Warehouse Party and Sale!

Back on the road again we couldn't stop talking about the tour, we needed to stop for lunch though (our 20 minute tour lasted over 2 hours) so we were all getting pretty shaky. After some lunch and caffeine we were feeling more like ourselves and looking forward to getting to Louise's (#3903) house! According to Agnes (our trusty GPS) we would be getting there about 5:15.

We ended up rolling in right about that time and were met with by a smiling Louise. Louise had invited any fiskateer's that wanted to over to her house for pizza and swimming. (And then stay over for the sale the next morning) Ashani #4685 met us at Louise's as well and after a quick tour of her house and a claiming of our beds for the night we sat down to eat. Jen #3213 met us then to join in the fun!

After dinner we had some work to do! What fiskateer gathering would be complete without goodies and CRAFTING? Merlene and I had told Louise since she had to clean house, we would bring snacks and fun stuff. There were goodies: Anglea had given me Fiskateer bags for each of the gals there to go shopping with and Merlene and I had put some goodies inside. There were prizes and naturally there were make and takes.

We had three projects to keep us busy during the night. I brought the stuff to tie-dye shirts plus stencil our names, fiskateer numbers and scissors on. Merlene brought things to make fiskateer bracelets. Last but not least Ashani brought not one but two make and takes; tule to make hair scrunchies and beads and shrinky dinks to make cute little fiskateer scissor earrings! It was so much fun sitting and chatting and creating with friends. (Granted we didn't have time to go swimming)

Once again morning came way to early as we dragged ourselves out of bed and drove to the Fiskars warehouse sale! The line was friendly at 7am and we enjoyed chatting with people about Fiskateers and handing out raindots. We gave a tub of orange and green cookies to

the warehouse employees telling them we loved them. There were also a few Fiskateers that came by to say hi that couldn't come to the party. Jeni (#2794) and her friend Beth as well as Maryanne #5271. I had goodies for those Fiskateers that stopped by as well!

Soon the excitement mounted as the countdown to 9 started. Then it was a mad dash for a cart and STUFF! 100's of people flooded the warehouse to find those fabulous fiskars products at rock bottom prices! I ran to the squeeze punches first to see what ones I didn't have. (I was looking for the ovals (got all but 1) and the Nice Tri (only got the large) I also wanted to find the collapsable rolling tote (found it) and the scissor

punch (got it.) Then it was on to SCISSORS! I LOVE the decorative limited edition scissors and found 5 of them to add to my collection as well as a cool storage rack for them ( that actually held the pattern scissors so I took them out to display my collection.)

After shopping we needed to check in with the canned food drive. I love how Fiskars give back to the community. One of the things Fiskars did was host a canned food drive in conjunction with the sale. In return for bringing in 5 cans to donate to a local pantry, Fiskars gave you a $5 coupon good towards your purchase! It was cool to see the Salvation Army guy there with all the collections.

The line started forming and we realized we needed to get in it if we ever wanted to get back out. It snaked around all over the building, in and out of the shopping area as well. This had it's bad and good points. Good we got to shop while in line. Bad people not in line couldn't shop. I was able to demo tools quite a few times (especially to the people behind me, who ended up buying whatever I demoed :) ) as well as explain the

quality and benefits of the different types of scissors to numerous people as well.

You end up being in line with the people around you for such a long time you feel like you become friends! As I said I had been demoing tools and answering questions about different Fiskars tools to the gals behind me for about 1 1/2 hours and we were all on a first name basis. Sadly they realized they would need to leave without getting their items. Pat (one of the gals) was a real estate agent and had a closing at 3. I offered to purchase their items and leave them at Louise's house for them to pick up later. Handing me money and their items they took me up on the offer! (Hi Pat hope the closing went well)

The line moved slowly. At one point there was confusion as to where it was suppose to move and it caused a bit of a ruckus. Warehouse employees Beth and George were wonderful creating order out of chaos even in the midst of heated tempers.

Since it was a long time to wait, occasionally someone would leave to go get an item or run to the bathroom. Jen took Merlene (who really needed to eat) to get some lunch and bring some back to those of us starving in line. I went around with the rest of the raindots (that had Angela's cards in them) handing them out and telling people of how wonderful Fiskars and Fiskateers where. What was really funny was more than one person called me Angela until they read the back of my shirt (I don't mind if people think of me as a tall, slender red head...can you see the resemblance?)

The end of the line was met with cheers! 4 and 1 /2 hours we waited to purchase our treasures! Boy was I happy to see Jim (he was the employee that rang up my purchases) we chatted as he talked about how happy he was we were there and how they appreciated our good attitudes and the fun we brought to the day. Other employees said similar things as they walked by. It was great to know we made a difference at least to them that day.

We loaded up the van then went back to Louise's house to pack up our clothes and belongings (and nose through her and Jen's treasures to see what they got.) Then after

another round of hugs, goodbyes and promises to get together soon we headed back on the road for the trip home!