Monday 3 June 2013

Me, the Crop and My Epiphany

I know there were more of you who didn't/couldn't come to the WOYWW crop than did, and I know that any stories and descriptions don't travel well because well, mostly with these things, you have to be there, right? 

Lunch Lady Jan, the REAL Crop setter upper is third from right at back.  Smiling as always.  Visit her blog for great great photos and a proper summary.  This pic is lifted from Jan and distorted by my own fair hand.
L-R Back: Kyla, Helen,Cindy,Laura,Mary Anne, Jan, Donna,Diane
L-R Middle: Fiona, Me, Janet, Rachel
Sitting: Debs, Zoe Debs Shaz, Dolores, Sam
big old hugs to Jan's Important G for his brill photography
So let me keep it relatively brief and tell you it was a lovely day.  
And then let me tell you something else.  See, at the first WOYWW Crop last October, I had huge misgivings and well, fear, actually.  I was astonished by the interest and was a bit scared that the anonymity that the blog has always been able to offer me was in jeopardy.  If I think hard about it, and get a bit analytical, I think it was because I was feeling as if people were coming to meet me - the blogger - who is not a celebrity but a normal scaredy cat woman.  Of course that turned out to be entirely wrong.  
This time was no different, oddly.  Hot on the WOYWW4 celebration, I was again trapped by my mind into imagining that there were would be a few people who would only be coming so they could say they had.  Do you see where I'm going? Yep, fallen into believing  some of the 'fame' and flattery. What a Chump.  
So imagine, the relief and the waves of tiredness that swept over me on Saturday morning when it became apparent after about an hour that unless I shouted a bit, no-one was actually going to sit down and create anything because there was too much chatting and hugging and getting to know you going on.   By jove, I think I get it;  - you Deskers will get on with each other without fuss or bother and certainly without stalking me (!), because the WOYWW thing is totally and utterly about you and the friendships and the camaraderie that it has yielded.  
I know I should have listened when many many of you online and occasionally in person have told me of this, but it took the In Real Life crop for me to realise...Jan and I merely facilitated the meeting, the rest was about you Deskers and your inclusiveness.  It worked beautifully.  Please, come again.

44 comments:

Judys Lace Creations said...

Julia, I am over here in Australia, so can't really meet up with any of you, but if I lived in the UK, there are just so many of you I'd be visiting.Such sweet people check in each week, and leave such lovely comments.
We love you too Julia!

shazsilverwolf said...

Beautifully said Julia. Absolutely will we come again- no doubt about it. Had a fabulous weekend, meeting everyone and staying with Jan. We went off to Avebury on the way home, got myself quite a nice bit of sunburn, walking- ok, more like a half marathon- around.
Everyone was great- it was just like meeting up with old friends, not at all like meeting for the first time. Thanks so much Julia,for this WOYWW phenomenon, ant to both of you for the crop. Huge hugs,
Shaz xxx

Helen said...

Can we come tomorrow? Let's not leave it a year... Julia thank you for facilitating - it was a lovely lovely day; everyone was so nice - so nice that extra or different people were able to come this time too - hope that next time even more can manage it.
Thanks for putting me up, it was a shame to come home and how quiet was my flat!!!!
Big hugs to you and Jan and Gordon and everyone who helped (Shaz and Doug especially) with everything. xxxx

Helen said...

And I notice you've changed your blog round again... snuck that in, didn't you!

Kyla said...

It was a great day...must have been a shock to realise it wasn't all about you! :-)

Seriously though, a big thanks to all who made It happen, it was a fabulous day and one that needs to happen again....(a bit sooner as Helen suggested!).
Kyla x

Kirsty.A said...

Sorry I couldn't make it this time. So nice that you all got together again though

CraftygasheadZo said...

It truly was another fab day. I can understand your worries, I felt a little the same when going to meet the Craft Boots girls, but again the same as you I need not worry for we are all as lovely in real life as we are on here it seems!! Loving the new blog look too. Take care Zo xx

Angie said...

One day I might make it ...sounds a wonderful day ...I know I would get nothing done ...I'd be chatting .... and distracting everyone.
So happy for you and Jan that it was another great success. xx

Carmen said...

I'm smiling such a big smile here and wasn't even there. It sounds like a wonderful time was had!

Redanne said...

What a fab group Julia, it looks and sounds like a wonderful time was had by all there. Hugs, Anne x

scrappymo! said...

So glad to hear that your crop was a sucess...I couldn't imagine it any other way!
It would be such fun to meet everyone and share hugs and creativity.

Like your new blog look...or am I imagining things?

Maisie Moonshine said...

So glad you had a wonderful time. I was thinking of you all and did a little bit of crafting in honour of the occasion! Hugs Mmx

Craftychris said...

It sounds like you had an amazing time! xx

My name is Cindy said...

I'm with Helen! Seriously the diary is wide open. Such nice people to spend a day with - why wouldn't I come? I even got a couple of things done!! Thanks to you and Jan for all your hard work - you say it is nothing but there is a lot to think about to make everything run so smoothly.

Cindy xxxx

Annie said...

Such a lovely post Julia. So lovely to have such a lot of like minded ladies all together like that.
Hugs,
Annie x

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Well, I started crying about half way through your post. It really WAS all about what WOYWW participants have now become known as: "deskers." Love it.

Now I must visit Jan. But first, I must wipe the tears from my eyes and blow my nose (as always, TMI).

Twiglet said...

Annie read your post to me while the twins were asleep today. I think we both shed a tear at the thought of all those happy WOYWWers chatting and enjoying just being together. I love the photo Julia - what a fab bunch of crafters. x Jo

Krisha said...

Oh what a day it must have been, maybe I can save enough pennies to but a ticket to the UK for next year ( if I stop buying stamps and stash NOW). You would have to show this California gal all the sights,,,LOL If you could get me away from the stamps.
Yes your post made me a little teary-eyed cause I really would like to have been there!!

Di said...

Oh YESSSSS - I can so identify with what has been said. Having been so gutted that I couldn't be there it's lovely to read that everyone had a wonderful day - once again. And Sam even sent a piccie of the cake she ate for me...........of course she says she didn't enjoy the cake one bit 'cos that wouldn't have been fair - yeah, right!

Hugs and well done to you Jan and of course your happy little band.

Di xx

Hettie said...

Hear Hear Julia! It WAS a fab day and though I only got a teeny tiny bit of my lace done, I had a great time anyhoo. And so did Fergus!!
Honestly Di, I did NOT enjoy that cup cake! Nor did I enjoy the Angel Cake that the Fairythoughts may not have brought!! Organism or what!!!
Looking forward to October already Julia!!
Hugs
xx

fairy thoughts said...

Hi Julia
sorry, I must have missed you were you there too?
No seriously it was a fantastic day, so many inspirational ideas, laughed a lot and I wont be able to think of the organism cake as anything else again.
What a fantastic bunch of friends
janet

Gill Edwards said...

I would have loved to come and meet everyone and natter like theres no tomorrow but never mind. Im so glad it went well and you all had a great time.

Gill x

Hettie said...

Me again! Before you say anything about a certain photo on my blog....beware! I have a worse one than that and I will keep it private unless....
Tee Hee!
xx

KatzElbows said...

Julia, thank yo so much for bringing us altogether, online and in person. And for putting. With me overnight!

Have a good one, and be careful with those planks.

Love Rachel

Serendipity Stamping said...

Sounds like you all had a fun day together!! I would love to meet some of the people I "stalk". Some from my hometown area and I just discovered one of them lives right here in a somewhat small town that my friends and I love to visit and shop. It truly is a small world. Hugs! Jan

Dianne said...

Crafter are the nicest people around so accepting, giving encouraging,the best..
The pics are great, looks like big fun had by all so much creativity floating around, Miss Sam with those bobbins to dye for, amazing stuff. No workshops where I live, I did get to go to one last time I visited England it was one of the best days in my life, being in a room full of fellow artist creating, what could be better. Isn't it wonderful you eliminated one of your fears:) Its all about having fun, thanks for sharing and a big thankyou to Jan for the awesome pics of the wonderful day. Hope your all rested up and have a wonderful day..

Nan G said...

Oh to be there! I would love to meet some Deskers! It looks like a fab time was had by all. I may have a chance to meet one of us....Jackie (scrapbangwallop)! She'll be in the USA/FL this week. I'm so excited! Thank you Julia for hosting the crop and WOYWW! We love you!

Nan G said...

p.s. change is good! Love the new blog layout. :)

HeARTworks said...

How fabulous that you got together and created even more camaraderie! You, a screwy cat, phooey! If you are, you're a beloved scaredy cat who's certainly not afraid to show the real you! Congratulations LLJ! Will go and visit her now! I am still going around and visiting. I have time because I am stuck in bed with a bad cough! The only good thing about it is I can visit my cyberfriends! Patsy

HeARTworks said...

Good grief, I meant scaredy of course!

Debs Willis said...

Glad you overcame the fear factor. I'm with Helen, can we do it more often??? Think of it as more fund raising opportunities and helping crafters have a day out without buying new stash lol!!
Had a great time & hugs to both you& Jan for all the organising
Debs xxxx

Bridget Larsen said...

Wish I could get there one day, glad you all had fun

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

well of course we are bestest buddies we meet at one another's workspace each week, dont we??

.. and cheer one another up when we are glum...
... and send each other crazy when not :D Shaz in Oz.x
for the record she wus not there :p

Belinda Basson said...

You are the glue that holds us all together! Thanks to you and your idea 4 years ago...

I met Ali H from Wales, all the way over here in sunny South Africa and we would never have known about each other if it weren't for the mad desk hop each week! My Wednesday is just not quite right if I don't participate, it is now a part of my weekly ritual.

Sally Clum said...

I am so enjoying this momentous occasion, albeit vicariously through the words and pictures of others, but seeing some of you, being able to put a few faces with names, is wonderful. Mrs. D, your ATC is on its way; thanks for sending me one of yours. Cheers and congrats from Ohio!

SandeeNC said...

I wish over the pond was that, just a short hop over a small pond, I am so happy for those of you that can get together and really meet each other. Waving hi from over the huge pond in the hills of North Carolina ♥

Daniella said...

Oh Julia!! I'm glad you realized it was a fun event for all! Even though you are the rock star of the desk hopping world!!!
I also am filled with such guilt about missing the anniversary I am literally sick over it!! I could give you a long story that would just be insane but please know I would never have missed it if there was anything I could do. I hope you know that!!! I was at last year's and that is when you sent me my badge!!! I love WOYWW!! And I think you are awesome!! i wont stalk you. promise :)
xxDaniella

voodoo vixen said...

I know so well what you mean, I was at home in Scotland for the last one and Chris said I could get a plane down and go to it, stay with my son for the weekend... but I didn't... because I always think people will be disappointed if they meet me in real life... and am half scared of most of you and envious that you are all able to meet and have laughs and fun.
Oh and love the photo of you on Donna's blog!!... both of them! ;)

RosA said...

What a great day you all had! Would be lovely to be there, except for the international distance involved :)

Eliza said...

I can fully understand your apprehension but face it Julia, you have started a world friendship and that is what it is. I don't think anyone will set out to do you harm and if they do let me know OK, you will have heaps of buddies to back you up.

Good to see so many faces and put names to them all. I do have one question. Did Hellen have her place on the floor marked out again? I was telling BF about it and having a great giggle, just curious that's all.

Happy WOYWW to you and yours
Hugs Eliza & Yoda

Heathers Inspiration said...

So glad you all had a wonderful time, I think its amazing that you could all meet and there is something very Magical about WOYWW <3
Heather x

The Scrapbook Lady UK said...

great photo, jenx

roffeycreations said...

I am so pleased everything went off without a hitch for you Julia - wish it was here in Australia - LOL... Mxx

Rossella said...

You clearly had lots of fun, I'm so pleased,
Rosie x