So, did you hear the big news? The Color Throwdown Challenge is hosting it's 250th challenge, and the CTD has asked its former Designers and Guest Designers to help celebrate that big milestone. Me, I've been both a Guest Designer (April 2011) and a Design Team member (post April 2011; then, that October, my Mom died unexpectedly and the wheels fell off... you know, life and stuff, etc. and so on), so of course, I HAD to play along with my colorful CTD friends. You should, too, as you could win a spit-ton of papercrafting prizes. (A "spit-ton of prizes" is a lot better than it sounds, by the way. Check out the Color Throwdown Blog for more details on how to play and all the companies participating in the 250th extravaganza.)
Here's the 250th Color Throwdown Challenge:
I decided these happy colors were the perfect occasion to break out my brand new Papel Picado Banners stamp set and dies by Avery Elle, and available at i {heart} papers. (Fun fact to know and tell: IHP is one of the sponsors of the CTD250, and one of the prizes you could win is a $25 gift certificate to IHP.) I instantly knew I had to have this set, as it has lots of fun Spanish phrases and I like to break into Spanglish at any given opportunity.
As a white girl who spent four of her formative years in Barstow, California (GO AZTECS!), I know more than my fair share of Spanish despite never having studied it formally. I'm pretty sure I was in the minority at BHS, but it really wasn't a big deal. The only time I felt singled-out due to my lily-whiteness was when Mary Hernandez wanted to kick my ass, upon sight, on the first day of 6th grade. I never found out exactly why. Having just moved to the 'stow from Alexandria, Virginia (circa 1980), I was in the throes of extreme culture shock. My preppy wardrobe made me as much an object of mockery as Mary's "Every Inch a Woman" decal tee-shirt (complete with glittered lips puffing on a cigarette) made her a subject of fear and fascination to me. Maybe I was staring?
Anyway, the good news: I was a faster runner than Mary (her already-well-developed breasts probably got in her way) and she was never able to catch me during recess. After a day or two, every inch of the woman that she was got bored of trying to chase me down, and from then on I could play tether ball and four-square without hypervigilance while she hung with her vatos y vatas in Thomson Elementary School's smoking area. (You think I'm kidding, don't you?)
I won't be sending this card to Mary, but thanks to Facebook, I still have quite a few friends from Barstow I keep in touch with with. This one is for you, homegirls!
Supplies used from i {heart} papers: Papel Picado Banners stamp set and dies by Avery Elle; Echo Park's Happy Camper 6"x6" patterned paper pad; Pale Tomato Ink (Hero Arts); Brown Sugar Divine Twine; Dimensional Dots
Love the post and the colors!
Posted by: Julie L | July 13, 2013 at 05:56 PM
You crack me sheet up, C! Great story, fun card! Later, gator!
Posted by: amy rohl | July 14, 2013 at 06:15 PM
Oh my gosh, I am absolutely falling off my chair laughing at your story! I love your card, too (btw!)!! Thanks for being a constant source of inspiration (and amusement!). :)
Posted by: Kristine Porter | July 15, 2013 at 07:41 AM
OMGosh, I'm LMHO at your story! Good thing you were able to outrun her! I had a Mary in my life once too, but it was in high school.
Your card is beautiful...I love those unique banners! Thanks so much for helping us celebrate this week, Carole...it's nice to see you again!
Posted by: Tammy Hershberger | July 15, 2013 at 10:01 AM
LOL...you always know how to make people smile! What a fun tidbit from your history! Love your fun banners and so happy you were able to join us and help us celebrate this milestone!
Posted by: Wanda Cullen | July 16, 2013 at 09:44 AM
love this!
Posted by: Stacey Schafer | July 16, 2013 at 11:06 AM
I love reading your blog posts, you are such a great writer!
Posted by: Shannon | July 19, 2013 at 07:59 AM