BSSBS - Ally Pally

The Big Stamping & ScrapBooking Show came round again this Spring, at the Alexandra Palace in North London on Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th April 2009. Naturally I went - with my friends Amanda & Lyn. The day was a glorious sunny one and this year in spite of the so-called credit crunch, people were out in their throngs (I said throngs not thongs!). The show was really packed and only one thing annoyed me and that was that there was no fresh air circulating around in the hall. With the crowded mass of people it was really suffocating and sooo hot. I don't know when the organisers are gonna ever learn that a cool shopper is a happy shopper and will gladly spend more time and money if they are in a well vented space rather than being boiled alive and feeling hot and sweaty, carrying overladen bags and getting irritated and short tempered by the minute - that's what getting overheated does to you! Anyway, I soldiered on from stand to stand, watching one great demo after another and buying delicious crafting goodies left right and centre:-)

My one major purchase of the day was the Cuttlebug embossing and cutting machine. I'd heard so much about it and seen some beautiful embossed samples, tho' I'd never seen it demo'd before. So this time I watched while the sales person showed me the amazing things this wonderful machine does and I was sold right away on it. They had a special offer whereby you could choose a free embossing plate to go with it and I chose a really pretty paisley one. You also get two cutting plates included in the box - so that's really cool:-) I haven't had a chance to play with it yet but am looking forward to it.

At lunch time we went outside and sat on the grass and ate our packed lunches whilst admiring the whole of London spread out below us. For those of you who are not familiar with Alexandra Palace (fondly known to londoners as Ally Pally)here is a link. There was a slight haze over the city even tho the skies were sunny and clear, but it cleared up later.

view of Canary Wharf from Ally Pally - slightly hazy

The show went on till 5pm on Saturday and as usual there was an ATC Trading Post for those who wanted to meet up for live ATC trades. I met some really lovely ladies and we traded and chatted with one another, all the while admiring each others cards. I received some really beautiful cards in exchange for mine.

So, now the next BSSBS is the Autumn one in September. Each year I say I won't go as I've already spent enough in the Spring show, but I'm a sucker for these shows and we crafters are such a friendly lot - how can I resist? :-)