Pic on the left is me and Jackie Mackay, just about to brave the exhibit halls after a coffee to get us in the right mood for it. We had a drink and a chat with Jackie and her two friends before making our assault on the crafting goodies.
No crafting on my desk today, as I've been putting my new stash away.
Some stamps and stencils from Inkylicious.
The cloudy moon stamp comes with a moon mask & stencil in the pack. The tiny winter cottages, bunnies and fairies will go well with Card-io stamp scenes, I think.
Speaking of Card-io, some stamps to add to my Christmas stash from them.
Some fab glittery embossing powders from WOW!
And while we're on the subject of glittery things......also a couple of red inkpads.
A Clarity stencil, a Sweet Poppy stencil, and a stamp from Stamposaurus. ' I love you to the moon and back'. I've seen that sentiment in a Tim Holtz set, but at £20 a time, I didn't think I'd really use the other stamps in the set enough to justify it.
A few more Honey Doo stamps.
Stamps by Chloe next, gorgeous Christmas florals.
Finally, a couple of embossing folders and paper pads, all really cheap.
A few thoughts on the show- parking is a disgraceful £12 a time, and with tickets £10-£12, thats £25 spent before you've bought anything. I also must say the show was much smaller this November than any previous one, they had about a third of the hall sectioned off with a barrier, usually the show has taken the whole hall. Also, the aisles were wider this time, which made getting around easier, but I'm pretty sure was as much a ruse to make the show look bigger than it was. A lot of big names missing this year too- Indigo Blu, Paper Artsy, Crafters Companion, Visible Image, Lili of the Valley, to name a few.It definitely felt as though there were less visitors too. So, no, not very impressed. I doubt I will bother with it again, there are much better shows about, at far more reasonable prices.Final shot is the latest two die sets from China to arrive. Stitched Squares and Stitched Circles.£1.79 and £2.39 respectively. And they cut just fine.
37 comments:
It seems NEC is trying to drive (forgive the pun) visitors away... how strange! Like your stash haul though, very impressive! Helen #?
What a fabulous post Shaz! Lots of gorgeous goodies to get the creative juices flowing (mine not yours and that is without the goodies LOL).
Love the last two dies you bought from China - where did you find out about those? I ask because Shaz in Oz has a die from China on her blog post today too.
Gosh the venue does seem to be pricing itself out - I know from talking to people that the cost of having a stand there is very expensive for the vendors so I guess that is why the number of them has gone down. What a shame, it used to be such a good show and you kind of got two for the price of one with a textile one next door that you could go into as well.
Ah well, we must support the little ones instead I guess.
Hugs, Neet xx
ps no news yet I take it?
What a nice pic of you and Jackey, you're looking well missus, still being frustrated by lack of appointment then? Love the selection of new stamps, the bunnies and little cottages especially. You are a more patient crafter than me, I'm hopeless at allowing time for stampscapi g, too fiddly! Nice score on the stitch effect dies, well researched!
Great to see you both on Sunday and I agree the show was disappointing and I will find out from my friend who had a stand there about how well it went. Glad we got complementary tickets so I could spend my money on a big stick! Anyway I'm sure you'll put your new stash to good use. Have a great week x Jackie #20
What a really fab photo of your and Jackie! She seems to be a very lovely lady, so you're a perfect pair! I do love her crafting too, she always has such fab ideas :-). I've seen loads of criticism about the NEC show on FB - it simple doesn't justify the entrance money does is? Especially when you go to Port Sunlight and get such great value there!
HUgs, LLJ 14 xxx
Love the look of those goodies. I have that cat stamp by Inkylicious, it is so irresistible. I know what you mean about the cost of the NEC. I must admit that these days, the only show that I go to is up at Port Sunlight (and then only in May, not September/October). I do most of my shopping online as I begrudge paying £25 before I even get to look at what's on offer. Happy WOYWW Sarah #21
A lovely post Shaz, always interesting to see other peoples hauls. I went to the NEC on Thursday and have come to the same conclusion as you, it has gotten far too expensive, with less stalls and choice so that was also the last time I will be attending. Looks like you bagged yourself some great stamps though and look forward to seeing what you create with them. The stitched dies look awesome and an amazing price too! Can I ask if you got them from Ebay or another seller, always looking for ways to increase my die arsenal on a budget :)
Take care,
Lorraine
Fabulous stash haul! I seriously want that cat stamp and the cloud stencil!! Yes, I do!
RosA #23
Hi Shaz. Well, reading your post today I must say you made the most of your parking and show entrance. BUT - yes, I quite agree. An extortionate price before you even begin going through the door. We gave up on the NEC when they started charging parking for disabled, and also when it was SO crowded that John simply had no room to get to see anything from his scooter. The shows at Event City Manchester are good. Getting bigger, free parking, excellent venue - and for Mrs D and I, here on the N Wales coastline, a much easier journey!
I LOVE what you bought - hope you really enjoy using everything. A fantastic haul - some great bargains found there.
Are you heading down to the WOYWW crop this autumn? If so I shall finally get to meet up with you both. I have taken the plunge and booked myself into a B&B locally, and am greatly looking forward to my first foray "abroad" on my own!!!
Take care dear girl. God bless.
Margaret #3
Ah so you've bought the stitched sets, I'll think about the squares, but already have circles. My snowflake was actually $1.91, I bought it on an auction three or four really cheap, on one I paid more than I should've done, was mixed up as it was in GBP prices, can't be helped. Shame about NEC, but good haul.
Happy WOYWW! Thanks for sharing,
Shaz in Oz.x #1
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}
Glad you enjoyed the show - CRUNCH girls made the same comments about the show and a first timer didn't sound too impressed ....... time to move to new venues methinks.
Love all the stash, the paints sound really interesting .... may have to investigate those for myself!
Have fun and a good week
Christine #28
It looks like you had a great time despite the extortionate costs and fewer stalls - that's a great cargo of stash you have there. The Inkylicious die cut fairies are gorgeous, I didn't know they did MDF shapes. I love the pic of you and Jackie - how lovely to meet up with other deskers, we are a lovely lot aren't we!!
Hope you have a great week,
Diana #25 xx
What a lovely pic of you and Jackey and what an amazing amount of new stash....here's to many happy hours playing with it all.
Hugs,
Annie x #16
Fabulous new goodies Shaz, love your choices, looking forward to seeing your new creations, hope you are well, Kate x
The pretend Misti that I bought is called "Stampmaster". $40AUD. Very pleased with it. As far as I can see, exactly the same as the Misti :)
Some lovely goodies to play with Shaz - I look forward to seeing what you come up with to use them.
Toni xx
wowza, that's a lot of new craft goodies, enjoy. It's indeed a disgrace the parking fee and entry, the same here, for that reason i park my car across the street and walk a bit to avoid that fee, more cash to spend on stash :-) thx for your visit, Vicky
Oh..My..Word!!!! Such a gorgeous array of loveliness. I know you'll soon put it to good use. Happy WOYWW Elaine No. 37
WOW! FAB-u-LOUS stash and pix of you and Julia. Sounds like a great trip, parking aside!
Happy WOYWW
Kathyk
No. 35
Wow lots of beautiful stash! I love the faeries. Gorgeous. Looks like you had a great time despite it being smaller and you got to meet a fellow WOYWWer
Happy WOYWW
Sharon K #39
Great collection of new stash. I don't understand why the show is getting smaller but I wonder if they are asking too much for the stall space. I didn't realise how much they charge for parking, it's a bit off really that it's so high. My hubby takes me but then goes off somewhere with the dogs for a few hours (not admitting to how many)I think he is happier to do that than walk round with me all day and Maisie and Stan like it too. Thanks for the visit to mine and happy woyww, Angela x 19
Gosh, Shaz, that's a lot of stash! (Hey, that could be a line from a rap song!) I didn't recognize Jackie there (then again, I only ever saw her blog photo) - both you ladies are looking fabulous! Sounds like you had a great time treasure hunting - I only wish I had been there. Then again, perhaps it's better that I wasn't - I would be thoroughly broke by now! Thanks for visiting already! Have a lovely week! zsuzsa #30
A lovely photo of you with your friend Shaz. It's fun to meet up with friends. Your certainly have a lovely lot of goodies to find homes for. Look forward to seeing what you do with them. Enjoy. Barbxx
WOW loads of new stash, puts my bargain basement papers to shame! LOL Thanks for the visit BJ#33
What a great lot of new stash, Shaz! What fun you will have playing with that lot. I like the naturalistic stamps from Inkylicious - they are quite delicate and pretty, aren't they. I've got a tree set from them which I have used with my Brushos. Thank you for your lovely comment - yes, you and me both! We are going to be famous lol! Hope you soon get some news re your upcoming surgery. So glad you like my digital mandalas too.
Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi #29
Amazing stamps!
You made good business here. :D
Snow, snow... alot here.
Happy WOYWW from Sweden!
Hi Shaz, WOW! What a lot of scrummy new stash.
That is pricey for the car park. If you had three passengers, then I suppose if you shared the cost it's not as bad. A shame not as many stalls.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Happy WOYWW
Sue #18
That's quite a haul! You will be having lots of crafty experimenting going on for the next little while! I used to go to a small stamp convention that eventually petered out. Now I shop online. I guess that's the way of things these days. Thanks for sharing! Lindart #47
Hi Shaz, interesting to hear about your visit to NEC - I didn't make it this year, but maybe I didn't miss much - though it would have been good to bump into some WOYWW deskers!! Looks like you picked up some interesting goodies though anyway :o) Annie C #27
You have a lot of lovely new things to play with Shaz. Love the photo. NEC just up the road from me as it were but last time I went it was so packed I couldn't get to see any thing - and some folk were not very pleasant. I took ages to order the misti - my son and family gave me the money back in April. As I have been feeling a bit low etc I decided to go for it. Thanks for visiting. I am very late calling but no connection earlier :-( Anne x #22
I went when Paper Artsy still had a stand there! The car park in my view has always been an issue - we used to get a car park refund when we used to go to the Education Show! I must say that we are spoilt a bit with Happy Stampers being so near! Looking forward to seeing you at the crop! Hugs, Chrisx
Oooh fun stuff followed you home :) Those dies are a WOW eye popping bargain, so its good to read they cut just fine :) and ouch on the parking costs. ~Stacy #50
I really do love the cloudy moon - awesome! And what a bummer to pay so much money to get into a fair that disappoints you... I don't visit fairs much and the prize is one (most important) thing that keeps me from going. You did find awesome stuff though! Love from Holland, Marit #15
Such lovely goodies!
I am SO jealous of your new haul of stuff! I'll be watching intently for the next few weeks to see what you make. Have a great week! ~Heather~ WOYWW #51
Hello Shaz sorry I am getting around so late but wow that is a great little haul you have picked up for yourself. Those dies sound like a great price and super cute. Must look on line for them. Glad you had fun at the craft fair and yes that is a tad much to get in but I have never been to one but would figure they want you to spend money in the booths more.lol. Have a great day and thanks for the visit earlier.Hugs Always ~Anne L#6
Some great stash, but like you said its a LOT of money to get there, park and get in (and if you live far away to stay overnight). I bought very little (infact take off the secateurs which I needed as broke mine) and I only spent £25 on new stash!
Still a great couple of days away woth friends and the cake show.....WOW amazing cakes!
Kyla
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