Sandy’s Report on the TNNA Show, June 2011

Good morning!  It is a beautiful, glorious morning.  We’ve been so busy on the website adding new products such as the FlipSWAPS and Stirling Totes that I am just now getting around to sharing my adventures at TNNA in Columbus, Ohio.

I am always blown away by all the wonderful, new, colorful and exciting new designs offered by the various vendors.  The creativity is so inspiring and invigorating.

This trip, however, was even more great fun for me because I had new stuff to discuss with my peers, friends, new friends, etc.

I had a lovely long, detailed chat with Suzy Murphy (SuZy’s Stitches).  We compared Apple App notes and we thoroughly enjoyed talking with someone who was dealing with the same exact issues and share notes and suggestions.  She informed me that I had just missed Ruth Schmuff , and I am sad that I did not get to visit with her face-to-face also.

Another long visit I had was with Jill Rigoli (Danji Designs).  She is a wonderful cheerleader for my first book and Apple App Shapes of Needlepoint – Series I, and is chomping at the bit for Series II – which is scheduled for release August 15 – just around the corner.  And, of course, I couldn’t resist those wonderful designs posted in her booth.

I got to meet Fay Bullitt from Needle Nook of LaJolla on a more personal basis while in class.  We had lunch together and she is great fun to chat with.  Her friend, Donna, joined her and we discussed such things as human resources, employees, etc.  Just everyday life.  It was a delightful lunch.

I visited briefly with Nandra at Sundance Beads and her mother, Cassie Prescott.  I have the privilege of staying with Cassie in August when I go to San Diego to teach at the chapter annual fundraiser workshop and also at the Chapter for a one-day class.

A quick lunch on Saturday included chatting with Sandy Rodgers, Janet Zigler Casey, Mary Alice Sinton, and Jill Rabius-McGrath.  It was fun talking about upcoming events, past events and what is going on in the industry in general.  How can you not have fun around Janet?

It is always so nice to visit with friends even though it is so, so briefly.  Chatting with shop owners as our paths crossed in the various aisles and booths is always nice too.

However, today I must get back to reality and get to work on kits, exhibits, and pulling weeds.  Somehow those seem to conflict but that’s my life.

Have a great week and stitch with a smile!

Sandy