Sunday 21st May.

Sorry I've been absent since my 'dynamic' start but I was verbally 'prodded' about this by a certain Sue O yesterday so I thought I'd better get on with it!! :o ( I so miss having the emoticons on here - can I add them from somewhere?).

I have quite a lot to say 'cos yesterday was a BIG day in the world that is Crafts by Carolyn!

It was our annual Meet, to be held in that Las Vegas of the Midlands - Shirley.

I have to admit the first huge shock of the day was seeing Em (UK Mum) in the car park before me and in no need of the emergency rescue package I had set up with the West Midlands Police! Obviously the metal 'Sat Nav' helmet that OH had made for her out of a couple of old radios, a coat hanger and a piece of wet string had done its job!!

I went inside to find Bex and Mich emerging from the meeting room. Bex looked fine despite her earlier brush with the law and apart from a 'sniffer dog' hanging out of her back pocket you would never know anything had happened!

It was all hands on deck then to get the room set up and that actually proved quite a task. The chairs seemed to be breeding and bags and boxes were arriving en masse. The rather vague caretaker who I'd been told would help to set up, clearly preferred the warmth and security of his bolt hole along with whatever it was he was reading and kept hurridly stuffing in a drawer every time I walked in!! Probably a racy copy of Ferret Keepers Monthly!

OH was a little gem and I'm so glad I've kept him on as the current Mr.Puss. He was apprehensive I know at spending the whole day surrounded by a large group of women who knew exactly what to do with a Quick Kutz and a scalpel blade! He brought along one of his radios as a security blanket and was quite prepared to shout "I'm going to tell you all about it' if things got ugly! However he was very happy in his corner adding up the purchases from the Bring and Buy and also admitted later he'd never had so many women queuing up for his services!! With so many name badges placed in prominent and strategic areas of the female anatomy he must've thought all his birthdays had come at once!

The room soon became full of the sounds of people greeting old friends and people making new friends. There was air of expectation as people arrived and exciting bits of equipment started to be unloaded ( my own contribution to this being OH).........it was like a crafters paradise!

It's true the room was a little on the 'cosy' side and I can honestly say I've never 'bumped bottoms ' with so many people before but it also lent itself to friendly chats and the sense of a real buzz! As well as lots of chats and crafty stuff there was a buffet which, this year,we decided to name ' The Entirely Quiche Free Zone'! Net and her family will now be eating quiche for the foreseeable future!

I was on 'High Alert' and primed for any questions, problems etc so consequently spent the day moving about like a demented wasp making sure everything was OK yet was still entirely unprepared for the arrival of my mother who made her entrance completely without the aid of a police escort!!

She arrived in time for Nicki's announcements about the beautiful quilts that members had so worked for so diligently. They were gorgeous and when Nicki mentioned they were destined for the elderly my mother put her hand up as tho' that gesture qualified her for one! Mind you that was a lot more polite than some of the gestures she's capable of!!

The demos were very popular and were running simultaneously at one point - Sheila( Bookworm) in one corner with her range of 'altered state' inducing chemicals and Lisa showing the intricacies of wire manipulation and beautiful bead assembly in the other. This division led to a competition between the two halves as to which group could produce the loudest 'oohs and aahs', so much so I'm sure the wedding party in the next room thought the honeymoon had come early!!

We had fun with the raffle although Lisa next to me was heard muttering every time her number wasn't announced 'Don't choose the pliers! Don't choose the pliers! They've chosen the pliers'!! I didn't win anything either although I thought I'd made it plain to Becky that a win for me would automatically entitle her to an hours free lecture from OH on the 'gathering interest in the value of the EL84 valve in the developement of vintage radios'!! Think I'll have to try a different tactic next time!!

There was the excitement of the Romantic Card Competition deservedly won by Suzy, more Oohs and Aahs from people watching Sara's (Silky Chicken's) FP demo and people happily playing with alcohol inks and rubber stamps.

Everyone seemed to be so involved with what they were doing it almost seemed a shame to have to wind it up and declare the meeting over. The caretaker, who had now handed over the onerous responsibility of coping with 50+ demanding female crafters ( and OH) to a female colleague, was seen walking out of the premises clutching the Samaritans phone number in one hand and his resignation in the other.

Some people had to start their journey home ( via Burger King!!) and others made their way to The Robin Hood Carvery, a mere 5 minutes up the road. Rhi managed to go via some of the more dodgey areas of Birmingham on her way but I'm sure it will have broadened her experience!! Next time OH will make 2 metal hats!!

Apart from the rather long wait for the vegetarian options ( they had to go out and catch the Brie and Broccoli) it was a good meal - rather warm and cramped surroundings and a waiter who looked about 10 with a beard......
but hey....who minds sharing a sprout with a friend!

OH and I were 'knackered' and left everything in the car until this morning ( apart from our prezzies of course.............oh.....................and OH's radio. He still can't believe that people asked to see it - he was disappointed in you Em as I'd led him to believe you were a lifelong fan of the vintage valve radio!) and will be happy to bring a range of different models next time.

It was a fab day and I'm sure I've left out a load of stuff but it's just to give you a 'flavour'. If you want the full 'taste' then you'll have to get yourself to the next one!!....

Sue? Was that OK? I won't be so long with the next entry I promise!!