Sunday Stampers plus NEC Goodies

Firstly Sunday Stampers - hosted by Hels - the challenge this week was to use Texture Fades/Embossing folders/dry embossing.  Not necessarily all of them, but to include them along with some stamping.   The only thing I've stamped is the 'love' sentiment. I embossed my tag with one of Tim's folders.  I'd decided on using a crackle effect for the background but was actually aiming for much smaller cracks, but I'm happy with these.  I actually used a crackle glaze from Homebase, intended for use with emulsion paint and last time I used it I got much smaller cracks. (It does say the thicker the topcaot the coarser the cracks).  There are tiny shimmery sequins on the leaf but as often happens the shimmer doesn't show here.

Had a fantastic time at the NEC.  The lovely Pat drove ;-)  Though we went into 'Sewing for Pleasure' and 'Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch' and there was a supposed separate hall for Hobbycrafts, inside it was all in one!   Though there were separate areas.  We saw some fantastic stuff.  If  you ever go I'd recommend giving the sewing areas a looksee as lots of stuff crosses over into papercrafts and I'm sure you'd find something to delight you that you may not have seen before.  Lynda Monk was demoing a great technique using vilene, transfer foil and tissue paper which she'd used to make some wonderful books amongst other things.  Here's what I bought ;-)  I won't list it all but in case you're wondering what the thing is between the white spray and the mould, they are felting needles.

Stitch + Creative Crafts show and hot flushes!

I went to the Stitch + Creative Craft show at the GMEX (they renamed it Manchester Central some time ago but I prefer GMEX! hehe) yesterday with Pat While we were there we got chatting to another blogger, Chris, we hadn't met her before we were just chatting while browsing through some books.For anyone joining in the 365 challenge, Chris is also taking part if you'd like to pay her a visit :-) I found a book I liked the look of, but found it on Amazon when I got home for an excellent price.  Those who are interested in machine embroidery might like to check it out.  It looked very good to me and the reviews on Amazon are very good.  It's called 'Raising the Surface' by Maggie Grey
It's not very big as these shows go though I think it had improved this year.  But even so I usually enjoy going as it's easy to get to for me.  Just get the train from Dewsbury to Manchester Piccadilly then the tram to St Peter's Square; just 3 stops.  Well I say it's easy, providing you get on the correct train :-/  There'd been an announcement to say our train was going to be 5 minutes late, so when a train arrived about 5 mins after ours was due we got on.  I did briefly wonder why so many people where still standing on the platform, but there'd been no announcement and the guard was at the other end of the platform when he blew the whistle so we jumped on.  I had also looked at the screen as the train was pulling in, and it was showing Manchester Victoria at the top, but had the time 9.31 (it was now 9.44) so I assumed they'd just not updated it.  Turns out that train was running 15 minutes late.  So it took 1 hour 20 mins to Manchester as opposed to 45 minutes!  It wasn't very warm on the train and my feet were getting cold, as were Pat's ,but luckily I had a hot flush which staved off hypothermia LOL.  I wouldn't normally use the word 'luckily' with the term hot flush as those of you who suffer from that condition will appreciate.  For those who have yet to experience them and those whose physiology means they never will, let's just say when you have a hot flush, the idea of rolling naked in the snow is very appealing hahahaha.

Anyway, just thought I'd share a few things I purchased mainly because those of you who like using stencils may be interested to know Stamposaurus now do stencils and their prices are very good.  The small one with the 2 fences and flourish was £1.50 the other 2 £2.99.  Just want to say here I think I picked up the scalloped frames inadvertently, I'm almost certain I wouldn't have got them, and also sure I had my eye on something else, though I can't remember what now.  The other stencil is from 'That Special Touch' and was £3.50.  I thought the stamps would be useful especially the 'bubble wrap' one.  Now I know some of you will wonder why on earth anyone would buy such a stamp when you can use the real thing.  Well, it looks like a very good likeness, IYKWIM, and I only had 1 piece of bubble wrap that I had to keep cleaning (yes I know eventually I'd probably get some more, but I might want to use some before then!) but then my granddaughter picked it up the other day and started popping the bubbles :-/ LOL

Festival of Quilts

I had a lovely day yesterday at the Festival of Quilts at the NEC Elizabeth asked me to take lots of photos of the quilts for inspiration.  They're not just quilts, they are works of art.  Some of them are more traditional but many artists make 'art quilts'.  As there are a lot of pics I've uploaded the quilts to Flickr as there are too many to show here, but see the Flickr pics in the sidebar and click for a bigger view.  I thought it would be nice to show some of the stuff on sale here though.  Just looking at all the wonderful colours is inspirational ;-)

Stash from Fashion, Embroidery & Stitch show

I visited the Fashion Embroidery & Stitch show at Great Yorkshire Showground Harrogate, last Saturday and had a wonderful time. It was really cold when I first got there and thought I'd only last a couple of hours, can't stand being cold. Luckily it warmed up and I was able to last all day. In case you're interested I had on 2 vests, another top (can't remember what now) wool cardi, pashmina and jacket and took another pashmina with me; which I ended up wearing; as I know it can be cold in there lol. Anyway bought some good stuff just need some ideas on what to do with it now :-/

They always have a great knitted display, this year it was 'Shaun the Sheep's Great British PicKnit' isn't it fabulous? This is only part of it. Those cakes look good enough to eat yum yum.

x

Craft Shows - Papercrafts Extravaganza

Went to the Papercrafts Extravaganza on Saturday with 2 friends and had a lovely day. Spent more than I intended, but isn't that what us crafters always do :-O I was awake till after 3.30 on the Friday night and after picking my friends up - one at Wyke - I found the round-trip tiring on top of the lack of sleep. I usually try out any new stamps I've bought at shows but as of yet I haven't even taken my stuff out of the bag!! Not like me at all. Today I went to the cloth doll group I'm in which is in York and though it's not that far I think after yesterday it's just added to the fatigue. When I got home, after the grandkids had practised piano (it's in my house), I had a little lie down. So it looks like I won't even look over my stash till tomorrow :-O
After looking through a book on cloth dolls, belonging to the lady that runs the doll group, I've been inspired to make some wire dolls - wire armature wrapped in wadding then fabric. So watch this space.
x

Stash - Stitch & Creative Crafts show, GMEX Manchester, 30th Aug 2008

I went to the Stitch & Creative Crafts show on Saturday with a friend and we met up with another friend while we were there. We had a wonderful time. I was fairly restrained with my spending as I've been rather skint of late, also the Great Northern Papercrafts Extravaganza is on later this month in Harrogate so will need some spends for there ;-) I bought 2 packs of cards, 1 pack of glitter (already got lots of colours), 1 pack DS tape, small stamp, sheet of Inkadinkadoo stamps and the 'around-2-it' snowman. As well as the stash shown, I bought some matt photo paper and 2 packs of sewing machine needles. If you haven't seen the 'around-2-it' stamps the main image has a front and back image - great for using in apertures

(The GMEX is now called Manchester Central, but I prefer GMEX)

Anne x