Saturday, May 1, 2010

Ready, Steady....


Well... not quite ready or steady... but closer to being there. Having learned my lesson in constructing Ikea furniture at bump-in time (ending in the inevitable tears and then thankfully being saved by Kristen's Dad) at the Sydney show last year, I spent a goodly portion of today with pieces of badly-laminated MDF, allen keys and those little wooden pegs Ikea love.

I now have a much-bigger-than-I-imagined (or thought of how I'm going to move it) display unit sitting in the hallway of my house.... simultaneously obstructing access to lounge, bedroom, bathroom and front door.

I'm looking forward to seeing the divine Ms Doran and her lovely prints.... and I'm missing her Dad already.

The lovely Holly will be teaching needle felting.... if I wasn't going to be chained to my stall for the entire show, I think I'd be heading off to that one.
New to Stitches and Craft, but certainly not new to Blogland, is the wonderfully witty Leisl of Hoppo Bumpo fame, who will be teaching a class in making her funky showercap design in gorgeous Pippijoe fabric. Caitlin of Pippijoe will also be at the show.


The eternally effervescent Sandra of Pepperberry & Co is teaching lots of workshops - including a talk on how to bring your crafty dream into reality. She did it and she can tell you how!


In fact, there are LOADS of craft labs, stitch bars and talks organised. I particularly like that they have the "Small Talk" business series - for people who are thinking about turning their hobby into an enterprise. Kate Vandermeer (who has a long history in fashion journalism and fashion forcasting) will be giving valuable tips of trends, business and marketing.

I was also talking to Elissa from Kelani Fabric Obsession yesterday, and she tells me she has LOADS of gorgeous new fabrics for the show, and will be on the ground floor as you walk in the door. So if you're going to the Quilt Convention this weekend, save some of your fabric budget .

If you're able to make it to the show, please make it.... you'll make it worth all the effort we're putting into it if you come and say hello. If you have a blog, bring cards with your address and come up to the Incubator. It'll be like coming home.
If you're in another part of the world, I hope you enjoy following my links. I'll follow up with more links after the show.

20 comments:

Kate said...

Blocking eyes and not reading any IKEA horror stores. I have to get to IKEA on Monday or Tuesday and buy everything I need (not to mention one of us has to drive in Melbourne). Why did I think this would be a good idea?

Unknown said...

There are so many things to cram in, I will never be able to see everything in one day. See you there!

Sally said...

I am so so so so so so so SAD that I won't be able to fly over... but that girl of mine just won't stop breast feeding!
Fingers crossed I'll see you next year (& then perhaps you will be able to autograph my copy of your book)

Bree said...

YAY!!!! Can't wait to come and play!

Jodie said...

I wish I was heading over from Adelaide. My broken foot hasn't healed fast enough and my daughter hasn't settled into childcare properly. Maybe next year...

Fer said...

Stop it, you're torturing me!! I so so wish I could come (although I'd be likely to come up to your stand, come over all shy and turn red in the face... yeah, I'm sad...).

Sounds like you're going to have a blast. :)

CurlyPops said...

Not many more sleeps!
I wonder how many divorces Ikea furniture is responsible for?

Fiona said...

Sounds like it will be a great show. Shame it's a day's plane trip to get there but I hope it goes well for you and is worth every bit of effort you've put into it.

I, too, have had bad IKEA furniture experiences and have learned my lesson - leave it completely to the other half and supply beer whenever it seems like it's not going so well. Seems to have worked so far!!

Gillian R said...

Oh. My. Gosh.

I'm on my way. Nothing like last minute hedonistic decisions! The wee one and I are coming Friday and Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Have a wonderful time! I would be there if I could, but I might have a hard time justifying the flight from Canada to my husband!
Fiona

Jacinta said...

Can't wait! I have even booked a day off work so that I can do a few of the classes on the friday... a couple with Sandra which I am looking forward to, and a couple of others too. 2 days of crafty goodness!

Unfortunately I couldn't fit in needle felting with Holly, and like you, I am quite disappointed.
I'll see you Friday Nikki.
xxx

Buy Design said...

Sounds like it's going to be a great show and hope you really enjoy. Now let's think... Flights from Edinburgh to London, on to HongKong, down to Sydney... Don't think I'm going to make it. Have a great time.

Bethany said...

Oh I SO wish I could go. Looks fabulous! But I'd have 12 time zones to cross to get there :)

Annie said...

What a great tempter Nikki - I'm looking forward to it very much.

Margaret said...

I am hoping to steal some time away from my paid job to come down and visit you guys on Thursday afternoon.

Sandra @ Pepperberry & Co. said...

Oh my goodness, don't say that!! I too am going to IKEA on Monday or Tuesday and then madly trying to build everything... now my poor little heart is beating a little too fast!! SOOOOOOOOOOO much to do... breathe, breathe, breathe...

xx Sandra

P.S. Thanks for the lovely mention :-)

ambette said...

I'm planning to go to Stitches & Craft next weekend at some stage. I'll make sure I swing by and say hello!

I've never been before, so I'm quite excited!

Cathy {tinniegirl} said...

I think it's great that they've added that business focus too. Very astute.

Look forward to seeing you at the show.

Tania said...

Not long now lady. Might I suggest a Calm Before the Storm evening? Chocolate, book, glass of red, long bath? Your feet aren't gonna touch the ground for the rest of the month...(here's to enjoying the ride).

Liesl said...

Thank you for the kind mention lovely Nikki! Wishing you bucketloads of sales, lots of fun and comfy shoes.

See you tomorrow!

Liesl x