Warning Signs of a Heart Attack

Yesterday was an unsettling and sad day for us. Our cousin (in-law) Lia lost her mom to what we think was a heart attack. She had no history of heart or lung disease and no family history either. She had not been sick. It was sudden and definitely not expected. Lia, her mom, her sister and her aunt did not know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. She was not having typical chest pain, which is not unusual for women. So, in her memory I want to list the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. This is according to the American Heart Association website and I have added my comments in ( ).

1)Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. (There's an elephant sitting on my chest.)
2)Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
3)Shortness of breath. This feeling may occur with or without chest discomfort.
4)Other signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. (Indigestion or a worsening of GERD).

I also want to stress that you don't necessarily have to have all or even more than one of these symptoms to be having a heart attack. You don't even have to have chest pain or pressure to be having a heart attack. One of the biggest reasons that people don't seek immediate help is that they aren't sure it's really a heart attack or they think they will be embarrased by going to the ER and then it is something simple. It is much better to call 911 and get the the ER and have them tell you that it's not a heart attack or stroke or whatever, than to stay home and it really is a heart attack, etc. Remember the faster you get help the better the outcome.

The other thing I want to urge all of you to do, besides making sure that all of your family and friends know the symptoms of a heart attack, is to take a CPR class. I can't tell you how important this is. If someone you love needs help, you want to be able to provide it. Yes, the 911 operator will try to talk you through CPR, but if you've had the class, it will give you the confidence to do CPR effectively until help arrives. It's not a hard class and you can take it with a friend or family member. Check with the American Heart Association, The Red Cross, your local hospital or your community center to find a class near you. You will never regret taking the class. If you have taken a CPR class, good for you! If you need a refresher course, take one. Even doctors and nurses have to retake CPR every two years.

Just For Fun Snowman - WSC59

I made this card in response to Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #59. This is the first time that I have participated in this challenge and I had a good time doing it. This is my favorite snowman stamp and I found the snowflake paper in my stash and added some coordinating c/s. I did glitter the snowflakes that the snowman is holding, but I'm not sure that you can see it in the scan. I tried several ribbons and finally decided that the white fuzzy fiber would bring some softness and texture to the card. The sentiment is from the SU retired set Penguin Pals. I punched a snowflake out of silver c/s and then added a snowflake eyelet over it. Thanks for looking!

September Stamp Club Card

I made this card with one of the card kits that I received this month for the stamp club that I belong to. I used Pocket Silhouettes (my newest stamp set) and stamped the background pieces with my Versamark pad. Then stamped the main image with Old Olive ink and the sentiment in black. I used my wave scissors since I don't have the scallop punch. Then I added some white ribbon that I had in my stash. Thanks for looking!

Belli Challenge #35 Metal Edged Tags

I made this snowman card in response to Chris's Belli Challenge #35. The challenge was to use a metal or faux metal tag. I found some vellum tags in different sizes in my stash. So, I pulled the largest one out and then went looking for a stamp that would fit. I decided on the snowman from the Stampin' UP! set Just for Fun (retired). I stamped him in Stazon Black and then colored in the snowman on the back. I added a piece of white c/s behind the tag and added the snowflake eyelet. The snowflake paper was a scrap out of my paper stash - not sure who made it. The sentiment stamp is from an old DOTS set called Christmas Fun - one of the first sets I ever bought. The bow of course gave me fits, but I think it turned out o.k. Check out all the other participants to by checking out Chris's blog, Creating with Chrissy. Thanks for looking!

Check out Cammie's Heart to Heart Blog Candy!

As most of you may have already heard Cammie designed a beautiful stamp set for Gina K Designs called Whimsical Autumn . She is donating 100% of her profits to the Alzheimer's Association in memory of her Grandmother. And because World Alzheimer's day is this week, she is giving away blog candy. A bunch of companies have donated $1000 worth of stamping goodies! And she asked some of her stamping friends to donate cards they have stamped. This is an Amazing prize! Please go to her blog to check it out. Some of the prizes include: My Favorite Things: $50 gift certificate. Gina K Designs : $50 gift certificate. Stamping Bella: $50 gift certificate. Beate Johns (Beate), Cambria Turnbow (Cambria), Charmaine Ikach (Charmwarm) are just some of the lovely women who donated cards. Don't miss out on this wonderful blog candy and the chance to do something to feel good. My card that is pictured below is going to be mailed today to The Staff at the Artman Home 250 N. Bethlehem PikeAmbler, PA 19002 - these are the caregivers that took care of Cammie's grandmother.

Monday Lunchtime Sketch - TSSC36

Here is my version of Mary Jo's Lunchtime Sketch #36. I changed the ovals to circles so the cupcakes would fit. The cupcakes are from the SU set Just for Fun. The background sheet I made by rolling a birthday party wheel across my Fresh Greens Kaleidacolor pad. Then I used a blender pen and the K-pad to color in the cupcakes. Great sketch! Thanks Mary Jo for the challenge.

Creating with Chrissy Belli Challenge #34 (CBC34)

This week Chris's Belli Challenge was to use anything that is a square to embellish your card. Here is my version. I used Inspired by Nature and Year-Round Cheer stamps and some left over scrapping paper. My square embellishment is a slide holder. I have a bunch of these lying around and have really never used them. So, this was a great challenge for me.

Thanks for looking! :)

Stamp Club Cards

I belong to a long distance monthly stamp club. These two cards are made with the card kits that I received for last month. I didn't have the exact stamps, so I have put my own twist on them.

Thanks for looking!

Creating with Chrissy has Blog Candy!

Chris at Creating with Chrissy is giving away Blog Candy in celebration of reaching 40,000 hits! Check it out at her website. She is giving away her own personal designed stamp set, Autumn Blessings. It looks like a great stamp set, so go and check it out!

Monday Sketch Challenge - TSSC25

This is a card I made for Mary Jo's Monday Lunch Time Sketch Challenge #35. I used Merci and Wonderful Words from Stampin' UP! as well as a piece of scrap paper from my stash. I used Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard and So Saffron ink and card stock.

Mary Jo's Monday Lunchtime Sketch #34

It is late on Wednesday, but here is a Monday Sketch card. The challenge came from Mary Jo at Techno Stamper. See the sketch at the right. I used Sweet Dreams from Stampin' UP! and Friendship background stamp from Inkadinkadoo. The background scrap paper is an old sheet from my scrap pile from Stampin' UP! I also used Green Galore and Pink Passion ink and cardstock. I punched a flower and added a flower eyelet with a silver brad for the middle. The white ribbon is some that came off of a gift and I saved for just a project like this. Thanks for the challenge Mary Jo, I enjoyed participating!

Belli Challenge - CBC33

Every Wednesday Chris Dickinson of Creating with Chrissy posts a challenge to use an embellishment that is lying around your stamp room not being used. This week was fibers - something that I have a lot of and don't use nearly enough. So, I jumped on this challenge to decorate my reading journal. I thought that Bookwormabella was the perfect stamp to use for this project. The scrapping paper is also something that has been in a drawer for a LONG time and so I added it to the project as well. I used chocolate chip and creamy caramel card stock to compliment the scrap paper. The beads are recycled from my daughter, Kaitlin's stash.

BLOG CANDY from Bunny Zoes

Bunny Zoe is offering Blog Candy for reaching 20,000 hits on her blog! Check out her very cute Snowman card and the blog candy that she is giving away by clicking the link below.

Altered Mini Composition Notebook

This is a mini composition notebook that I altered for a VC Rocks swap. I used Looks Like Spring Stamp set and punch by Stampin' UP! These are fun to make and are great for a quick and easy handmade gift.

Family Artwork

My dd, Kaitlin, painted me a picture for Mother's Day. After I framed it, I let it sit on my dresser until now. I added some of my rubber stamped artwork and hung them in our family room. Here they are! Didn't she do an awesome job!