delmar-mesa01-report

delmar-mesa01-report Evo's Show/People Report
Del Mar, CA and Mesa, AZ

The California Art & Rubber Stamp Festival
Del Mar, CA
Sept 22 & 23, 2001
Sponsored by Heirloom Productions
3900 Cherokee Lane
Newport, OR 97365
Fax/Voice(541)574-8000

Heyyyyyy, folks...

Just arrived home late Monday night from the Del Mar, CA and Mesa, AZ shows...

Ten days gone and whadda trip,
Six different flights went smooth as silk.
Thanks stampers, vendors, show sponsors and everyone
Who came to the shows and made them so much fun!

And thanks to all of you wearing shirts and pins,
Proclaiming who we are and where we've been...
Red White and Blue were the colors of the day
Avowing our love for the USofA!!!

This was our first time at the Del Mar Show and special thanks go out to Diane L (Momcat), Mary K P (just Mary), and Carol S (with the serene smile) for your wonderful help in our booth! The three of you made it sooo easy for Mr Evo and myself.

I started the rounds of the show late Sunday afternoon determined to visit every booth to see what I could find to report to you but had to return to our booth before I got very far. Sorry. :{/ But...here is what I did get to see!

Rubba Dub Dub ... Dee's hair matched her booth! :{<> Why did I not ever think of this! And she was demoing and creating really fabulous stuff with Pearl Ex and Lumieres.

Joyful Heart Stamps ... Debbie's Paper Dolls are absolutely precious. They're designed to reflect skin color, hair and clothes of your choice for both boys and girls. I loved these.

Darcie's Country Folk... Mary Ruth had a "Make It-Take It" in the booth... using their frame and box templates to create darling pins and embellishments. I walked away with a sample... Have a "ice" day featuring a snowman... thanks, Mary Ruth!

Carmen's Veranda ... Domino background stamps and collage elements were what caught my eye, plus I absolutely LUVED the package of Gel Caps that they offered for secreting tiny messages.

Creations Unlimited ... "Sparkley" from top to bottom of their booth featuring their new Sparklers, 135 glitters and 140 embossing powders and many wonderful ways to use these.

Amy's Magic ... As always, surrounded by stampers watching her fabulous demo's. I thought I would tease her a little and jumped up and down in the back of the crowd waving my hand to get her attention to no avail. I finally nudged through stampers close enough to stick my head into the viewing circle and ask... "Ohhhh, are you the famous Amy of Amy's Magic???" Without a split second of hesitation Amy's face lit up and she answered, "Yes! And are you the famous Evo of Evolving Images???" Amid laughter, I ducked out and went on my way. Amy's quick, yes she is.

Mr Evo and I had all day Monday to tour the area before flying out to Phoenix the next day. We drove up the coast as far as Camp Pendleton and saw the entrance draped with flags and two huge signs that said... "Welcome home, Daddy" and "God Bless the USA".

We stopped on the beach to watch one of the most spectacular sunsets I've ever been privileged to see... azures, lavenders, golds and peaches ... breath-taking beauty. Once again I was struck by "as it is above, so it is below". Sky reflected in the water and waves and wet sand and in the faces of the people standing in awe of the sunset.

And a few feet behind me was a shrine on the beach created by a visiting family ... beach pebbles and stones arranged with special offerings including an American flag, candles, a teddy bear, a baby bottle, an angel, a feather, miniature treasure chest and a page of "self affirmation" and the words... "With love from the Lockwoods". I don't know the Lockwoods, but I do. And, I think you do too.

Southwest Rubber Stamp Fall Fiesta
Sept 29 & 30, 2001 - Mesa, AZ
Sponsored by:
Great Southwest Rubber Stamp Events
PO Box 336
Mesa, AZ 85211-0336
ph/fax (408) 649-3566

The Mesa show the following weekend was equally wonderful! We stayed with my sister Grace (2 years 3 months older than I am ... she used to be sure everyone knew that when we were growing up... now she doesn't make that distinction ;}>) and her hubby Ernie. They furnished transportation, shelter, food and entertainment sooo graciously and worked sooooo tirelessly to help us set up and break down our booth. Grace also worked in our booth all day Saturday and Sunday with no real breaks. The wonder of all this is that Grace isn't even a stamper! :{<> But, she helped us at two shows last year in AZ, so she's getting closer to attempting to stamp... maybe. But then... maybe not. And, that's OK, too.

I'm sorry to say that I didn't get around to see anything at this show ... but from the looks on stampers' faces, I know wonders to behold were at all the booths.

Everywhere we went during the ten days we were gone, we saw constant evidence of the caring and concern of people and of the changes the events of the last few weeks have introduced into the lives of us all. The Delta flight attendants were making flag safety-pin bead pins in their quiet moments on our flight from Tampa to Dallas. The pilots on all the flights were more talkative on the intercom, and the pilot from San Diego to Salt Lake City was a virtual tour guide as we crossed areas of interest.

How was our trip??? The airports and planes were emptier, yet in contrast, the friendliness and smiles of the people around us were in abundance. I felt a special bond as we spoke with fellow travelers, waiters and waitresses, shuttle-bus drivers, skycaps (they all rushed out to smile and say "good to see you!" to us as we drove up), hotel keepers, people we passed on the street and in stores, and the clerks in the stores (one guy in a 7-11 was sporting an awesome red, white and blue hair-do).

We're home, and it feels good! But... we wouldn't take anything for the last two weeks of being in the air and on the road. We not only got to see a lot of you... we also got to experience the Spirit of America. It's there, folks, and no one can take that away from any of us.

Ellen :}> Evo