Wow what a day!  I am still feeling a little shattered even after having a couple of days down time but it was all worth it on the day!

After a rather busy week of cutting, scoring and gathering supplies for our projects, Keesh, Char and myself headed to the hall on Friday afternoon to set things up.  As most of you know Keesh and Char are such livewires and we had many laughs and jokes whilst we went about our setting up.  With a little help from Grant (Char’s hubby) and Rod (Keesh’s hubby) and kids we set about blowing balloons, setting up chairs and tables, laying out supplies, and making up the goody bags.  A big job but a fun one too!  How could you not have a laugh with bubbly Charmaine on the scene!

After an early start on Saturday morning to collect the fresh warm scones I met Vick on the road and off we trotted to Armadale (my car makes it’s own way there now).  We were amazed to see that a whilst we were still unpacking the car, cars were turning up in car park at 8.30, half an hour before opening time!  Panic set in for me and Char as this was our first time helping with Stamp-a-thon.  After a few squeals and hugs between us we got on with the last minute preps and it was with great excitment that we opened the doors and greeted the 96 women who participated in the event.

Keesh welcomed everyone and explained a little about real reason we were gathering which was to raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation to assist in research for this awful disease which affects one in 8 women in Australia.  I am a two time survivor of Breast Cancer and know first hand how this disease touches not only the person diagnosed but their family and friends also.  Anything we can do to support this cause is well worthwhile! 

With 8 projects to be completed throughout the day, ladies were asked to move from table to table to complete the projects.  We had 16 tables set up which meant that we had the same 8 projects duplicated throughout the room and they moved tables when asked by the lovely Keesh or Char (apparently I’m the quiet one and my voice did not carry – next year I’m taking my megaphone!) .  Here you can see all the girls hard at work enjoying all the fun projects.  

We were lucky enough to have some great helpers on hand and one of those was Ngaire Anderson, my wonderful friend and upline who helped us out with the ladies orders and product questions throughout the day.  It sure was a huge help having her there and left the three of us free to move around and make sure everyone was enjoying themselves! 

We also had some fantastic helpers in the kitchen (who managed to escape being captured by the lens) in my mum Helen, Keesh’s mum Penny, Kate (Keesh’s future sister-in-law) and the lovely Tiarne, Keesh’s eldest daugter.  We saw a constant spread of food all day long, starting off with devonshire tea, then a yummy lunch, followed by afternoon tea which was kindly donated by many of the ladies attending.  A big fat thank you to those of you who contributed.  My mum never ceases to amaze me and I am forever grateful that she is such a support to me at all times, whenever and wherever I need her! 

Stampin’ Up! kindly donated some products to be used in our Silect Auctions and together with the products Keesh, Char and myself put in, we managed to make up a good selection of prizes which went off really well!  A gorgeous basket of fantastic goodies was also kindly donated by Lee-Anne Barry, a fellow Perth demonstrator who is always up for a good cause.  Her basket caused a lot of chit-chat amongst the ladies on the day and I know it certainly helped us raise a fantastic amount on our silent auctions.  Lee-Anne and I met on an online stamping forum and went together to the very first Stampin’ Up! launch night here in Perth over 3 years ago and she is an amazing lady who is extremely talented and thoughtful.  She even popped in on Friday night and helped us set up the hall.  Thanks for your support Lee-Anne! 

Here is my sister Julie receiving her silent auction prize!  Thanks for your donation Jule!

Finally here is a pic of my Stamp Club ladies who were able to make it on the day.  My sister Julie, Janet, Vick, Sue and Julie.  Thanks ladies and I hope you come along next year!  

On a final note I would just like to add a few personal thank you’s.  I know this is when the music usually starts and I should be getting kicked off if I was accepting an award but too bad, you must take read on! 

To my big sister Julie who is always there for me whether it be a long chat, babysitting or getting together for cards, thanks for all your help on the day, afternoon tea and helping with the clean up. 

A big thank you to Vick for helping us out with packing the project bags and generally spurring me on – her specialty! Also for her contribution on the day with afternoon tea, helping set up and doing all those dishes afterwards!  Thanks again.

Also to my incredible shrinking friend Julie who is always quick to lend a hand with anything that is going on in my life.  I’m sure she won’t be using Choc Chip, Regal Rose or white cardstock for a while after cutting for the bookmark project but it was a huge help to me and much appreciated.  The cake and muffins went down a treat thank you and a great big thanks for sorting out all the supplies at the end of the day. 

Ok, now the drum roll please!!!  After a huge effort from everyone concerned we managed to raise the staggering amount of  $4,322.91 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation towards finding a cure for breast cancer. 

Thanks everyone for your support!  I’ll be back soon with the projects.

Cheers