Gift It Forward - Giving, Sewing, Sharing, Caring

Gifting It Forward - "Material" Gifts Created with Care

Gift it forward is a website created with the intention of raising money for women that have been diagnosed with breast cancer. It is patterned after the idea in the movie "Pay It Forward" written by Catherine Ryan Hyde. In the movie, a teacher asks a classroom to think of an idea for world change and put the plan into action. "Do something good for three people and when they ask how to pay it back, they are asked to pay it forward". If people have done nice things for you, don't give it back, Gift it Forward. This project is a way for people to give money to a cause, receive a fantastic piece of fabric art in return and help women diagnosed with breast cancer. I was struck by how simple, yet powerful an idea of paying it forward could be to the world. I never forgot the impact of giving from the heart and having people do the same by paying or "giving" it forward.

"Sometimes The Simplest Idea Can Make the Biggest Difference." Pay It Forward 2000

In Loving Memory

My story begins in 1967 when my mom, Naomi Poppe Kopke (1923 - 1967), was diagnosed with breast cancer and she was given six months to live. The impact of this diagnosis on a 12 year old girl was profound, and yet, the loss of my mom has made me into the woman I am today. I remember how helpless I felt because I could do nothing to help her when she was sick. That feeling of helplessness has stuck with me but it faded with time, until a dear friend recently passed from breast cancer. More of my story...

In January 2006, Holly Elizabeth Remmers (1954 - 2006) died from breast cancer as well. When I heard of Holly’s diagnosis, once again I felt helpless because we lived in separate states and I couldn't be there to do the smallest things for her. This is when I knew I absolutely had to do something to help women diagnosed with breast cancer, even in small ways.

I want to help women with the issues that surround keeping a positive attitude, self-esteem and concentrating on the idea of wellness instead of the disease of cancer. I believe that energy follows what you focus on. If that's true, you get more of where you focus your thoughts. Something that brings a smile to a woman's face, even for just a moment, is worth any amount of money. It doesn't take a lot to help women focus on how beautiful they are inside as well as out.

Help Women Diagnosed With Breast Cancer - In a Personal Way

Many people participate in breast cancer awareness fundraisers and millions of dollars are raised every year for the cause of breast cancer awareness. The American Cancer Society does fantastic work, but I wanted to help women in a one on one, very personal way. I realize how hard it is for women with breast cancer to keep up self-esteem. They undergo lumpectomies and mastectomies; they lose their hair from chemotherapy and their bodies are put through potent drug therapies or radiation. They look in the mirror and they barely recognize the woman staring back at them. The money raised through this website goes to individual women regarding personal issues. Some of the ideas for the money include:

new mastectomy bra • visit to a wellness retreat • new wig • facial, massage, manicure or pedicure at a day spa • tank of gas to get to chemotherapy • some pretty jewelry • new outfit or makeup • phone card to call the grandkids • anything that puts a smile on her face...

How Can you Help The Gift It Forward Project?

You can get involved in a variety of ways...

purchase a fabric postcard and send it to a friend just because... • purchase a fabric postcard and send it to someone that has been diagnosed with breast cancer • purchase a fabric postcard and keep as a bookmark • purchase a fabric gift and gift it to your kids teacher • donate a fabric postcard or gift to the gift it forward project • donate money to the project

Giving From the Heart with Fabric

I am a creative artist and I love working with fabric. I have been working with fabric since college when I majored in Textiles, Clothing and Design. I saw an idea for making fabric postcards and raising money for cancer at the same time and voila........this website was born. Fabric postcards are small quilted works of art that actually go through the mail. I have sent fabric postcards all over the country and people LOVE receiving them. Sending fabric postcards is fun, unique, and a wonderful way of showing someone you care. Email is so impersonal, a letter is rather boring, so give a fabric postcard instead. The whole idea behind gift-it-forward.com is for artists to give their fabric artwork from the heart, people purchase one of the postcards for themselves or send it off as a gift and they gift-it-forward to others.

When you purchase a fabric postcard or one of the unique fabric gifts from creative designers, 100% of the net profit go towards the pool of money for women that have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Use Paypal and purchase with confidence, or write a check.

$200.00 has been donated towards the gift it forward project. As you can see, we're just getting started. Help increase the amount and purchase a fantastic piece of fabric quilted art for a gift or for yourself. Thank you for shopping with me and helping the cause. Don't Give it Back, Gift It Forward!!!

"To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it." ~Kurt Vonnegut

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