It was indeed a (Vintage) Pleasure!

I'm feeling very lucky at the moment. I really am.
I'm obviously grateful for Bella. That goes without saying. Although it is said, every single day. Many times over.
But it's not just that.
I've spent a large part of my life wanting to belong. And a larger part of it acting as though it was my choice that I never have.
But this blog has changed all of that. Your comments and your support has changed all of that. The emails that I get from complete strangers who are willing to use their precious time to write to me and share their experience's has changed all of that. The emails and comments that  I get from people  that I find incredibly inspiring has changed all of that. You, (yes you!) have all changed all of that. And most of all, meeting people like Kristy and her wonderful girls has changed all of that.
Yesterday I was blessed with the chance to meet that nicest, funniest, most amazing group of girls that I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.
Those of you that read Kristy's lovely blog already know that she is a kind, funny, inspiring women. But what you don't know is that over the last year Kristy has been a constant source of comfort for me. And although we have never met before and although I am crap at leaving comments on her blog, she has quietly and completely altruistically let me know time and time again that she's there and that she cares. I have received little emails just letting me know she's out there thinking of me, I've received gifts just to let me know that she cares and knows I've had a bad week. And time and time again she's made me laugh just when I needed to. And I'm not even sure she knows how much she's done. I know that she's never asked for anything back. And I know, and am  ashamed to say, that she's received very little back from me.
All of that said, as much as Kristy's been there for me, there is where she's stayed. Right over there, only an hour away! For a year we have discussed the idea of meeting, since we only live an hour apart. But both of us are more than a little hesitant about meeting new people so we both kept fudging the issue and ignoring it. Until finally I came up with an enticement that was just too big for her to ignore.
The New York bounty and the new studio! And I'm telling you, if anything's going to encourage some reticent bloggers to meet, it's the chance to roll around naked in lots of fabric (that part DID NOT happen, but I know Capello's reading, so that one's for her!).
And yesterday was the big day. And it was a big day because I am horribly shy in real life (listen, if I could delete and rewrite sentences in real life I probably wouldn't be so shy, but I can't, so I am), and there are five of them to only two of us! That's a whole lot of girls. In my very small house. When we've never met before.
But I can tell you right now. It was THE. MOST. FUN. EVER!
And if ever I needed a MOST. FUN. EVER. day, it was this week.
I honestly can not tell you how much good it did me or just how wonderful Kristy and her girls are.
So let me show you instead.

I could bore you all senseless with how amazing Kristy's four daughters are, but I'll try and limit myself to just saying that I have never met a group of girls between the ages of 5 and 12 who are all polite and kind and well behaved whilst still having a true and obvious spirit and sense of fun.

And Kristy's relationship with them is an absolute inspiration. Their sense of fun as a family is incredibly apparent and infectious. And something that I want Bella to experience growing up.

That's Maisie (below) sharing her gorgeous flapjacks. She's a very, very good cook already - and is definitely a firm favourite with Jim (who has a very sweet tooth!), who thinks she should bake for us on a regular basis (I agree).

We had so much fun just sitting around talking, and Bella had so much fun being a mini dictator (she's two  and yet she had them running around after her!!!) that it could have happily lasted for days. And that was before we even got to the studio.

But then when we did get to the studio - well, then we started having some real fun!  This is Lily (very, very talented craftswomen already! Going to give all of us a run for our money) discovering my stash of butchers string (if that's you Maisie, I apologise, I can only tell you two apart by your shoes!)

And here's Lily doing an impression of my Bella's Molly Chicken. Which I nearly lost to a new home!

Josie (who seriously could be related to Bella, they are so similar in spirit), Kitty (made me laugh a lot and gorgeous) and Bella reading books (in between bouts of systematically destroying Bella's bedroom) . Don't the three of them look innocent? They're not.

And my favourite picture of all - the feeding frenzy that ensued when I told the girls that they could help themselves to my scrap bins!
I can't tell you how much fun it was watching everyone be so excited by fabric, instead of just wanting to be watching tv downstairs, complaining of being bored, they way that a lot of kids would be. It literally made my heart sing.
And of course Bella helped too! I mean, how else would they have seen all the fabrics if she hadn't thrown them around the room with such abandon?

Ahh, it was truly a joy. And both Bella and I intend to insinuate ourselves in to Kristy's family whether they like it or not!
So thank you Kristy, Lily, Maisie, Kitty and Josie. You are big, big favourites in this house. Please do all come again very soon.

I also must say that I haven't had time to photograph the presents that they bought with them. But I will!

And finally, I just wanted to thank you all again and to say that there have been so many people over the last year that have been there for me. And I am grateful to you all. And I am here because of you all.
And I am a very lucky person indeed.

Comments

[sue]

I've been reading your blog for sometime now and my heart really felt for you.I've gone through the same pain and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.I hope your dr will be able to help you both out and I am really really happy you had a wonderful day with your friend!
I think you have a lot of support with the bloggers..and you can count on my support also.
xoxo

[liz r.]

A little noisy socializing over fabric scraps sounds just right for this week. Kristy's girls are lovely.

[Jessica Chapman]

Wow-- looks like so much fun, and so cool that you've posted the story here so we could all be a part of it. I love your decorating style, and wish you could come re-do my home!!

[Joan Gibb]

Dearest Manda, I feel lucky that I found your blog. I love your honesty, your candor,and of course your lovely family. I love the way that you tell your stories about your life; it's an ability I envy.
Your designs and use of fabric and color have really affected my thinking and I never get tired of seeing anything.
I think of you often and send good thoughts across the pond to you.

[sarah]

Oh how fun!! And how fun to have people who think its fun!

(and I laughed at your "if I could delete/edit in real life" oh so true)

Glad you all had such a good time!

[Chara Michele]

Wow it looks like so much fun! To meet bloggers in real life, how cool:) (Even better, to meet people that you have a lot in common with and who get the need and desire to craft.)

[Amy]

You're so sweet. I'm gald that you and Bella had such a great time.

[paper.string.cloth]

No Manda, WE are the lucky ones. So glad to hear you sounding a little better, there's nothing like the healing power of a group of crafty women!!!

xxx

[string*THEORY]

holy cow! this is so great...what a neat visit was such and kind, crafty lady & her entourage!

[heather gingerich]

looks like so much fun. Thanks for sharing the pictures of your day with us. I would've loved to bring my isabella to meet your bella. :) and WOW the table of goodies...what a host you are!

[Mama Urchin]

What a wonderful day. I'm so glad you had that gift when you needed it.

[Tif]

loved seeing all the pictures...thanks for sharing...

[janet clarej]

Sounds like heaven on earth! And it looks like you know how to put on a good spread too!!

[tammy g.]

It's wonderful that you all got together finally & that you have found friends - kindred spirits - through your blogs. Kristy's blog is one of my regular reads, too. Thanks so much for sharing yourselves & creative lives with us. p.s. I am terribly shy also & feel more comfortable writing than speaking.

[Hilda May]

Looks like you had a super time....it's just what you needed....I'm so pleased for you
Big hug
Rachel x

[Kristy]

It's been a pleasure getting to know you over the past year.'...kind, funny, inspiring woman...' I think that's you Manda!
We had the absolute best time.I can't believe we waited so long but am so glad we both overcame our nerves.I think the 2 big and 3 little girls helped don't you? I loved the way they just all got on.
Rifling through your scraps box was the best thing they have done in ages!

[Sue]

Gosh, what a day! Seven happy people all together all day - quite an achievement!!!

Certainly a day to treasure.
Sue x

[tracy]

What a wonderful day - a house full of girls who love fabric and a table full of lovely things to eat - you truly are the hostess with the mostest!!!
loved the pics it made my heart sing to see you all having a wonderful time.
Tracy x

[Louise]

Oh I knew that their visit would be fun - your photos are lovely. I love Kristy's blog as I have three daughters and love checking out what hers are up to. My 2 older girls always have to get their own little scrap of fabric at our fabric shop so I can imagine how thrilled they would have been to join in on the gorgeous studio scrap moment. I'm so glad to hear you are enjoying some good times.

[Lin]

The girls look like they had such fun with thescarps! Your house looks gorgeous by the way!

[LeeAnn]

Ok. When is it my turn to come over and play in the scrap bin!?! Looks like a fun time was had by all :)

[Kristy]

I forgot to say Happy Birthday!!!

[capello]

sweetie, there is no joking about rolling around naked in fabric. there is do, or do not. ;-)

you all looked like you had a blast! so fun!

my bestest friends are now people i've met from blogging. seriously, i never knew there were people out in the world like me, with similar interests and inspirations -- it's awesome!

[Sarah]

Oh it looks like you had sooo much fun!!!

How could ANYONE resist going through your scrap bins with your taste in fabric!!!! I bet there is nothing left!

[lesley]

Can I come and play in your scrap bin?
What a perfect hostess you are. It looks like you've had a great day - so we need more pictures, and then let us know when you are going to do a return match. I've just read the other side to the story and laughed so much, 52 pieces indeed.

ha ha ha