Flash Those Pearlies!

Sorry this post is late--relishing in my last lazy days of summer before returning to a new school year on Monday. Speaking of summer--much of mine is taken up with care and maintenance appointments--physical, new haircut, eye doctor, and of course, going to the dentist--and that's what my challenge involves for you today. Create a project that is all about smiles! Use an image that is smiling or use the word "smile" in your sentiment. After all, my summer is coming to a close and I could use a grin or two. Flash me those pearlies!
Don't forget to add the keyword RESQ58 if you are uploading to an online gallery or just use the inlinxz below.

(Poppy by "I Brake for Stamps"; sentiment by "Verve.)

Thanks for stopping by!
Cheers!
Pat

RESQ57: Tape it up!

Tape is an essential ingredient in any first aid kit! You can find it in narrow and wide widths, with a cloth finish, in several colors. You can use it to adhere bandages or as extra support. And now tape has also become an essential ingredient in crafters' toolkits! Japanese washi tape has become all the rage this year, and lots of scrapbook companies have introduced their own versions of pretty tape. With that in mind, today's challenge is all about tape! Please use tape as a decorative element on your card! You don't have to have fancy tape, either. If you have red sticky strip, you can use it to adhere glitter or sparkly fluff. Or you can use plain old masking tape to create a faux leather background. See the tutorial HERE!
For my sample card, I used some decorate tape from Pink Paislee, as well as a strip of red line sticky tape to adhere glitter down the right side. Now let's see what you can do with tape!

Please use the keyword RESQ57 if you are posting to an online gallery or just use the inlinxz below to link up your card so we can check out your taped up creations!




Thanks for stopping by!

VROOOOOOOOOM! RESQ56

We’ve had big happenings in the family this month. My nephew, a firefighter and EMT, was promoted to Driver-Engineer! This means he gets to wear a new shiny RED (rather than YELLOW) helmet, SOUND the siren, and DRIVE the big rigs! He’s TRAVELING around to several stations now for orientation in order to give him some time behind the WHEEL of different TRUCKS! Anyway, he thinks he’s pretty HOT STUFF now and come to think of it, we think so, too! To celebrate Shaun’s achievement, I challenge you to use any of the words in BOLD CAPS to inspire you and design your card to post here using the link tool below. Oh, and next time you see a truckload of firefighters out for a non-emergency—give ‘em a wave!

Card Specs: Size: A2 (4.25 by 5.5) Cardstock: Real Red, Summer Sun, White Stamps: Roller Wheel by Stampin' Up; TPC Studios Clear Stamps "Greetings"; computer generated text banner Accessories: Jolene Firetruck, silver brads

Don't forget to use the keyword RESQ56 if you are posting to an online gallery, or just use the inlinkz below:


Thanks for stopping by!

Put your Glasses on...RESQ55

Well, my poor baby boy has to wear glasses....{sigh}

He has lazy eye so it's hopefully not permanent but as many of you know he is certainly a wild and crazy boy! I think we may break the record for most pairs broken....

But he sure is cute with them on!

Today's challenge is to use something that looks like or reminds you of glass...it can be clear page pebbles, dew drops, or even acetate. You can even try a technique such as

acetate and tissue

cracked glass

faux sea glass

shattered glass with pearl ex

stained glass

Here is my sample...I went simple and used dew drops!

recipe:

stamps- Impression Obsession Martinis, SU unk wheel

ink- palette noir, versamark

paper- kraft, night of navy, bashful blue, white

accessories- clear EP, string, dew drops

Don't forget to use the keyword RESQ55 if you are uploading to an online gallery or you can use the inlinx below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Don't be Anemic...eat a hamburger! RESQ54

SO almost every month around "that time" I get a little anemic. Sometimes it's bad enough that I need some iron pills or I fall asleep standing up! Anemia is basically low red blood cells and happens for a variety of reasons. Some causes are:

1. certain medications may cause anemia

2. diseases such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis

3. genes - some forms of anemia are inherited (my mother in law has anemia which is prevalent in those of us from the Mediterranean areas of Europe)

Some treatments for Anemia are:

1. blood transfusions (for severe anemia)

2. iron containing medications

3. eating more foods with naturally occurring iron like red meat, dark green vegetables, liver

As for me, I make sure to eat one medium rare hamburger a week! I also have to supplement with a multi vitamin that contains iron.

For this week's challenge you need to keep your red blood cells high by using metal on your card! It can be a metal embellishment, faux metal technique or even stamping on thin metal sheets. One more requirement is to use the color red for your blood cells!

As always, don't forget to use the keyword RESQ54 if you are posting to an online gallery or just use the inlinx below:

Thanks for stopping by!

Drink Your Water! RESQ53

Here on the East Coast we are looking at temperatures in the HIGH 90’s and possible 100’s this week! Yikes! With the temperatures and humidity being so high it’s important not to get dehydrated!

Along with trying to stay cool, you need to be sure you drink enough
fluids. People often blame the heat when they start to get headaches, light-headedness and fatigue. These are often the first signs of dehydration, even if you are not thirsty.

The warm weather encourages people to be outside - working, exercising or just enjoying the sun. All of these activities speed up the loss of body water, with dehydration close behind. Even minimal dehydration (2% to 3%) can negatively impact your physical and mental performance.

Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluid than it takes in. Dehydration can upset the delicate fluid-salt balance needed to maintain healthy cells and tissues. The human body is generally over 60 percent water. The body works to maintain water balance through mechanisms such as the thirst sensation. When the body requires more water, the brain stimulates nerve centers to encourage a person to drink in order to replenish the water stores.

So here are some tips to stay hydrated in the upcoming hot days:

Tips for Keeping Hydrated

1. Have a glass of water when you first get up.

2. Keep a glass of water next to the bed.

3. Enjoy an herbal tea in the afternoon or evening.

4. Carry water with you if away from home for long periods.

5. Drink before you get thirsty.

6. Limit sugary, caffeinated beverages.

7. Choose drinks with 10 or fewer calories.

Know the signs of dehydration. The best choice for fluid is WATER!

*courtesy of Brigham and Women’s Hospital

So for this week’s challenge we want to see any technique that keeps you hydrated...any technique using water and/or a spritz bottle!

Here are some ideas:

Watercolor Spritz:

http://stamptv.ning.com/video/watercolor-spritz-1

Mottled Mist:

http://www.stampin.com/tips/mottledmist.htm

Misting with Markers:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/misting_with_markers/

Misting with Alcohol Markers: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/misting_with_alcohol_markers/

Watercolor Wash:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/color_wash/

Ink, Spray and Smash:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/inkspraysmash/

Pearl Ex-Luminous Pearls: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/pearl_extrade_luminous_pearls/

Salted Background:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/salted_background/

Here is a sample of the salted background technique I did a while ago....sorry I was swamped this week and didn't have a chance to do a new card!

As always, don't forget to use the keyword RESQ53 if you are posting to an online gallery, or just use the inlinx below:

Thanks for stopping by!

Res-Q 52: Sunshine

Hi everybody! This week's guest hostess for the Res-Q Challenge is the fabulous Karolyn from Paper Therapy. Here's what's she's got for you this week:

Has summer arrived where you live? Not so much where I live . . . good ole’ Seattle. Nothing but rain, rain, and more rain. So you can imagine that we pretty much crave sunshine here in Washington State. When the sun finally appears here, everyone puts on their shorts and tank tops and heads outside, including me! We also tend to stay out in the sunshine for as long as we can . . . sometimes too long, and we pay for it later.

Sunburn – it’s something that I’m sure we can all remember as children to be a miserable experience. Some of us are paying for it now, in our older age. Skin cancer and sun damage are very serious problems. I think we’ve finally realized that protecting our skin is imperative.

BUT! Did you know that as a nation we are Vitamin D deficient? Especially those of us that are “lucky” enough to live in Washington, where we so seldom see the sun. Sunshine is a wonderful source of Vitamin D, and there are studies that have been done that actually say that getting enough Vitamin D can PREVENT some types of cancer. To be specific, the exposure to UVB sun radiation has been shown to reduce the risk of 19 major types of cancer through the production of vitamin D! So some sunshine is absolutely okay!

Here are a few tips to get your supply of Vitamin D, without exposing yourself to skin cancer:

*Get 20 minutes of unprotected sun-to-skin exposure every day. This will meet our most basic needs for Vitamin D. After 20 minutes, though, it’s recommended that you take measures to protect your skin, i.e., hats, clothing, umbrellas, and sunscreens.

* Make every effort to avoid burning your skin. There is sufficient data to know that sunburns cause serious, long-term damage.

*Cover up! The use of hats, shirts and umbrellas offer safe and effective protection from the sun.

*Buyer beware. Before purchasing a sunscreen, consult with a website such as www.ewg.org to ensure you are purchasing a product that is both safe and effective.

YOUR RES-Q CHALLENGE: Create a project that includes some “sunshine”, whether it’s the color of sunshine or a sun image. Perhaps it’s a “sunny” sentiment. The sky’s the limit! Go out and spread some sunshine!!

Don’t forget to use the keyword RESQ52 if you are uploading to an online gallery and feel free to link up below so we can check out your sunny creations! Thanks for playing!