continuing fun from Myrtle Beach Pals.....

Thank you all for all your kind comments. You should know you'd be welcome at Pals next year. It's usually mid-October and I can promise you'll have such fun. It's off-season in Myrtle Beach so the rooms are very affordable and there's plenty to keep hubbies and children busy while you stash, giggle, gossip, and stitch. I think details are coming soon to www.crossstitchpals.com

Let's see, I got you up through Grab Bag/Ornament Night. Now on to Saturday night (aka Gift Box Exchange and Stitcher's Showcase)

So, for gift boxes you can bring anything NOT stash related ($15 minimum). You trade your box for a raffle ticket and when your number is called you go up, pick a box, and unwrap it for all to see.... the next person steals or opens a new box, etc, etc. You know, general hysteria reigns supreme as usual.
First, of course, there's lining up in the hall.... a fine Pals tradition:


Then there's the boxes of goodies:


I won JayneFL's bag --

not only is it lovely on its own, but it was filled with chocolate!!!

And some lovely table decorating:

Which the Flippers took to the logical extreme (yup, those are flip flop keychains on their glasses and ears):


Joshua hung with us most of the evening and was cuddled constantly by many of his Honorary Aunts. For instnace, yours truly:


Aunt Jody:


Aunt Dawn:


Crazy Women, Inc. (aka me, Amy, Michele, and Chris):


The European contingent (Luke and Fiona--- that Luke's a fine stitcher. Someday he'll be as talented as his mom):


To prove that both Pals pitch in and everything has to come to an end, here's Steph un-decorating the conference hall:


This pic falls under the heading of Things Learned/Decided at the Convention. You see, after Julie nearly exploded a sinus trying not to squirt cola out her nose when something said something terribly funny over dinner, we made a rule -- When you take a drink, raise your hand and all talking will cease until you swallow. (Please note: I WAS raising my hand when they made me squirt water across the table!). Julie and I demonstrate the proper technique:


Now for the Stitcher's Showcase-- bring your prized stitching and we'll all ooo and ahhh over it and maybe you'll win a prize! {None of these are mine, but I was willing to take them all home!!!)








If only I'd finish mine, maybe it would look this good!


Bev brought her Nova-- I can appreciate, but I'd never have the patience--


Yup, Nova always floors me with its intricacy.


More later/tomorrow.... after all, I haven't given the Stash Report yet!