'Christmas is coming and the geese are getting fat'

Hi folks

are you ready yet!!!! for Christmas that is - remember it is ONLY 1 DAY our of 365 other. But we all insist on shopping as though we are entering a siege lol.

I thought I'd just let you know that although we are awaiting confirmation from Arena Ilkeston - but I am hoping that Dabblers at Arena will recommence on Friday January 21st 2011. Further details to be posted in the New Year. Anne Bull has kindly offered to demonstrate a 'favour' type box - details of what is required so you can make it will be posted after Christmas. This box is gorgeous one that Anne made for our SU table at the Paper Max show. It will take 3-4 speiality tea bag, chocs or after 8 mints.

The cost of the evening will be around £3. If anyone would like to volunteer to bring cakes please let me know?

Well Happy Christmas & Prosperous New Year to all

Lesley x

Our last 2010 get together at Dabblers

On my way home from work last night I was really unsure if we were going to be able to have our last 2010 dabblers get together....the main roads were quite clear of snow but the side streets were very dodgy. I got home to a few emails from ladies who were unable to get their cars off their drives and our numbers were dwindling. After a few phone calls fortunately, there were enough of us to go ahead with the evening.
6.30 found us walking up the very dark pathway to open up when THUD, the tea box fell on the floor, two cups broken but the coffee jar, sandras mug and my mug still in one piece....phew. Opened the doors and brrrrr the heating wasnt on. I can tell you....it was cold. Although we put the heating on the room didnt get warm. The fuddle table soon got covered with all kinds of delicious food and the secret santa bag got filled with presents (it was only a small bag).
After a quick cuppa Alyson gave us the template for the cutest little dog and here is a picture of Hanahs card

Some more pictures of other dogs that were made

This was captured during the evening and as you can see, we are still wearing our coats



Here's the official photo, around the Christmas tree
We ate, we laughed, we sang and then so quickly it was time to pack up, clean up and get ourselves home.....and this is what was waiting for us

more snow. I hope that everyone had a safe journey back home.

Now what you all dont know is..............Sandra and I had a mad few minutes playing in this lovely snow. We got onto our street and it was all pristine, white and not a mark in the snow at all, I danced around with my crafting trolley and made circles in the snow. We wrote in it and even made a few snowballs to throw at each other and......it was warmer out there playing in it than it had been all evening inside the hall.



Thank you to everyone for making it such a wonderful evening and we really missed all of you that were unable to make it. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Tracey

DABBLERS IN ON TONIGHT

Just to let you know that despite the cold, the snow and the ice, we are still going to go ahead with Dabblers tonight.

Wrap up warm, put on your thermals and I will see you at half 6

Tracey

Dabblers can stay put!!!!

Morning Ladies,

Just thought I would let you know that there WILL BE a secret santa this Friday as enough people have replied to make this possible.

For those that went to the last meeting I told you about a letter that we had received from the Church Committee. They told us that they needed to put
the room rate up to so that we were in line with all the other groups that use the facilities. I explained that if this was the case that we would
have to look for other facilities as this increase would probably be out of reach for some of our members, pensions, those on benefits etc. etc.I I received a letter yesterday and
here is a part of it

Quote

'I have discussed your difficulties with members of the church and we would like your group to keep
going at the old rate. It is part of our mission to reach out to the community and support them'.

Unquote

YEAH I am so pleased that I fought our case and didnt just agree to the price rise. St. Martins does have the facilities we need and are used to
(hot in Summer, chilly in Winter and poor lighting at times) but I am sure that you will agree....it does feel that home to the dabblers.

However, why is there always a however or a but, I will have to sign a contract for a year. Therefore I hope that you will all agree that to cover the months where
there may not be so many of us we will need to have a bit of a kitty. Instead of working out the price each evening I nominate that we have a fixed fee of £3.00 per
night, which is only £1.00 per hour. £3.00 is still great value for money... a night out socialising with other like minded crafters, occasional demonstrations, picking
up lots of tips, refreshments and friendships.

I would greatly appreciate it if you could let me know your thoughts on the fixed price per evening.

Looking forward to seeing you on Friday

Tracey

Derby Dabblers last meeting for 2010

Ladies,

The next Derby Dabblers meeting will be on Friday 3rd December from 6.30 - 9.30. This will be the last get together for 2010.

Alyson, who couldnt make it to the November get together due to illness will be sharing her template with us and therefore the items that you
had ready last month can be used in December.

As its a fuddle, this means that everyone who attends brings a little something to eat, sweet, savory, spicy, whatever you wish.

The theme for the evening has to be Christmas, a great opportunity to finish off those cards you have started or even to begin your Christmas
cards. There are always lots of ideas and inspiration from the talented ladies so dont forget your cameras.

Does anyone want to take part in a secret santa? You purchase a gift up to the value of £5.00 and wrap it up. All gifts will be placed in
a box and at the end of the evening you help yourself to one of the gifts in the box? Hands up all those that would like to do this.

Can you please let me know if you will be coming along and dont forget, you may need to wrap up warm.


Tracey

Derby Dabblers Night November 5th

Good evening ladies.

Apologies for the lateness of this email but I have had a rather hectic couple of weeks, this week being no exception.

Its Derby Dabblers night this Friday. 6.30p.m. - 9.30p.m. at St. Martins Church Hall. The theme for the evening is pets, yes pets, dogs, cats, fish, birds
any pet at all. In keeping with the theme Alyson is going to demo her template.

Items needed to make this are

Two Pieces of A4 plain cardstock (or 12x12) to make the template. One sheet of 12x12 or two pieces of A4 patterned paper to cover the cardstock. Maybe some ribbon for his collar or some bling! Also a scoring tool, glue, scissors and some scrap paper if anyone wants to keep a spare copy of the template. Oh and Alyson distressed her edges with matching ink too!

As usual, you dont have to follow the theme if you dont want to, just bring something along to keep you occupied alternatively, there will be plenty
to chatter about if you just want to catch up.

Diane and Tracey are the cakerers for this Friday.

I hope that all those off to the NEC this week have a lovely time. It starts tomorrow and ends on Sunday.

Can you please let me know if you will be coming along on Friday and it would be great if any of you can get there for 6.30 to help set up.

Looking forward to hearing from you

Tracey

Dates for your diary

Paper Max Show 31st October at Moor Ways Sports Hall Derby 10am - 4pm

Derby Dabblers at St Martins Church Friday November 5th

Lesley