GNO Chalotte – Recap

Part of me cannot believe it is over.

So much time is spent leading up to an event, time preparing and planning. Time spent biting my nails as I stress or become anxious over little details, and time spent getting excited as I watch things come together. There is even time spent praying and talking with my family about it.

But all of it was time well spent.

The Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores Girl’s Night Out Charlotte was amazing.  I feel honored and humbled to be able to be a part of something this incredible. Bringing these ladies together for a night, women who all share a love and passion for the art of sewing, was truly inspiring. Faces completely lit up as these women came face to face, hugging was abound, and laughter was everywhere.

Women from North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and some as far away as Alabama – all coming together to meet for the first time!  Some were quilters, some costume designers, lots were bloggers, and we even had a fashion designer – all there sharing the same passion.

I heard some of the most amazing stories, stories that go beyond the computer screen. Like how the fabulous ladies from Frances Suzanne got into sewing and what textiles they enjoy working with, and then when asked further – finding out their goals for moving forward and bloggers they personally look up to!  I was able to hear about Alida’s son Gabe and get an update on his hair growth, as well as get a good book recommendation.  Speaking with Michele of Coats and Clark about her 5k that she ran that morning, as well as some of the exciting things they have on the horizon. And I was even able to see first hand the amazing pencil skirt made from Amy Butler fabric that Rachel of Sew Happily Ever After made.

And when you admire someone’s brooch, and they respond with ‘thank you, I am trying to figure out how to make it’ – that’s when you know Jessica of Begin to Craft is your peeps!  You can get an update from Jennifer of Elison Lane Quilts on how her Sew South Retreat is coming along.  And Heather, well she is one of your blogger BFFs, so you can give her a nice big hug and tell her how great it is to see her again!

I even got to feel and touch the textile that Alice Andrews creates with her personalized process, and hear how that becomes fashion.  You laugh when you see that Vanessa of Designs by Sessa bedazzled her leather bracelet.  And you find out that the woman sitting next to you, Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs, not only reads your blog, but also won the ticket giveaway contest – which is amazing!

But that is what the whole night is like. Its like this big reunion of friends that you never knew you had, and you just manage to connect with everyone.

Of course, the food was amazing. Vivace Restaurant in Charlotte. Go there, like now. I am still thinking about the meal I had.

But when all is said and done, I can honestly say I don’t know who is blessed more. I pour myself into Girl’s Night Out and am so very, very thankful for the Sponsors that support it and help make it possible. All I want to do is honor them and their efforts, as well as bless the attendees who believe in the event. But as I reflect back on Girl’s Night Out, I think I am the person who is blessed most.

I am blessed to have been able to meet so many incredible women. To be able to watch as they meet each other and form friendships that may last a lifetime. To see the laughter and hear the stories, to really connect on a personal level.

And then to be able to give them amazing sewing gifts from fantastic companies, companies that mean so much to me. Not only because they support Girl’s Night Out financially, but because most of them are the companies I grew up with and have my sewing memories with. Memories of my Mother taking me fabric shopping at Jo-Ann’s, I look around my sewing area and literally cannot see a spot that isn’t covered in Coats & Clark product, and I am pretty sure almost every creation I make involves Pellon of some sort. These companies, as well as Michael Miller Fabrics & Fat Quarter Shop, all mean something to me on a very personal level. And it literally brings tears to my eyes when I think about how they support me in this endeavor. I am so very thankful.

But of course when it is all said and done, what is and always will be most important is the people.

Bringing people together is the main objective of Girl’s Night Out. Providing a venue where people who share a love for sewing can get together and connect, to laugh and share, in a venue a little bit closer to home. Knitting together the sewing community.

So be sure to look for the next Girl’s Night Out to come to a town near you sometime this Summer. We can’t wait to meet you .

There is still time for you to get in on some of the Charlotte fun too! Tell us, ‘What is your funniest sewing memory’ for your chance to win some of the fun Sponsor gifts! I will be featuring some of my favorite funnies later on this week. Click here to enter the contest.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and until next time…

Happy Sewing!