Telford, Baby!

OK, I admit it isn't quite the same as Vegas, but for SU demonstrators in the UK, Telford is almost as exciting.  It's where our OnStage Local events happen.  OnStage is Stampin' Up!s get together where we get to see the new catalogues (and order new stuff before anyone else!) and learn how to use the new products or get ideas for demonstrating them.  There's also OnStage Live, which is the Main Event.  This time Live was in Salt Lake City (last time - November) - it was in Brussels, next time it's in Brisbane, after that it's be back in Europe again.

I couldn't get to Brussels, so I was determined to get to Telford.  And I want to say, right up front, that I had a great time.  The journey up from Swansea was fine until I got caught up in traffic congestion outside Birmingham, but it meant I arrived later than I was expecting, but I just had a nice restful evening in my room, had a good night's sleep and woke up to - SNOW!

Luckily, the hotel was near to the convention centre so it wasn't far to go, and the snow soon cleared away - it was a lovely day once it did.  What was OnStage like?  Oh, my - all I can say is that there are some fab-u-lous new things in the next Annual catalogue.  As expected, we will be saying goodbye to some old friends - all the 2014-16 In Colours will definitely be going, of course, but there were some surprises as well.  By the  time you read this, the Retiring list will be out - and if there's something you have your heart set on don't hang about, is my advice!

Anyway, I did lots of Swapping (although I did come back with some of my own - I need to talk less and swap more!)  - you can see what I got on today's YouTube video.

It was the journey home that nearly did for me.  I breezed past the spot that had been so congested on the way up, stopped at the services for a quick rest stop and to fit up with petrol, and phoned my husband - "I'll be home in a couple of hours" I promised.  And I would have been, too, if the Sat Nav hadn't had a hissy fit.

For some reason, it sent me down the Heads of the Valleys road.  I suppose it's my own fault, because I went along with it, thinking I'd try the route as it might be a bit of a change. It would have been OK if they hadn't closed the road just before Merthyr.

The Sat Nav, when it realised that I wasn't going to co-operate and try to get back on the road that was closed, had what I can only imagine was a fit of spite and sent me along country lanes and over the top of a mountain.  I'm used to driving over mountain passes - I'm from the South Wales Valleys - but driving up steep, narrow, winding and above all, unfamiliar roads in the dusk was bloomin' TERRIFYING!  It was at this point, as it got dark,  that I realised that my new glasses, which are fine in daylight, weren't the best I've had for night driving...

By the time I made it back to civilisation, somewhere near Ebbw Vale, I was beginning to think that I was never going to get home.  When I did, much later than promised,  my husband was peering out of the window, watching out for me - I think I put years on him.

However, I am home safe and sound and thinking about all the ideas I have for future projects!  Thanks for sticking with me to the end of this post - I'll be back to my normal self by Thursday, promise!

Crafty Hugs,

Keren