The Stitching, Sewing and hobbycrafts show

Last week my friend and I took a trip to the NEC in Birmingham to attend the Knitting, Stitching and Hobbycrafts show. Staged by ICHF Events it also included Art Materials Live, Crafts for Christmas and Cake International, which was great as we were able to fulfil our love of cake at the same time. 

I went to the Knitting and Stitching show earlier in the year with my mum, and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to attending another crafty event. Taking up a whole hall of the NEC it was packed with fantastic companies and artists showcasing new products and ideas and holding workshops and demonstrations. 

There were far too many companies to name all of them, but I have listed some of my favourites below:

• www.stitchdotcom.com - A new company specialising in cross stitch kits. Their lovely branding features dot the elephant, and the link will take you to their Typewriter Keyboard Kit, which was so eye-catching and different with its monochrome scheme when displayed on their stand
• www.3bluestars.co.uk - An art company that features quirky and unusual pieces of art in all different styles and genres
• http://www.historicalsamplercompany.co.uk - When you think of cross stitch samplers you may think of something quite twee and muted, however the original designs, quirky sayings and bright colours of the Historical Sampler Company bought the art form right up to date.

• Fabrics Galore and M Rosenberg & Son - Both of these stalls were a fantastic treasure trove of fabrics, and I couldn't resist picking up some for future projects. I already have a pattern in mind for the navy pansy floral print, and I love the cream and blue fishes, which is a Ralph Lauren linen. I am thinking something simple such as palazzo pants or a simple dress would be perfect to show off the large scale fishes. 

• The Spellbound Bead Company - This company had a fantastic stall showcasing a huge range of make your own beaded bauble kits that were absolutely gorgeous. Had our tree not already been full to bursting last year I may have bought some to decorate with, but the sheer number and variety that they had on their stall made it look very inviting.

I remember seeing Alpaca teddies at a show I went to see in Alexandra Palace with university a few years ago, but there are now so many companies that have caught onto this trend that the fluffy critters are everywhere! They are the cutest and softest teddies you will ever cuddle and the restraint I had to exercise not to come home with a hug bear was incredible. 

• The Toft stall is always full of quirky and unusual crocheted animals, and this big beast was no exception!

As with any show I can never resist coming away with a few things, and this time it included some more embroidery thread, some fat quarters, thread, lacy ribbons and trimmings and a box for tidying away threads for current projects, which has already been pressed into action.