I wanted to create something to support International Mast Cell Disease Day that was a few weeks ago. I thought it would be fun to do something a little different for me. This year (and last year) I created quilled artwork that shows how I feel living with this rare disease. And typical of me, I didn’t quite get it done in time. Ha! (I’m currently trying to hard to get a big Christmas gift done on time!) But it’s finished and I’m happy with it!

So here it is!

Hope in My Heart

This quilled artwork piece features a paper heart is wrapped in a purple ribbon with white polka dots, which is the official mast cell disease ribbon. I hope that as more awareness is raised about this family of diseases that more doctors will take it seriously and be willing to treat it. I hope more treatment options will become available and perhaps even a cure will be one day available. Raising awareness and raising money for this cause can help bring these hopes closer to a possibility.

I thought of this ribbon wrapped heart last year while I was working on ideas for this next piece.

Hope in the Morning

“Hope in the Morning” was created as a submission to the 2019 Rare Disease Art Contest. I felt very inspired creating this piece. While I didn’t place in the contest, I was really happy with how my submission turned out.

My home is nestled at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains and each morning I get to watch the sun rise over these glorious mountains. Each morning it fills my heart with happiness and hope in the new day. And each sunrise brings the beauty and hope of a new day where symptoms are manageable and new treatments can be discovered.

Both pieces are a style of paper art called quilling. I just love it. Its not my usual form of paper art, but it suited the look I wanted for both pieces. Its always fun to try and explore new art forms, right?

If you would like to help patients like me, please consider dontating to TMS, the foundation that supports Mast Cell Diseases. 💜💜

If there is an interest, I might consider making digital prints available in my Etsy Shop with proceeds going to TMS. Interested in the original of the Hope in My Heart? Please email me.

Socially distanced hugs to you!

XOXO
-m