beyond the reef

 

 

#SewPINK Initiative Blog Hop 2026

Since 2019, it has been my sincere pleasure to be a part of byAnnie.com ' s

Blog Hop.

#SewPINK Breast Cancer Awareness Blog Hop 2026 

"Join us each day in October for a blog hop of inspiration and education, as well as a fundraiser through the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and charity sewing opportunities. Be sure to check out each day's blog for information and giveaway opportunities."  

Thank you Annie for your generous use of your platform for this great educational event.

https://www.byannie.com/sewpink

This year, while sharing some photos of a simple byAnnie project, 

from the pattern The Cubicle Collective

I'd like to share a story with you about someone dear to my heart.

The first time I met Leslie, was on Hanalei Bay, sharing a house

we had rented - our husbands had grown up together, 

surfing in Malibu and other spots along the coast.

We were wearing the same bathing suit.  But her top fit differently.

She had undergone breast cancer surgery at 32 yo.

That didn't stop Leslie from rocking a bikini top and a pareo at the beach.

 

We quickly became twin sisters from different mothers.

And when we returned to California, we kept in touch.

Leslie grew flowers on a Ranch north of Santa Barbara.

And her husband grew lemon trees.

Life went on for a while.  We'd visit, the guys would surf and bbq.

And Linda and I would share recipes and stories and our love of beautiful things.

One day, the news came.  

Linda would be going to City of Hope for a unique round of treatments.

I'd drive from Long Beach to City of Hope regularly.

I'd donate platelets.

And when she went into quarantine for a bone marrow transplant, 

I drove back to City of Hope 

and put big pink fancy fabric bows on all of the patient doors in her wing.

Eventually, Leslie's time came, after all treatments had been exhausted.

She was surrounded by her loved ones, and gazed past the flower fields,

all the way up the Coast, one last time.

If you have a girlfriend, neighbor, sister, brother....

remind them to keep their annual appointments.  

And in the mean time, love on them

every moment you can.

- Natalie.

(fabric is Annabel's Blenders by Annabel Wrigley for Windham Fabrics)

Thank you Annie, for creating this place

for education

for inspiration

and for

support.

Natalie Barnes

www.beyondthereefpatterns.com

www.beyondthereefshop.com

The #SewPink Initiative's mission is to raise awareness for cancer throughout the year.

Efforts culminate in an annual blog hop during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month to promote self-care, awareness, early detection and support for those affected by breast cancer.

To learn more and see the calendar of events visit: https://www.ByAnnie.com/SewPINK