Ally Pally

I imagine that the words Ally Pally mean different thing to different people. I would think that to those who enjoy darts those two words are quite significant. But not less than to paper crafters around the South of England. To us it means one of the best papercrafting show in the UK - if not the best as it is to me. It is called the Big Stamps and Scrapbooking Show and it takes place twice a year and the last weekend was the Spring one.

I think I have been going to it since 2003, so I think it was my tenth year anniversary visiting it, and I have only missed about three or four editions in total. You see, It is very important to me, maybe for sentimental reasons. But, not really. I always think about it as the show that has the best demonstrators around - Lin Brown, Julie Hickey, Paperartsy's Leandra, Barbara Gray..., all the stands are relevant to papercrafting and I love the venue (yes it is tatty and not in pristine condition but it is rather lovely building).

A few years ago, I demonstrated at the event and enjoyed it but unless I have a good reason to do otherwise, I rather go as customer and enjoy chatting with my friends new and old. This time was no exception.

My first stop usually is Craftwork Cards, i see their new products - always gorgeous! - and say hi to my lovely friend and super talented designer that is Julie Hickey. Also I have to check Sugar & Spice, Marion's Emberson shop. I love Marion, honest and passionate about the whole thing.

And then, I watch the super talented Lin Brown and Leandra. I could spent hours watching those two. I took some photos of Lin working her magic.

And this is the finished project:

Of course, I had to buy Paperartsy new Grunge Paste - which I already love, the best texture paste I have ever used, and I have used a few - and a few bits and pieces like their new Blood Orange Fresco paint and another of the Tresure gold colours.

And the next day i had to try the techniques I learnt. You see, I like to do clean and simple for my projects as it is my "natural" style, but for my personal enjoyment I love the messy, art journalling style. Unfortunately I dont follow instructions very well so I never end up with anything of worth that is why it is only for my personal enjoyment, it is all about having fun during the process!

I already cant wait till September when the Autumn edition of the Big Stamp and Scrapbooking show will take place.

My feet love... CAMPER

All right, I don't enjoy that much shopping for clothes or shoes. I mean, I am short slightly overweight and with a Mediterranean shaped body which makes finding clothes that fit in the UK shopping scene rather difficult. So, when I find something that works for my body whether is clothes or shoes I stick to it. Clothing wise, I stick to Zara, H&M, Principles Petite and Monsoon for fancier pieces.
Shoe wise, I am even more limited. Apart from the odd Nine West, I really only get Camper shoes. The fact that is a company originated in Mallorca (Spain) in a town quite near where I grew up, has a lot to do with my choice. But the fact is that apart from one pair, I have been really happy with all my pair of Campers, they are comfortable (at least for my feet) and they last heavy use.
I often get a pair of Twins, which means that the right shoe has a different pattern than the one for the left foot, like the pair below:


So, the reason for this rather particular Camper promoting post is that if you ever see my with what it looks like an oddly paired shoes in my feet, you will know that is not that I made a mistake and mix match two pairs, they were design to be oddly paired!

PS: The shop in the first picture is in San Francisco (California), but you can find Camper shops or Camper shoes all over the world as fortunately/unfortunately is one of those companies that has gone big time global in the last decade.

PSS: Just to let you know, that I think the pair of shoes in the picture is from at least two years ago, so I don't think you can get it anymore.