I'm Back!!!!! Yes, after a week on the high seas, minus internet & phone access to anywhere, other than when in a port and settled down in a bar somewhere, lol. There was wi-fi available on the ship,but at an eye watering £56 a week! This was our home for a week, and it was a very nice ship. We had a good holiday, saw some interesting places, but I don't think we'll be doing it again, apart from maybe a Northern Lights cruise. Not really our type of holiday, in the end. But it was a good experience, lovely crew and very nice fellow cruisers.Oh, and we got an invite to dine at the Captains table one night, which was fun. We arrived home last Tuesday, the 3rd of May.The weather has been extremely warm ever since we came back, I think we
may have just snagged the sunshine and towed it back with us. Unpacking and washing, as you do for the next couple of days, then re-packing an overnight case for our trip up to Port Sunlight for the Happy Stampers Festival. 
What can I say, but Wow! If you've never been, if you're a stamper, you really must. Fantastic show,almost all stamping related, and I came across some new companies I'd not heard of.
We also got to meet our Neet,( Hickydorums) and Chris, (Pearshapedcrafting). I got to meet some other lovely crafters, friends of Neet- one of whom, Lyn, recognised our name from FB posts, lol. Neet brought me a lovely book, full of celtic designs she thought I'd like, and a smashing rubber stamp. Has a plain side, to stamp a background, and on the other side is a gorgeous rosebud.
The pic above was taken at our lunch break- about 1.00pm, we all stopped for a reviving drink, and some food.Much purchasing of stamps was done-now I just have to catalogue and store them all.
Love these cats and dogs from Indigo Blu- and you may spot a bit of a cat/dog theme here.
Some Sweet Poppy stencils- a steampunk cat, and dog(!) amongst others.
Hobby Art stamps here, this time we have Cats & Owls, along with a scenic set.
I also picked up a set with a number of fairies in small sizes in a variety of positions, and I think quite a lot of these stamps are a perfect size to mix and match with the Lavinia Stamps I have, which is always good.
Inkwell Stamps, I have seen before at the NEC, but not really had a good look at what they do. A set of stylized cats(!) grabbed Dougs attention, as well as the Pebble People stamps. A cute penguin and snowman Christmas stamp, along with a NOEL stamp in the sale.
A few from Crafty Individuals- The loose stamps were 5 for £3, a bargain. I think they are oddments from some of their larger sheet sets.
A visit to Helen and Mark at Visible Image provided these stamps, and a nice chat. I'd been chatting to Helen on FB when we were starting to drive up, and thanks to her info about the state of the M5 & M6, we stuck to back roads, and made good time.
A few from Lavinia stamps, I have a large version of the dancing fairies already.
These came from Stamps Away/Clevercut. I'm always on the lookout for sentiment stamps, trying to get a variety of sizes, and scripts. Liked the handwriting font for these, and they are a bit larger than normal, without being too large.
This is a company I had never heard of before, Honey Doo Crafts. They have some amazing, beautiful stamps. If you don't know them, go have a look. They have a huge range of stamps, and loads of other crafting goodies.
This one was a freebie, I think it was buy 4 large stamps, get a small one free.
An awesome little Dinky stencil of Bats.
Then a handful of basics- some Stickles, some pearls, a new pot of Glamourdust, some Puffy Stuff- I thought it might make interesting snow texture- and some glue.
And the final purchase was some deckle edged 8x8 cards, and envelopes. 4 packs of 15 for a tenner.
34 comments:
You certainly shopped well at Port Sunny - it is a lovely show, isn't it?! Not sure what's happened to the weather the last couple of days; it's gone a bit downhill! The heavy rain woke me early this morning. Helen #?
Cor Shaz, you had a good old spend but what a lot of lovely stuff you got. I now need the bat stencil, and I think I need the web stamp too. That plus the Visible Image stamp I still have to order ('cos they had sold out) should keep me quiet for a few days at least.
Lovely to finally meet up with you and Doug. What a beautiful couple you are.
Glad you liked Honey Doo - and they stamp really well. Keep an eye on their blog for ideas on using those stamps.
Hugs, Neet 5 xx
I'd like to come & play at yours with all those gorgeous stamps you've just brought.
Wow, you did have a splurge! But what fab stamps you got - I love the cats and bats :-) (very YOU!). And how lovely to meet up with Neet, I'd really like to meet her in t' flesh one day. Pear-shaped Chris was looking really well to, she's a lovely lady :-)
Glad you're back safe and sound after all your travels - you'd better get down to some serious stamping with all that new stash!
Hugs, LLJ 2 xx
Wow, Shaz! What an amazing time you had - lots of friends to meet, lots of great companies to visit - I love some of those Majestix stamps - I use their work a lot - love it. Stamps away are great, too, and Glitzcraft stencils... I obviously should have bought a ticket - it isn't that far to Port Sunlight from here. Have fun with finding homes for everything, and I'm sure you will get all of your ATCs done well in time! We are away that week, or I would take part as well... no internet where we are going! Some great photos of you and Doug with Neet and Chris. Well done.
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #4
How lovely to come home from your holiday to then have such a fab day with so many lovely people and find so many super things to buy....all in all a brilliant post today Shaz.
Hugs,
Annie x #12
Some super new goodies to play with there Shaz ... drooling over most of it! Will have to try and get to Port Sunny one day ... never say never!
Glad you had a wonderful holiday ... we, ok, I, have wondered about a cruise but don't think they would suit us ... other than an Alaskan one but that means a flight and I don't do flying so it is most unlikely!
Happy WOYWW'ing. Love Debbie #30 xXx
Hahaha...I love that stamp with the quote about washing your mouth out with chocolate! Funnily enough, every time I think about dieting my hand involuntarily reaches for cake! Looks like you've picked up some fab swag! Happy crafting, Max #29 :-)
Gosh thought I'd seen a lot of stamps on another desk but you certainly take the biscuit! Not being a stamper, I skipped over them to the stencils, love the drum one, my son is a drummer. Oh and why exactly wasn't a cruise for you? Personally I would never wish to go on one so I am curious. Happy WOYWW BJ#26
Wow, you really went to town, Shaz! Amazing stamps! And what an amazing trip it must have been - even if it's not your thing! I would love to try the Northern Lights cruise that you mentioned! Enjoy your goodies and how wonderful that you were able to meet up with Neet and Chris! Wishing you a lovely week! zsuzsa #35
I am glad you enjoyed your holiday at sea! Love the many stamps you got from Port Sunlight and I have found as you did that there are many stamp companies I have not known before! I didn't go this time but went last year and loved it! I have those same Lavinia stamps!!
Lots of hugs,
Cardarian
Looks like a great time had by all and what an amazing collection of stamps. Have a lovely week.
sandra de @33
Hi Shaz,
I'm trying very very hard not to drool too much here, what a great haul of wonderful stamps indeed.
Must have been exciting to be at a show especially for stampers. :) loved the one on washing your mouth out with chocolate after saying word diet, very apt, I think.
Not started atcs here either few ideas floating around but not anything concrete yet, I'm slack, well actually I've been away and trying to do catch up too.
Happy WOYWW, thanks for sharing all your yummy goodies too!
Shaz in Oz.x #18
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}
Wowsers! That is quite a haul! You can start a shop of your own! But I do like your choice of stamps. Lots of animals and fairies. Also loads of nice sentiments.
Wasn't it great to meet up with other WOYWWers. I say the photos on Neet's blog too.
Yes, I'd love to exchange ATCs with you. I don't know if you have my address, but I will email you it just in case.
Thanks for visiting,
Happy WOYWW,
Lisca
Wow! What a wonderful lot of stash. I love the Indigo Blu stamps. Very cute. The sentiment ones are nice too. I love sentiment stamps.
Glad you had a good time on the cruise. Sometimes it's nice to be without all that modern technology. Just for a little while anyway lol.
Sharon K #40
OH .... MY ... GOODNESS!! What a fab post, looks like a fab cruise (sorry it turned out to be not quite your cup of tea) and what a SPLENDID haul of new stash to play with - expecting some serious creativity in the coming weeks!
Happy WOYWW
Kathyk
No. 34
there are so many companies in your loot piles I have never heard of before and I think I am going to have to go poke around the internet and see... :) ~Stacy #50
Sounds like a great show Shaz and so lovely to see the happy snap! Great bunch! x Jo
OMG!! What a cool lot of stuff you got at the fair! You will be occupied for the summer to try everything out! That looks soooooo fun!
Thanks for your earlier visit
Hugs
Gabriele 15
Hello Shaz. WOW that is some haul you picked up and I am in love with all. Makes me want to go shopping.lol glad you had fun on your trip and have a fantastic week. Hugs ~Anne L#9
Wow Shaz you certainly got some super stash. You're going to have lots of fun. A lovely photo of you with friends too.
We had a couple of cruises and other than getting off to visit places, which was great, it wasn't my type of holiday either. I don't enjoy the formality & dressing up for dinner and the wine with meals was far too expensive!
Happy Crafting. Barbxx
Wow, what a great haul. I think I might need the cardio bunny stamps now..... Have a great week, Cara x
Wow! You made quite the haul! So much fun stuff to play with! In our area cruises are quite the thing! My dad and his new wife went on one to the Mexican Baja for a week. My hubby keeps talking about doing one but he's been saying that for 8 years. Thanks for the visit and am looking forward to what you make with all those goodies!
Carol N #39
Oh! So you didn't spend much then? Love your 'haul' Saw your comment ha!ha! I wish I had bought the Indigoblu dogs! On a workshop at AFTH at the weekend so probably more spending! Don't think a cruise would be our sort of holiday either! It really was great seeing you at Port Sunny! Will have to sort out an atc swap! Hugs, Chrisx
Oh goodness, what a wonderful lot of stamps you found - I love Crafty Individuals stamps and the angel with the butterfly wings is absolutely gorgeous. I haven't heard of Honey Doo stamps but I'm off to follow your link to them in a minute! It sounds like you had a fab time and lucky you meeting up with fellow deskers. Thanks so much for the earlier visit to mine, and I hope you have a great week enjoying your new stash.
Diana #24 xx
oh my! What a great bunch of stamps!
Have a great day.
Diane - WOYWW #31
Looking at all that new stash I would say you had a good time at the show Lol! Thanks for the visit to mine and wishing you a great woyww, Angela x23
A the goodies that you have to play with are all so amazing. I actually chuckled out loud for the "every time I say diet I wash my mouth out with chocolate set". Your stencils are all so fabulous.
I'd love to swap with you. Will send you my info. Happy Wednesday, LisaDV 41
So glad you had such a great time. Loved looking at all of your goodies. I like the everytime I say the word diet I was my mouth out with chocolate. LOL Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier.
April #38
Woweee... that's some stamp-overload... you will be creating day and night! Have fun! Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier, hug from Holland. Marit #25
So glad the two of you were able to get away on a lovely cruise, Shaz. I hope you both came home refreshed! What a lovely lot of new stash you got at Port Sunlight. Have fun using it all.
Happy belated WOYWW,
Shoshi #52
Thank you for your visit, Shaz - glad you like the kitty castle! My hubby is taking it over to its new home tomorrow. My appointment with the surgeon went well and he is pleased with me. I've got to have another CT scan at the end of the year. Hope your physio goes OK. It's a long slow recovery from all this, isn't it. I've still got bladder problems and peripheral neuropathy from the chemo - I'm seeing the oncologist at the beginning of June and will discuss it with her then. I'm feeling a lot better than I'e felt for a long time but have to watch that I don't overdo things too much because I've still got ME. After being so busy recently I've had a quieter week this week and have needed to rest.
Hugs to you both too!
Shoshi x
Girl, you know how to shop! I am drooling here. Glad you enjoyed your cruise. Sometimes it's knowing what we don't like is as important as what we do. Experience is always good one way or the other. Thanks for stopping by this week. If you'd like a couple of those little Sarono stamps, let me know. I'm going back down to her shop in late June I think for her open house. Happy to pick a couple for you. Happy to trade for some images of some of your older stamps (from when we first met). Creative Blessings! Kelly #42
With you on the cruise thing-Northern lights would be very cool.
I have not heard of this stamping event.....off to scour the internet (love your purchases by the way, some really unusual ones).
Thanks for visiting my desk already
kyla
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