I booked myself a ticket to the show on the spur of the moment and I am very pleased that I did. It was a great day. The halls were bustling with people and there were lots of lovely pieces of textile art, dresses and quilts to look at. Unfortunately, a lot of the booths were not allowing photographs (and as I mentioned earlier.... I forgot my camera!)
Of course, as well as the items exhibited there were lots of retail stalls too and I just couldn't resist a purchase or two! I found a lovely new book by Janet Haigh called 'Little Ribbon Patchwork and Applique' which contains lots of creative ideas for using beautiful ribbons in quilts and all sorts of other ways.
Obviously I couldn't buy the book without buying a few lengths of beautiful ribbon to go with it.... just so I can get started on a project or two you understand!
As I was choosing the ribbons Janet Haigh herself came back to the stall and I was lucky enough to get her to sign my book for me! I bought a pretty new shopping bag to carry my purchases home in too!
I stopped at the Stef Francis stall too. If you read this blog regularly, you will know I love to use her beautiful, hand dyed, variegated silk threads and I found some beautiful colours to add to those I already have.
Lastly, I bought a cute little pincushion necklace to wear when I am stitching in the evening so that I have somewhere to put my needle when I need to stop for a few minutes. Who knows, it might stop me losing my needle!! They were made by Kate Haxell and I thought they were a great idea. I chose one made from a china thimble with an unusual shape which I really liked. They would make really cute gifts for sewing friends!
It is so nice to browse through the stalls even if you can't buy all the items you might like (and I think I was relatively controlled!) There are often lots of inspirational items on display which fill you with new ideas for future projects.
All in all I had a wonderful day out and came home with lots of creative ideas! I'm off to get some stitching done now! Have a lovely weekend!
Love your purchases. THat book looks really interesting. I look forward to seeing what inspires you from it. I'm like you I love Steff Francis threads and I'm lucky that my local Quilt Shop stocks lots of them
ReplyDeleteThank you Gina! Lucky you having a shop close by that sells Stef Francis.... if I lived close to one I'd be in there all the time!! Christine x
DeleteYou had a lovely day for it, and I know the view is lovely from there in the sunshine!
ReplyDeleteI was very interested to read about Janet Haigh, her ribbons and her book, as I had not heard of her before. I look forward to seeing what you make from them.
Gorgeous bag, and such a cute necklace - who could resist?
Have a super weekend Christine.
Barbara xx
Thank you Barbara! I really enjoyed myself. I have several Janet Haigh books.... I like her work but I don't think she has written one for a while. Hope you have a lovely weekend too! Christine x
DeleteI think you were very restrained, your buys are great and the Janet Haigh book looks really interesting, I look forward to seeing some of your makes.
ReplyDeleteThank you Brenda! There are some lovely ideas in the book.... I am looking forward to trying some of them out! Christine x
DeleteLooks like you had a lovely day - it's always nice to get some crafty inspiration (and a bit more stuff for your stash!!) xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Janet, it was a lovely day! Have a nice weekend! Chrissie x
DeleteHi Christine,sounds like you had a wonderful day,i love your new purchases,those threads are to die for,hope you have a lovely day my friend xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Shez! I did have a lovely day and I shall enjoy using my new threads! Christine x
DeleteI haven't been to Alexandra Palace either on my many visits to London. Is the exhibition an annual event there? Sounds like a fun day out and you came home with some lovely purchases. Shame you didn't have your camera...even for outdoor shots.
ReplyDeleteIt was a lovely day Cath and I was silly not to think about taking my camera... it was a spur of the moment visit! I think the exhibition is held there each year... I will definitely think about going again! Christine x
DeleteYou were definitely very controlled but you made aome good choices! Those threads are making me drool!
ReplyDeleteThank you Wendy! I saw a lot more I would have liked to buy but I am pleased with my choices and I shall enjoy using the threads! Christine x
DeleteLovely purchases and the pin cushion necklace is so cute and sweet!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I don't ever need to lose my needle again now.... just have to remember to wear the necklace though! Christine x
DeleteSeems you choose very useful purchases , the book looks so interesting and those hand dyed threads are gorgeous and I am sure are wonderful to stitch with . Glad you enjoyed the show .
ReplyDeleteThank you Sheila! I had a lovely time and I am pleased with what I bought! Christine x
DeleteIt sounds like a wonderful day! Ribbons would certainly be a necessity to go with your new book! I cannot wait to see what you do with the ideas from the book. :) It looks like you found several treasures. I love the threads and the pincushion necklace is a great idea. It appears we both asked for autographs this weekend. We bought both of our boys one of Benny Green's jazz CDs and he autographed them both. Benny Green played the piano with my eldest's university jazz band last night and was sweet enough to pose in a photo with him as well. Happy Stitching!
ReplyDeleteIt was a wonderful day and you sound like you have had a marvellous time too! How lovely to be able to see your eldest son on stage with Benny Green and then to meet him! Awesome!! Christine x
DeleteSounds like you had an awesome day. I do congratulate you on being so careful with your purchases. I know I wouldn't have walked away from the threads with as few as you did!!
ReplyDeleteI did thank you Mary Anne! I did try to be careful as I do already have rather a large thread stash! Hope you are having a lovely weekend! Christine x
DeleteLiebe Christine,
ReplyDeleteda hattest du aber wirklich einen fantastischen Tag, ich freue mich für dich!
Liebe Grüße
Steffi
Thank you Steffi! It was a wonderful day! Christine x
DeleteThe book looks very interesting and those threads gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sheryl! I shall enjoy putting them to good use! Christine x
Delete