Stamping Ground

Well this is a tiny portion of a Christmas card - but I made it for the Card Marathon, so I cannot show it all...and of course, in teeny portions, my photography seems so much better! Of course, I blame blogger for the sideways-ness of it, but oh well!

I have spent the last two days in a quiet frenzy of cutting counting and packing; kitting stuff and trying to pre-empt all the nasty, heart-lurching moments that go with running an event and finding some vital piece missing...been there, as they say! I'm not finished - 8 months to go. Which sounds like a lot of work, but I really mean kit for 8 months' calendar LOs...so probably a couple more days for sure. Follow that? Not sure I did! However, I have two days off, now I'm right in the flow and could actually, cheerfully go on until I've finished.

We have plans this weekend that involve fulfilling the ambitions of a Cosplaying, Manga loving teenager. We're doing that drive-to-a-venue-drop-off-the-teenager-and-walk-around-for-hours thing so that Miss Dunnit and two chums can attend an expo, called MCM. Sound even vaguely familiar? Not to me either. But it's a biggie and no doubt that the 'niche' world of Japanese animation that my daughter enjoys so much is less of a niche than I thought. More a yawning chasm. Thousands of all ages are expected and some top names from the tv and film world (of the genre, you understand) will be there. There are large comparisons to be drawn between her 'thing' and mine. Large venue, crowds of the 'like minded' and of course, stand after stand of retailers selling bunches of stuff that relate to your deepest hobbying needs. Now it sounds familiar, huh! Differences are huge though. I've never been to stamp or craft exhibition in fancy dress. Although I would if it were a pre-requisite! Nor have I had to have parental permission to attend any of my shows. But then, I wasn't just 16 when I discovered my real, lifetime hobby. And I suspect that however devoted my parents (and they are), there wouldn't have been the opportunity for them to drive me there and schlep around 'waiting' for me. Make it sound awful huh? Well, I'm sure it won't be. The Expo is after all, in our nation's capital city and apart from a large and unusual amount of fresh (?) air, I will have Mr Dunnit to myself. We won't be craft shopping though. I think that would be pushing his goodwill a bit too far - I think he's ever so slightly disturbed by my cheerful explanation of all the costume making and planning for Miss Dunnit, and all the cutting and counting for A Magnetic Year in a Day. Not sure he is truly able to dismiss all this feverishness in a one liner: 'every hobby has its nerds'. For sure!

Have a great weekend.