2015 Creative Cups

Helen Marquez and Amanda Crandall

My Mother Ruth’s Floral and Illuminating Treasures

When I first signed up to do a Creative Cups bra, I wasn’t sure what design I would choose. I knew that I wanted it to be in honor of my mother, Ruth, who passed away in 2008. She loved to collect pieces of floral and decorative material. She would make tablecloths and bedspreads with the material. I started going through boxes of my mother’s items. I came upon a beautiful piece of material and I said this is what I want to sew onto the bra. The material represented the style and good taste she had for picking out beautiful things.

My very good friend and neighbor, Amanda, was kind enough to help me sew on the material. She spent many hours and many stitches creating the bra while taking care of two children, ages 10 and 13. Her husband Rob encouraged her to finish the bra and would say to her, “Amanda, the date to send in the bra is getting closer.” She also took the bra with her to Maine while she was on vacation so that she could finish it on time. Amanda knew my mother and was determined to help me with this project. I thank her so much for her dedication.

I made the finishing touches on the outside of the bra with beautiful buttons and pins and handmade treasures that she had collected with her material. I miss my mother every day and I am so happy that something of hers will be remembered and on display for such a great cause through the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program.