Unfortunately I didn’t get to try out any of the workshops
or listen to any of the lectures (tickets all sold out!), but a lot of the
other stallholders had mini demonstrations going so you could see how to do
things – I’ve still yet to get the hang of needle-felting.
Although I’d been to the Spring show at Olympia, the Ally
Pally show is much, much bigger, loads more stalls and exhibits, so it did need
a bit of strategic planning to make sure we didn’t miss anywhere, or get lost
when we wanted to go back to something! Helpfully, all the stands are numbered,
and there were other landmarks signposted around the main halls, so you were
never too far away from food and drink, or a toilet (complete with obligatory
mile long queue)!
I had gone prepared with a shopping list so that I could at
least try to stay a bit focussed and not spend toooooo much money. And on the
whole I didn’t do too badly. There were a few things on my list that I didn’t
get, but what I did buy made up for having to wait until next time.
A lot of the stalls I just looked at for ideas and
inspiration, and stood in awe of the amazing talents and craftsmanship of the
makers. My few major stops though were Abakhan, Black Sheep Wools and Fabrics
Galore. If you’ve got your eye out for bargains, these are the places to go.
From Abakhan I got three packs of yarn – yes, packs, that’s
10 balls at a time – some Rowan Drift in a beautiful red/orange/purple mix, and
two packs of Sirdar Click DK, one in a pretty blue/grey, and the other a pink
and orange mix. The Rowan I’ve got lined up for a chunky winter long waistcoat
and the grey Click for a jumper. The best part though was the price – the Rowan
was on sale for £19.99 for the pack!!! And the Sirdar was 2 packs for £22,
working out at just over £1 a ball – madness!!!
Next was the yarn dive at Black Sheep – literally what it
sounds like –they pile up hundreds of packs of yarn in the middle of the floor
and you just have to get in there and see what you can rummage out. I saw quite
a few things I’d have loved to get for my stash, but managed to restrain myself
to a pack of Rowan Revive in a beautiful sea blue/green mix (I got the pink
last time and loved it) which will be perfect for something next summer; and a
pack of Rowan Summerspun in lovely autumnal greens and browns – not sure what
to make with this yet.
So that’s five packs of yarn costing me less than £100 in
total but with a retail value of nearly £300. Unbelievable. Also, a bit awkward
to carry, so we had to buy a wheelie trolley bag.
From Fabrics Galore, after much deliberation, I decided on
this gorgeous Liberty cotton voile which I plan to make a Mimi blouse with. I
got 2.5 metres, and they were selling it for £14 a metre, much better than full
price direct from Liberty.
I also got this half metre of African print cotton from a
little stall which I just love, the bright colours are fantastic, not sure what
to make with it yet, it might sit in the stash for a little while until I find
the perfect thing.
I could have quite happily spent days looking round properly
at everything (it gets really, really crowded!), and spent an absolute fortune,
but sadly I had to be a bit sensible about what I actually have time to do
(boooooo for work!), otherwise I’d have loved to get a couple of gorgeous
cross-stitch kits, more yarn (obviously!) and lots and lots of pretty things.
I’m also running out of space to keep stuff anyway.
However, there was one more purchase that I’m really excited
about. We stopped to have a look at the Janome stand, and the ladies were so
helpful, and the offer price too good to refuse, that I ordered myself a new
sewing machine! Hoorah! And so it was delivered last week, I got it all set up
at the weekend and it’s brilliant! I’ll tell you more about it in another post
once I’ve had a chance to try all the different functions out.
Happy crafting everyone!
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