Friday, February 4, 2011

Papertrey Favorites

Let me take you back to when I was a twelve year old girl living in Park City, Utah. (Lucky, wasn't I?) I've always been rather athletically challenged, much preferring to read books cuddled up in my room than out playing soccer or softball...the thought of participation in either sport still makes me shudder inside. So when we moved to Park City, I wasn't exactly first in line to go get my season pass to the local ski resort. I'd sooner eat nails for supper.

There was, however, one thing which required me to move my muscles that I actually excelled at--roller skating. Speed demon on those things and just as agile. Zipping around the neighborhood all summer long. Park City Ski Resort just happened to have an outdoor ice rink and my $100 allotted for my season's ski pass got spent on a season pass there instead.


I started taking lessons. Bought myself some cheapie skates from the sporting goods store. Took $20 dollar private lessons every Saturday, paid for with my babysitting money and was soon working on some spins and jumps but wasn't quite getting it. Until one day, my instructor brought me up a pair of used skates up from the valley. These things were professional. You could just tell. Sturdy, supportive boots, shiny blades. I'd later look up the value of them if they were new--$800. She was going to sell them to me for $100. A steal of a deal!

When I got them on, it was magic. Suddenly those jumps and spins I was struggling to do became effortless. Like a switch was flipped. Perhaps this was the beginning of my belief in good tools for good results? Very possible. My craft room now reflects that philosophy.

At some point, I was told to take them off if I wasn't going to buy them. Oh yeah, no way those babies were coming off my feet. My dad got a call from a pay phone with instructions to withdrawal the required amount out of my savings account when he came to pick me up at 4 o'clock. The skates were mine.

I continued to skate and take lessons for a few winters. Never got any good really. Mastered a few things. Enough to impress anybody if they went skating with me. But ultimately, too afraid of falling. Which is a ridiculous fear if you are trying to become a figure skater.

Life moves on. But I still have those skates. They are in my basement and I occasionally pick them up and smile over them. My name is written inside each boot, 7th grade scrawl in black Sharpie. E. Parsoneault. Just the thought of it makes me smile.

I've actually considered selling them recently. They were barely fitting before my pregnancies. Now? No way am I going to get in them. Seeing as I'd eventually like to shock the heck out of my kids by actually hauling my butt up off the ice in a waltz jump one day,  I'm going to need some good skates that fit. I'm sure they are worth some money and I was thinking I'd turn the dough around into a new semi-professional pair in my new size. But my Mom talked me out of it. Save them for Eliza one day. And so I am. Love those skates. Wasn't hard to twist my arm.

What's the point of this whole ramble? My favorite PTI card of the year using Dawn's On Ice set. The moment I saw the preview, it was like the stamp set was made for me. I have a special connection to it, even if it is one that I've kept mostly to myself up until now. Every time I stamp with it, I remember...and maybe practice my toe loop right in my office. (I still do that from time to time when nobody is watching.)


Be sure to leave a comment on Nichole's blog for a chance to win the supplies needed to make this card and all the other design team favorites. This is going to be a killer prize, people. My card alone uses four stamp sets. Multiply that by the number of design team members and it's a nice stash of supplies. You'd be a lucky lady indeed. 

My latest ambition? Getting over my fear of falling. There's a ladies' roller derby league up in Hagerstown. Once I have another baby and get that phase of my life behind me, I think I might join. Been thinking about it for a long time now. Something tells me I'm going to need to get a lot of my frustration out. Just need to come up with the right bad-ass roller derby girl name. I'm sure it will come to me.:)

27 comments:

  1. I love hearing the stories behind people's cards - and this was sweet ! I agree with your mum - keep'em !! Happy PTI day !!

    Margaret C

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  2. I love your story behind the card. I love that about you! It makes my day when I read your your stories, I laugh at some of them, because they are so real!! Keep up with your sense of humor and your great projects showing how different set can be combined on projects. I love that.

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  3. Oh your blog posts are like treasures! I would wow the family with "layback spins"...in my living room. One time I whacked the ceiling fan chain with my arms and my family laughed until the tears rolled. That's what you get when you are born December 6th, in the 70's...a Dorothy Hamill fan that always had no choice but to have an ice skating party for her birthday. So glad you are back for more fun this year, Erin!

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  4. I grew up in a wintery Northern Ontario town in Canada. Everyone laced on the skates and headed to the local neighbourhood outdoor rinks. Your story certainly brings back great memories. Thanks for all the unique cards and fun details.

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  5. Living in the south there has never been an opportunity to learn to ice skate-except when I was in fifth grade and my friend and I went to a Holiday on Ice show at the then new Municipal Auditorium in Nashville. Yep, a few lessons and that fear of falling kicked in quickly. It was back to roller skating in the basement for me! Thanks for the story and thanks for the continuous beauty and inspiration you bring to my life! Best wishes for a happy and successful new year!

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  6. I have to admit, this is one of my my favorite cards ever. Something about the way you cut out and mounted the skates... And now that I understand your personal skating story it seems to make sense. There is something so personal about this card. It's a wee peek into who you are.
    Thank you for sharing.

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  7. I loved your story! Thanks for sharing it, and your card is beautiful!

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  8. Loved the story. Your daughter would love hearing the story and I can see her eyes light up when you give her the skates.

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  9. What a wonderful story Erin! Hang on to those skates and any roller derby name that you come up would be so crzy fun!!

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  10. What a darling story! Thanks for sharing your wonderful work and detail about you too!

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  11. Such a great story and listen to your mother, KEEP THE SKATES!!! :o) Can't wait to hear the bad-ass name you come up with.

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  12. Love this Erin.
    Makes me smile to think of you as a roller derby mama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
    And a double smile to hear...............well you know. I suspect we should get updates about that one in a couple of years!

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  13. What a great story Erin. I love reading your blog..you are just so real and funny and your stories are ones that we can all relate to. I only tried skating twice and because of wobbly ankles, I quickly gave it up!! It has been a real pleasure getting to know you this last year. Love your style and the pics of your adorable kidos!

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  14. Erin, your posts always make me smile and giggle! I think your bad-ass roller derby name should be the "Lincoln Logger." BTW, I absolutely, positively LOVE this card.

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  15. Great card and a a great story behind it. I had once thought about joining a roller derby team. I decided on a punching bag instead. Keep thinking, I'm sure you'll come up with a great name. TFS!

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  16. I love you Erin!! I've got a friend that does roller derby. and i've been thinking more and more about it as a form of exercise since watching "Whip It!" Just totally love that I'm not the only scrappy/crafty type that is interested in being a bad ass - even once we're grown up!

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  17. Fun story! I used to hang around an ice rink b/c my high school boyfriend worked there. I had the crappy skates too. The closest I ever got to figure skating was the Dorothy Hamill haircut for my Sr. Picture!
    I think your roller derby name could be Erin "Logger" Lincoln - you could wear a plaid shirt, suspenders, a knit cap & wool knee socks w/your cute denim shorts or mini-skirt. Your French Canadian looks would suit it well.

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  18. Shawna kiyakgirl@yahoo.comFebruary 5, 2011 at 4:17 PM

    New to your blog ----- LOVE that card and love that skating story. If you have time can you email me about the Silhouette?

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  19. This is probably one of my favorite On Ice cards. Love it!

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  20. I love your story about the ice skates--and your dreams! The card is a winner too!.
    Judy Bohne

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  21. Great story, love, just love your card!!! Thanks for sharing through out the year!

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  22. This card is even more wonderful after hearing the story behind it. Thanks so much for sharing.

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  23. What a lovely memory and beautiful card. Thank you for sharing it with us. And so glad you are saving the skates for your little girl.

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  24. What a lovely storey and the card makes the memory represented PRICELESS!!! Your mom was right save them for your daughter.
    TFS and Inspiring
    Debbie
    Http://craftywizard.blogspot.com
    debbie_craine at hot mail dot com

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  25. xoxo
    loved the card. this story made it even more special.

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  26. love this card and hearing the story behind it makes it more special. i can almost see your young self moving over the ice in those skates... i always look forward to reading your blog, getting a look at your wonderful creations and getting a glimpse into your life. thanks for sharing.

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  27. I have a dear friend who also grew up in Park City. I don't know your age, but if you are around 40 years old, you may know Steve Nestel. I always thought he was so lucky to grow up there too. Needless to say he is an excellent skier.

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