Have a great time and be super safe tonight. 

See you in 2011!

Popularity: 3% [?]

Something big did happen!  On September 15, 2010 congress passed legislation designating the last week of September as National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week and the last Wednesday of the month as National Previvor Day.  I’m a little late in mentioning it, I was so caught up in the moment(s).

This legislation was introduced by U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.   “Of all the cancers that affect women, roughly 10 percent of cases are caused by genetic factors. Though this percentage is relatively small, the risk for this group is huge,” Wasserman Schultz said in a statement. “Women with hereditary risk factors for breast cancer carry an 85 percent lifetime risk of developing the disease.”

Hereditary Cancer syndrome describes an inherited gene mutation that increases the risk for one or more types of cancer. The main hereditary breast and ovarian syndromes are caused by mutations in one of two genes: BRCA1 or BRCA2, which substantially increase the risk for breast and ovarian cancer, and slightly increase the risk for other cancers.

For women with a hereditary risk of cancer, it often strikes at an earlier age, when they are less likely to expect it, but when the cancer is often more aggressive and deadly. These young women with a heightened genetic risk are known as previvors – individuals who are survivors of a pre-disposition to cancer, but who haven’t had the disease.

I’m so proud to have been a part of the Previvor movement from the very beginning.   It’s simply amazing!  Here’s to next years 2nd annual National Previvor Day.  I can’t wait!

Popularity: 2% [?]

This bulletin board can be created without a frame, the hardware would simply be added to the bulletin board backing.  But since I happened upon an amazing 38×50 ornate frame with hardware already in place at an auction for only $10 I decided to create one of these (minus the price!).  

Materials & Equipment:

• Frame (optional)
• Homasote (cut to frame opening size or size of choice)
• Fabric of choice; unbleached muslin, linen or burlap are good choices
• Staple gun & staples (3/8″ is perfect!)
• Hardware for hanging bulletin board

Instructions:

• The bulletin board backing is a material called Homasote.  Homasote is actually a brand name that has become synonymous with the product generically known as cellulose based fiber wall board — which is similar in composition to papier-mache. It’s made from recycled paper that is compressed under high temperature and pressure and held together with a glue. It is ½ inch thick and comes in sheets that measure 4′ by 8′. It can be found in lumber stores although our local Lowes and Home Depot didn’t carry it.  I used the Homasote website to locate a local retailer based on my area code.  The cost was $29.99 for a 4×8 sheet and I had the lumber store cut it to the final width.
• Fabric of choice.  I used linen.
• Lay the material on a table and center the homasote on top of the fabric.
• Using the staple gun, beginning in the center of an edge, wrap the fabric around the back and staple.  Continue around creating tension with the material as you wrap it around the edge.  Trim any excess fabric.
• Place the bulletin board into the frame and secure with hardware. 
• If you are not using a frame, you can use two eye bolts secured to the top edge of the bulletin board.  Run a ribbon through it to hang it or at hardware to the back to hang like a picture.

Popularity: 9% [?]