My mom...

I sit here tonight really missing my mom.  She passed away December 13th 2014 after an 8+ year battle with cancer.  I am absolutely heart broken.  Time just keeps going and I want it to stop, so I can mourn.  My life, my kids, my responsibilities keep going...  
I am almost 40 years old, but I still need my mom!  I think back to the last week of her life and I wish this turned out with a miracle.  She was so strong and her desire to stay with us has me up every night running it though my head... should I have talked to her about dying? Would that have helped her at all?  Would it have me?  We tried to be positive.
So now I have lost my step mom and my mom to cancer.

New Beginnings

December 13, 2014 we lost our mom to cancer.  She fought for 8 1/2 years, but it in the end it won.  Even during her chemo treatments, she would help me sew chemo hats for other ladies.  She was a wonderful mom!!

Now I am trying to wrap my brain around what happened.  Some days are more difficult than others.  I miss her everyday.  It is tough to go from talking to someone and seeing them everyday to nothing.  Only memories.  I am sooo thankful for all of the time I had to spend with her!  And so happy my boys got so much time with her too.

I am in the process of putting away my step mom's sewing machine and using my mom's.  I know she would have wanted me to do that too.  This way, I can honor both of them.

If you would like to follow the journey of Madelyn Hats, please like us on facebook.  I post regularly there and post photos too.

Thanks!
Melissa

Some recent pics!

Just a few of the Madelyn Hats that have gone out lately! They have been going to individual ladies all over the US, Florida Cancer Specialists in Bradenton and Largo...and more orders coming in!  I am so excited to see how my step moms pattern has been able to bless so many women!!

Fabric!

We have a new Hobby Lobby that just opened in town!  I heard the store was fully of craftiness, but I was very surprised by the exceptional quality of fabric!!  Since these Madelyn Hats are going to be worn by women whose scalps have most likely never seen the light of day...the fabric must be soft and non-irritating!  Some of the quality fabric I buy elsewhere for $9 per yard is there for about $6.70!  That is a huge savings at the rate I go through fabric!
Of course, my old standby is Fabric.com.  I hate to put it that way, but their prices are good and I always get free shipping, as I don't think it is possible to spend less than $35 when buying fabric!  Love me some fabric! They always have the unique prints ladies are looking for!  Things I would never find at Joann or HL. Fabric.com makes it easy for people to donate fabric too, you pick it (cotton quilting fabric), they ship it.  Plus, if you call and give them my name, they will send the fabric right to me!  Very cool!
Well, that's the scoop!  Have a great day!

Photos on facebook

I am currently working on 16 chemo hats...I'll be putting photos on facebook when I finish!  All of these Madelyn Hats were purchased with money donated by a facebook friend earlier this year!  Thank you!

Many new Madelyn Hats have been going out!  Tomorrow I am taking my little guy to pick out some fabric for a 17 year old young lady!  Madelyn Hats has also recieved some very generous donations that make all of these hats possible!  Thank you!  Facebook is my up-to-date site.  Come on over and like it! :)

Come on over to Facebook!

I feel so bad looking at this blog!  I have not been keeping up with it very well! I have been keeping the Madelyn Hats facebook page up to date with pictures and information! 

Madelyn hats has been booming!  I recently mailed a care package to a 4 year old little girl going through chemo treatments.  Some of my friends heard I was making chemo hats for her and they donated a few things for her!  It was very sweet!  I have been mailing out many hats and my mom has been making them for her oncology office.  Busy!!

3 New Madelyn Hats finished today!  2 more cut out in the print shown!

Just a few of the Madelyn Hats that have gone out lately!  I keep up to date pictures and information on the Madelyn Hats Facebook page!  Check it out!

Facebook...

Facebook is the fastest and easiest way to communicate with Madelyn Hats!  Please check out the page!  I am still sewing Madelyn Hats and sending them all over from Florida to Canada!  I am trying to balance my 8 month old, 7 year old, hubby and home schooling with sewing.  I am thankful for everyone's understanding!

Oh my goodness!

     I haven't posted here in a while!  Madelyn Hats is still going strong, I have been more of a facebook girl lately!!  Please check out and 'LIKE' Madelyn Hats on facebook!  I add photos and details about the latest shipments as well as receive comments  from you easier! 

Shipment heading to New York...

Thanks to Christ Church in Roxbury, CT for spreading the word about Madelyn Hats!  A member of their chruch is receiving the next shipment of Madelyn Hats and giving them to the Hope for Heather foundation!  When I googled it, I discovered it focuses on Ovarian Cancer, which is the type of cancer that took my step-mom.  This comes full circle!

1st day back!

I was able to get some sewing done today!  I cut out 8 hats and was able to finish 5!!  I'm so excited!  Here is a preview!  Hopefully tomorrow I can finish the rest!

Getting back to work!

My new baby is now 6 weeks old!  He is also taking some good naps so I am going to break out my sewing!!  I am excited about getting back into it!  I've received a lot of feedback lately for which I am feeling very blessed.  I'm so thankful to honor my step mom with each Madelyn Hat and pray for healing for each person on the receiving end! 
My mom just had lung surgery last week to remove some cancerous tumors.  Her surgery went very well and she is on the mend now.  It is so hard to believe that with the amount of money being pumped into cancer research, there is no cure yet!  It seems that we all know someone with cancer.  My husbands cousin, a NYC firefighter, has brain cancer and is going thru some pretty rough treatments.  I have been so amazed by the four people I've known with cancer.  Their outlook and attitude has always been inspiring to me!  It really puts things into perspective for someone like me! 
I feel so blessed to be able to make Madelyn Hats.  I feel like I am doing exactly what the Lord wants me to be doing.  Sometimes I feel like I am unsure in my life and pray for direction and clarity, but this (making Madelyn Hats) is one area of my life I feel God has lead me right here and brought some wonderful people into my life!
Just had to share! :)

A little help from my mom!

My baby will be here any day now!  My mother, Lynda, has graciously taken over the sewing of Madelyn Hats while I get ready for this new baby!  She has learned quickly, as Madie said, once you get the hang of making them, they are easy!  My moms hats look exactly like the ones I make, she is doing great!  She is currently making more Madelyn Hats to take to her oncologist at Florida Cancer Specialists in Bradenton.  They have been the main recipients of Madelyn Hats, but we are always happy to bless other offices, hospitals and your friends and loved ones!

Find Us On Facebook!!

Madelyn Hats now has a Facebook Page!  Search "Madelyn Hats" and become a friend today!

New Hats are out this week!  I have had several requests!  2 Hats are being mailed out to Michigan today and 2 Hats are going out to Anna Maria Island.  I am working on Hats for two more ladies as well!!  I'm keeping busy!  I hope to have a reserve built up before the baby arrives!  Only a few weeks to go!

A teammate!

My mom has joined the Madelyn's Hats cause!  She is working on Madelyn Hats to send to St. Jude's!  How exciting!  I am also delivering 5 Madelyn Hats to Florida Cancer Specialist in Bradenton this week!  If you have any other recommendations to receive Madelyn Hats, please email me!  Thanks!

Shipment heading out!

Thanks to a generous donation, 10 beautiful Madelyn Hats are heading out to Texarkana!  I hope they bless who ever receives them!

New Madelyn Hats are ready!

This week I received a very generous donation from a friend of Madie and her fiance, Joe.  Thank you very much Mr. Cafaro!  Your donation will be a blessing to others!

                                                           Ovarian Cancer Awareness

I am including a few pictures of some new chemo hats.  As always, they are free and ship for free as well!

A slow few months!

I have been out of commission for the past few months, morning sickness turned into all day sickness!  I am now feeling better and ready to get back into making Madelyn Hats!  I have a few available right now.  Please email if you or a loved one need them!  They are free and ship for free as well!
I can't help but think how excited Madie would have been to know I'm pregnant!  She knew we had wanted another baby for a long time, but gave up over a year ago after not having any success.  My mom says Madie found the right ear to bend in Heaven!
We are also approaching the one year anniversary of her passing.  My church is saying a Mass for her on December 31 and again on January 11.  I can't believe it has been a year!  I really miss her!