flash with the cash

With the Summer holidays a distant memory, I am back at work and have actually been very busy. I had expected the demand for supply teachers to be quiet at first, then becoming gradually busier towards the end of term and all the coughs & colds the change in weather brings.  However, I have pretty much been busy from about the second week of term.

 So after having to watch the pennies closely for so long it was nice to be able to book this without having to worry about how to pay for it . 


Even better was that after I had booked & paid for it, the Husband finally got some overtime pay that he has been owed for months and had practically written off so he then gave me back the money that I had paid for the ticket (I Love that man!)


So armed with some guilt-free cash I went off to the Stitching and Knitting Show at The Alexandra Palace aka Ally Pally. I bought LOADS, I don't think I have spent so much money on myself since I had my little shoe shop Saturday job and lived with my parents lol!  Here are my buys…




FQs on the left for making up my Cherry in the Tree embroidery into a cushion, Some random FQ including a cute Incy Wincy Spider from Annie at The Village Haberdashery, Guttterman and Aurifil thread (I am yet to try the Aurifil in my temperamental machine, so lets hope she likes it!,)



A bag of what I thought was random scrap pieces from Euro-Japan links but was actually 10cm square pieces, even better! I know exactly what I am going to do with these!

 
Some Aneela Hoey goodies from two lovely ladies at a new-to-me internet store called “pin it and stitch” The “sew stitchy” layer cake is for my embroidered tray-cloth/hankie quilt.



And a completely random purchase - I kept walking past this stall, in the end I caved.

 Now I really need your help to decide what to do with it. Magee of Donegal, Ireland, make tweed fabric and clothing.  They decided to tap into the craft market to use up the smaller pieces left over from manufacturing their clothing ranges. I bought a fat 8th bundle and a fat quarter of the check in gorgeous heathery colours which remind me of the Irish countryside..

They are pure wool tweeds so have a slight itch factor, so I was thinking of pairing with some cotton.  It is recommended that I use a generous 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch seam allowance. Maybe some Oakshott? Or do you think a print? And what pattern? I was thinking along the lines of simple squares or box in a box type thing…
Please leave me a comment below with your suggestions.  I don't think that I am going to quilt it, maybe just back with a cozy flannel.

 
I did a free motion embroidery course where I made this little pocket mirror – (It is supposed to be a butterfly) The session was taught very well by Lisa from Sew Over It and it was nice to have a finished item to take home.

All the other classes that I was interested in where fully booked, so just one course for this year.

This is the 3rd year that I have gone and although I enjoyed myself, I am thinking that I might not bother next year. I wasn't that impressed with the exhibits (although there were a few gems)

One of the main exhibitions was a selection of improv-quilts, which I was looking forward to seeing. Although there was some amazing work (booo no pictures) I thought that  the exhibits looked dated. There were also no real bargains, or things for sale that cannot be bought online or elsewhere. (and no Australian craft magazine man this year)

I was really disappointed that virtually every sellers booth and exhibition stand had notices asking for no photography. I think the reason that I dislike the no photography rule so much, is it is the complete opposite to blog-land, where every one shares and enjoys seeing others re-create their work.  Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery after all, as long as credit is given wherever credit is due. What are your thoughts??

Right, I will be straight back with my entry to The Bloggers Quilt Festival over at Amy's Creative Side, see you soon...