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8/08/2015

Stampaway

Hi Ya tonight, from one very tired blogger. Stampaway and meeting Brenda W. of http://inkspiredtostamp.blogspot.com/  was worth every minute of the long drive up to Cincinnati. There were lots of vendors (and I didn't even get to _all_ of them, can you imagine?). Did get to all the ones I meant to though (and especially Northwoods Stamps..lots of luscious bird images there - oh my). Brenda & her SIL arrived about an hour or so after we had gone into the show, but we had talked on the phone so were able to find each other. I knew her at first glance! What a real sweet lady. I know that some of you who have met your blog buddies, know that exciting and heartwarming feeling you get, to finally meet in person. Then to find out that this person is just as lovely as you expected her to be. Ditto for her SIL who is not really a stamper (a quilter!) and came along to keep Brenda company. Bless her heart, she wasn't feeling all that well, and also has a foot brace which I'm sure didn't make walking around all that fun. We shopped a couple places together, but did our own 'thing' too. We did have lunch together at the convention center, and Brenda had to leave to drive back home. We stayed another hour (well, Mr. sat down and waited on me to try to go to some places I had missed). The hotel is just next door, so we didn't have to drive very far. (actually we could have walked it, but we knew we'd be tired. Yes he knows me well so he's the one who said "we'll drive over"). We even ordered a pizza to be delivered to the hotel, because we were just too tired to venture out for a meal.

Yes, to Carol L. that pickup bed will hold lots of 'schtuff'' and also has a nice lockable hard roll top cover to keep it safe!! Truthfully, it's all in the backseat. I did do a lot of craft sinning though. But how could I not, when I was saving all those shipping costs for those stamps that I would eventually buy, and have to get mailed? Make sense?! Of course it does!!! And for Darnell, I did indeed pass along your big hug to Brenda. And got one from Miz Pixie for myself. What excitement. Brenda has posted some pictures, but I can't download mine until we get home. (we tried using the Smartphone for a camera after I kept bumping into customers with my Nikon hanging around my neck, and a big stuffed bag over my shoulder. It was CROWDED with stampers looking for a deal).

We DID see Tim Holtz. However there was always a big crowd around his booth, standing room only and hard to see over those in front. We saw him when we were eating, as he came out to get lunch at the food court. I hesitated to intrude on his lunch (and he looked tired as well), but I finally did go apologetically ask if I could take a picture - apologizing for interrupting his break. He was very gracious & what a nice man. He had been talking & demo-ing from 9am to 5pm, and I know he had to be really tired. I'm so pleased to say, he seemed so pleasant to all those folks who were bombarding him with questions as he worked. I was able to watch some of it, and pick up a few new tips. Also was able to get the new August DI color (Espresso) - probably paid more for it at the show, but - hey, now I don't have to pay shipping, right? While we were taking pics with Tim Holtz, I asked if I could give him a big hug from one of his biggest fans in the UK, Anne Redfern. And he gave me one to send right back to Anne too! So meeting Brenda, her SIL and Tim were the highlights of this show for me. Sadly, didn't see Jennifer McGuire. One of the vendors said Jennifer had some family commitments this weekend, so probably would not be able to be there. Oh well, maybe next time!

I'll share the pictures when we get back home. Please accept my apologies for not getting back to those who have left comments yesterday & today. The Wi-Fi at the hotel keeps cutting out on me (and this dang laptop is a pain to type on.) I'm just trying to keep my mailbox cleaned out using a webmail which doesn't work like the Outlook I use at home;  will try to catch up with everyone later next week. I think we're headed down to Virginia tomorrow, with plans to visit Monticello, the home of President Thomas Jefferson. We've never been there.

The Christmas Card Club scheduled post will be up tomorrow also. In the meantime, thanks for stopping in, and catch you later. Blessings & Hugs.

21 comments:

  1. Oh Mary I am sure you saved hard to be able to get what you really neeeeeeeeeed, and of course you saved $$ on postage so you could buy more.
    (I sinned at the expo I went to recently too).
    Thanks for sharing your day
    Blessings and safe travel
    Maxine

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  2. It sounds like you had a fantastic day, especially meeting Brenda, her SIL and Tim. Enjoy using all the goodies you bought! xx

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  3. Hi Mary,
    sounds like you had a great time.
    So glad everything went well for you and you got to meet Tim too.
    Isn't it so exciting to meet up with someone you talk to on the blogs.
    Well I am looking forward to some of your makes with your new purchases soon then.
    Love and biggest hugs from my house to yours, and safe journey home.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  4. Ahhhh well done Mary, saw your post and Brenda's on my dashboard and had to Po over read and say hi....

    That was one extra special time that is for sure well done on catching up and special medal to Joe for being such a swell hubby, waiting, driving and generally being one special guy, will look forward to seeing all your stash,
    Hugs, Shaz in Oz.x

    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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  5. So glad you are having such a fab time. Sue

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  6. Oh Mary you are an absolute angel!! Thank you so much for getting a hug for me from THE man! I am so thrilled that you got to see him, he is a true gentleman in the craft world!

    How wonderful too that you finally got to meet Brenda (and her SIL) and that you had such a great time looking, touching and buying, it is so much better in real life. Crafty friends are just the best too. Thank you again!! Hugs, Anne xx

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  7. PS - I so envy you the Expresso ink, I think it is going to be a favourite of mine.... xxx

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  8. Sound like you had a great time. How nice that your hubby went we you

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  9. Oh Mary, what a fun day it was. I loved meeting you both and chatting during lunch. I hated for the day to end. I'm glad you were able to do some shopping and that you are going to visit Monticello too. You are packing a lot into this trip and that's wonderful.

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  10. Now that is what I call a fun shopping trip And yes you saved a ton on shipping and got photos and met buddies what more could a gal ask
    ,,,,Lis

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  11. Sounds like fun Mary...look forward to seeing the photos. Enjoy the rest of your trip. Carol x

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  12. You've obviously had a great time Mary and enjoyed meeting up with Brenda and her SIL too. Have a nice time at Monticello. x

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  13. Oh Mary!!! I am so jealous!! I wish I could have gone with you & Joe, or at least followed you in my van. I would not take that trip alone and would not be able to find my way anyway. I have wanted to go to Stampaway for more than 20 years now. It sounds like you had lots of fun sweetheart. Can't wait to see your goodies and pictures. I live much closer now, so we must get together soon. Hugs Lori
    New e-mail pepperirish at yahoo dot com

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  14. Hello Mary, wow did you have a fabulous time or what!! So pleased you had such a fabulous time and got to meet the great man himself, hugs Kate x

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  15. Sounds like a wonderful time, Mary. Hopefully you will enjoy special moments on the way home, too

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  16. Sounds like so much fun! I can't wait to see all the goodies you bought! Monticello is fantastic! Next to Charleston it was my favorite destination.
    Safe travels home.

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  17. Thanks so much for your report for those of us who couldn't be there! It sounds like you had a great time! Hope you will post pictures of the things you bought once you get home and settled!

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  18. How wonderful to meet blogging friends and have some shopping with them too. You must have saved a fortune in shipping costs well done LOL. I look forward to the piccies.

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  19. Wow Mary, sounds like yo had a great time. Glad you met up and enjoyed some time with your blog friend,Brenda and her SIL.
    Look forward to seeing your photos and the new stash you acquired when you get home.
    Safe travelling,
    Jean x

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  20. Oh my- I was at Stampaway as well! I went to Ky to visit parents- they live a little shy of an hour West of Sharonville....... I have been once before-3 yrs ago- and did take classes then, but could not swing it this year..... I did not plan on meeting anyone there, as I was not sure I would be able to get there at all, and took my Mom who has memory issues, so had to keep a close eye on her- she is an artist, so knew she would enjoy coming with me : ) I did find a few items I needed....... Oh my........ I need to get stamping!

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  21. Sounds like you had a great day!

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