" I am not young but I feel young. The day I feel old, I will go to bed and stay there. J'aime la vie! I feel that to live is a wonderful thing. "

" I am not young but I feel young. The day I feel old, I will go to bed and stay there. J'aime la vie! I feel that to live is a wonderful thing. " 

Coco Chanel

Kara and I have been working on a collection of rice rafferty hair adornments and accessories.  Kara did a photo shoot of our new bridal veils, head pieces with and without bird cage veils, feather fascinators, head bands and communion veils.
http://kararice.blogspot.com/2011/03/rice-rafferty-white-birdcage-veils.html

Hats were a normal accessory when I was a young girl as it was mandatory to wear a hat before entering into a Catholic Church.  I had seen the nuns drop a dirty dust cloth on my peers who neglected to bring a hat to wear to the weekday school mass.   No dirty cloths for me.

 My mother worked for years as the Head of the Coat and Dress Department for Lerner Dress Shop in downtown Pittsburgh.

" Lerner Shops was founded in 1918 by Samuel A. Lerner and Harold M Lane in NYC. The Company was acquired in the 1960's by Rapid-American, a holding company. In 1985 it was purchased by the Limited, Inc. and when sold in 2002 it was operated as Lerner New York and New York & Company. "

Fashion and style is in my blood. My mother who looked like a composite of Marilyn Monroe and Doris Day had the most wonderful collection of stylish hats.  My eyes danced as I squealed with delight every time she carefully lifted down her hat boxes, untied the ribbons on  the lids, slowly pulled open the tissue like a flower blooming in the garden to reveal another wonderful HAT ;~)

  Wearing a head piece always makes me feel special .

Lovely Chapeau hair adornments can be made with or without bird cage veils because it is important to feel special as often as you wish ;~)

                                             Why should brides have all the fun ?

In the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s, women used to express their femininity through waves and curls that represented the perfect “accessory” for the curvy and sexy silhouettes they had and which were considered as being so hot.

Chapeau stylish from all angles with bead adornment.



Retro means classic beauty and ultimate femininity.



Not quiet ready to add the bird cage veil yet don't want to miss out on the fun ;~)



Beautiful Moire, watery silk look, plays with the lights
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moire_(fabric)





Remember you're never fully dressed without a smile ;~)



    visit us on http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/rice-rafferty/203899441756

or

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/rice-rafferty/203899441756?sk=app_169505045786

Feel free to contact us for more information or questions about custom made work.

" A gals gotta do what a gals gotta do." Velma Rice

" A gals gotta do what a gals gotta do."  Velma Rice - fashion merchandiser, excellent homemaker, wise woman of faith and life experience and my mother ;~)

There was a beautiful Red Maple tree growing in our yard when we made this house our new home in November 1998.  One year under the cover of heavy winter snow the mole family was so hungry they ate the bark around this tree so much so that I thought it would surely die.  As is my practice in my garden and my life I never cut out broken, injured, damaged plants or people.  Instead I give the proper fertilizer, light, water and time to see how things develop.  The Red Maple survived and to my amazement has flourished in the past eight years since its trunk was damaged. http://www.mdvaden.com/sunscald.shtml

A few weeks ago while the plumbers were here to upgrade my kitchen work space  we had them explore why water was back washing into the garage during rain storm and deep snow pack meltdowns.  Sure enough the Red Maple had found a well spring by breaking the pipeline of our storm drains.  Sadly the day had arrived when I had to admit the tree was more of an nuisance than an object of beauty in my garden.   Before new pipe could be laid and a new island garden could be planted someone had to cut down that tree.    What to do ??? What to do ???

Being only a 10.5 inch caliper tree trunk their was no need for a big tree service company to get this job done.  Confident I could slay this giant myself I asked many of the men in my life to be with me just for good measure.  All of the men I asked for help were busy slaying their own dragons. Each one had his own special reason why I should wait. Each promised to help me when they had more time.

On the morning of October 4, 2010 Western New York was blessed with a bright, sunny morning following what seemed like a week of rain.  I had sent Jim into Pittsburgh for the weekend to be with his mother so this seemed like the perfect time to get the job done !!!





First I removed as many of the lower branches I could reach without a ladder.  This would lighten the load of the trunk working smarter not harder ;~)



my trusty electric saw used to slay the beast  ;~)



About this time my neighbors Barbara and Gaylen heard all the noise in the early morning. OOPS   I was caught before the deed was complete.   My lovely next door neighbors soon joined me in the project. 



Gaylen does the honors to carve the bird





Barbara walking home to the right in this image of the clean cut down tree ready for reconstructive work to be done in the island.

Kara arrived on the scene in time to help clear away the leaves and branches cut into pieces perfect to enjoy with a glass of wine around my fire pit.


It was during the clearing of the leaves and branches that I shared with my neighbors that I had surgery on my breast four days prior in search of breast cancer.  They were both so kind and concerned that I take care of myself and be sure to contact the doctor for results of my biopsy.



  here I am minutes after we cut down the tree sporting the new rice rafferty breast cancer awareness statement necklace

Little did I know then that I would be the new face of breast cancer.

there is no lump,

no discharge,

 no pain,

no change of my skin

I feel very strong and healthy

my cancer cells were found from my diligent surveillance of my general health through routine examines.

Today I am feeling truly BLESSED that my cancer cells were found in the early Stage 0, DCIS

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/types/dcis/

Now, for all of the people in my life who feel knowing I have a few cancer cells in my body scares you to death. 

 Relax !!!

You can not get cancer from me ;~)  Cancer is not a contagious disease. 

 I will have genetic testing to see if I am a carrier of the gene from my mother to my children.

Some people who hear I have cancer cells in my breast mumble something about breast cancer not being in their family as a thy walk away from me.  Sorry they are not aware that 90% of all breast cancers are not related to a family history.  For those women like me who have a family history perhaps we are very fortunate to be vigilant in a breast health care ;~)

Honestly, no one is sure they are immune to breast cancer.

http://www.facingourrisk.org/info_research/hereditary-cancer/hereditary-genetics/index.php

Go get yourself tested...

You can relax also that I am not going to die from breast cancer right here in front of you. 

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/cancer/articles/2009/10/22/the-confusion-over-dcis-what-to-do-about-stage-zero-breast-cancer.html?PageNr=1

In fact, my mother, Velma Rice found her breast cancer mass in 1958 when she was just 35 years old. She had a mastectomy of her left breast followed by radiation treatments for 30 days.  My mother then went on to live another 35 years and she never was bothered by cancer again.  In fact, she died of a stroke.  Perhaps her blockages were aggravated by the radiation treatments given to cancer patients back then.

 I may in fact never die of cancer either.

 " There is nothing to fear but fear itself. " Franklin D. Roosevelt

Hope you find it in your heart to share a cup of tea with me ;~)

in the meantime,

 A gals gotta do what a gals gotta do and I have more dragons to slay ...

 Are you with me ???  Do you have my back ???

"What is needed, rather than running away or controlling or suppressing or any other resistance, is understanding fear; that means, watch it, learn about it, come directly into contact with it. We are to learn about fear, not how to escape from it."

"What is needed, rather than running away or controlling or suppressing or any other resistance, is understanding fear; that means, watch it, learn about it, come directly into contact with it. We are to learn about fear, not how to escape from it."   J. Krishnamurti

I am learning an old lesson in a new way.  If you have been following my blog for the past two months you know I have been on a journey with breast cancer.  After the bilateral lumpectomies on September 28th I felt wonderful within a few days.  So good in fact I cut down a tree in my garden along with the assistance of my senor citizen neighbors Gaylen and Barbara and my daughter Kara using an electric power saw.   With my usual Ultra Feminine Warrior strength I bounced back to focus on life leaving the past two month is the rear view mirror.  As a reward for myself during all of the mammograms and ride in the MRI machine I promised myself that my birthday would be celebrated with both of my children.  We all enjoyed a lovely weekend in West Chester, New York.




Here I am wearing the new Breast Cancer Awareness Statement Necklace I designed for rice rafferty celebrating birthdays with Kara, Barry and Meghan outside of the church where Meghan and Barry are making plans to marry each other ;~)

 

After birthday celebration mass with my family, Meghan and I are bookend birthday Libras, Oct. 9th and 17th ;~)

On the drive back from Barry and Meghan's the doctors office called to ask why I missed my appointment that day.  Kara thinks it was accidentally on purpose as I was so excited to put all of the medical procedure's in my rear view mirror.  I am usually organized to a fault for appointments and responsibilities. Today I will attend a new appointment with destiny.  After speaking with my surgeon over the phone at my insistence she had the unenviable task to break the news cancer cells were found in the biopsy of my right breast.


Doctor said it is not her practice to give patients news like this over the phone but after getting to know me she thought it best to tell me sooner rather than let me wait until today in her office.

So far I learned I have stage 0 Breast Cancer known as DCIS or Ductal Carcinoma In Situ http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/types/dcis/

I designed the  rice rafferty Breast Cancer Awareness Statement Necklaces for women Inspired by the Look Good Feel Better  http://lookgoodfeelbetter.org/   I took the training certification classes for Look Good Feel Better  as part of my continuing education while we still lived in Pittsburgh.  The first two statement necklaces I designed I offered to a charity fundraiser in Buffalo, NY and Pittsburgh, Pa.   The people from Viva for Life http://www.roswellpark.org/calendar/2010-09-24/viva-life sent a nice young man out to my home to pick up one necklace.    I did not hear from the Pittsburgh coordinator until she wished me Happy Birthday after their event was over.   Little did I know when I thanked the Creator for health and healing during morning mass for my birthday as I wore this statement necklace, it was not accepted because I would need this one for myself.

I believe in a divine Higher Power who loves all of us and is greater than all of us.  The older I get I am learning everything happens for a reason.   Most importantly I believe in the words of Julian of Norwich   "ALL SHALL BE WELL"  http://www.umilta.net/julian.html

This statement necklace will be with me on my journey inspiring me to look good and feel better.

Forgive me as I have to jump on my stationary bike for 9 kilometers, read from my meditation literature and get ready for my visit with my surgeon at 1:00 today.

As I prepare myself for this journey I remember the words spoken to me often by my mother during the three years I took care of her and daddy before they died seven months apart.
" A gals got to do what a gals got to do."    Velma Rice

Right now I have to go and take care of myself. Thanks for reading my blogs ;~)  Please come back to spend a little time with me as I share my experience of my journey.

Now go make yourself a VERY CREATIVE DAY ;~)   Carol Ann Rice Rafferty

" You Can't Go Home Again" novel by Thomas Wolfe.

 "You can't go back home to your family, back home to your childhood ... back home to a young man's dreams of glory and of fame ... back home to places in the country, back home to the old forms and systems of things which once seemed everlasting but which are changing all the time — back home to the escapes of Time and Memory."  from novel by Thomas Wolfe.

My family home was sold in 1993, my parents are deceased 15 years and my brothers are not living in Pittsburgh anymore.  It really is impossible for me to go to a physical home in Pittsburgh. Thomas Wolfe was speaking about how we are different as we mature. Growing up in Greentree living in the South Hills of Pittsburgh for 42 years makes going back to Pittsburgh a homecoming for me every time I visit.

This visit was unique as I had an opportunity to see many of the people I attended Sts. Simon & Jude Grade School and Canevin High School for the first time in 36 years. Since I was 17 when I graduated from high school and this is our 36th year Reunion we have been apart more than twice the years that I was in age when we went out into the world to make our separate ways.

That's me in the second row standing to the left of Sr. Isabel with the other tall girls.

If you don't see these old classmates all the time may be best to begin with a warm up Pre Reunion dry run the evening before or a brunch the day of the Reunion. 

See my blog  http://cariceraff.blogspot.com/2010/08/getting-to-know-you-getting-to-know-all.html

Here I am standing in the second row left of Fr. Carey again with the tall girls

Sts. Simon & Jude the way we are now ;~)

Name tags with images from the yearbook are a nice touch.  Even with the name tags there were still plenty of names and people who I never met while we were at Canevin for four years. I made a point to walk around the ball room a few times throughout the evening reading names to see if I missed anyone. 

Dan Blankowski , Me and Ken Frazier

Karen Keane Janes and me, now facebook friends, share a quick picture.

Pat Topal Shank and I take a break from all the mingling. Pat a fellow Artist now a facebook friend said it was good to finally see me in 3-D ;~)

The 36 year Class Reunion felt like a cross between our Freshman Mixer Dance and a Masquerade Ball.  The Freshman Mixer was held at Canevin on a Friday night a few weeks after we began classes in 1970.  During the Reunion I realized what an intuitive 13 year old girl I was.  I was using the same skill, looking into each persons eyes to find nice people to speak with that night.  It is said, "Eyes are the windows of the soul."   Even if the person did not look the same at first as we spoke I could see in their eyes why some of those classmate I had chosen as friends in high school.

I'm in the middle again, second row, right of center, tall ladies are asked to sit.

I am seeing a pattern of me liking being in the middle of the group ;~)

Here is a nice touch video for our class picture so we can remember who was there and where we live now made by our classmate and Master of Ceremonies Dan Blankowski  and his wife Conni http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=629182980#!/video/video.php?v=1416929906723&ref=mf

Since you can't go home again as the same person you were when you left it is best to assume you need to get to know your past classmates as the beautiful and new people they have grown to be also. 

Here is a James Taylor version of the song Getting to Know You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7E8dC2g_XA&feature=related

Tips to make your Reunion or any social gathering more comfortable;

Wear something comfortable that expresses who you are.  I chose plain black legging, a black tank top under my black bathing suit cover up.  To dress up a very neutral canvas I accessorized  my look with sparkley beaded slip on sandles, a vintage glass beaded glass shoulder bag and of course my own work by ricerafferty.  Nouveaux Antique Gorget Style Silk Charmeuse Adornment Bib Statement Necklace is super light, comfortable and will make you memorable  in any gathering.

see   http://www.etsy.com/shop/ricerafferty              or               http://ricerafferty.com/

Don't ask a lot of personal questions when you see someone after years of being apart. 

Instead allow the person to open up like a flower blossom revealing what is comfortable for them to share about themselves.

Don't assume anyone has missed the opportunity to grow in 36 years. 

Look into their eyes and allow them to share what is on their mind with you.

My husband was previously engaged for the day so I attended my Reunion solo.  It is not a bad way to fly as you don't have to fill a date in on a lot of events they have no clue what you are talking about.

 It is your Reunion don't be afraid to attend alone.

Relax, enjoy yourself and get to know old classmates in a new way. 

Honestly, even if reunions are not your thing, all too soon the weekend will be over and it will be time to go back to the life you created for yourself. 

Right now I am enjoying these images and the memories.

I look forward to helping Dan make our 40th a warm and welcoming event on July 19th, 2014 ;~)

I won a PRIZE from Frank Daily gift certificate from his business http://www.bpwp.net/burghs/htdocs/index.php

Pat, Me and Tim Killmeyer

Linda and Wayne Caruthers, Pat, Me, Steve Grohowalski and Al Opzynski

"The summer morn is bright and fresh, the birds are darting by...

"The summer morn is bright and fresh,

the birds are darting by

As if they loved to breast the breeze that sweeps the cool clear sky."

- William C. Bryant

Today is the first day of July 2010.  Welcome the day, a new month and the first vine ripened tomato in my garden.  How sweet and luscious the first fruits of summer ;~)

Baby Austrian Pine Trees hatching in my garden this year. 

 Found this great growing kit by http://www.dunecraft.com/  while shopping in Wegman's early June.   The box contained everything I needed to grow my own Austrian Pine trees; growing medium disk, cocoa pot, packet of seeds and a plastic bag to create a terrarium facilitating growth.  I bought one box for me and one to take as a prize when I visited Barry & Meghan in West Chester, NY.  Seedlings shown here were planted a little over two weeks ago.  All six seeds germinated. I'll keep you posted with their progress this year.

RED, WHITE AND BLUEBERRY ANGEL FOOD CAKE EXTRAVAGANZA !!!

Kara takes the cake; to work that is ;~) It has become a practice where Kara works as the Graphic Designer to bring in a treat for the office staff on a rotating schedule. They always appreciate Kara's homemade offering's. This week it is Kara's turn.  I am sure she will once again score rave reviews with this Firecracker of a treat...


 

 First she baked this delicious Angel Food Cake. 

 Then she cut off the top of the cake, scooped out some of the center cake. 

 Next she filled it with fresh whipped cream, strawberries and blueberries.

 Replaced the cake lid, frost with  more whipped cream add garnish of fresh berries.

 Kara filled the center of the cake with extra fresh fruits and whipped cream.

     

 One slice removed shows the fresh fruit and fresh whipped cream filled center.

  My mother used to make this cake when I was a young girl. 

Bake some happy memories for your family and friends this Fourth of July weekend ;~)

For extra party fun and drama why not wear a ricerafferty tutu skirt to the party or picnic?

Ricerafferty now featured on http://www.save-on-crafts.com/glowbys4.html website.

Every picture has a story - rice rafferty- the story of us ;~)

We're the rice rafferty girls - aka the real Gilmore Girls. We're not the typical mother/daughter we even share the same names.  Kara's middle name is my maiden name hence we share the names rice & rafferty. Since neither of us have a sister so we're best friends and actually enjoy hanging out together. While each of has our own friends we share; inside jokes, love watching foreign and old movies together, attend concerts, cook, garden, work on our designs, and doing our own photo shoots.

We share cross generational information. I took Kara to see Cyndi Lauper, Leon Russell & Mikhail Baryshnikov. Last week Kara took me to an Ingrid Michaelson concert to meet up with her friends. Tonight we're going to see Rusted Root at the Lockport Canal Fest!

We even went to colleges together. When we were looking at art colleges for Kara, I answered the nagging call that I had unfinished business to do. The same day Kara started at University at Buffalo, I entered classes at Buffalo State College. We  shared a joke that morning from Romey and Michele's High School Reunion, " If this doesn't work out, you want to fold scarves ?" It was actually worked out really well because we would share information, critiqued each others work, and share supplies. Kara's university education was more conceptual while my college program was stronger with craft and technique. Together we were able to fill in the gaps everyone finds in their education. This is when our serious art work camp began.

Kara's silk screening class projects were heavily influenced by my fiber background. While the professor had all of his students printing on paper, Kara was off silk screening on t-shirts, up cycled denim skirts and even created her own fabric then made a bras to ward off breast cancer.  From handmade paper which I taught Kara to make, she silk screened her designs then built into lamps for her Senior BFA Thesis Project. Graphic design became more interesting for her when she combined fiber elements - embroidering book covers, binding handmade books, and scanning in interesting textures.

After graduation Kara began working graphic design jobs while I taught classes for two years at my college fiber design program. Working fulltime jobs left less time to make handmade items at first, but Kara quickly learned she also finds joy in the making.  I kept designing devore scarves, working with fiber reactive dyes and burning out the designs.  As Kara would assist me with the process we soon began a partnership that keeps building. Kara designs the business cards, labels and websites. I keep making new garments, statement necklaces and devore scarves.

Always hungry for knowledge, in fall 2008 I moved to Savannah to attend Savannah College of Art and Design masters fiber program.   Kara stayed in Buffalo working as a Graphic Designer. We were miserable apart.  Kara kept researching about textile and accessory businesses while I was gathering information @ SCAD. Last June I returned home full of ideas and armed with more knowledge we started working on more projects together and that is how rice rafferty our cottage industry was born. We specialize in making one of a kind accessories items; statement necklaces, devore scarves, silk scarves, copper jewelry, hair accessories, aprons and tutus.

"A daughter is a little girl who grows up to be a friend." ~Author Unknown

ricerafferty is a cottage industry conceived by mother and daughter indie designers.  Our style is nouveaux antique - new items that are meant to resemble treasures you may find in your grandmother's bureau.

A small business of women focusing on accessories for women we formed out of our dissatisfaction with inexpensive, commercial items that are poorly constructed. We create one of a kind accessories made from our own hand dyed fabric and up cycled materials. No two pieces are alike, but we can try to make items similar if you request more than one.

Our items are meant to last so you can have treasures to pass down to your family members. We make bib/statement necklaces, devore scarves, hair accessories, and tulle accessories. We thrive on experimentation and unconventional ways of making things. Our line is continually blossoming and new items are posted to our website regularly so check back soon.

http://www.ricerafferty.com/

"What we really want to do is what we are really meant to do. When we do what we are meant to do, money comes to us, doors open for us, we feel useful, and the work we do feels like play to us."

                                                  Julia Cameron

What I really want to do is play with flowers. Since I was a young girl I have loved to plant seeds, water gardens, cut flowers then bring them inside to make a beautiful arrangement.

                  I LOVE FLOWERS... 

                                                       I LOVE THE FRAGRANCE OF FLOWERS

 I LOVE THE TEXTURES,

                                                                                   I LOVE THE HUES...

notice the elements of vintage jewelry worked into bib necklaces

each necklace is adorned with hand dyed silk cut and sewn into floral elements, stitched, up cycled beads and buttons are added to compliment the composition.

all items are hand made, each original design,  made in limited quantity,

each item has our rice rafferty label is sown in to show authenticity of the product 

back closure detail shown here

Live At The Troubadour [CD / DVD Combo]  

Merry Christmas from rice rafferty; a company of women specializing in women's apparel and accessories. Founded in 2009 by Carol Ann Rice Rafferty & daughter Kara Rice Rafferty. We are committed to improving the quality of life for women through education. Kara and I are funding an educational grant for women returning to college in search of a better life. Ten percent of the profit made from the sale of our products is reserved in an education grant to be announced.

After twenty-two years supporting my husband in his career ambitions, working as a full time mother raising Barry and Kara, as well as, serving as a caretaker for my mother and father simultaneously for three years while they were terminally ill; I finally created time to pursue my dreams to study art in college.

Returning to college at age 45 as a design student I was awarded a Buffalo State College Fellowship Summer Research Grant 2005. Throughout that summer I researched the old art of Devoré, along with Fiber Reactive Dyes and Dye Discharge techniques. For the past four years I have been perfecting my craft through much research, trial, error and experience has gone into the perfection of my craft.

While, Devoré is simple, it is not easy.

First as a student, then as an Adjunct instructor at Buffalo State College, I shared my knowledge with the Fiber Design student for two years. I resigned from that position to pursue more education as at Savannah College of College for Art & Design in the graduate program. Since Devoré is no longer part of the SCAD program due to the caustic nature of the chemicals, I continued to work with my daughter Kara creating one of a kind pieces in silk velvet Devoré.

Devoré, from the French word for devour, occurs when sodium bisulphate is applied to the cloth, dried, then heated. The heat process causes the sodium bisulphate to eat away at the fabric, leaving the treated area transparent. Devoré, is a process that has been used in the fashion industry for many years. Originally it... was known as "poor man's lace" and was called "broderie chimique" in Europe because it was used to simulate magazine embroidery. The main use of Devoré, has been on cut velvet fabric with a pile of viscose or rayon on a silk warp/backing.


With full knowledge of the dangers from working with these materials, like a moth to the flame, I return to my craft for the love of the art of Devoré.

rice rafferty is proud to offer one of a kind wearable art scarves and jacket/capes made with love for years of luxurious enjoyment.

Thank you to everyone who has purchased our products, supported our endeavour to improve the quality of life for women through good aesthetics and education.

A very Merry Christmas to you and yours from Carol Ann & Kara of rice rafferty.

You can follow us on facebook as a fan of rice rafferty
http://www.facebook.com/pages/rice-rafferty/203899441756?ref=ts,

purchase our products on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/ricerafferty

or shop at the wonderful shops listed on my website http://carolannricerafferty.com/

Ten percent of every dollar made from the sale of our products is reserved in an education grant