But this one & only time … coming home was just the pits. A nasty little germ hitch-hiked home with me, and put my tail down for the count with my first big cold in over a year or more.   Honestly … I just bought 2 new boxes of  ‘Puffs tissues with lotion‘ yesterday, because the remnants of that cruddy germ are still trying to linger.   Shooooo!

So, since I didn’t promptly download the pics from my phone each night to blog, I’m here to share them all in one ginormous photo post for the weekend!  Ready …. Set …. Go!    (Be sure to click on the photos for the full view.)

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When Inky Antics,  Stampers Anonymous, Darcie’s, and Art Gone Wild are on the road, they travel in a “big” way …. and quite stylishly, too.   Be sure to wave when you spot them on the road!

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Once the truck is unloaded, the set up ensues.  It’s a day of assembly, unboxing, straightening, restocking, and even some fun tossed into the mix!  Here’s the Inky Antics booth all ready for the show.

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And here’s another view looking from the demo area on toward the delightful array of Honey Pop items!  Pssssst! I actually started a crafty sort of love affair with a new-to-me tool seen in this photo too.   I’ll be sharing more of this on a video destined to blog here in the near future.  

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I always love sharing a couple of great big {{{hugggsss}}} with this darling lady.  Sharon & I met years ago at a Stampin’ Up! Regionals event in San Antonio … and I still possess & remember the wonderful card she brought for our SCS Shoebox Swap there.  Sharon has long been a creative inspiration to many of us in this delightful industry, and I’m blessed to call her my friend.

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One of the bestest things about stampy crafty conventions is seeing friends you haven’t hugged in ages.  I was totally surprised on the first day of the show when I looked up to see Ashley Harris walking toward me with her amazing smile.  This talented gal lives in Arizona …. but she was teaching a class here for the GASC.   Lucky were you if you were there!

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Now these two young ladies have been shopping at the GASC and the stamping show in Mesquite for as long as I can remember.  They always make me feel like I can demo ‘anything’ … and needless to say, they make me smile every single time I see them.  For the very first time, Jeanette & Sandra & I gathered for our own little photo treat!  Ladies, if you’re reading this, I’m sending you more big {{{Tex Hugggss}}} your way today!  I can guarantee that these girls know how to spread some joy!

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I saw Susie!   Or maybe you know her as Susan Liles … or perhaps susiestampalot!  I think that the last time we hugged was when my now-4-year-old G-daughter was still a sweet little infant.  What a sweetie … and a very talented one at that!  It was a pleasure to see you, Susie!

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After a full day of convention set-ups or friends & demos & sales & assorted other fun happenings, it’s always a relief to sit down to a dinner around a table of many friends.  Oh, did we enjoy Joe’s Crab Shack!   Actually we had so much fun that we stopped there twice in the same week!

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Now I cannot tell you the official names of their notable dances … but I can testify to the fun of joining in!   *** Nope … I have no pics of the ‘joining in’ part.    Whew!

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They even have a wall over our table that is appropriately honoring the my Texas Rangers!   Way to go, Joe’s!

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Since ‘group feeding’ time is better with a bit of variety, Pappadeaux’s is also a fun spot for dining.  If you aren’t a seafood fan, there are other delicious choices as well.  

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Personally … I’m a big fan of seafood, and so are a few others.   Tex’s Tip: We mixed the horseradish with the liquid sauce to create a truly yummalicious dip for the oysters.  Awesome!

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Have you ever wondered what happens after you’ve seen all of the stampy goodies, purchased your bag(s)ful of new supplies, and finally heading home?

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Well, a lot of people quickly move into action to produce a LOT of hard work, and eventually, the booths are dismantled and packed away for their next roadtrip toward the next convention!  “Buh-Bye”, Great American Scrapbook Convention in Arlington!

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In summary … it’s always a ton of fun, with equal amounts of hard work and generous sprinklings of laughter along the way.  I’m blessed to be a part of this crafty journey for sure.  Thank you, Jackie & Ted!

And to my Florida stampy friends, I’ll be looking for you at Stampfest – Orlando 2013, coming up quickly in Orlando, FL!    See you soon!

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Stampy Notes: If you’re on the hunt for used stamping goodies, please be sure to check my “For Sale” page, linked in the bar across the very top of my blog!   This page will be receiving more & more from the studio stash periodically for sure.   Thanks!