The "no frills, no gremlins (hopefully)" cross-stitch cafe

Ailsb

20140317_113907 by Ailsb1, on Flickr

maria_and_the_imps

I went to the show as well with mum, I brought some stuff for jewellery making (another new hobby?) and some buttons! I just love the atmosphere. We went on Friday, did we manage to cover all the days between us!

Ruth_honey

maria_and_the_imps wrote: »

I went to the show as well with mum, I brought some stuff for jewellery making (another new hobby?) and some buttons! I just love the atmosphere. We went on Friday, did we manage to cover all the days between us!

I did Thursday. Wasn't there a lot of fabric there this year???

Lovely pics, ailsb. Is that a blossom tree in the last photo?

maria_and_the_imps

Loads! Although I did think there was lots lots more jewelry making stuff this year!

Ruth_honey

maria_and_the_imps wrote: »

Loads! Although I did think there was lots lots more jewelry making stuff this year!

I only noticed one stand with beads on. There was some ready made bits, but maybe I was too distracted by everything else.
It does seem to change every show as the trends change. No cheese stand this time. Sew It All always seems to be there, though. And Black Sheep. Wonder how much the stalls have to pay to exhibit?

kezbabybabe

Ailsb wrote: »

Now what next? I asked my hubby this last night and his comment was "don't you think you should finish one of the dozen things you've got started". Not very helpful.

Little do you know that this is quite a wise man.

Sorry ladies I haven't been around for quite a while. I was on holiday and then my mum was taken ill with kidney trouble and also her Parkinson's was playing up, she's just got back home on Friday from two week's in hospital. She's on the mend now, thankfully.

So this meant that I didn't have any time to myself, even when I was at home and now I'm just getting over a cold.

So I don't have a stitching update at the moment for you, but I will soon. Promise.

I'm knitting something at the moment, just to keep my hand in the craft basket, so to speak. So if you are interested the pictures are posted on my Flickr account: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kezbabybabe/sets/72157642490208494/

*Hugs* to anyone that needs them, particularly Sweetcarer. Hope you are able to locate the support you need soon. x

maria_and_the_imps

Ruth- no cheese, but did you try the chocolate! Mmmm it was beautiful!
I always wonder how many needle threaders the ladies need to sell before they start making a profit!

flowerofscotland

ruth, tellmeitsfriday and mariaThanks for all the comments about the Olympia Show. I've never been to that one and latterly I have preferred the smaller shows even though they don't have the range of stalls. It is interesting when I think back over the years that I have been going to shows how the different trends have affected the type of exhibitors. Gone are the days where there were dozens of cross stitch stalls. I still enjoy seeing stitched projects "in the flesh" - no online images can compete. And as I also love patchwork and quilting I love the fabric stalls - something which I rarely buy on line. I imagine it must be similar with yarn - knitting and crochet are tactile activities and it must be much easier to make decisions when you can see and feel the yarn. Gadgets and accessories are also things I look out for at shows as you can often see them in use before you buy.

ailsb your comment about Billy-no-Mates made me smile. Although I often go to shows with stitching friends I prefer to go round on my own. Last year I went to the Malvern Quilt Show with my Quilt Group. There were 4 cars in convoy and the plan was to go our separate ways and meet up for coffee, lunch and afternoon tea (optional). One of the ladies in my car (whom I didn't know particularly well) decided to go round the show with me and I found it quite distracting as I felt I had to consult her about where to go next, hurry up if she had finished looking at a stall or wait for her when I wanted to move on. I much prefer to look around on my own and then meet up for the "Show and Tell" on the way home (we meet at a motorway service station for this). Realise this sounds very anti social

I've got to know some of the exhibitors over the years and they say that stalls are expensive and it isn't easy to cover their costs. The smart ones make sure they hand out cards or flyers with their website addresses so that people can still order after the show has finished

flowerofscotland

Ailsb wrote: »

20140317_113907 by Ailsb1, on Flickr

We have commented before that our tastes are very similar - not only do I have this kit in my stash, I have a very similar frame which I bought as a pack of 10 at a craft show years ago - I've used 6 for various Christmas projects. I love the ones you stitched for your nana and it's really nice to have them returned as a memento.

ruth no need to feel guilty about not cross stitching - it is supposed to be enjoyable so if you don't feel like doing it why should you be concerned There are only so many hours in the day and you are obviously filling your crafty hours with lovely projects

Ailsb

[QUOTE=Ruth_honey;64996114
Lovely pics, ailsb. Is that a blossom tree in the last photo?[/QUOTE]

Yes it is Cherry blossom, again it was stitched at least 20 years ago.

I'm hoping to clear some rubbish out kf the loft next weekend and if I come across some of the other things I've stitched I'll share them with you.