Christmas Party Fun ~~~

It's amazing at how fast a year can fly by. Yesterday was the Christmas Party at Grant Street Woolworks.  I got there about 11:00 or so. Can't remember, that was yesterday lol.  Had a lot of stuff to take in, so that took some time.  Finally got it all in and before you knew it, Joanne and Nettie came.  Shortly after that, Linda and I were getting texts and phone calls about the weather and that some would not be coming.  We were very surprised to see the snow falling like it did, so that was to be expected.  I thought for a little bit that it might just be the 4 of us! Which would have been no problem. You can make a party with just 2 lol.  but before you knew it, people started rolling in late in the afternoon.  It didn't keep people away.  For some, it took a very long time to get there! We had a great turnout despite the weather!~

Nettie brought along some of the pieces she has finished. I love when she does that. And she does amazing work. Here is a punch needle piece she did and had framed. The backing is a piece of flannel fabric. Her punching is amazing.

Another piece of hers that is a penny rug.

 I had to get a close up of the needle felted sheep she did.  You just had to see it in person. Beautiful stitching and needlework! Thanks Nettie for bringing them to share.

 Also joining the party early on, were the new additions to the Shop.  Linda had brought them back from NJ. They were her Grandkids, but now Linda is taking over.    Here is Rex....

 Crazy Mo...

 And Annabelle....  Aren't they cute?  Very friendly. Their homes are in the sewing room where Linda and I are most of the day.

 Some hooking was actually accomplished during the day also, before others arrived..

 Joanne is such a fast hooker. None of the hearts were hooked, and I think one of the flowers wasn't hooked. She was trying to figure out what to do with the bird on top.  I didn't get another shot of her rug before she put it away. She had quite a bit of background done too!!

People started to arrive and there was a lot of food to be shared.  There was another table with desserts on it, but the picture didn't come out.

 Here is a cheese ball snowman that Genny made. Isn't it the cutest? I think everyone took a picture of it lol.

 After everyone arrived and we ate, there were games to be played.  Bingo, etc.  And prizes for the winners that Linda generously handed out.

 Another game we played, you were to bring 3 wrapped gifts. White elephant gifts. Linda didn't want you to go out and buy anything. This was to be for fun. There was a table that held all the gifts. When your number was called, you went up and picked up a gift.  You got 3 numbers. So everyone was leaving with 3 gifts. Here are some picking out their gift.  You weren't allowed to open then, but if you wanted to exchange with someone, you could take their bag and give the one you just picked.  I was proud to say that no-one peeked!

When we were all done with our numbers, and done swapping, which was hysterical because there were a few items that were constantly changed back and forth, we started to open our gifts.

There were some really sweet gifts.  Here are my 3 first...

 Some wools....

 Candles that needed to be sniffed..

 Hand made items...

Certainly some extreme silliness to keep everyone laughing.... (if you didn't have sore sides from laughing last night, then there was something seriously wrong)

 More sniffing of candles :)

 And THEN..........
There were some gifts that were TRUE White Elephant gifts....
And Joan's laughter says it ALL....  Of course the owner of the panties took them back lol.  There was a sweet necklace attached to the bag.  That was the attraction to picking the bag in the first place. No one ever suspected what was inside lol.  I just WISH I would have gotten Genny's face when she first peeked in the bag.  I think Joanne had gotten it!

And another FUNNY surprise that Joanne had picked...  I just LOVE her reaction LOL

 This one certainly brought a LOT of LAUGHS as well.  I had received this gift last year as a white elephant from Pam in my on line group.  I was hysterical when I opened it then.... so you can imagine the laughs it brought when Linda received this one!!!!   I was waiting for the right time and place to pass it on, so I hope you are pleased Pam :) Linda kept trying to trade it off, but no one seemed to want to take it home lol.

But I think it grew on her :)  (hmm, wonder if it will show up next year?)

And the last game of the night was the door prize. Nettie won it. 

After all the games were over, there was still more to be done. At the last years party, if you wanted to participate, we did a Secret Pal for throughout the year.  Last night we revealed who we had.  Everyone recieved such wonderful gifts. So nice to sit and watch everyone ooh and ahh. Too many pictures to be taken throughout the room, so I will share what I received.  Genny had my name.  She had spoiled me throughout the year and last night she surprised me with a huge assortment.

 Then there were gifts I received from other friends. Nettie brought me some candles, and had a box of ornaments that she let everyone choose one. So nice of you Nettie, thank you!

From Sherri.... Her stitching in creating these pieces floor me!!  Beautiful work Sherri :)

 From my pal Joan.... h is for harris... will have fun with this one, and had to keep an eye on Joanne with that red wool :)

 My sweet Santa from Jill... It lights up, so cute!

 And my Dear friend Joanne. She told me that I was not allowed to return my gift, so I better like it.  How floored I was when I took out the hooked tote she made me.  It has my initials on it, so I can't return it.  Like I EVER would  :) !!  Still in utter shock, it's beautiful. And the other gifts that were wrapped inside. I just love santa's...

Linda, gifted me with a gorgeous set of high thread count sheets to go on my bed. She had gifted me for my Birthday a Down comforter that I have been enjoying slipping into every night on these cold, cold nights. I will honestly miss it next Summer!  My bed is complete ! Thank you Linda..... I am sleeping soo wonderfully  :)

I certainly am sooo appreciative of each and every gift I received. I'm not a good receiver, I'd rather give. I just want to say Thank You to each of you for such wonderful items that will make me smile and think of you, each time I look at them.  As I sit here with my coffee and stare over everything, I am feeling so Blessed to have these girls in my life, that I can just cry. Call it hormones, call it whatever you want, but I am soooo touched by the love that is shown in this hooking group.  And it's not about the gifts, it's the True caring and support that each one gives to each other.

It's genuine..... it's remarkable.......  and I am so happy to be a part of it. It continues to grow in size, which only means that more sharing and caring will continue. More friendships to be made... That just makes my heart smile..... 

We had more people sign up last night for the Secret Pal. I can only imagine what this next year will bring. More surprises, more smiles....

Have an awesome weekend ~~~~~