CATS Hershey

I had a last minute oppurtunity to attend CATS Heshey this year. My dad a test scheduled at the Medical Center on Wed and then an appt with his oncologist on Thursday afternoon. Mom and dad like me to go with them to interpret the doctor speak. Dad was diagnosed with colon CA 5 yrs ago. First the serious stuff--Dad's PET scan showed some very tiny areas of uptake but so small that they could not even be sure it was tumor. They are fairly sure he has metastatic disease but right now it does not need treated--just watched. So that is good. His CEA is elevated but not so bad they are terribly concerned yet. So we go back for follow up in 3 months. On to CATS. Dad dropped me off at 8 and I wondered around looking at what stitchers were working on in the lobby and outside the merchandise mall. Talked to a few, including one from near Seattle WA--she came far! Then I bought a Hershey steamer(steamed milk and Hershey syrup--yummy!) and sat outside the mart waiting for the 10 AM opening for the general public. Oh before that I talked to Marilyn Vredvelt(Stoney Creek) and Liz Diehl and told them how much I appreciated them doing the festival. Anyways I am sitting there working on a MegThompson Shinall tablerunner and a very friendly lady walked by and said hi. I felt I should know her but couldn't place her. She came back a few minutes later with her breakfast and asked if I minded her sitting with me. Of course I didn't. Well it turns out I did not know her but I did know her designs--it was Sandra Cox Vanosdall of Sweetheart Tree. How cool is that! I told her I loved her work and have done several of her pieces. She is going to Celebrations next year and also may teach at CATS as well as have her display. She is so friendly and nice.We chatted for about 20 min while she had her breakfast. I stopped in her booth when the mart opened and bought a chart and had her autograph it for me. The mart was nice but smaller than last year.Couldn't find any freebies either. I did see Nan Caldera of Just Nan in the Silver Needle booth. Linda Driskell was not there this year--that was sad--I always enjoy seeing her. I attended a lecture on new gadgets--found out I had most of them. Also saw the 9-11 memorial quilts--they were incredible. 5 giant red white and blue quilts--one for the firefighters, police, Trade Center, Pentagon and Shanksville. The lady who assembled them was there--she is originally from Johnstown so we chatted awhile. I stopped in every booth and drooled over the merchandise.. I bought a tatting book--this one has a cross shaped piece that I would like to make. The bargainof the day: last year's CATs bags, still on sale for $23. Lovely sturdy canvas bag. Well there in the corner was a box of damaged/soiled stuff and there was one of the bags in there--with a broken snap--that is all--just a broken snap--and it was $5!!! Can you believe it! I was so excited! Snapped it right up. Course there was another lady who was hoping I would put it back--she told me she hated me! LOL! After wondering the mall,I headed for the stitcher's lounge and stitched with some ladies for an hour. Then went out to wait for dad. Met a lady outside who admired my jacket--made from a sweatshirt and embellished with stitching things. A project from another festival. Gave her an idea of something to make for her sister. It was a good day! Rose in Altoona PA