CGOA 2007 Conference: 'we're all in it together'

At the conclusion of the Chic Street Fashion Show marked the conclusion of the Helping Handbags Silent Auction to benefit the Needle Arts Mentoring Program of the Helping Hands Foundation, Inc. (HHF).

The bags were beautiful -- and mostly created and donated by designers, such as Margaret Hubert, Prudence Mapstone, Carol Ventura, Vashti Braha, Bendy Carter, myself, and many more!

Here's some facts I found quite interesting (that's IF I did my math right!):
1. There were a total of 33 bags donated at the National Conference for this auction.  (But the numbers are not complete as there will be another Silent Auction come this fall during the Regional Conference!)
2. Karen Drouin, a new CGOA Associate Professional Member/Budding Designer, donated FIVE of them; helping raise some $280 to the cause!
3. The highest bid was for a felted purse designed by Margaret Hubert; the winning bid $500!!.
4. The second highest bid was for a freeform bag designed by Prudence Mapstone; the winning bid was $350!!
5.  If I added correctly, approximately $2400 was raised that evening!  Of course the designers didn't do it alone -- there were many generous bidders too!   Is that great or what!?!  
6. If we add the total of the winning bids from Karen's, Margaret's, and my bag, that equals $840. All three of us are members of the Happily Hooked on Crocheting Club, Connecticut Chapter of the Crochet Guild of America. (I just thought that was another interesting fact)
7. And guess who won my bag!  Remember the Bra from last year?  Yes -- Brian of Brainsbarn.com was the highest bidder!  He jumped right on stage and proudly showed it off to everyone!  Thanks Brian!  (Anne, are you going to borrow it from time to time? lol)
8. All during the bidding process they encouraged people to vote for their favorite bag.  They allowed the voting right up until they closed the bidding process.  Mr. Dee was a huge advocate of getting people to vote.  Now I don't know if it was because he was campaigning for me (like former Pres. Bill Clinton was doing for Hillary in the park across the street from our hotel), or if it was Lady Luck -- but I was certainly delighted to hear that entry #17 came in Second Place; I was awarded the "AWESOME" ribbon.  Rounding out the top awards was Prudence's bag, and in First was Margaret's. (Congratulations ladies!)  Of course a celebration was called for, thus the notorious "After Party."  LOL

All the auction proceeds will go to the non-profit organization HHF to help spread the needle arts all over America.  Does it get any better than that?  :)

The "After Party" was held in our hotel room complete with flowing Strawberry wine, chocolate fudge from the NH coast, crackers & cheese, and great company!  I'm not going to name names, but I will quote a few people:

"Oh, you're real! Can I touch you??!"
     "Check out my new puppies!"
           "Now that's a bit cheeky ..."
"It's a skunk, not a chipmunk!"
      "With them it's all or nothing!"
           "I'm going to surprise him with my new Clover Lites!"

Margaret has some pictures from the Fashion Show & "After Party" here.

                                  A good time was certainly had by all!  :)