I just want to say a BIG THANK YOU to everyone I met in Detroit. I had a fantastic time. The building was fantastic and it is amazing that we were able to walk around it at will and see some amazing architecture and painting. Will our necks ever recover from looking up at wonderful ceilings? I met some amazing people and learnt a lot of new things. Bill Riedel, John Jordan, Mark Casey, Kent Smith and Kevin Betz are just a few of the people who took the time to teach me new things personally (sorry if I've missed anyone). Dan Danzenbaker gave me a beautiful pinstriped panel which I am very pleased and honoured to have. Laura, Sharon, Larry and Gibb made me feel very Welcome on my first day in Detroit. Mark Casey and his Wife Wendy took me under their wing and made me feel very welcome and I consider them all to be new good friends. There were many others I met too. Far to many to mention here without boring you all, but you know who you are and I hope we continue to keep in touch and get together at future meets.
Oh and Kevin, the food was great!!
Yes it was a bit disorganised and maybe the Masonic Temple was a bit big and we all got lost in it. But I would not have missed it for the world. Just to see the backdrops display from the theatre was worth it all. The hotels were lovely and only a few minutes drive away. Even though it was a bit of a rough area, we were all within the Masonic Temple and that was quite safe.
So stop your moaning and give Kevin the credit he deserves for his 110% enthusiasm and passion for sign painting and this art we all profess to love. He and the team did a fantastic job. I am glad it was my first meet. Thank you all of you.
You know you're a Letterhead if.......... You made lots of friends at your first meet.
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
Barbara.... I'm so glad that your first meet was memorable and special for you! Love...Jill
Posted by FranCisco Vargas (Member # 145) on :
Sounds like it was an awesome meet! Glad you had a blast and met new people.
So now do you feel ..."You know you're a Letterhead when you go into an area to paint signs, that most people would be afraid just to walk into"
Posted by Mark Casey (Member # 650) on :
Barb Murrell is one of those reasons that Letterheads have meets.
She brought her brushes and enthusiasm and was not shy to get them out and open herself to the learning experience. It was a pleasure to meet her and I know she inspired us as much as she was inspired.
I hope Barb won't mind me relating some facts that I found real interesting about her. She lives and does some of her sign work on her "narrow boat" in England - 6'10" wide by 55'long. She also submitted her sign business plan in a contest and won first prize, $5,000 English pounds, to help execute it.
Watch this girl, she'll be successful.
Posted by Kevin W. Betz (Member # 4133) on :
Hello to all.
It was nice to wake up today with a good feeling in my heart. Life and Dreams are sometimes one and the same for me. The Detroit Meet was one dream that I was very proud to be a part of. Not all dreams are easy but I have found out when friends are a part of them, they seem to be all the better. I wish I could Thank everyone in person for helping to make the weekend a special place in my heart.
I would like to Thank the Committee for all their help and patience during the last year. It has been one full of friendship and challenges. To them I say: Thank You.
Also, I would like to say how much I appreciate the support and encourgement that I have received from the family here at Letterville. As in life itself, I have learned and grown from this. To be able to see so much friendship filled with happiness and love brings a tear to my eye. I am sad that it is over and will always consider this a new stage in which I can build upon. The spirit of Letterheads was well represented and again to see so many smiles has made me relize that Life is to short to worry. Thank You to everyone for allowing myself to grow, learn but most of all to be a part of something special as is shown here.
I am looking forward to re-newing my love for the craft and being a part of the future. Thank You.
Kevin Betz
Posted by Barbara Murrell (Member # 3879) on :
Nice sentiments Kevin. You are a special bloke!
Mark, thanks for your nice words. I hope I can live up to them. I look forward to you seeing my boat next year! Love Barbx
Posted by Laura Butler (Member # 1830) on :
Barb, Are we having a committee meeting at your place next year? Hehe. Going to have a meeting in England soon?
Posted by Barbara Murrell (Member # 3879) on :
Laura, to be honest I've been thinking about it, but my boat is full when there are more than 4 people in it!!! So we would have to rely on good weather for an outdoor meet............not a good prospect in England Love Barb
Posted by Don Nelson (Member # 4914) on :
I introduce myself in the "Merchants" area but in case you missed it, I am Don Nelson and work for Gemini Letters. Detroit was my first Letterhead show so I can't compare it to any of your other shows. I can say this though. Kevin was a great host. I've been to some other sign shows including Orlando and Indianapolis and while they were bigger in the number of people, none had the "heart" that I found in Detroit. Kevin worried himself to a frazzle worrying that everybody had what they needed. He worried about helping us get out items unloaded and displayed nicely. Other shows say mark your space and it's up to you to take care of everything else. I was amazed at how I was welcomed with open arms and made to feel like you were glad I was there. Kudos to Kevin and everybody concerned with putting this show together. Kudos to all those who attended to making us newbies feel so welcome.
Don Nelson
Posted by Barbara Murrell (Member # 3879) on :
Don, It was nice to meet you in Detroit and as a fellow newbie I agree wholeheartedly with your words. It seems like most people who where actually there for the whole meet only have good things to say. So may be we can shut the moaners up now. Barb
Posted by bill riedel (Member # 607) on :
Barb, you were a perfect representative of your country. It was so nice to meet you and learn that you are on your way to bigger and better things. With your thurst for knowledege, you have a great future ahead of you.It was a real pleasure meetimg you.
