Hobbycrafts Show, NEC

Last Wednesday (12th March) I packed up my car, said goodbye to the family and all at work and headed off down the motorway to Birmingham for four days at the Hobbycrafts Show taking place at the NEC.

As you may remember, we had some pretty atrocious weather last week and a journey that normally takes me about 2 and a half to three hours took me a gruelling 4 and a half hours. I arrived with cramp and a stinking headache but at least I arrived safely. It was a drive that really tested my driving skills to the max!

I was going to be demonstrating Elusive Images stamps and Artylicous CD Papers on Joanna Sheen's stand for the four days of the show so I went straight to the Exhibition Centre to drop off my demo equipment. The stand was all up, stocked, dressed and looking beautiful when I arrived but as it was so late, everyone had gone. So I stashed my kit and took myself off to the hotel where I promptly crashed out for the night.

Thursday (1st day) was a very busy day. I got to walk the show before it opened and most of my favourite exhibitors were there, although LB Crafts weren't this time - a shame as I really love their things and Linda is a brilliant demonstrator. It was really great seeing everyone from the show circuit again.

The show was due to open at 9.30 a.m. and at 9.25 a.m. they drew back the big entrance doors and from our position on the stand we could see everyone lined up and ready for the off when they officially opened the show. Virtually from the word 'GO', Joanna's stand was heaving - all day.

I don't know where the day went, it was so hectic that before I knew it, it was late afternoon and time for a sandwich and cuppa.

Here are some of the cards that I had such fun making whilst demonstrating. These are made from one of the new themeplates 'Flora Bella' and the Poppy is from 'Flora and Fauna'. I really love Flora Bella , they are very definitely my fave stamps at the moment and they work brilliantly with the Adirondack inking technique that I favour so much. It lends itself so beautifully to simple 'black and white' layouts too.

Or maybe........ the Peacock is my favourite? Oh soooo much choice. I'm just so lucky that I can play with them ALL!

These three envelope cards were made from the Artylicious papers and closed with interlocking hearts from the 'Damask Hearts' themeplate. The closure idea was inspired by a card made by one of our DTM's - Sandra Taylor. Nice one Sandra and thank you! The photography just doesn't do the vellum hearts on the middle card or the butterfly on the bottom one, justice. They were embossed with a truly fabulous set of embossing powders 'Sparkle and Sprinkle' that Joanna Sheen sells. I used the 'Black and White' set, the results are fabulous and the value is astonishing.

I really had fun with these embossing powders and vellum - now I just need to convince Glenda that we really do have to have them in the shop!!! The only problem is....... there's 104 different colours to choose from and they do Glitters too.

Well, I don't like admitting defeat, but Blogger is playing silly beggars tonight and it's taken me an hour and a half just to get this far. The photo's are taking an age to upload despite reducing them in size for posting to the blog. I do have some more to show you so I will continue tomorrow night providing Blogger decides to play nicely.

Before I go, I would like to say a big 'thank you' on two accounts. The first 'Thank You' goes to all of you who have left comments on my blog recently. I really do appreciate it and I love to hear from you so if you haven't left a comment yet - don't be shy, pleeeease DO. The second 'Thank You' is to all of you who came to say hello and watch the demo's at the show. I met so many bloggers, Graphicus Guild members, Sheenies and dedicated Craft Addicts - all lovely people. The time you spent watching and chatting (not to mention 'buying', I said not to mention that)! was fantastic and now I can put so many faces to the names I see attached to the comments both here, on the Graphicus Blog and Glenda's Blog.

Back again soon!