Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Color Throwdown Challenge #75


Hi all!  I'm back with another Color Throwdown challenge...finally ;]  I'm posting almost a day late because I procrastinated on making my card and didn't start it until last night.  Well, I didn't quite finish before I left to pick up my daughter from gymnastics practice, but planned to when I got home so that I could upload in the nick of time.  Wellllll....life doesn't always go as planned.  Last night was a prime example of that.


On my way to practice, Tia's coach called me.  Let me tell you, when you are on your way to pick up your gymnast, and practice isn't quite finished, you NEVER want to receive a call from her coach.  It rarely is a good thing.  So, when I talked to her she asked me if I was almost at the gym and said I should come inside when I got there.  I immediately asked what was wrong and she told me that my daughter fell while doing her series on beam.  [Her series consists of two back handsprings.  You can view it in her routine HERE if you're interested in seeing what I'm talking about.]  I would say that is a mother-of-a-gymnasts' worst nightmare, BUT, I know it's not...there are MUCH worse things that could happen.  So, I sped to the gym, parked and ran inside.  ALL of the other gymnasts were leaving and crying walking toward the door.  I asked if they were crying because of Tia and they said yes.  My heart sank.  Tia was in the gym with her coaches and when she saw me she asked, "Who are you?!" in a very confused, almost scared way.  We told her I was her mother and she said, "You're my mom" then started trying to identify other people around her.  She was speaking very slowly and deliberately, and would burst into tears asking us to "help her" or "fix her" and wondering what was wrong with her.  That tore me up.  I asked her coach to call 911.  She was definitely not herself.  She would identify me, look away to say something to someone else and look back at me and not remember who I was for a second.  Let me tell you, that is SCARY.  My kid is very bright, outgoing, funny, witty, you name it.  Totally down to earth.  This was NOT her and she was NOT faking it.  She was frustrated and very scared. 


The ambulance ride was scary as well.  Several times she told me she didn't want to die and asked if she was going to die and if they were going to fix her.  She held my hand, cried on and off and told me never to forget her.  Needless to say, that was scarier than the episode at the gym.  Fast forward through the ambulance ride to the emergency room visit.  Once we got to the ER she slowly started to act more like herself.  Like the clarity was ebbing its way back into her mind.  A gentleman named, Jose transported Tia to the Radiology department to do a CT scan.  While she was being x-rayed, I chatted with Jose.  I mentioned what happened and somehow got onto the subject that she knew Spanish pretty well.  I asked him if he would say something to her in Spanish when he took her back to her room, and he agreed.  He came through and asked right away if she was okay in Spanish.  She immediately asked, "Am I okay?"  as in, 'are you talking to me?'.  What a relief it was to know she comprehended what he was saying without even thinking about it.  I don't know why that sticks out in my mind, but it does. 


Okay, so the CT scan came back negative for any bleeding, or anything else they look for.  The doctor said it was quite possible that she suffered from a mild concussion even though it didn't show on the x-ray, but only her symptoms would tell.  By the time we left, she was exhausted and just wanted to get to her bed.  She was a lot more like herself and by this morning she was definitely my Tia again ♥ 

Sooooo....I didn't finish my card last night.  Turns out I HATED the card I was making anyway, and started all over today.  I like this one MUCH better!  I know my colors look a little off with my lighting and especially compared to the other girls' photos, BUT, I didn't have any Mellow Moss, so I used Spring Moss from PTI and I swapped Garden Green with New Leaf from PTI. 

I reverse masked/sponged Mellow Moss using Lauren's My Time Made Easy TM LLC butterflies from the Flutters and Flowers© cut file.  I stamped the Irish Blessing sentiment from the All A Flutter Sentiments© set in New Leaf.  I also stamped the same sentiment on several (8?) pieces of tissue paper using white craft ink.  Heat set briefly, then die cut with my Nestabilities Blossom Die.  I sewed a button on and scrunched the tissue paper just like Lauren showed us in her video tutorial last June.  I also stiched the flower to the ribbon after I tied it to the card.  I adhered the buttons on the butterflies with glue dots.


Last but not least, I stamped the full sentiment on the inside of the card and added a butterfly that I offset the outline on using Lauren's "fluttering effect" :) 


Please swing by the other team members' blogs to see their STUNNING creations!  My jaw was on the floor looking over them all...they are GORGEOUS :) 
Deb HorstJanuary Guest Designer

Oh, and today is Kisa's birthday!  Kisa is the awesome CTD graphic designer who makes all of the cool badges and banners.  I'm sure she would love it if you stopped by her blog to leave her some birthday wishes ;]

If you play along this week please remember to add a link to your post using Mr. Linky over at the Color Throwdown and use keyword CTD75 in any online galleries. 

Hope you get a chance to give these colors a whirl!  I'd love to see what you come up with ;]  Enjoy the rest of your week!

19 comments:

Denise Marzec said...

Oh my gosh...{{Kristin}}....that had to be SUCH a hard day. I'm SOOOOO relieved to hear that she's okay and doing better this a.m....so relieved!

Your card is absolutely STUNNING!

dj said...

Wowsers!! this is fabulous!!

Cathy Rulli said...

Simply beautiful! Love the flower!

Davi said...

Kristin, Glad to hear your daughter if okay. Always scary when something happens to our kids. In spite of your ordeal you created a beautiful card. Love the butterflies, and the bow with that wonderful flower!!! :)

Barbara said...

Gorgeous, Kristin!!! Lovin' that flower!!! I'm so glad Tia's doing better--I can only imagine how frightening that must have been!

Carol L said...

Your card is just lovely and I don't know how you managed to create a thing while going through that traumatic experience with Tia! Thank goodness she's better now and hopefully everything is going to be just fine. {{hugs}}

LeAnne said...

I hope Tia is back to her cheerful self today--what a scare! Your creation is beautiful...I just love that flower and how clever to stamp on it! Hugs!

Broni said...

My goodness, what a horrific experience you and Tia had! I'm so glad she quickly recovered!

Your card is totally AWESOME! I love how you sponged & stamped your butterflies and that tissue flower & bow combo is gorgeous!

dpkennedy said...

Oh wow Kristin, this is gorgeous!! I love your design and that tissue paper flower is to die for! I have to try that! I am so glad your daughter is feeling better! Very scary indeed! Have a fab day!!

Canda said...

Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter, but happy she's feeling better. Your card is gorgeous, I really like the darker colors. I love the masking, the flower, everything looks beautiful!

libragirl said...

You poor thing! Your story almost brought me to tears. I can't imagine how scared you must have been. I'm so glad she is one the mend.

Mona Pendleton said...

Kristin, I am so thankful your daughter is ok! I know first handed how scarey that is when your child gets injured! Your card is gorgeous & is a wonderful offering of inspiration for this week's CTD challenge :)

Tammy Hershberger said...

Gorgeous card, girlfriend! LOVE that flower! You work well under extreme stress and pressure, that's for sure! I'm so glad to know Tia is doing better since her fall!

Lisa Kind said...

OMGosh, Kristin! I had no idea! I'm sorry I didn't read this about Tia until now! I'm sooooo glad she's ok. What a scary thing to happen to her and you! {{{{Hugs}}}} to both of you!

Your card is beautiful! Love the reverse masking technique! Great job with the CTD challenge!

Unknown said...

OH MY WORD KRISTIN!!! I'm SOOOO glad Tia is ok! How frightening!

Ok - I'll stop with the exclamation points now ;). Seriously though - thank goodness you got her checked out and all was alright.

As for your card?? I ♥ it! Beautiful Kristin -- I like how bright and cheery it is!!

Lauren (mytime) said...

As you know Im relieved Tia is A.O.K.
So scary. Love the card! Great job with those colors. I don't think I could have pulled them off!

Catherine Couch Doucette said...

Kristin!! Holy Moly...I am soooooo glad that Tia is OK. What a scary time that must have been for you both!! (((HUGS)))

Cardmaking-Ideas said...

After all the worry you went through with your daughter I'm amazed you you were able to make any card let alone one this good!

I'm glad your daughter wasn't seriously injured and I hope she revovers quickly.

Great colours and I love the flower embellishment.
Susan

Sue Lelli said...

Kristin - WOW! I just read the ordeal you went through with your daughter. I am so glad she is okay. I feel your pain because my son used to race dirtbikes and we spent many times in the hospital. I thought they were going to name a room after us! Making your card was such a great way to let your feelings out. Your flower is beautiful and a reflection of your relief! I'm glad i found this card and read your story.

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