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The 2005 UK Convention!
So I went to the convention, the first convention I've ever been to, not just in the MLP sense, and I had no idea what to expect. I bought a two day pass so Mike and I (after having shipped the kids off to my in-laws and been to a Nada Surf convert the night before) arrived at Sachas Hotel in Manchester on Friday 11th November at about 10am. I hadn't actually made it in through the doors when I met a fellow MLP Lover, Gloomy, who promptly told me that she had no idea who I was. My confidence suddenly wasn't quite as strong as when I left our hotel that morning (and given that I was exceptionally nervous and wondering if I was doing the right thing in the first place, that's saying something.)
So I found my way to a small conference room on the second floor where there were people milling around and a few tables set out with ponies. I very quickly discovered that there had been the change to order the Target Winter Series Ponies to be collected at the Convention. I of course had completely missed out, although they had a few Minty Winter ponies left over so eventually I bought one (even though I'd sworn not to collect any re-releases). I bought a cool iron/sew on badge celebrating the Convention which I've yet to buy anything cool enough to iron it on to and bought a very cute baby custom with beaded mane and tail and a little beaded candy cane. I wish I'd taken her little name card as I can't remember her name, if the lady who made her is out there please remind me! I also managed to buy Winter Series I Snowflake at last, for a bargain £18!
I felt a little odd, no-one knew me or had heard of this website and it transpires that there is a separate forum for the Convention where everyone else had been buddying up for the past few months so no wonder I was out of the loop. I did meet some very cool Spanish pony fans though and it was nice to have someone to talk to (other than poor Mike of course who was hovering in the background!)
We had a cool drawing competition, just 45 minutes to draw a pony with a range of art materials. I drew my new Snowflake as it seemed like a good idea and sat by Deadly Nightshade who managed to draw a fantastic pencil sketch in half the time I needed! Needless to say, I didn't win, lol! I was proud, however, when Snow asked if she could keep my picture as she loves Snowflake too! I think that was better than winning a prize!
I was a little apprehensive about going back on the Saturday, for a start I thought the room was way too cramped for the main event and on Saturday we had both kids with us. Of course, we weren't in the little conference suite at all, we were in the very large conference area on the first floor which looked great. There was the table with all the customs for the competition, there were loads of tables with collections and sales, and there was even my husbands ex! I had to meet her some time, she was an MLP fan first!
Then there were the two great big ponies which looked really cool, and the kids even got a chance to sit on them, and if that wasn't enough Hasbro turned up with prototypes for the 2006 range. How privileged did we feel here in the UK to see stuff we won't find in the shops till next Christmas at the rate they're releasing them! I also entered Sandstone into the Custom competition, I didn't win of course but then there were some amazing entries! I never finished the Custom Playset that I wanted to enter so I guess I should work on it ready for next year!
Anyway, you probably want to see the photos so click here!
The 2006 UK Convention
This will be held on the 27th and 28th October 2006 in the Britannia Hotel, New St. Birmingham. I'll be taking the family on the Saturday - See you there!