Fair play

Well, it was such a nice day I think all the fair going people were out in their gardens or at the beach!  I did ok but it was a bit quiet.  I did, however, manage to get three more fairs lined up so not a bad day and I've been bouncing ideas off another crafty friend at the fair and have some new product ideas I'll need to tinker with AND I've signed up for a pottery/ceramics course that the same friend will be running.  So all in all quite a good day and lots of people took my cards so hopefully it will lead to more people looking at the Etsy shop and finger's crossed buying stuff!  Hurray!

Here's some shots of my stall at the fair

View of felt brooches, zip purses and pin cushions

Looking up into my 'tree' which has lavender stuffed hearts and birds and faux leather bird necklaces in

Faux leather bird necklaces hanging from tree

View of the stall showing the bunting, jewellery, basket of bunnies and the 'tree' in the background

Basket of bunnies with faux leather bunny hair clips and bird hair clips below

Flower rings and earrings

Bird rings

Pom pom flower rings at the top and rose cabochon rings at the bottom

Jewellery box filled with rose and chrysanthemum cabochon earrings on the top of the box and vintage sparkly brooches in the bottom drawer

Back view of basket of bunnies

My tree with Easter bunny prop, tailor's ham and seam roll and jewellery

View of bunting round the table and showing more of the jewellery and bags

Another shot of the basket of bunnies, jewellery and Easter bunny

The rather rich chocolate cup cake I nom nom nommed with a cuppa, the chocolate buttons were my favourite bit!

So, that's it for this fair, the next one is in Newport Kingsway Shopping centre on Saturday 7th April, come say 'Hi!' if you're about.

Upcoming fairs!

If you're looking for some Christmas presents, are just nosey or in the area and want to come and say 'Hello!'  I've got two fairs coming up, well, back to back if I'm honest and am starting to worry whether I'm going to survive as found the last one fun but tiring!  Think that was mostly due to nerves though!

The first is at Risca St John's Ambulance Hall on Saturday 26th November from 10am to 4pm where you can buy cards, crochet items, jewellery, pottery, glassware and of course all the pretty things I make too!

The second is at Neuadd Dowlais Community Centre, Llantwit Fardre on Saturday 3rd December from 10am to 1pm, it's the Homemade Wales Christmas Craft Fair - All Handmade - All Local.

So pop those dates in your diary and I'll see you there!  I'll be wearing my badge so you can't miss me! hehe!

Cross stitch flower badge with my name on it!

I've been having a think about my stall and it's layout and have been working on some props to display things properly on and having been wondering whether to change the cover for my table too as the pattern was rather busy and wonder if my items were lost on it....hmmmm *scratches head*  Answers on a post card please! hehe!

I'll remind you of those dates again nearer the time so you don't forget!

Craft fair extravaganza!

I went to a craft fair at what will forever be called in my head anyway, the CIA, and what wonders there were!  Oooooh!  It was an absolute delight!  I tried to be restrained as I'm going on the blogger meet up in Birmingham next weekend with Minnado's House and Scruffy Badger Time but did come away with some lovely and useful things!  I was also bowled over by the kindness of strangers as when we were walking in a lady came upto me and asked me if I would like a free ticket as she had two and only needed one!  How lovely is that?  Even the woman on the ticket desk was happy for me and told me it must be my lucky day!

I bought some cross stitch material as it seems I'm addicted and needed some new colours and weaves as getting a bit bored with the limited supply I have at the moment.  I very nearly bought some on line last night but restrained myself and I'm so glad I did!  I bought some dark blue aida as love the colour and think I'm going to cross stitch some white snowflakes on it to get a nice contrast and got some silver sparkly thread so can use that too. 

Dark blue aida for cross stitching

Sparkly silver thread for cross stitch

I then found another stall selling scrap bags of cross stitch fabric and thought I was getting a good buy, well, when I got it home and unpacked it all I realised just how fantastic a buy it was!  Lots and lots of different weaves and colours and even some sparkly ones too!  Wooo Hooo!

And then there was this magical place:

Side view of outside of the cavern, everything is knitted and I mean EVERYTHING!

Knitted lobster basket and lobsters trying to make a break for it!

Another view of the side as this one shows the lighthouse in the distance

Puffin complete with fish

Mmmmm Lobster!

Isn't it amazing???

Nemesis the knitted sea creature!

And his little friend the sea turtle with some pirates in the background

Another view of Nemesis and a better view of the sky and gulls in the air

A very glittery mermaid, what you can't see here are her exquisitely sparkly eyelashes!

Slightly blurry jellyfish as had to use a long exposure as this was inside the cavern

We all live in a yellow submarine dum dum a yellow submarine...

Arrrrrggghhh!  Shark!

I wanted an octopus but sadly another lady bagged him before I could, boo hoo!

It's all donated stuff to help raise funds for charity.  This one was for the RNLI, I got to speak to the lady who made it all happen and she said that she had FIVE sacks full of knitted fish!  Three of which went into the inside of this cavern.  Thankfully my fishing skills were good and I managed to bag this whopper:

green and silver striped fish

and this tiddler:

mottled red and brown little fish keyring

There's going to be another one, this time it's going to be based on a book and she's inviting sewists and felt makers to join in with the knitters and crocheters to help make it happen.  I'm thinking I'll sew some leaves and squirrels for the Autumn page of the book and maybe a rabbit or two now come to think of it.  If you want more information you can have a look here: www.all2knit.co.uk

I also had a very inspiring chat with a lady who runs sewing courses in Spain!  How wonderful would that be?  Not only learning a new skill but in sunny and beautiful surroundings!  Their work looks amazing and has been shown at other big exhibitions in fashion shows etc, but don't think I can justify the expense especially when J and I haven't had a holiday abroad together!  If you're interested in investigating this lovely college go here.

I also spotted some amazing quilts and it almost makes me want to learn...almost.  I think I'd better stick to what I'm doing at the moment as if I take any more things on I think my head may explode!  Look at these lovelies instead:

Oh so pretty flower quilt

An old favourite, the owl and the pussy cat

This is so striking to me, the colours of the leaves? I think that's what they are anyway, and love the swirly bits in the centre too.

I've been quiet as found the stall last weekend exhausting, had sewing class again this week and have been trying to get new stock together for the next fair in November as don't want to be running round like a headless chicken like last time!  I'm also ummming and ahhhing about whether to make a special outfit for the meet up next weekend, but to be honest I'm not sure I've got the energy or the time.  I have made my name badge though and am very proud of it!  I'm going to keep it a secret until the day I think as put a lot of thought and work into it and think it sums me up a treat! hehe!

Ok, that's all for the minute folks, need to keep stitching!  Don't forget to vote in the Men Quilt Too Competition!  Thanks!