"Henna- an Ancient Art for Modern Women"

My first exposure to “henna” was at a traditional Indian wedding – minus the elephants.    I did not know at the time what the beautiful design sketched on the bride was called, how it was applied, or why it was there.     The only thing that I knew was that the bride was beautiful!

 Today, almost 5 years later, while chatting with a lady going through chemo, she mentioned that she was having a “Henna Crown” sketched on her head.   I politely asked, “What is a henna crown?”.    She proceeded to tell me that it was a dye made from the henna plant that temporarily stains the skin.   The more she talked, the more I thought…this would make an interesting blog.

Little history: For thousands of years, women in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East have used the leaves from the henna plant to dye their hair and ornate their bodies.   In India, the darker the henna is on her hands the more intensely will her husband’s love be for her.   In Saudi Arabia, only a relative who has been happily married can paint the bride’s hands or else she will bring bad luck to the bride.   Jewish women sometimes have a henna party about a week before the wedding.     The henna art has always been an outward sign of inner peace and beauty.  

Today this art is sometimes referred to as a “henna tattoo”, but it is not a tattoo.  No needles are involved.   The henna leaf is ground into a powder, mixed with liquids, and painted onto the skin.    It takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes depending on the extent of the design.    The paste dries ASAP, but needs to remain on the skin for at least 4-6 hours.    The paste will then flake off leaving a terracotta stain that will last for approximately 2 weeks.

“Henna Heals  www.hennaheals.ca/  is a Canadian based nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower people experiencing complete hair loss by offering safe, temporary and customary henna crowns both in Canada and abroad.”   I would suggest anyone interested in finding out more to definitely check out their website.

The above photo was sent to me by my new friend that is under going chemo.   She wanted to try it first on her hands to make sure her skin didn't have a reaction to the dye.  I was so impressed that I asked if I could include the photo in my post!

Alopecia and Chemotherapy



                                                 

Front Knot Turban

 

 

When a person hears the word “cancer”, one of the first things she thinks of is “good-bye beautiful hair”!    When a person is told she have “alopecia”, her reaction is “what?”.      Although unlike cancer, alopecia is not life threatening, it is just- if not more - traumatizing.      

     With My-S-Cap I have the privilege of talking with beautiful women who were informed that they have been diagnosed with cancer, and will be going through chemo.    After the initial shock, they contact me for turbans that are both pretty and comfortable.   They are positive women of all ages who are determined to beat the cancer.    As I tell them; it is a journey and they will get through it.   A year later they again have a head of hair and a totally different outlook on life.

      This week two beautiful women living on opposite ends of the USA (CA & NY) contacted me for headwear.   What made this unique was that they both had alopecia.    CA gal (alopecia areata univeralis – total loss of all body hair, and NY gal ( alopecia areata).    My first reaction was “what is it ???”.    After listening to their stories, I decided that I needed to not only educate myself, but to write a blog entry.

   

      Alopecia in simple terms means baldness, but not just the TV ad type baldness.  It is an autoimmune disease that thinks the body’s hair follicles will hurt the body.   There isn’t a cure.  It may go away but can come back.   Alopecia areata is most common in children under 20, but anyone can get it.  About 10% will never grow hair again; which means 90% will grow their hair back in a few months.  Locks of Love  Website: http://www.locksoflove.org  provides custom hairpieces to financially  disadvantaged children under the age of 21 with long-term medical hair loss.

Bandana with Liner

       Aside from the loss of body hair, there are no physical side effects.  It won’t kill you, but it will definitely change your self-esteem and body image.    I remember my grandson coming home in tears where the hair dresser confused him with another boy, and ended up shaving his head!!!!   Luckily his hair grew back.  People with alopecia aren’t that lucky.    The only treatment I can think of is to pamper yourself.    Purchase that expensive make-up or pretty outfit.   I found this helpline link:   http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/alopecia-areata-helpline.  There may be others out there.

 

      3-Seam     

        My CA friend contacted me because she said that her beautiful human hair wig  http://peggyknight.com/  that she can swim in was just too HOT.   The My-S-Cap style that she fell in love with was the “Bandana with liner”  http://etsy.me/1qrZbzv .    She liked that it allowed the air to get to her neck.   Wigs are great for dealing  with chemo and alopecia, but for around the house and every day -   soft comfortable headwear is the way to go      My NY friend likes the “3-seams turban”  http://etsy.me/1qKkBqe .   She had just recently been diagnosed with alopecia.    In both situations the ladies are trying to make the best of a not so pleasant situation.     From what I hear from ladies dealing with cancer and alopecia, they just want to blend in.    My CA friend told her husband that she would like to have a t-shirt with “Just Smile” written across the front.    She was so tired of people feeling sorry for or asking her questions.    I don’t think that is too much to ask.

    Every piece of headwear that I make is designed for individuals dealing with a sensitive scalp.  The first test is softness, then easy care.  Every piece of fabric purchased has to withstand a trip through the washing machine and dryer.  I hat "hand washed or dry clean items".  No matter what the tags reads.... they go in my washing machine too!

       If you or someone you know is dealing with hair loss or is in need of headwear, please direct them to www.myscap.etsy.com .   Eleven different headwear styles are available with over 350 listings.  If you can't find something you want ........ just ask.  Life is too short not to help make a difference in someone's life.  It doesn't take much to brighten one's day.
 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



    

    

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reversible Bandana Scrub Caps

   Patriotic Flags       

 

  Playful Daisies              

 

 

 

Have you ever got in the cleaning mode and found some hidden treasure?   I did that this week and discovered a box of reversible caps neatly tucked away.  

In 2010 when I first started My-S-Cap, the reversible scrub cap was my only item.    The only variation was the fabric! ….. not much variation.     It soon turned out that not only was it requested as a scrub cap to wear in the OR,  but also requested by ladies dealing with chemo.    With it being light weight and having no visible seams, it was ideal for their tender sensitive scalps.    Being reversible also added a little variety.   The band can be folded to fit just about any head size.

 

 As I started getting other requests, the reversible headwear got buried under the other projects,  that is until last week, when I cleaned the front closet.    Like a child that had found a forgotten toy, I was eager to see them again.   They were still as beautiful as the day I first made them.    It was then that I decided to leave my sewing machine and tackle the task of listing the “Reversible Caps”!    Listing is not my favorite part of My-S-Cap, but I know it is necessary.     Sewing is much more fun!  LOL

 

I am happy to report that after 2 days I have them all listed.     You can find them at www.myscap.etsy.com  or http://esty.me/WuyM2b .    They are listed at $17.00 which includes FREE SHIPPING.    They originally sold for $22.00.       As An extra bonus…….. if you want more than 1 reversible cap write : BLOG $2.00OFF  in the “note to buyer block” and I will refund you when you place the order.

 

I  just created a Smilebox of some of the Reversible Bandana Scrub Caps.

http://www.smilebox.com/playBlog/4e4445784f444d304d44513d0d0a&blogview=true

I'm hoping you can open it.

Hope life is being kind to you!

 

 

 

 

Zig Zag Chevron (Little Unknown Facts)

                                    Zig Zag - Chevron

                        

                                    I must admit that I am not the first to recognize a fashion trend, unless it is really out of the ordinary.  That is probably why I did not recognize “chevron madness”, until my granddaughter asked me about helping her embroider initialed chevron fabric on to t-shirts.  She wanted to sell them to girls at school as a way to provide some much needed gas money for her car.   

 

After doing a little research I discovered that the “V” shape chevron design has been around on pottery and rock carvings since 1800BC.    During the middle ages it was a popular design for shields and flags.  The military still uses it today to distinguish rank.

Some of you may remember the Chevron Oil Company’s logo.  The company adapted the chevron design as a tribute to Albert Einstein because of his habit of scribbling chevrons in the margin of his math notes.  Guess the oil company  thought……. “If it’s good enough for Einstein, then…..”. 

 

     

 Designer Missoni from Italy introduced chevron to the fashion world in 1953.   I can remember wearing the zig zag pattern in the 60s.  If memory serves me correctly, the chevron designs then were mostly multi-colored.   In 2011, Missoni launched a low cost chevron clothing line for Target.  The line sold out within 24 hours crashing Target’s website, and emptying their shelves.

Mono-colored chevron designs of white and another color seem to be what are now popular.   Today’s chevron is a familiar design with a refreshing bold clean look.  It is used in interior design, clothing, jewelry, and even packaging.   At My-S-Cap it is used in our crutch pads, scarf-turbans and snoods.  Check out other chevron items at: https://bitly.com/# or www.myscap.etsy.com

New Gingham Elephant Stethoscope Covers Anxiously Awaiting Adoption!

                           

This group of critter stethoscope covers is unique in that they are made from fabric that I purchased at an estate auction.    The lady was a quilter, and I am sure her original intention was to make a quilt to keep some family member warm and comfortable.   I feel that she would be pleased with what I did with her tucked away fabric.

Because these at made from treasured fabric remnants the number available of each color varies greatly from as few as one to five.   All fabric has been prewashed. Finished covers can be machine washed and thrown in the drier.   These covers fit both single and double tubed stethoscopes.

The critter stethoscope covers made their debut at a 2011 Christmas Art Gallery! Needless to say …they were the most popular items, and definitely a great conservation starter.

                                                  2011 Danville Ky Art Gala with my granddaughter Kamryn!

I can’t remember how I started making the covers.     They were probably a request…..everything else resulted from someone asking if I could make a particular item.   I try to create different critter designs each year.      The 2011 designs were the puppy & tiger, 2012 designs: elephant & giraffe, 2013 designs: painted pony & kitty.     This year’s design will be a hound doggie!    I have to smile when someone ask if instead of a tiger if I could I make an owl or another animal.    Oh if it was that easy!   These critter designs are the results of an art teacher (Cathie), home ec. teacher (me), and an embroidery template designer  Lorraine@canstralian.com  in Canada.    It takes months to get these critters ready to find a good home.

Since 2011 over 100 have been sold and they found new homes all over the world!    All of the critters are listed on www.myscap.etsy.com.  along with positive reviews like the one below.     

                                                         *****REVIEWS******

"Such a cute little guy. I love it so much! I'm going to buy more. Fits my Littmann stethoscope perfectly as if it was custom made! Fabric and stitch is durable, and I received it a lot sooner than I thought! I can't wait to see all the smiles this little guy is going to bring!!! Thank you Pat for creating such a lovable addition I can use in the nursing world!!" - Davina

My-S-Cap started from a simple request to make surgical caps as a Christmas present in 2010. It quickly went from making surgical caps to designing comfortable head wear for ladies dealing with hair loss due to chemo treatment.
I did some soul searching before opening My-S-Cap.  I really did want to make a little difference in the lives of others.  Being a former Home Ec. teacher, I was used to having to write objectives before teaching a lesson.  I did the same for My-S-Cap.  I love to sew and help others.  For me that became the driving force behind My-S-Cap.  From a simple request in 2010, My-S-Cap is now a fast growing company with over 50 styles/items.... all the results of other "special requests".  In addition to making head wear, I now make padded crutch wrap set, oxygen tank totes, CPAP covers, stethoscope covers ......
My-S-Cap is a small company with big dreams of..... making a difference one stitch at a time.  I make that difference by offering items that really help make one’s life a little more comfortable and by donating 10% of each sale to a variety of nonprofit organizations such as: Central KY Cancer Program CKCP, Wounded Warrior Project, Fighting Fancy and many others.  I am blessed to have the time and the health to make this possible.
Since 2010 My-S-Cap has grown into an international company hoping to reach 2,00 sales by the end of 2014.
Nothing "makes my day" more than hearing back from a buyer that they are so please with their purchases.
It really is the "little things" in life that makes it special.
Check out "myscap" on Pinterest. I created boards with information / ideas of possible items to help ladies going thru cancer, people with broken bones just to name a few of the boards.

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BROKEN BONE / CAST
This is an excellent article to read if you are carrying for someone in a cast.
http://bit.ly/1dLRoA0