(All of Lauri's excellent photos follow her report!)

Pat and I arrived fashionably late for the Friday night dinner.  This was our very first Fling ever, so everything was new to us.  I didn’t expect it to be so HUGE – there were dozens of round tables, each set for 10 people.  The Fling committee did a nice job of seating collectors together.  Sharon (Mausnut) was at the same table with us, along with some delightful new friends to meet:  Laura, Laura’s mom (whose name escapes me), and Mom’s sister, Peg.

Dean was seated at a table near us, within waving distance.  I can’t remember everyone who was sitting with him, but at his table were Karl, Yvette, Wanda & Beth Litke.  I was able to connect with collectors I had the pleasure of meeting previously (Judy & Wally, Tiffany, Diane H. & Family, Deborah, Beth and parents) and meet new friends I had previously corresponded with (and purchased from and traded with):  Jean Banks, Katherine & her mom, and many others; again, please forgive my memory lapses! Everyone was having a wonderful time.  On Saturday I was able to meet Donna & hubby and darling little Matthew.

Each attendee collected a large gift bag filled with goodies from each of the sponsors.  Fitz & Floyd contributed the "Hugs & Kisses" pin.  Other contributors (among many) were Harmony Kingdom, Waterford, Baldwin Brass and Hallmark.  Dinner and dessert were excellent, although I was having too much fun talking to pay much attention to it.

The live auction tables were an absolute feast to the eyes!  (A silent auction was also going on, but had very little on it compared to the live auction tables.)  Bidding was EXTREMELY enthusiastic!  Here’s the rundown on Dean’s pieces (except where noted, they were donated by F&F):

A huge gift basket of retired pieces (including those from other Dean Griff lines), prototypes, samples, a wrapped “Mystery” original artwork (framed, I believe), catalogs – all hand-signed – sold for $3,050.  (Donated by Dean Griff.)

A prototype blue Tea Party figurine, which wasn’t originally supposed to go into production.  Since it was actually produced, F&F was offering it along with a mystery piece that Wanda kept assuring us “was really, really, REALLY good!” – both pieces sold together for $600.  I have no idea what the second piece was; I don’t think F&F actually brought it with them, but were going to ship it to the winner.

A prototype of Spring Fever sold for $775.

Two 225-card packages of Dean’s 1^st and 2^nd Christmas card designs -- $300 each package.  (Donated by Dean Griff.) 

A prototype of It’s What’s Inside the Counts – in this piece, the two acorn pieces have removable tops -- $500.

The first two original artwork drawings of You’re the Top Bean, framed together, along with a sample figurine  -- $1,100.  (Donated by Dean Griff.)

A prototype of Sharing the Ride, featuring an all-male toboggan team (Mack instead of Maxine, and Sebastian instead of Sabrina) --  $500.

A triptych of original drawings by Dean of the yellow puppy ornament and the black puppy ornament, with the uncolored pencil sketch in the middle -- $600. (Donated by Dean Griff.)

A Wee Whispers prototype (bunny in booties) -- $250.  (Donated by Dean Griff & David Grossman.)

A stack of 6 Holly Twig Lanes pieces (these were in boxes; I don’t know what pieces they were or if they were special or different in any way) -- $350.  (Donated by Dean Griff & David Grossman.)

*** Many thanks to Sharon for helping me complete this list (Pat & I slipped away early for our beauty sleep at around 10:30; the auction went on past 11:30). ***

NOW . . for the Saturday Fling!!!

Fitz & Floyd did a FANTASTIC JOB of organizing!!!  As we lined up at the registration tables and received our signing tickets, the Hallmark collectors were herded of the to far left door for their signing lines, and all of us Charming Tails collectors were directed to the far right-hand door.  Because the doors actually opened at 9:00 am and I was holding a 9-9:30 signing ticket, I was wondering how I was going to be able to purchase the event piece and still make it to the signing line in time.  Fitz & Floyd was one step ahead of us!  While we waited in line, Wanda was selling the event pieces to everyone while we stood in line, and Karl was selling the puppy ornaments.  The prints were sold separately inside because they were already signed.

Laura & her mom arrived looking absolutely awesome in t-shirts that one of them had cross-stitched.  Laura’s shirt had I Picked You to Love on it; Mom’s had an enlarged image of the Friends pin.  Both were absolute works of art, very exquisitelyl detailed and finely done.

The signing was, as always, fun!!!  Dean is always so cordial and cheerful and friendly, and takes time to chat with you.  He had his parent’s address available to anyone who wanted to send a card to his Dad, who is ill.

F&F’s booth was great; we saw the new 2004 pieces as well as a sneak peak at the Barrel of Laughs piece, which features sounds of laughter.  F&F had the foresight to bring along a stockpile of “High & Dry” (the piece with Mack on the Flamingo) to sell out of the booth; I believe they sold out of them!

David Grossman also had a booth showcasing Holly Twig Lane and Wee Whispers.  At a table between the F&F and Grossman booths were the Dean Griff silent auction offerings:  3 pairs of Wee Whispers pieces.  One was the regular-line piece, the other, a piece hand-painted by Dean with darker bunnies.  Each piece was signed, and the hand-painted pieces were inscribed by Dean as being hand-painted one of the kind, which they certainly were (I was the happy high bidder for one of those pairs).  Also offered was another framed original artwork of You’re a Prince, I Hope, along with a showroom sample of the piece, a Holly Twig Lane sample with framed original artwork, another artwork/sample pair, and a specially painted Essence of Innocence angel ornament.

Besides these, there were also lots of other silent auction items, mostly great big “gift baskets” filled with ornaments.  All in all, the Fling was able to raise over $47,000 for Southeastern Guide Dogs!!!

The only Swap N Sells I have attended are at the ICEs, which are very crowded and difficult to navigate.  I was delighted with the spaciousness of the ballroom for the vendors, and the variety of goodies they had to offer!  I think I made the rounds of the S&S at least 7 times, and each time I saw something new that I didn’t see or notice before!!!  I was able to find some neat goodies for my collection, including a pre-CT Duck Egg Topper (both pieces already signed!), some special older event giveaways like a Flamingo Fling sticker “tag” and a Hangin’ on to Luck magnet.  One seller had quite a stock of CTs that were all signed.  It was fun to see some of the really rare pieces in person, like Duckling in Egg with Mouse.

Both during the dinner and the course of the Fling, the Fling committee gave away LOTS of door prizes – mostly ornaments from the various sponsors, and past Fling ornaments.  [Note to self:  be careful when standing next to Deborah, she has far too much fun while door prizes are being given away.]  Also during the course of the Dinner and Fling, the guide dogs and puppies were very much in evidence; they got lots of experience being in a crowd of people and were all beautiful, sweet animals. 

Near the end of the day F&F started handing out numbers to collectors so that they could buy pieces (2 per person) out of the booth (so that F&F wouldn’t have to ship them back).  I have to admit that by that time my purchases were already straining Pat’s packing capabilities, so I passed on this great offer, but those who participated got some really great deals.