Get your tissues! RESQ77

It's officially Spring and that means my allergies will be starting up soon...if you suffer from seasonal allergies like me you know this is the time of year to stock up on tissues and allergy meds!

SO this week your challenge is to use tissue paper...you can use it in a technique like the faux silk technique, or use them to make flowers from die cuts, you can use it to stamp on candles, or just use it make a pretty gift bag.

Here is an old card (my elbow is still casted up, thank you for all your get well wishes BTW!) I used the faux silk technique for it...

Don't forget to use the keyword RESQ77 if you are uploading to an online gallery or use the inlinx below:

Thanks for stopping by!

Fractured Elbow! RESQ76

APRIL FOOLS!

...not really but I wish it was not true!

This time it was all too true....I fractured my elbow while mopping! I know it sounds ridiculous, but I banged my elbow on the corner of the medicine cabinet in my bathroom while mopping the floor. If that isn't cause for my husband to get me a cleaning lady then I don't know what else is! So, sorry I won't have a sample this week, it took me almost an hour to type this out one handed!

But, your challenge for this week is to use your corner rounder...it reminds me of the angle that my poor elbow is casted in and the dang corner that fractured it! Just incorporate some rounded corners in your project...easy! And say a prayer for my elbow...I can't go that long without crafting!

Don't forget to use the keyword RESQ76 if you are uploading to an online gallery, or use the inlinx below:

Don't be S.A.D. RESQ71

AT this time of the year we all say it...."Oh this weather is DEPRESSING!" But did you know there is an actual syndrome to prove it?

It's called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or S.A.D. for short. Symptoms include:

1. sleep problems- oversleeping but not refreshed, needing a nap in the afternoon, cannot get out of bed

2. overeating- craving carbs and gaining weight

3. depression, despair, misery, guilt, anxiety- normal tasks become difficult

4. family/social problems- avoiding company, irritability, loss of libido

5. lethargy- too tired to cope, everything in effort

6. physical symptoms- often joint pain and/or stomach problems, lower resistance to infections

The problem comes from lack of bright light in winter. Researchers have proved that bright light makes a difference to the brain chemistry, but why some people suffer and others don't is still unclear.

The treatment is obviously...BRIGHT light! You need at least a 2500lux (lux is the technical measure of brightness) which is roughly 5 times brighter than a well lit office. Also, LED lights, lightboxes and sunlight simulator lamps are useful.

**Ok, now these are severe cases of people and if you feel you have any of the above symptoms, I strongly encourage you to seek professional help.

So how do WE handle this lack of bright light and the winter blues???

I'm so glad you asked.....You have a challenge! LOL This week's challenge is to beat the S.A.D. in your life and make a project with something that makes YOU happy! You can use a picture of your kids, hubby or dog, make a Valentine for a friend, use a beach scene to remind you of summer vacation, or make a celebration card to remind you of the things in life that are important! Anything that makes YOU happy works here!

Here is my HAPPY card...my Happy BIRTHDAY card!:

What makes me happy about this card is the vellum strip and the background...the vellum strip because I NEVER use vellum and I did this for a Papertrey challenge and I Love how it came out...and the background because instead of pulling out a separate BG stamp, I used the cake square instead! Cool, huh?

Don't forget to use the keyword RESQ71 if you are uploading to an online gallery, or use the inlinx below:

Thanks for stopping by and SMILE!

Grey Matter RESQ69

The brain is our most complex but least understood organ. One of the great mysteries lies in the GREY matter. The senses of the body (speech, hearing, feelings, seeing and memory) and control of the body's muscles are part of the grey matter's function. But the amount and distribution of the grey matter shapes a one's personality, higher order thinking, and memory.

For this week's challenge, use your GREY matter and create something with GREY as the dominant color! Go to your favorite color combo and replace the black or brown with grey. use metallic silver embossing or even metal embellishments. Just let me see the GREY!

Here is my Grey creation:

Remember to use the keyword RESQ69 if you are uploading to an online gallery, or use the inlinx below!

Thanks for stopping by!

Get in Line! RESQ68

This week we are visiting the chiropractor! When my back hurts I know I need to get to my chiro for a little adjusting. He gets my back and neck, back in line! Then I can do more crafting LOL!

So, this week's challenge is to get it IN LINE! That means have something on your project in a line. It can be 3 small images in a line, some rhinestones in a line, or even some lines of embossing. Whatever, just make sure something is in a straight line on your project!

Here is my in line card:

Don't forget to use the keyword RESQ68 if you are uploading to a public gallery, or just use the inlinx below:

Thanks for stopping by!

Ouch my Bunions hurt! RESQ67

OK my bunions hurt!

Its time to visit the good old podiatrist (actually mine is super young and even cute!)...

A bunion is when your big toe points towards the second toe. This causes a bump on the inside edge of your toe.

**Did you know....bunions are most commonly seen in women and tend to run in families! So go take a good look at your Mom's feet and then take the proper precautions:

1. wear proper fitting shoes

2. take a break from pointy toed heels and let your feet stretch out in some Crocs or Uggs

3. Go get that pedicure you have been aching for! LOL

So for today's challenge, let's see your Bunions...I mean BUMPS.... Dry embossing please, and lots of it! Let me see you break out your stencils or your cuttlebug folders (if you are like me you have a ton that you have never even used!), let's see you rub some chalk over the tops, run the sandpaper over it....let me see your bumps!

Here is my bumpy Valentine!

Don't forget to use the keyword RESQ67 if you are uploading to a public gallery or use the inlinx below:

Thanks for stopping by today!

Hospital Clean RESQ64

Hospitals are clean, right? Of course they are! There are so many old sayings about being "hospital clean." I used to joke that my Mom cleaned my house like it was a hospital...she used bleach for everything!

So for this week's challenge, use bleach on your card! There are many tutorials for using bleach but here are few I found on SCS...

stamping with bleach

bleached out images

alchohol ink faux bleach

color wash faux bleach

foxi oxi

**Depending on what brand of cardstock you use you will get different results! For example I used Papertrey Ink New Leaf and the bleached imaged showed as a bright yellow! On SU Garden Green it showed up a lighter shade of green.**

Here is my sample:

Don't forget to use the keyword RESQ64 if you are posting to an online gallery or use the inlinxz below:

Thanks for stopping by!

Tools of the Trade RESQ61

Almost every profession has it's own tools of the trade. An artist has paints and brushes, a musician has their instrument, beautician has their scissors...you get the point! Well, an Emergency Medical Provider has ALOT of tools of the trade. One of the first things you need on your person is a small pack of necessities....

Believe it or not I used to carry a few different kinds of scissors. The big ones in the picture are called shears, you use these most of all. Most especially for cutting clothes off an accident victim (sorry!). Another important kind of scissor is ones that look bent at the end. These are best for cutting off bandages (because they fit under the bandage well). Also important is bottom one, called a Kelly Forcep. It's not really a scissor, more like a clamp to hold things out of the way. And lastly, an important tool is the orange looking rectangle with a blade. That is the seatbelt cutter. Trust me it cuts a seat belt QUICK! Something you may want to have in your car too! The other items in the picture are a penlight, a window punch and of course a stethoscope. Oh and don't forget your gloves!

Anyway, that is a basic tool set for each EMS person...everything else is usually provided by your employer or volunteer department.

SO this week, in honor of the tools of the trade, and my personal intro to EMS scissors and shears (LOL), let's see you use YOUR scissors! Cut out an image, use those neglected fancy cut scissors that you bought when you first started this craft (you know you have them!), use scissors to distress the edges, or anything else you can think of!

Here is my sample: (I used my scissors to make the "grass" fringe)

recipe: stamps- Papertrey Ink Signature Greetings, garden of life

paper- SU DP, old olive, white

ink- old olive, black

accessories- PTI flower die, scissors, button, twine

Don't forget to add the keyword RESQ61 if you are uploading to a public gallery, or you can use the inlinxz below:

Thanks for stopping by today!

Time for an X-Ray RESQ46

Time for an X-RAY!

Everyone has to get an xray at some time...some of us more than one! One of the most common x-rays is a chest xray to check for pneumonia. Anther common reason for x-rays is to check for broken bones.

For this week's project, I'd like to see you make it look like an x-ray! That means a monochromatic project using black, white and shades of grey. I will allow ONE small additional color but it has to be small like a brad or ribbon.

Here is my sample... I tried a new technique called ZENTANGLE...it's basically doodling but how cool is it? This was also for the Ways to Use it challenge on SCS...use a black pen and be creative!

recipe: stamps- Papertrey ink Background Basics retro

paper- PTI rustic cream, black

accessories- rhinestones, lak marker, nestibilities

Don't forget to use the keyword RESQ46 if you are uploading to an online gallery or blog. You can also use the linking tool below.

Take A Mental Health Break!!!

Howdy friends!!!! I'm baaaack!!!! Life has been a crazy ride indeed...........but one thing that is completely necessary in order not go off the deep end............is a mental health break now and then!!! Besides just stamping in general being my sanity saver...........I especially get such a smile and mood-lift when I use pastel colors...........I don't know...........it just seems to make me feel happy!!! Could be that I live where we have 8 months of winter! LOL Now I LOVE winter...........but I do need to see pretty colors and flowers too!!! And bling.........now any of you who know me know I ADORE my bling!!!! LOL

This Friday's challenge is two-fold...........1. Use pastels.........2. Use an image (or more) that makes you smile!! What better prescription could you get for your mental health??? Something that brings you a smile simply to look at!!! I guarantee you will feel happy as work away on this challenge!!!

• Stamps: Gina K. - A Beautiful Life
• Paper: Gina K. - Pure Luxury in Green Apple, Lemon Tart, Bubblegum Pink, White.
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers
• Accessories: Kaisercraft Rhinestones, Stickles

I'm going to beg Denise to help me get the Linky Dinky stuff posted so you all can link your wonderful creations here as I definitely can't wait to see them all!!!! And I think life has settled down at least enough for me to pop in regularly with some challenges to share!!!! Have a truly FABULOUS FRIDAY and happy stamping!!!!!

**got your back Lee, XOXOX

Don't forget to use the linking tool below to link us to your creation and if you're uploading to an online gallery, use the keyword or tag RESQ41.

Holiday Madness! RESQ39

Well, I don't know about you but in my house the holidays are the times when things tend to go crazy! Like someone gets a 103 fever on Easter morning, someone slices open a hand on Thanksgiving or twists an ankle playing football in the snow on Christmas day. And you know what that means.....

A trip to the ER!

*** note: I was late posting today because we DID have an emergency! My DS had a bad ear infection which landed us in the doctor's office this morning! I TOLD YOU SO!

Now, I know I sound excited about it but I'm not excited when someone gets hurt or sick but I just LOVE to be in the Emergency Room! It goes back to my past as a Paramedic...I love the adrenaline rush, figuring out a patients diagnosis, looking at x-rays! I know, I'm crazy...but then again you already knew that!

So, our challenge today comes from the Emergency Department....it's always so hard to find people when you go there. People are running around, behind curtains...what you need is a map! But how about a sketch instead?

Yup, a sketch challenge for today....enjoy!

Use the linking tool below to link us to your creation and if you're uploading to an online gallery, use the keyword or tag RESQ39.

Here is my sample:

recipe: stamps- Kitchen Sink Stamps Hydrangea, Papertrey Ink Asian Fusion, Distressed Stripes

paper- rustic cream, black, ballet blue, old olive

ink- brilliant blue, bashful blue, almost amethyst, certainly celery, old olive, black

accessories- ribbon, fiskars border punch, circle nestabilities, rhinestone

Thanks for joining us today!

Hope you have a blessed and wonderful holiday!

A visit to the OB/GYN!

Please welcome a new hostess to RESQ....Taylor Usry (aka stagccva on SCS)

Eggs, Eggs, Eggs!

This week our challenge is coming to us from the OB-GYN's office! I know, I know - -not always the favorite place to go. But when you're there to talk about eggs it is! Personally, I love to go -- 7 more weeks until this egg I've been tending is all ready to hatch :)

The doctors and midwives over at the clinic wanted to make sure everyone was taking good care of those precious eggs. So let's see how well you are doing! Color them, paint them, put them on scrapbook pages, use them on cards, or decorate your house with them. Have they hatched into sweet little chickies already? Those will work too! Let's see all of those wonderful creations you can come up with!

Here is my card. I used the Lizzie Anne Designs set Lucky You, which is the monthly mix for March. Because of my little egg, I totally have that forgetful brain, and didn't notice that I used the wrong image on my card! When I stamped my eggs I made a little mistake, and one of them doesn't have a solid outline. I re-did it, but still managed to pick up the wrong one and use it anyway. Oh well!! It's ok with me that not all of my eggs are always perfect -- I love them anyway!

Use the linking tool below to link us to your creation and if you're uploading to an online gallery, use the keyword or tag RESQ38.

Thanks for joining us today! Have a blessed and wonderful holiday!

A Visit to the Pediatrician!

Happy Birthday CHRIS!

Since today is my baby boy's 5th birthday, he is due for a check up at the Pediatrician!

Our Pediatrician, Dr. Z, is totally awesome! My kids love to go see him (it's the nurses they don;t like, they give the shots!). His appointment is actually next week so he can enjoy his day and be shot free (he is due for 2 of them! OUCH!)

Normally the Peds Doc leaves a cool challenge and he went through lots of different ideas (which are tucked away for another day) but today my son overruled!

Today's challenge is somewhat easy...Make a boy's birthday card and you have to use at least 2 of my guy's favorite things!

Here is the list of his current favs:

1. The color blue (always has been)

2. Dinosaurs

3. Wii and Nintendo DS video games (especially Super Mario)

4. All animals (especially sea life and dogs) PS he is getting a tortoise for his birthday!

5. Bubble wrap (I swear, I can't get a package without him going through the box looking for it)

6. Macaroni and cheese (every meal needs mac n cheese)

7. Anything Disney!

8. The fish from the McDonald's commercials ("Give me back that Filet O Fish, Gimme that Fish...")

9. Play-Doh

10. Monster Trucks, Cars and Emergency Vehicles

Well, if you can't make a card from this list then you have to come back for my Daughter's birthday where everything is the opposite...very pink and girly! LOL

Speaking of my DD.... she made the sample for today's challenge! She made this card for her brother with all my stuff (and she is a messy crafter!)...but with all her heart too!

Please use the keyword RESQ36if you upload your project to Splitcoaststampers or another online gallery. You can link your blog or gallery back here in the comments section or try out the new inlinkz below! I will pick one entry each week to showcase on the blog! Thanks for playing along!

You can link your project directly using inlinkz right HERE:

Thanks for stopping by today!

Writing Your Reports!

Having been in the medical field for a lot of years, I can tell you that writing reports is a major part of any kind of job having to do with medicine. You have to account for everything!

Today's challenge comes from the Medical Records Department! These people are tired of always being too busy with their charts, reports and books to play with us each week!

Text has been showing up all over in many types of art. Check it out...

So, the medical records department has decided to make up a challenge for us!

Use text in a prominent way on your card...whether it is a quote as a main image, large letters or even just words themselves.

Here are some sites to acquire more fonts (if you are like me, you have a ton of fonts!)

http://www.1001freefonts.com/

http://www.fontfreak.com/

http://fonts.tom7.com/

http://www.fonts.com/

http://www.urbanfonts.com/

You can even check out this awesome site that takes a bunch of words and makes it into ART!

http://www.wordle.net/

I used wordle to make the "patterned" paper for my card....

You just insert a bunch of words (mine all had to do with friends) and pick a color scheme, font an arrangement and viola!

Here is a close up of the sentiment and butterfly...

recipe: BG paper- my own creation @wordle.net

acrylic stamps- Papertrey Ink Friends till the end

cardstock- SU almost amethyst, apricot appeal, white

ink- Memento London Fog, SU almost amethyst

accessories- ribbon

Please use the keyword RESQ35 if you upload your project to Splitcoaststampers or another online gallery. You can link your blog or gallery back here in the comments section or try out the new inlinkz below! I will pick one entry each week to showcase on the blog! Thanks for playing along!

** NEW FEATURE!***

I will show one entry each week in the upper right corner of the RESQ-Blog!

You can link your project directly using inlinkz right HERE:

I am still learning about the inlinkz system...I don't know why the winner I chose was different but you are ALL winners in my book! Thanks for playing along this week!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Check Up Time!

Well, I don't know about you but I am due for my yearly check up!

Yes, it's hard to think about going to the doctor when you are NOT sick but really, it's the most important thing you can do for yourself! Go and get your blood workup, height, weight, and all around check. Your doctor can tell you if you need to eat better, lose weight, etc.

And, after you get an A+on your report, you really feel good about yourself!

So for today's challenge....

Do an inventory check up!

- Go through your stamps....pull out ones that haven't seen ink in a while and give them a try!

- Also, you could try to use up some scraps but even better is using a sheet of patterned paper you have been hoarding for a while! Go ahead and use it already!

- You may find some things you want to get rid of to make room for some new things! - And if you are like me, you can put together a list of necessities you need to order (I am running so low on dimensionals!)

Here is my sample...I used an old SU set that I borrowed from my MIL, some ribbon and patterned paper I received in a swap but have been hoarding for who knows what reason and I even made a box of things I am going to send to my friend's DD who loves to scrapbook!

recipe: stamps- SU Vases in Vogue

paper- UNK patterned paper, crushed curry, dusty durango, white

ink- pallette noir

accessories- felt ribbon, rhinestones

technique- paper piecing

Please use the keyword RESQ31 if you upload your project to Splitcoaststampers or another online gallery. And don't forget to link your blog or gallery back here in the comments section so everyone can check out your creations! Thanks for playing along!

Cruisin'

Sorry I am not here today...I am on a Disney Cruise! But I figured I would send over a special challenge for today....

First of all the winner from last week is JDMOMMY! I'll be sending her a special surprise from 'da islands mon!

So, while packing and getting ready for the cruise this week, I was thinking about an even more interesting ship than this beauty from Disney Cruise Lines...

The USNS COMFORT

This floating hospital just made it to Haiti to help out with a total of 500+ medical personnel, room for 1000 patients and even operating rooms. They are so desperate for this medical assistance in Haiti, I am sure this ship was a welcome sight.

Here is more information about this amazing FLOATING HOSPITAL.

So, for today's challenge, Use the salted background technique to represent the salty sea of the Caribbean. I have used this technique before, it's easy and fun!

Here is my sample:

recipe: stamps- SU Beautiful Beach, Papertrey Ink Birthday basics

paper- glossy white, taken with teal, creamy caramel, vintage cream

ink- tempting turquoise, bashful blue, creamy caramel

accessories- dew drops, twill ribbon

*salted background technique

Please use the keyword RESQ30 if you upload your project to Splitcoaststampers or another online gallery. And don't forget to link your blog or gallery back here in the comments section so everyone can check out your creations! Thanks for playing along!

Flu Update!

Hi and thanks for stopping by the RES-Q-Challenge! Our resident Internist is here with some news about the H1N1 Virus...

I know everyone has been going batty following all the news regarding the H1Ni virus this winter. We actually had quite a few kids come down with it at my daughter's elementary school already! Some easy helpful tips for staying healthy this year are:

1. WASH YOUR HANDS!

2. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough, and throw the tissue away

3. Take a Multi-Vitamin

4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth to avoid getting infected by germs

5. Avoid close contact with sick people

6. If you do get sick consider staying home form work or school if possible

7. Did I mention washing your hands with SOAP AND WATER OFTEN?

**Guidelines courtesy of AMA

I hope you all stay healthy for the rest of this season!

For today's challenge...let's break it down to a limited supplies challenge!

A) Use acetate somehow, somewhere on your card or project

B) Try out a NEW (to you) technique or revive an old favorite (one you loved and used all the time and haven't tried in a while)

C) and because it is nicknamed the "Swine" flu you must use pink somewhere on your card to represent the piggy!

Here is my sample:

I used a "new to me" technique....Acetate and Tissue Paper. OMG I am in love with this one! I made about 4 others using this technique so don't be surprised if you see them everyone in my gallery! You can find the instructions and awesome video by Beate HERE on SCS's resources page.

Here is a close up so you can see al the glittery awesome-ness!

Thanks so much for stopping in today! I am leaving for vacation this Thursday but there will be a fun new challenge up on Monday January 25th!

And for the BLOG CANDY......

All you have to do is comment on this post to be entered (once per person please). I will choose a winner on January 25th along with the Monday Challenge. The prize is .....are you ready?

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A special surprise that I will get while on my cruise! Check back here during the week and I may even give you a peek!

Please use the keyword RESQ29 if you upload your project to Splitcoaststampers or another online gallery. And don't forget to link your blog or gallery back here in the comments section so everyone can check out your creations! Thanks for playing along!

The Transplant List

Today's challenge comes from the Transplant Team! We are going to be using things from one project on another!

On a serious note....On average, 66 people receive transplants every day from either a living or deceased donor.The national waiting list for most transplanted organs continues to grow every year. Each organ and tissue donor saves or improves the lives of as many as 50 people. Giving the "Gift of Life" may lighten the grief of the donor's own family. Many donor families say that knowing other lives have been saved helps them cope with their tragic loss.

If this is something you are interested in finding more about please check out the following sites:

- http://organdonor.gov/

- http://www.donatelife.net/

- http://www.unos.org/

- http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4697

- http://www.marrow.org/

Now back to the challenge!

Today we will be doing some of our own transplant surgery. This may take some time but who cares? We're not going anywhere!

There are a few ways to play along...

1. Use a part of a favorite Holiday card, tag or ribbon. Kinda recycling, but still counts as a "transplant"

2. While cleaning off your workspace, put together an envelope of some things you aren't planning to use or are just done with (out with the old and in with the new I always say!)...mail them off to a friend who may find them to be a perfect Mojo Boost! And likewise, you may be able to take some things off her hands to use!

3. Look back on old projects...I have received so many cards over the years form friends, RAK's and swaps but I just don't have the storage to keep them all. But it makes me sad to think of tossing them out! Maybe you did an ATC swap a few years ago (like me!) and now have a bunch of ATC's taking up space....why not make them into a new card. They also work great on Scrapbook layouts!

These are just some basic guidelines...anything that uses something that came from something or someone else counts as a transplant to me! Just have fun and expand your horizons!

So here are two beautiful ATC's I received in a swap....as I am doing my new years clean and purge I have to make room. But no way could I throw these beauties away! Time for surgery.....

And fresh out of recovery here is a brand new card using pieces of the 2 ATC's...

For even more inspirtion, we also have a special SCS Surgeon with us today! Anne (jdmommy) has successfully performed a very tricky Double transplant...

She used pieces off of 2 different holiday cards to make this gorgeous masterpiece!

Thanks to Anne for helping us out in Surgery today!

Please use the keyword RESQ28 if you upload your project to Splitcoaststampers or another online gallery. And don't forget to link your blog or gallery back here in the comments section so we can check out your creations! Thanks for playing along with us!