The journey back...

Well, I was shocked when I logged on here to discover that it's been exactly a year since my last post. It's been a year filled with many changes, many awakenings, sadness and loss, and recovery and hope. In other words, just life happening. Now, in an effort to renew Dorcas' activities and presence (see www.dorcasproject.org) and also my own life, I want to try once again to blog.

One of my New Years' resolutions this year was to journal more - and that has evolved into a fun exercise into the world of art journaling. From time to time I may post some of my pages (if they're not too personal - or maybe even if they are... heck, if more of us would dare to be real, how much more could we connect and love?). I also hope to spend more time in my studio creating, and I'll try to get better at photographing those efforts. (hint: I'm TERRIBLE at remembering to take pictures...).

And I want to keep this blog up-to-date on what's happening with Dorcas. One of the exciting things happening right now is getting a new fund-raising effort underway. I've formed a little offshoot company called "Pink Poppy" and it will be unique custom-designed gift baskets especially for women either undergoing treatment(s) for breast cancer, or to celebrate the end of treatments. I've collected some really amazing stuff and I'm excited to begin offering these. So watch for pictures of those on here. And above I've posted the new logo for Pink Poppy created by a woman I "met" on Facebook. It was one of those wonderful divine appointment things. I posted on there asking if anyone knew someone who could take a design I'd found on a pillow and make it into a logo. I was so humbled by the number of responses I got, but the first true commitment one was from a woman whose Facebook name is "Scarlett Caesar". Turns out she's a graphic artist in Alaska, of all places, and said she could do it pretty quick. We exchanged a couple of quick messages about tweaking it to make it "original" and by the next morning I had the most perfect logo! Then, nearly as an afterthought, she told me that her mom has breast cancer and will be having a mastectomy in a couple of weeks. Like I said... divine appointment.

So anyhoo... here I am again... and I hope I'll be around a little longer this time. Let me know your thoughts. Hugs and love!

WOW! What a doll! (or dolls, as the case may be!)

For those of you keeping up with the happenings at Dorcas, we have new members of the "family" - Amy of www.artfulheart.blogspot.com created 4 fabulous Dorcas Dolls and donated them. Aren't they wonderful? Aren't 4 women going to be especially blessed by the gifting of them? Thank you thank you THANK YOU, Amy. And blessings back to you. ~ Mo

Meet Baby Dorcas!

Woot! (Techie terminology for Woo Hoo!) As a result of the awesome and generous grant from IBM Corporation (thanks to my wonderful cousin's grant application) I received the new Dell laptop computer for Dorcas today. Meet Baby Dorcas -






I can envision such exciting opportunities for this pink little gem - in-house publication of some of our promotional materials, keeping our web site up-to-date, researching cancer-related resources for women we serve as well as our resource guide, the opportunities are just endless! I am so blown away by IBM's generosity, and somehow it helped validate the reality of Dorcas as a viable organization. Silly, I know, but that's how my mind works sometimes. She has existed in my mind for so long now that I'm not always sure how that translates out in the "real" world.
Anyway, I just thought you might want to see the latest happening. Now I'm busy copying all the documents and graphics to her. Next project - printing labels for the display stands to hold promotional bookmarks, and then distributing into the medical community and public sites. Double woot!

Starting over

OK, it has been so long since I have posted anything I wonder if anyone will even notice... possibly one or two will. And so much has happened! Dorcas is officially "real". Yes, all legalities have been fulfilled (including IRS approval as a Section 501(c)(3) non-profit - which means all donations are tax deductible! woo hoo!). The web site is up and running, complete with resource info (www.dorcasproject.org) and we have even given away our first "Dorcas Doll" to a woman undergoing treatment. And now.... drum roll, please.... we are about to debut officially into the community! The most exciting news lately is that we are definitely set for our first fundraising event, and it promises to be wonderful. Are you ready??? Come one, come all to the 1st Annual Benefit Art Bra Exhibit & Silent Auction!!! It's entitled "ART BRAS: A SHOW OF SUPPORT" and will be held October 24 & 25, 2008, in the glorious new art gallery - EXHIBIT ONE (check out their website - www.xonegallery.com). The silent bidding will culminate on Saturday evening during the wonderful reception planned (catered & wine tasting included), and besides the viewers voting for their "People's Choice" entry (which will receive a special award), we will be photographing the entries for inclusion in a fundraising calendar for 2009. Can you tell I'm pumped??? These 3 women (two sisters and their mother) who own this gallery have made such a wonderful impact on our community by providing an upscale art gallery. I am so humbled and grateful to them for taking on our project, and I look forward to learning a lot from them as they assist me in promoting both Dorcas and the upcoming exhibition. So stay tuned for more info as I get it - including the call for entries which will be open to ARTISTS EVERYWHERE (hint hint!!!!). And if you're having trouble visualizing what the heck I'm talking about with an "art bra" exhibit - check out these great web sites (yes, the idea was NOT original with me, alas...) - www.showusyourbra.com, www.la-art.co.uk/Exhibitions/E122.php, www.wtww.org/exhibition_bras.htm.

I promise - I'm going to try to stay more current with my postings. It won't be everyweek, but I vow to do better. And who knows? Maybe I'll even have some art to post on here again. I did play a week or so ago, painted layers on wonderful paper, which I then tore into smaller sheets and bound together with embellished recycled book covers for my own impromptu art journalling of quotes & scriptures touching me lately. It was a great exercise and I even liked the results. I'll try to post a pic or two sometime soon.

Until then, lovely artists, keep creating and keeping me inspired! Love & hugs to you all!