Sub Heading: Meeting Strangers off the Internet!
I think there were times in this very tough year that neither Julia or myself thought a crop would happen. But we managed to get a new venue and a date and it all happened yesterday - many familiar faces, a few new and the same wonderful feeling of friendship :-)
The new hall worked well, it was lovely and warm and there was plenty of space to spread out - just like Hamish did (he's the huge and gorgeous dog that belongs to Morti and family)
Helen was looking amazing! She really rocked those long suede boots :-D
This man rocks! Doug (hubby of Shaz Silverwolf) worked non stop all day, helping to set up, clean tables, cake waiter and general factotum. THANK YOU Doug, you were such a support xxxxxxx
The gorgeous Shaz Silverwolf used the time to put inserts into all her Christmas cards and pair them up with matching envelopes....
Helen was colouring her stamped images (She bought a suitcase full of stuff again!)
And Margaret (Glitter and Glue) drove all the way from North Wales - it was so wonderful to meet her in person after knowing her (virtually) for quite a while!
Margaret's crafting pile.....
And here's one of the new faces (well, the top half anyway!) Kathy K joined us for the first time - what a lovely lady she is and very funny too :-D
She soon managed to cover up the table with stash!
Kyla was looking wonderful - it was great to catch up again. She and Peter (Bishopmate's hubby) look as if they're cracking jokes!
And speaking of Bishopmate, it was great to see her again too!
Erika was a new face but she already knew Shaz off a stamping website but used to be Julia's neighbour years ago - it's a small world sometimes! Erika brought an even bigger case and trolley than Helen and was soon in full flow :-)
The cutting/embossing/die table was in use all day....
Fiona (Queen of the Lemon Drizzle cake!!) was making some really gorgeous origami items using her Stamping Up stuff.....
Dolores, Julia and Mary Anne deep in conversation.....
Livvy was doing the most exquisite cross stitch of a bee with Celtic knotwork. She gets more beautiful each time we meet.....
I love these guys.....
Morti was looking good too - lovely lady :-)
Dolores was making these yoyo puffs with a very clever ring gadget (it's blue, you can just see it in front of her) Mary Anne made commemorative hanging stars for everyone.
Here it is together with ATCs from Dolores, Erika and Christine - thanks girls!
Lovely pic of Dolores - she'd bought lots of fabric for me to have a good rummage through!
The usual motley crew! Back L-R Peter, Dolores, Fiona, Mary Anne, Christine, LLJ, Kyla, Livvy, Morti, Chris, Doug, Shaz, Julia, Erika Front L-R Kathy, Margaret and Helen
There's always one....... :-D
See, quite a lot of crafting went on - it wasn't all about the cakes and chat!
Hamish was so well behaved all day - I gave him a bandana (super-sized!)
David (Morti's hubby) and Tony (Pear shaped Chris' hubby) were stars and did all the washing up and clearing after lunch - so very much appreciated, thank you gents!
Dolores' Christmas fabric stash - I was very envious, there were some real beauties there!
Now, you know I don't really do papercrafting but Helen's new stamp really caught my eye and she very kindly stamped some images for me to colour...
Kathy was adding some details to her LO...
I love this photo!
And this!
And this! (Two 'virtual' friends meeting in reality!)
And this - lol!!! Should be on the front page of a craft magazine (or Page 3!)
Nutters one and all :-D
The monies left over from the subs and the sales table raised £101.20, which will go to the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal for Homeless people, thank you for your generosity!
It was a wonderful day, I love meeting up with these fantastic people - and we did think of the folk who couldn't attend as well. Maybe next time.....
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