First Craft Gossip Blogger’s Meet-up held in Little Rock

Last Saturday Little Rock was the place for the first ever Craft Gossip Fork and Talk. Bloggers from across The Natural State, Tennessee and Virginia attended the meet-up and spent a crafty afternoon with four Craft Gossip editors. They included Anne Weaver (sewing editor), Denise Felton (needlework editor), Stacie Hooder (jewelry making editor) and Scarlett Burroughs (quilting editor).

The Meet-up was held at Trio’s (YUM), and was sponsored by EK Success. The people who make Martha Stewart Crafts, American Girl Crafts, Jolee’s Boutique stickers, K & Co. scrapbooking paper and embellishments. And Sticko stickers.  And EK Tools. And Laliberi jewelry making kits. And Dimensions needlework kits. Oh. Yeah.

We started the luncheon with the typical going around the room and introducing ourselves. We were amazed at the variety of crafts represented in our gathering. We had sewers, quilters, stampers, knitters, even a gourd artist in our midst.  We had people who crafted only for themselves and family, people who sold their handmade items, and people who craft for charity. We knew some of these ladies already, but many were people we met for the first time.

I mean, we know in our heads that we have a vibrant, active creative community here in Arkansas. But to have all of these ladies in the same room was SO energizing! Check out the shoes a blogger made and wore to the event. Awesomeness.

After our introductions we played some silly games, then we worked together in groups to embellish a dollar store hat.  We had all kinds of gaudy goodness to work with, compliments of Denise’s well stocked craft studio. Sequins, feathers, tulle, etc. It was so cool to see how each group came up with a totally different look for their hat.

Denise and Scarlett modeling their table’s hats.

After the silly group craft, everyone got a chance to do a craft on their own.  There was a Laliberi Chiffon Chic Dark Flower clip kit for everyone, and we all made layered fabric flower brooches together.  Everyone got the same kit, but somehow everyone’s flowers ended up delightfully different.

This is Andi from Nooks and Crannies Crafts modeling the one she made.

And check out the one that Mel from Mel Designs made!  She got the rooster image off of their table’s wine bottle.  Brilliant!!!

We laughed and talked and created, and laughed and talked some more. At the end of the few hours we had together, there were hugs and new friendships.

And squeals of delight because – remember we said that EK Success sponsored the event? Well, there were swag bags for everyone. And let me tell you, the folks at EK were so generous! In fact, they had so many things for our guests that we didn’t have room for it all in the bags they sent. Can you imagine! Here’s just a part of what everyone got:

I think it’s safe to say that everyone liked their gifts.

Each Craft Gossip editor was lucky to get a swag bag for themselves, and are looking forward to working through their gifts. You’ll see some of them in projects we’ll post here in the coming weeks.

Here’s a list of everyone who attended. Check out their blogs and see what kind of crafty trouble they’ve been getting into!

1. Bella Kate’s | Jennifer
2. Bottletree | Angela, Little Rock
3. Candice Windham Designs | Candice
4. Hello Ladies | Mandy
5. Hog Wild About Stamping | Holly
6. Idyll Hands | Erin
7. Junque Rethunque | Laurie
8. Karma Per Diem | Lisa
9. Leslie’s Art and Sew | Leslie
10. Mel Designs | Melony
11. Mo(o)re Gourd Whimsies! | Barbara
12. Moxie Mae | Angela, Fort Smith
13. Moxie Mae | Geri
14. Nooks and Crannies Crafts | Andi
15. Personalized By Paige | Paige
16. Pork Chop Tuesday |Peggy
17. Roses and Ribbons | Debbie
18. Roses and Ribbons | Kimberly
19. Suture for a Living | Ramona
20. UnRuffled |Suzanne