Here's a little round up of my favourite bits of this years Stitching, Sewing and Hobbycrafts Show at the NEC Birmingham.

One of the BEST things about being a craft blogger is going to events when you meet more craft bloggers. They are such lovely people who like to make things and chat and drink tea/coffee together. The promotors of the Craft shows held regularly at the NEC Birmingham have taken to putting on a bloggers event at the shows and they are just fabulous. I've been able to meet in real life loads of people whose blogs I read and whose photos I like on Instagram. 

On Saturday it was the Bloggers workshop at the Stitching, Sewing and Hobbycraft Show. 

After a quick chat and bit to eat we sat down to 2 workshops. The first was with the fabulous Tina Francis. I thought I was the most enthusiast person when it comes to making things but Tina is a bundle of enthusiasm and encouragement. Using one of Tina's kits we made sweet little tapestry brooches.

Here's is my finished brooch.

You can find more details about Tina, her kits and classes here.

The next workshop was with the super talented Cathie Shuttleworth who showed us how to make these sweet little paper box houses.

The top of the roof opens so it forms a little gift box. Isn't it sweet?! Cathie can be found at Pink Ink Designs for more papercraft ideas and embroidery designs too.

Oh, and not to make you too jealous or anything but we had a goodie bag too. Love a goodie bag! I'll share more about the contents as I use it all in projects over the next few months. Such a beautiful selection of products, I feel so lucky. Massive thanks to the event organisers and various companies for getting that all organised for us. 

The show is really in 2 halves, the 'demonstration, workshop and exhibition' side and the 'chance to buy stuff' side. 

These just a few lovely things that really caught my eye.

I'm a big lover of colour, the more the merrier for me so I adore this amazing quilt by Sugar Bowl Crafts

You can read all about it on their blog here. Sugar Bowl crafts sell fabric, quilt kits and patterns and more, visit their website here.

Another stunning quilt caught my eye on the Solstitch stand. Isn't it beautiful?

Solstitch have a whole range of beautiful batik fabrics, sewing patterns, kits and the most amazing Indian trims and ribbbons. I dabbled recently in the tiniest bit of Sashiko embroidery, I love the look and do plan to do more sometime. There was lots of inspiration on the Festival of Japan stand, including this gorgeous tablecloth.

I seem to be having a bit of a mandala phase at the moment, with projects here and here, so I HAD to take a quick photo of this beautiful machine stitched piece on the WonderFil thread stand

Sadly I didn't note which stand it was on but I love the colours in this Mystical Lantern blanket by Jane Crowfoot

There was a beautiful exhibition by a group of 9 textile artists from the Midlands called Eclectica. I love this piece by Catherine Brierley made from old bed linen.

Just at the entrance to the show was a lovely 3D yarn made scene. I just love these, you can see me rave about previous ones here and here. 

This time was a beach made in collaboration with designer Alison Murray and the event organisers ICHF events, and was raising money for the Alzheimer's Society.

These kind of things just blow my mind, that's all made of yarn! Knitted or crocheted - A-maze-ing!

There's a little dog, splashing in the water.

The seagull on the basket , the crabs and starfish, the radio on the picnic rug - there is just so much to spot, I think it is incredible! 

There was a beautiful tissue paper flower selfie wall. I wish I had actually used it properly and taken a selfie now rather than just photographing the wall! Doh!

All things considered I was super controlled and only brought a few things. Remember there is a lot of tempting stuff at a show like this!

I had a lovely chat with a needle felting expert Val Hughes who did inspire me to get just a few essentials to have a go.

I'll share how I get on once I've had time to have a play.

I also picked up some bag handles, a few fat quarters (there were so many it would have been rude not to) and a few papercrafting bits and pieces.

All in all a fun day out for anyone who likes any kind of crafts. A great chance to meet some experts, be inspired and maybe purchase a few things to have a little go at something new.

Julie