Introducing "Pinky" and a Fundraiser

Priscilla, the woman who is the sales rep for my

wholesale bag business, was in town a few weeks ago.

She is on the road with her work a good part of the year.

So, when she's in my area, she often comes and

stays the night at Buttermilk Cottage.

I usually make a home cooked meal and we

spend a nice evening visiting.

Priscilla has been my mentor

since the very beginning of my wholesale business.

As she usually does,

she  asked me if I had any new sheep designs.

My usual reply is/was that I have some ideas in my head,

but nothing to show her.

This time, she off handily said,

"you should design one for breast cancer awareness."

I have to tell you that Priscilla dealt with

breast cancer five years ago.

This incident happened about the same time

one of my "knitting buddies," Karen

had announced to our group she had

been diagnosed with breast cancer.

This was a hard blow to our group.

We've all known each other for

twenty years or longer, and have gotten

together weekly to knit with one another for

nearly ten years.

Luckily Karen was diagnosed very early

and her prognosis is excellent.

If you're a woman, you are impacted

by breast cancer.

Granted, we don't all personally get it.

But, we all have mothers, sisters, daughters,

and dear friends.

And somewhere, someone in our life is dealing with it.

So, with Priscilla's casual suggestion, suddenly came

my realization that here are two

very special women in my life,

who are both dealing with

breast cancer.

That was all the motivation I needed.

This is "Pinky" Pretty Pink Ewe.

She's my newest little lamb

and she's my personal contribution to

breast cancer awareness.

Buttermilk Cottage is partnering with

The National Breast Cancer Foundation

and pledging 15% of all its sales

of "Pinky" ornaments, kits and patterns will

be donated to the foundation.

"Pinky" is available as a finished

(hand knitted by me)

 ornament at my Etsy Shop here.

Or, if you're a knitter and would like the kit,

it's  available here.

 I also have the PDF patterns for "Pinky"

available at my etsy site

or from Ravelry

Not a knitter, and no need for a little

sheep ornament?

Not a problem.

I have set up a personal fundraising page here

where you can make a direct contribution to

this cause.

You can find out more about this foundation here

My ray of sunshine to share with all of you -

Priscilla has been cancer free for five years

and

Karen's last radiation treatment is tomorrow!

I'm in awe of both of these dear friends

and wonderful women.

Happy weekend everyone!