Cinco de Mayo

I had decided my next card for Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #105 would be a male-card and since it was close to Cinco de Mayo (May 5th Mexican celebration) it seemed appropriate to use this theme for my card.  I started the card earlier this week and wasn't real happy with it especially when I saw the creative designs from the Design Team and submissions already entered...Oh My...I wanted to go back to "pretty"  It took me until yesterday to pick up my male-card again because I was determined I was going to make this card work...although I must admit it took several cuts and combinations until I got what I wanted. 

We live in Arizona and most of our family are into Mexican food so we like to celebrate this Holiday along with everyone else...in particular MARGARITA's...oh, that's not food.   If you want to know the history of Cinco de Mayo, click on "read more" below.  

Back to the detail of my card.  Cardstock and Paper are all from CTMH "Jackson" Paperpak and Complements.  From Cricut Design Space I purchased a couple of the images for this card...the Little Mexican (aka Pedro) was from Cartridge "Ole" and the peppers were from Cartridge "Fiesta". The Sentiments were made from Text, ungrouped, placed, re-grouped, welded and then cut (all techniques that Design Space offer)...I'm getting to be a pro with text.  

Pedro was first colored with a variety of ShinHan pens, added Wink of Stella to Pedro's clothing and hat to make the colors more festive.  Wink of Stella was also used on the Sentiments.  For dimension and roundness of Pedro's head I used Liquid Glass, and then used 3D Thin Foam Tape to bring him forward from background.  I also colored the peppers, added liquid glass and lifted one with foam tape.  The divider between the two papers was from the "Jackson" complements, and I added dots to make it appear as zig-zag stiching on both sides.

Please visit Atlantic Hearts for Design Teams creative designs and other entries...there is still one day for entry into this challenge.

History of Cinco de Mayo...
Literally "the Fifth of May," Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican Holiday celebrating the Battle of Puebla, which Literally took place on May 5, 1862.  In 1861, France sent a massive army to invade Mexico, as they wanted to collect on some war debts. The French army was much larger, better trained and equipped than the Mexicans struggling to defend the road to Mexico City. It rolled through Mexico until it reached Puebla, where the Mexicans made a valiant stand, and, against all logic, won a huge victory. It was short-lived, as the French army regrouped and continued; eventually taking Mexico City, but the euphoria of an unlikely victory against overwhelming odds is remembered every May fifth.

Cinco de Mayo is a big deal in Puebla, where the famous battle took place but it really isn't as important as most people think. September 16, Independence Day, is a much more important holiday in Mexico. For some reason, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated more in the United States of America, by Mexicans and Americans alike, than it is in Mexico. One theory for why it is more popular in the USA is that at one time, it was celebrated in all of Mexico and by Mexicans living in former Mexican territories such as Texas and California. It was ignored in Mexico after a while but still celebrated north of the border, which never got out of the habit of remembering the famous battle. 

It’s easy to host a Cinco de Mayo party! Making basic Mexican food like salsa and burritos is not too complicated, add some decorations and mix some Margaritas and you’re good to go.