A GIGANTIC thank you to everyone who has supported my Komen 3-Day walk with a donation, love, encouragement, and support - I am overwhelmed by your generosity! Together we have raised well over $5,000 for breast cancer awareness, education, and funding...which is simply INCREDIBLE!...and our mighty team Twinkle Toes (four walkers) have raised almost $22,000 (at the time of this post) for this important cause...and donations are still coming in!! I just can't thank each and every one of you enough...there are not words to express my gratitude. The Komen walk starts tomorrow (Friday) and over the course of three days we will each walk 60-miles for this worthy fundraiser...we will sleep in pink tents and shower in tractor trailers...we will laugh and we will cheer. If you would like to follow my journey, please make sure you send me a friend request on Facebook, as posts will be made on my personal Facebook account...then I will post here when I return from my trip.

You can follow my journey (and the entire Twinkle Toes Team) by checking out my social media accounts and the Team Twinkle Toes Facebook page....I'll do my best to post photos and updates, so you can track our progress...

Belinda on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BRDgirl
Belinda on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BlueRibbonXS
Belinda on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/BRDgirl
Belinda fundraising page: http://www.the3day.org/goto/Belinda
Team Twinkle Toes on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/teamtwinkletoes

I will be out of my studio/office from November 5th - November 9th, with very limited communication; therefore, I will respond to all correspondence (e-mails, orders, Etsy inquiries, FB messages, comments, etc.) in the order received upon my return starting Tuesday, November 10th - I appreciate your patience!  Thank you for your encouragement, support, and love! The next time you hear from me on my blog, I will have accomplished another 60-miles...

A Pink Halloween

Today we celebrate Halloween and the last day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month...which makes complete sense, because cancer is extremely scary (but it is definitely not a trick or a treat). I'm going to spend my Halloween afternoon training (indoors at the gym because it's raining again) and prepare for the Komen 3-Day which will be here in less than a week. Now that I have kicked my head cold to the curb and finished a GIGANTIC deadline, I have been able to get back to training and I am feeling ready for the 60-miles in Dallas. Before writing this post, I was reflecting on my journey thus far and my last minute preparations...and I am  excited to share that I am just shy of reaching an astounding $5,000...and although I am probably not going to reach my fundraising goal this year, I am beyond touched by the incredible support I continue to receive year after year - I am tremendously blessed and grateful! Seriously - I am close to being speechless and touched beyond belief - a HUGE thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged both me and my fellow teammates - I am so very thankful - this wouldn't be possible without you. I am feeling so very blessed to have so much love and support! I can't believe I leave for Texas in a few short days - I have been gathering all the needed gear and getting it ready to pack - it will be here SOON...

To read more about the Komen 3-Day, my reasons for walking, and/or support me and my fellow teammates on this incredible journey, visit: http://www.the3day.org/goto/Belinda - thank you for helping me make a difference!

Okay, so after all the "pink" talk, I haven't forgotten about Halloween or my fellow needleworkers/quilters...here is a little Halloween collage featuring many of your favorite spooky Blue Ribbon Designs...

Happy Halloween to all my friends, family, and followers - I heart you!

"Pink Positive"My 2015 Komen 3-Day Fundraising Design

"Pink Positive"

As many of you know, I am participating in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day this November – I'll (once again) walk 60-miles in Dallas, TX over the course of three days with my fabulous Twinkle Toes team members and hundreds of other women and men....all of us with a common goal to raise funds for breast cancer research, scientific programs and community-based breast health and education programs. I have already logged countless training miles in preparation for the event this year...and I plan to take every single step of the 60-miles in three days again this fall! My AMAZING friends, family, and fans continue to be so extremely supportive and generous and I am hoping you will feel moved to make a donation again this year. All walkers are required to raise at least $2300.00 to participate...but my goal is actually quite a bit higher at $7,500 (and one year I really want to break the $10,000 mark!)...and I know it seems outrageous, but I believe it is totally doable...

So, here is where my new "pink" Cross Stitch design "Pink Positive" comes into play...it is an exclusive Blue Ribbon Design, available only to those who donate a minimum of $15.00 (USD) to my fundraising page (all proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen 3-Day)...my gift to you for supporting me and this incredibly worthwhile cause.

First I will tell you how to get this very special design...please read the instructions carefully:

1. Visit my fundraising page: http://www.the3day.org/goto/Belinda.
2. Make a minimum donation of $15.00 or more - yes, it is tax deductible.
3. Send me an e-mail  (designer @ blueribbondesigns.com) or Facebook message with "Pink Positive" in the subject line . The body of the message can be as simple as "I made a donation".
4. I will verify your donation and reply to your message with a PDF attachment of the design. It's that easy!
   
   NOTE: If you are overseas and have difficulty with the Komen website or making your donation, you may send your donation to me via PayPal (same e-mail address as above) and note in the comments it is a Komen donation for "Pink Positive" and anything special you would like noted on the Fundraising Honor Roll - I will make the donation on your behalf (in your name) and send you the chart as a thank you. E-mail me for more details or with questions.

If you made a donation before I posted this information, I have already sent the design to you (to the e-mail you listed when you made a donation) - you are not required to make an additional donation. If you have not received it, please check your spam and/or trash folder - if it is not there, just send me a message and I will get you taken care of promptly.

Please note, it is not feasible for me to sit at the computer all day and respond immediately - please give me 24-hours to reply to your message - I promise to respond to your e-mail as soon as possible. If you haven't heard from me within a couple days, please check your spam/junk folder (remember, this is a large quality file), then, if still needed, follow up with me. Also, this gift is only available as a PDF file via e-mail, following the instructions above - I will not be mailing printed charts.

About this exclusive design:
"Pink Positive" is a needlework sampler that was finished into a quilted wall hanging,  along with a coordination pin pillow. The PDF chartpack is set-up like all my printed Blue Ribbon Designs and includes: a color photo, charting for the entire sampler, stitching instructions, stitch diagrams, basic finishing instructions, enlarged charts, and an alphabet/numbers for personalization - it is a high quality file. You will need Adobe Reader to view/print the e-mailed chart and contents.

"Pink Positive" is one of my signature samplers and each individual box design works well on it's own and/or can be used for a needlework small of your choice. In case you haven't figured it out, the title is a play on words...instead of "think positive" (referring to the charted words), I thought "pink positive" fit perfectly!

The entire design is worked in Cross Stitch over-two linen threads (or one Aida fabric square) and Back Stitch, with a few Smyrna Cross Stitches and a few Cross Stitch over-one stitches (minimal). The model was stitched on 35-count hand-dyed fabric (Linen by Weeks Dye Works) with Weeks Dye Works cotton floss...and a DMC conversion is provided. Floss colors include: Bluecoat Blue, Blue Spruce, Buttercup, Chestnut, Curry, Clockwork, Deep Sea, Emma's Pink, Ivy, Liberty, Molasses, Peoria Purple, and Tiger's Eye.

One more thing, please remember: "Pink Positive" is protected by copyright law and is meant for personal stitching only by the donating recipient. I kindly ask, please do not share, email, or post the PDF file on the Internet; if your friend(s) would like to stitch this design, please encourage them to visit my fundraising page (http://www.the3day.org/goto/Belinda) and make a donation to the cause...after-all, ALL proceeds are benefiting the Susan G. Komen 3-Day. Thank you for respecting my copyright.

Finally - please help me spread the word...if you like the design or think your friend(s) would like it, please share a link to this post on your blog, Facebook, message boards, or other social media...I would really appreciate it!

...and one more thing...a very special thank you to my dear friend that stitched and finished the fabulous pin pillow for this special project! It is not easy for me to give up any part of the design process, but you stepped in (didn't really give me a choice) and said you would take care of it...and that was just one less thing I had to worry about. I truly appreciate your friendship, love, and commitment. xoxo

So, I am off to visit my mother in Illinois first thing tomorrow morning and will be out of my office for a few days (returning on Tuesday)...I will have limited communication and will do my best to e-mail donor charts while I am away - please be patient. I plan to spend some quality time with my family - I need a little rest and relaxation...

Stitch Pink - "A Journey"

When Just CrossStitch Magazine contacted me last year about the possibility of designing a special breast cancer awareness project for the October 2015 issue - I didn't even have to think about it...I had several ideas in my sketchbook ready to expand on and I was immediately "all in". Those of you who read my blog regularly know I have done quite a few designs and quite a bit of fundraising benefiting breast cancer awareness/education over the years...and I was excited to work on a piece that could reach such a large audience. I was actually stitching this model back in January and shipped it off to the magazine in March...so I was super excited on Friday when my model was returned along with a couple copies of the newly released magazine.

You can find my very special "Stitch Pink" project titled "A Journey" starting on page 57 of the magazine (Volume 33, No.5 - October 2015). The main design is mounted in a 9.5" square whitewash tray by Sudberry House (#68002), but is definitely suitable for regular framing (or would make a lovely pillow). There are also three coordinating needlework smalls to complete the set - a pin pillow, a scissor fob, and a heart-shaped wool fabric needlekeep. I cross stitched the model with Weeks Dye Works Hand Over Dyed Embroidery Floss on 32-count Buttercream Linen from Lakeside Linens; however, DMC 6-Strand Embroidery Floss conversions are provided and this design would look lovely on an array of fabric colors. Sudberry House has a variety of tray options and colors available...and a larger (11.5" square) tray available for those who would like to work on a different count of fabric.

I have had quite a few questions asking if this design is my Komen 3-Day fundraising design for 2015 - and I can happily tell you, no, it is not - as always, I have something extra special planned for this year's exclusive fundraising piece and I am hoping to share it with you very shortly...and I thank you for your patience! I know it is late coming out this year, as the walk is quickly approaching (Team Twinkle Toes is walking in Dallas in November)....but just like the subject of this blog post, my life continues to be "a journey"...and just like me, the model is still a work in progress. It will be available soon (I have been diligently working on it every evening) and I hope you will find it has been worth the wait... To the handful of you who have already made a donation on my fundraising page (we have corresponded and you know who you are - I have a list!), I will be e-mailing the chart to you as soon as it is ready - and I truly thank you for your support and encouragement!

For now, I have a pile of customer sewing/quilting to do this afternoon...then a training walk this evening...then back to model stitching. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and make time to do something you enjoy!