Random Vintage Finds: May 2011

Sunday, May 22, 2011

A|Muse samples

I had my very first workshop today. I think it went really well.

I hope the girls liked the cards we made.

Here they are:

This is the easiest card EVER! all you need is a stamp set, the acrylic block and 2 stamp pads. Using the block cover with ink and stamp as background. Arrange the clear stamps and stamp over the background.

Simple but elegant.

Super simple....1 stamp and squares of paper with corners rounded.

Monday, May 9, 2011

May 12, 2011

Fibromyalgia Awareness Day

May 12, 2011

Objective:
National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day aims to increase awareness of FM and provide support to those coping with the illness.

May 12 is National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, a time to increase awareness of this chronic and life-altering disorder by educating the general public, healthcare professionals, government officials, and legislative bodies.

Over 6 million Americans, 90% of them women in the prime of their life, suffer from FMS and sometimes struggle for years before being correctly diagnosed.

Symptoms usually appear between 20-55 years of age, but children are also diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome.

Pain and severe fatigue may keep FMS sufferers from their chosen profession and unable to perform common daily tasks.

Fibromyalgia pain continues throughout a person’s lifetime.

Fibromyalgia (fi-bro-my-AL-ja) syndrome (FMS) produces chronic body-wide pain, which migrates and can be felt from head to toe. Other symptoms include persistent fatigue, headaches, cognitive or memory impairment, morning stiffness and non-restorative sleep. The pain can migrate from day to day. Recent scientific research studies have shown central nervous system involvement in FMS.

Please hope for a cure. And don't judge by the looks on the outside. You have NO idea what a person it going through on the inside.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Good Morning! Final Day!

Welcome to the Prickley Pear Rubber Stamp Release Party! We have 5 beautiful new
clear sets and dies we are so pleased to announce. Our Scalloped Circles Set,
New Butterfly, New Build a Bird, Blobby Flowers and Hearts! Visit the Design
Team's daily releases and our blog to have chances to win
one of these beautiful sets.

Each day you have more than one chance to win. Start at the Prickley Pear Rubber
Stamp Blog. Simply post our logo onto your website, become a follower and leave
a comment on the Prickley Pear Blog for one chance to win. Then hop on over to
the day's release blogs and make comments there for more chances to win. Sounds
easy enough. And the bonus is that you'll see some fabulous paper projects
featuring the new sets. So lets get started!

Go to the

PRICKLEY PEAR BLOG

for all the details

Today I am showing you the Heart. I love what PPRS have done to decorate the hearts.

I also am showcasing the paper from A|Muse... IT IS AWESOME!

This one is the black Damask.... It is a black pattern with a shimmery white background.

and the bast part... wait for it, wait for it.... You can color it ANY color you want by using a Copic!

Please let me know if you want to order any!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Prickley Pear day 4

Good Morning!

Welcome to the Prickley Pear Rubber Stamp Release Party! We have 5 beautiful new
clear sets and dies we are so pleased to announce. Our Scalloped Circles Set,
New Butterfly, New Build a Bird, Blobby Flowers and Hearts! Visit the Design
Team's daily releases and our blog over the next 2 days to have chances to win
one of these beautiful sets.

Each day you have more than one chance to win. Start at the Prickley Pear Rubber
Stamp Blog. Simply post our logo onto your website, become a follower and leave
a comment on the Prickley Pear Blog for one chance to win. Then hop on over to
the day's release blogs and make comments there for more chances to win. Sounds
easy enough. And the bonus is that you'll see some fabulous paper projects
featuring the new sets. So lets get started!

Go to the

PRICKLEY PEAR BLOG

for all the details

Today we (are supposed to) show you the "Blobby Flower". I do not have the "Blobby Flower" so instead I decided to show you the flowers set from PPRS. All of the flower stamps/die sets are WONDERFUL . Cut out with the die, stamp with the coordinating sets. THEY ALL WORK TOGETHER.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Prickley Pear day 3

Good Morning!

Welcome to the Prickley Pear Rubber Stamp Release Party! We have 5 beautiful new
clear sets and dies we are so pleased to announce. Our Scalloped Circles Set,
New Butterfly, New Build a Bird, Blobby Flowers and Hearts! Visit the Design
Team's daily releases and our blog over the next 3 days to have chances to win
one of these beautiful sets.

Each day you have more than one chance to win. Start at the Prickley Pear Rubber
Stamp Blog. Simply post our logo onto your website, become a follower and leave
a comment on the Prickley Pear Blog for one chance to win. Then hop on over to
the day's release blogs and make comments there for more chances to win. Sounds
easy enough. And the bonus is that you'll see some fabulous paper projects
featuring the new sets. So lets get started!

Go to the

PRICKLEY PEAR BLOG

for all the details

Today we are viewing the New Build-a-bird stamps.

Isn't this bird cute?

I love this set. The bird die is perfect for the bird that you always seem to need. And the stamps that fill it in are too cute.

We really need spring to come here in the upper-midwest. Today we woke up to 34 degrees. YUCK! On the second of May.

Monday, May 2, 2011

PPRS Blog Hop

Good Morning!

Welcome to the Prickley Pear Rubber Stamp Release Party! We have 4 beautiful new
clear sets and dies we are so pleased to announce. Our Scalloped Circles Set,
New Butterfly, New Build a Bird, Blobby Flowers and Hearts! Visit the Design
Team's daily releases and our blog over the next 5 days to have chances to win
one of these beautiful sets.

Each day you have more than one chance to win. Start at the Prickley Pear Rubber
Stamp Blog. Simply post our logo onto your website, become a follower and leave
a comment on the Prickley Pear Blog for one chance to win. Then hop on over to
the day's release blogs and make comments there for more chances to win. Sounds
easy enough. And the bonus is that you'll see some fabulous paper projects
featuring the new sets. So lets get started!

Go to the

PRICKLEY PEAR BLOG

for all the details

I totally forgot to post my card for the Circle and Scallop Die cut from Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps. This is an awesome die. The size is about 2.25" and is perfect for cards like the one I made....A 3x3. I normally don't make this size, but I wanted to give it a try.

For today I used the Butterfly die and stamp set.

There are some awesome new stamps that match the die-cut.

Stop by the blog and see the others!

Tomorrow I will be showcasing the Bird die and stamp set.... Can't wait for you to see it... GREAT stamps!

Fibromyalgia Fact Sheet: Yes, I have it!

Fibromyalgia (pronounced fy-bro-my-AL-ja) is a complex chronic pain disorder that affects an estimated 10 million Americans. While it occurs most often in women, it strikes men and children, and all ethnic backgrounds. For those with severe symptoms, fibromyalgia (FM) can be extremely debilitating and interfere with basic daily activities.

Diagnosis:

The FM diagnostic criteria, established by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) in 1990, includes a history of widespread pain in all four quadrants of the body for a minimum duration of three months, and pain in at least 11 of the 18 designated tender points when a specified amount of pressure is applied.
Since people with FM tend to look healthy and conventional tests are typically normal, a physician knowledgeable about the disorder is necessary to make a diagnosis.
Physicians should rule out other causes of the symptoms before making a diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

Symptoms:

Although chronic, widespread body pain is the primary symptom of fibromyalgia, a variety of other symptoms are common in FM patients. Symptoms include: moderate to severe fatigue, sleep disorders, problems with cognitive functioning, IBS, headaches and migraines, anxiety and depression, and environmental sensitivities.
Research has documented neuroendocrine physiological abnormalities that may contribute to the symptoms.

Causes:

Recent research has suggested a genetic component. The disorder is often seen in families, among siblings or mothers and their children.
Fibromyalgia often occurs following a physical trauma, such as an acute illness or injury, which may act as a “trigger” in the development of the disorder.
Increasing attention is being devoted to the central nervous system as the underlying mechanism of FM. Recent studies have suggested that FM patients have generalized disturbance in pain processing and an amplified response to stimuli that would not ordinarily be painful in healthy individuals.

Treatment:

Since there is no known cure for FM, treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and improving function.
A variety of prescription medications are often used to reduce pain levels and improve sleep. On June 21, 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Lyrica (pregabalin) as the first drug to treat fibromyalgia. Cymbalta (duloxetine HCl) was approved in June 2008; and Savella (milnacipran HCl) was approved in January 2009.
Alternative therapies, such as massage, myofasical release, acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal supplements and yoga, can be effective tools in managing FM symptoms.
Increasing rest, pacing activities, reducing stress, practicing relaxation and improving nutrition can help minimize symptoms and improve quality of life.