Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Pals Fall Fling – Grab Bags, Gift Boxes, and STASH!!!!!

Yes, it’s time for one of the favorite Pals’ traditions – the Grab Bag exchange. It works like all those little office/society exchanges where you can pilfer from people in the room or just take an item from the table. Great hilarity happens… especially when people start humming the Jaws theme as folks troll the room.

The Table of grab bags before the fun began --- note the wide range of packaging…..
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Some grab bags make their presence known. This year there were some of special fondness to the room –
There was the pile of boxes (whose color combo was apparently perfect for several someones’ houses) which Sharon wanted her picture taken with since she didn’t figure she’d actually get to take it home.
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Here's Karen with the trolley which was very popular:
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There was the totally cute cookie jar:
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I think she might have gotten to take the cookie jar home, but it was a close thing.

There was the barking jingle dog stocking (his ears wave up and down in time to carols….. many people laughed until the cried over this one). Beth posed with him in hopes that her Lily would get to use it this Christmas. I think grandma is going to have to make Lily a stocking this year. Lol
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There was the one I had to fight for:
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And boy was I lucky! It turned out be Jane from Fancy Work’s box which she had filled with:
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And a note in the box said to see her for what wouldn’t fit in the box. What wouldn’t fit in the box was the stunning Olde Colonial basket --
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Yup, I was very, very lucky!

I should note that the box and the goodies in the box relate to an upcoming set from Jane. She’s redoing the set she created to go with the Hershey’s red, white, and blue tin—
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--into antique colors. Cool, eh? Go ahead. Be jealous. I can understand. Hee heee

On Saturday night we move the swiping fights to the Gift Box Exchange. But here, if you pick a box from the table you go to the center of the room and open it for all to see... then go back to your chair and hope no one steals it.
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That's Hildit checking out the cool contents of a pair of trunks. I got to hold on to those for a while. Not long though. lol I was in the midst of reading a cool "reading Diary" that was included in them when they were swiped from me.

And here's Tracey opening the goodie box from Hildit (which included these cool sand scultures her husband William does-- more about them later!)
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At long last, the Stash Report.

Yes, it’s true. I got a lot of stash between the Lazy Daisy in Raleigh, Mary’s shop (Cross Stitchville), Amy’s goodies, the Stash Room, and the orientation pack. But I should note that almost everything I got on sale! See, I was trying to be good…. For a relative value of good.

I’ve decided to go with a pictorial review of the stash collection. The list seemed a bit showy.
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Yes, as a matter of fact, I DO think there ought to be an award for stashing.

23 comments:

Carolyn NC said...

I'm with you 100%. I could win an award for stash, I believe. However, I declare you the winner for this one. Wow - did you get some great stuff! And I spied one of the charts I love - Over the Hills by the Sampler Company. Where did you find that one so soon after it was released? I'm totally impressed with your pictures of everything. :)

Karen said...

WOW! Ruth, i think you did get more than me (and i came home with ALOT ALOT ALOT of stash!). I still need to type up my list for the "Sting" for next year, hopefully tomorrow.

Shelleen said...

love all your stash and I see the Halloween Treasure chest that i would have fought for LOL

Unknown said...

WOW! You do win the stash award! That haul is amazing. Love the threads, too. Is that your Goals List for 2009 or 2009, 2010, AND 2011? And I feel badly for buying one kit in Europe that I don't have time for now.

Tama said...

Wow, looks like you had a great time! And your stash pics left me with my mouth hanging open... I luv that 'I Think' pattern; I'll have to try and find it!

Kate said...

That stash haul is utterly impressive. I would've spent hours sitting on the floor fondling all the pretties if I ever bought that much.

The grab bag exchange sounds like a riot!

Lisa said...

Ummmm, when exactly do you plan to stitch all that stash??? On no, that's right, we stitchers are gonna live forever! LOL Great goodies and pics! Thanks for sharing!

stitchersanon said...

WOw..amazing stuff...I am very impressed.
Gaynor

Yvonne..... said...

WOW! I can SEE you had a great time. LOL!

Cyn said...

Hi Ruth,

Wow!!!

Did ya leave anything in the stores? :-)

Cynthia
Windy Meadow

Nicole said...

Great pictures Ruth and Awesome stash haul!!! :)

Unknown said...

Thank you, I thought that I was a real stinker, but you outdid me!! By the way, I did get to bring the barking dog home to my Lily. And, I was the one who stole the gorgeous boxes from you, and got to keep them!! WHOOO HOOO!!

I really do enjoy your stories, it brings it all back!!

Beth

monique said...

WOW. Just WOW! WHat a fabulous stash haul... great report; that looks like a super fun getaway!

Kendra said...

You got that right when you say "STASH!!!!!" in your title! Holy cow, that is a LOT o' stash! My checkbook hurts just looking at the pictures...LOL!

So what level of SABLE are you on now? ;-)

Karen said...

I can't wait to see pics of how many of those you get done by next Oct! LOL

Sally said...

Now that is one heck of a lot of stash Ruth!! That will keep you busy for a long time!

Fantastic pictures! It looked like everyone had so much fun.

Chris said...

WOW. I was with you and didn't realize you acquired THAT much. LOL.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Had me drooling from start to finish :)
And that stash...well....WOW!

Michele said...

I'm confused .. is this the post we are supposed to comment on for the drawing for you blogiversary?? lol Marge is always confused!

Sharon said...

Amazing stash and I think you should win the award too-LOL

Lani said...

Awesome pictures!! How I miss everyone. Maybe someday I'll be able to go again.

Einschies blog said...

Ohhh and I am green-faced*smile*....I sooo want to go somewhere and find stash like that....I guess you allm know it´s great to buy stash online but seeing in real life to decide it´s much more fun....and Ruth, there are several charts I also would love;-)))

These Doodle buttons are new to me, never seen them before but they are cute...hmm, are there charts they are made for??

Gaby

Carol R said...

Great pictures Ruth - thanks for sharing and as for the stash - my my - I need to come visit a while so I can just look at it and maybe get to fondle some too!