It’s been 21 months since my last visit to a craft show! The last one was the CHSI Stitches Trade Show back in February 2020! Blimey, I’ve missed these events so much! There is something special about being in a huge hall with people who have the same hobbies and interests as you. I was back with my tribe!

The fun of the day started even as I waited at the train station for the short journey I have up to the NEC in Birmingham. I met a group of 3 lovely ladies also on their way to the show and we started to chat about our craft interest immediately.

The NEC had good safety measures in place, we were all checked for full vaccination or a negative test result and given a wrist band. You can’t go more than 20 paces without seeing a hand sanitising station and the large halls were well set out, plenty of space up the aisles at most points, most people wearing masks (although it’s not mandatory here) and a large seating area for eating. A couple of times early on an aisle was busy but it was simple enough to avoid them and come back later when it had quieted down.

The event was a little smaller than previous years but there was still lots of see, do and spend my money on!

The Nudinits had brought along their fantastic fun display of knitted people in the nuddy!

I’ve used stars to cover some as they were full frontal as I don’t want to upset anyone. I actually don’t know if anyone would have an issue with knitted “bits” but just in case. If you want to see more or know how to make your own knitted nudists you’ll have to check out one of the Nudinits books. I thought the whole thing was hilarious, it’s very niche - knitting and nudity - but lots and lots of amazing details in this lovely scene.

I’m a fan of The Makerss and their beautiful needle felting kits. New this year they have these lovely Mr and Mrs Tomte’s. They are super cute and stand just over a foot tall.

I love these new cross stitch kits from Sew Sophie Crafts, this one on the left is something I can particularly relate to, but Sophie has lots of modern and fun cross stitch kits available. You can also buy her designs as a PDF download from her Etsy Shop.

I had a lovely chat with Laura from My Little Sewing Club, who creates kits for kids wanting to sew. They are designed with a lot of thought and care to be things that kids will actually want to sew. They have monthly subscription boxes with several different options and past boxes are available to buy as one offs too.

I think kits are such a great way to get starting with a craft, because they contain everything you need it’s perfect for people who haven’t built up a craft stash yet. You can try something new without having to splash out a lot of money.

I met the amazingly talented Tilly (not her real name!) from Tilly Rose. It’s fun to meet people who you follow on Instagram in real life and be able to do a bit of fangirling! Her stand was chocka block with pretty stitched things and stuff to buy to create your own pretty stitched things! You can see Tilly Rose on Instagram or buy her Stitched Memories book if you want to see more.

I also met the wonderful Tina Francis again. I was lucky enough to do one of Tina’s workshops a few years ago when I made a pretty needlepoint brooch. Tina has a Modern Bargello book out now - it’d make a great Christmas present - just saying! I’m also feeling a little envious of Tina’s necklace :-D

The beautiful macrame and weaving yarns at the Clover Creations stand really caught my eye. Look at that beautiful squishable yarny goodness! That was another thing that was so nice about being back at an actually show, the ability to feel the yarns and fabrics.

I enjoyed a couple of small workshops at the show - they are always my favourite bit - With Craven and White I decorated a glass Christmas ornament which they will fire for me and then I’ll get it in the post in a few weeks.

I’ll share it with you when I get the finished item back, I’m confident it’ll be lovely. I’ve made things with them in the past and have always been thrilled with the finished product.

I also did a workshop with The Arty Crafty Place doing some wooden block printing. If you’ve ever read one of my reviews of these craft shows before you will know that I LOVE block printing with The Arty Crafty Place. I have a few of these printing blocks that I’ve bought over the years but in one of their mini workshops you have access to SO MANY beautiful blocks. The hardest thing is deciding what to do, spoilt for choice doesn’t even come close! After a bit of practicing I chose to print a bag with a repeating pattern.

So there you have it, just a small snapshot of some of the new things I spotted at the show, some of the people I met and some of the fun things I did. A wonderful day full of crafting and crafting ideas and inspiration - bliss!

Check out the ICHF Website for details about other craft shows organised throughout the UK.