♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Vintagenie Christmas Fair ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

What a great day. I picked up Binkypops early this morning and we set off to have stalls at Vintagenie’s Christmas Vintage and Handmade Fair at the Penta Hotel in Reading. I usually dread these days due to the amount of boxes and bags I have to take, finding a parking space and generally being on my feet all day. I shouldn’t whinge about it because I appreciate all the positive comments and attention my work gets at these events. After all, the reason I do it is to show it all off. However today was very different due to the exceptional organisation from Lou and Anna of Vintagenie. Space sorted, directions sorted, parking sorted it really was the easiest it has ever been. Here are a few pictures from the day. I had to post one of Stephanie's stall as it just goes to show how very different we are. I wish I could turn up with one bag and be done :)

 The chaotic presentation skills of Soobird here. I had more than I thought and was really happy with how it looked. Now to find an ornate free standing mirror just to finish it all off.

You can probably see what I mean... sadly I forgot to get some close up shots of her jewellery, check out her shop to see.

Here we have Shaz of Oddsox with her wonderful sock creations. I couldn’t help purchasing a snowman badge... along with a ton of other bits from the fair.

The Penta Hotel was a great venue, lovely large and warm room. We all had plenty of space which made a nice change from the norm. Often we get crammed into tiny spaces which makes it quite difficult. At the front there was a performance area where a few local (highly talented) musicians took to the stage to perform for us. Hat’s off to the Burlesque performer. She must have been freezing!

♥

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Getting back into it ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

Groom's Royal Flush Buttonhole in Spades and Hearts.

This design is part of a series. The Best Men have '4 of a Kind' 9s and 8s, the fathers 7s and 6s with the ushers having the remaining cards, the 5s, 4, 3s,and 2s using a full deck of cards.

Where has my energy been! I have been neglecting my creativity recently and since being back at school it feels like I have been non-stop for the past 4 weeks. Well, today that is going to change. I have almost completed an order of buttonholes that will wing it's way to Florida for a wedding in November, confirmed my space with Lina for a Contemporary Craft Fair at The Global Cafe (RISC), Reading on November 27th and managed to get Binkypops to sign up to it to. I can't wait, should be a good day out. I am also planning to enter an embroidery competition with a prize of a chance to spend a day with Diane Bates, who I think is wonderful! Oh and what else, start a range of card designs that can be framed for my stall, update www.soobird.com with a Buttonhole gallery, update Etsy with a few new things and collect some fisheye pictures from Boots that I hope have worked. I borrowed a camera from a friend, destroyed the first film and had to use whatever I could find whilst in Paris. If they do work I will be so pleased and will get them up on here. Er what else, oh and make a cannelloni.

This is all in one day... I will let you know how I get on

Fathers of the Bride & Groom

Best Man

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠