After retiring to South Carolina's Upstate, Cada discovered punch needle rug making in 2018 through a Furman University Osher Life Learning Institute (OLLI) class. Through pandemic downtime she grew her collection of floor rugs and wall hangings, and in 2019, she began collaborating with Charleston artist Tate Nation, translating seven of his paintings into large punch needle rugs — a partnership that culminated in the joint exhibition imagiNation and
a cover feature in Rug Hooking Magazine's September/October 2024 issue. Since then, Cada's original designs have been chosen for inclusion in two annual Celebration editions and taken first place at the 2025 Southeastern Fiber Fair. In 2025, Cada became an Oxford Certified Instructor and an Oxford Punch Needle Instructors Guild (OPNIG) member. She is now finding joy where her punch needle journey first began—regularly teaching other seniors through Furman’s OLLI program.