I hadn't planned on going to the autumn Craft Show at the NEC this year. For tickets and transport you are looking at a spend of £30-£40 before you even get through the doors. However, as I won a pair of free tickets through HixxySoft, I decided to go for a day after all. It gave me an opportunity to catch up with friends, drop off some samples for Claritystamp and get hold of some stamps that I was after.
In the end, I chose to travel by train to Birmingham International as it worked out cheaper than fuel and parking (even paid in advance) for one person. I gave away my extra ticket when I arrived as I thought it would help out a fellow crafter. The train was efficient and although it is a bit of a hike from the station to hall 20 I was there before the doors opened at 9.30am. I made a beeline to the Clarity stand to say hello and drop off samples with Paul who was getting Groovi. I also managed to secure a spot with Hazel Edwards for one of the free make and take Groovi sessions later in the day.
I do enjoy Groovi work, but don't have a great deal of time to fit it in these days, so very much enjoyed the session: not much to do to finish the card either.
Barbara Gray was on her feet all day demoing the new overlay bauble stamps. They were flying out of the door and I managed to get the only set that I was missing to complete my collection. Clarity had a large stall, but it was busy all day with new people discovering the delights of Groovi and all the wonderful dies, stamps, stencils, papers and extra goodies available.
I dropped lucky, as I had chosen the only day that Leonie Pujol was going to be there with the Hochanda team. We chatted about journaling.
I was proud to see one of my first ever samples for Leonie prominently featured on the Hochanda stand and Leonie insisted on taking a photo of me with it.
Lovely Emma Burns was also doing make and takes with Samantha K designs. We hadn't met in person before although we have been Facebook friends for a while.
It was nice to chat footie with Janice Phillips and I came away with a couple more autographs for my collection. All in all, I am glad that I went. There was a massive variety of stalls and crafts to look at and I didn't even make it into the Cake section! Last day is today (9.30am - 4.30pm) if you fancy a last minute trip.
3 comments:
Sounds like you had a great day. I was unable to go this year. Maybe next year if I can afford it. Xx
Nice Blog thanks for sharing. I normally go but I went earlier in the year. Barbara also pinched my NEC Partner Jilly and put her in the Tilly!!! Maybe we might meet up there next year. Sam Crowe
I keep saying I'll go to one of these shows at the NEC but I always miss it! Oh well, perhaps next time! Looks like you had so much fun, so I'm inspired!
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