stash shopping

Last Friday, I went with my Mom and my sister the the hobbycrafts show at the NEC. It's a show we've been going to for years - but this one was just not as good as it used to be.

Want to see what I bought? From what is perceived to be one of the biggest craft shows this country has to offer?


Impressed? Hmmn, thought so.

But, really, perhaps it wasn't so bad? But, there's a story - isn't there always?

As I was about to make my first purchase of the afternoon - I realised I had left my purse at home.... Thank goodness I was with Mom and Helen. Mom promptly leant me £20.00, and Helen said she'd pay for anything I wanted. Phew! Mom then said, as it's my birthday next month - I could use the £20 towards my birthday present, and Helen said to look for pressies, as well. So, the goodies in the bag above were bought with the cash - and I still have more than £12 left! Yes, the show was that good...

To be fair, I did find some other bits that Helen was going to give me for my birthday - but when I saw how little I had bought, I bought them off her. Want to see???


There were definitely sellers that have been there before, that weren't there this time. I wonder what it is? The internet? Or the economic situation? I don't know, but people certainly seemed to be spending, judging by the bulging shopping bags and trolleys.

I'm sure I'll be going to the next one, as it's not too far from where I live, and it's always better to see things for real, and to be enticed by things that might not be noticed whilst internet browsing. But I do hope that more sellers go back to it...

blankets and chocolates

So, Saturday morning Phoebe told me that her Ted was cold, and she thought he needed a blanket. She asked me if I would crochet him one, and went for a rummage in my wool drawer, coming up with a ball that has shades of green and pink running through it. By the end of the day, Ted had his very own blanket, which, I'm told, he finds very cosy. I just did a basic granny square, going round and round, until it looked as though I was about to run out of wool, then finished off with a simple round of double crochet. So, one happy daughter, a cosy Ted and a day long project completed for the very reasonable price of just £1.29.



Sunday dawned all sun-shiny, and with special treats for Mother's day. I had cards, chocolates and a set of very gorgeous crochet hooks...



All rainbow colours, instead of the usual grey. Obviously they have been put straight to good use. I've started another blanket, the same as Ted's, but in a different colour, and hopefully,
quite a bit larger, as well. So, that would be two crochet blankets I have on the go, now.

Time Marches on...

So, it's March, and the sun's shining this morning. And it's the day to find out about secondary schools. And the news is good... Phoebe will be going to her first choice school.

We had a chat on the way to school this morning about going to secondary school, and, already, she seems more grown up. What will she be like in September?