Sewing for Pleasure (Part 2)

Now I have recovered (nearly) from my adventures at the NEC on Friday, here is all my beady type stuff that I bought.

The first purchase of the day was beads from a place called The Pearl Girl. The website is currently being updated so may not give you any info. The beads were lovely though!

They look like sweeties. The red beads are to go with some pretty beads I picked up at Mary Clare after my jewellery course. I fell in love with some and knew I needed to get some more to go with them, as nearly all my other beads are in the blue and green spectrum of colours. I have NO idea what to do with the purple beads, I just really liked them. Each string was on a couple of pounds each so I think I got a relatively good bargain.

My next stop was The Button Lady. If you have ever been to a craft exhibition you have probably seen her stall. It is amazing. She has such pretty buttons and clasps that can completely transform an outfit. She does have a mail order side to the business but it is really hard to choose from her gorgeous collection based on a printed catalogue. Her website is not great, but I can understand her reluctance to photograph every button she sells, as she would never leave the house. If you do go to a show where she is exhibiting, it is well worth seeking her out as she has lovely items you won't find anywhere else in the UK. I bought two sets of buttons from her. I got 6 of these paua shell buttons.

Each button is different because of the nature of the material, but they are so gorgeous and will transform a quite ordinary outfit into something special. Now all I have to do is choose the project to show them off! The other set of buttons I got was a bit different. I only bought 4 of these celtic beauties.

Aren't they striking? I could have bought so many more things from this stall, so I had to be strict with myself and walk away while my friend Linda browsed. This was a mistake as I faced another beads stall and ended up buying this:

I shall probably just string this on a pretty ribbon, as I don't think it needs anything else. I love dichroic glass and I think this is a particularly pretty example. I didn't get the name of the stall as I was so giddy with my find.

My final bead splurge of the day was at Spell Bound Bead. I had passed this stall once and didn't look at it because there were too many people crowded round. I knew I wouldn't get my wheelchair anywhere near to check if I would be interested. Our second trip round the stalls meant I caught a glimpse of a corner of a display and nosed myself in. I am so pleased that I did! Look at my haul!

Aren't they fab! These beads were the only thing I put on my debit card as I had around £2 less in my purse than I needed. I also got some headpins to take me up to the minimum £10 card spend, but they were good value and they will get used. Here is a slightly less confusing picture.

Here are the red ones to add to my growing red collection.

I am pretty sure that I will buying from this website again. The beads and findings are all reasonably priced and they are good quality. I shall look forward to playing with these in the near future. I can't wait to see what they will become!

So that is it. The tale of my purchases at the Sewing for Pleasure Show 2010 at the NEC. The pretty pictures tell only part of the tale as there were so many other amazing stalls where I couldn't buy things. The purchases also don't tell you about how friendly all the people at the show where, both the vendors and the attendees. Everyone was really helpful and allowed me space (where possible) to get my wheelchair in close to the stands.

Big thanks also goes out to the NEC who not only provide free undercover parking for the disabled close to the location, but they also have lots of mobility scooters you can use. I find wheelchairs better at exhibitions as you can get closer to the stalls, but I know if I didn't have someone to push me around (thank you Linda) I would have really welcomed a scooter. It was also free for Linda to get in to the show as she was the woman who was helping me get to the show and pushing me around.

My only complaint about the NEC is the signposting to get out of the complex and on to the correct motorway - who knows which direction on the M42 takes you the right way???? Other than the problems getting home, it was a great day out and I have been filled with inspiration and good memories. Now all I have to do is work out where to start!

Milkweed Project Update

Do you remember my post in January about the Milkweed Project? I crocheted a piece of fabric that was to belong to an art installation. It was using pieces of knitted and crocheted fabric from around the world to be made into a giant milkweed pod.

This was mine.

Well, the project website has been updated with photographs of the completed structure and I have to say, I am sooo proud to have been part of something so beautiful. Shan, the creator has made something very elegant and graceful from the hands of so many other people. Please go and have a look at these photos, they are exceptional.

Sewing for Pleasure

On Friday, I went to the NEC in Birmingham to attend the Sewing for Pleasure Show. I haven't been to an exhibition in ages and went with a plan of action in mind.

I didn't have a huge budget to spend so I took cash out of the machine and told myself firmly that I wasn't to use the debit card at the show. I also stated firmly to myself that the only things I would buy would be fabric, beads and a storage container if I saw the right size. I actually stuck to all my good intentions, well with the exception of not using the debit card, but that was because I forgot to budget for lunch in my spending money. That is my story and I am sticking to it!

I bought some amazing stuff and have plans for most of it already. I expected to buy lots of fat quarters but didn't actually see that many stands selling them. I only got one, which was a Japanese fabric, and I love it.

I think it will be great for making something for my nephews at some point. I love the way the musical notes have little faces.

From the same place as the fat quarter I bought more fabric. I cannot recommend this shop highly enough. The quality of all the fabric on the stall was superb and I will be using her online shop in the future, which is www.eternalmaker.com. My favorite fabric was the cotton linen blends from Japan. The colours were brilliant and the illustrations were captivating. In the end I settled on this one. Aren't the peacocks divine?

I could only afford a metre of this fabulous fabric but felt I could get a reasonable length A-Line skirt out of it, which would display it in all its gorgeousness. I was really tempted to get the Echino Birds Panel fabric but this was less flexible for cutting, as it was one picture across the width of the fabric. I would have had to buy 2m to make the skirt I had in mind, and I couldn't really afford that! But I am very happy with this fabric as it is so different from anything I have ever worn before and the finish of the fabric is delicious.

Also from Eternal Maker I bought this gorgeous fabric.

I love the definition of the black floral print.

It is so strong against the vibrant teal and soft grey. I bought some matching giant rick rack. I adore it and it comes in loads of colours. I plan to lay it along the top of the floral pattern and the spotted section like this:

The rick rack is lovely and soft as well as strong. I think it really adds to the fabric.

I intend to make this into a knee length skirt which will be quite full and flouncy. I want to feel all pretty and swirly in this skirt. I think it will work out ok and I may have a little fabric left to make into something else too! My friend Linda got some fabrics with Vespas on from this stall. I can't wait to see what she makes with it.

My final lot of fabric was from a stall called Fabrics Galore. They don't really supply online so if you get a chance to visit one of the exhibitions where they are showing, have a good look at their fabrics. They are great quality and good prices. I bought a couple of metres of cotton, at £5 a metre and was really pleased with it. I intend to make pyjama bottoms out of this fabric to lounge around the house in!

Again I'm hoping there might be a little left over for another small project.

I love my fabric and I could have bought so much more at the show. I'm pleased I forced myself to stick to cash purchases because if I had allowed myself the use of my cards I could have spent a small fortune on all the wonderful and unique fabrics that were on show.

I bought lots of beads but I think I'll show you those in another post.