Great Northern Papercraft Extravaganza - is it worth going?

[Galadriel*]

I've seen adverts for this show in Harrogate on 23rd and 24th Feb. Has anyone been to previous ones? Is it worth me going? I'd like to be able to see a few die-cutting machines in action so I can decide which I'd like - am I likely to be able to do that there?

[dewberrypink]

yes i go twice a year i love it its a good day out its not as big a birmingham but its worth going i think so .:D

[SueC]

certainly much better than a general craft fair as everything is aimed at papercrafters so die cutting machines, paper, embellies etc all on offer. I have been a few times but just don't have the pennies to go and spend this year - sigh :(

[Eileen C]

I'm really looking forward to this, as I've said that this falls OUTSIDE my stash diet ha! ha!

It's local to me, so it's easy to go, but I've always enjoyed it. Even the times I've found it 'not quite as good as the last one' I've still managed to buy a shedload of stuff!

[Galadriel*]

It's semi-local to me (doesn't take long on the train) so all I need to do is find the cash ... Do UKS'ers meet up at these events at all?

[shutterbug]

I'm hoping to go, it will be my first time
I seem to be on a spending spree at the mo so maybe i should leave the plastic at home that weekend!

[Natbag]

Yes, been the last 4 times and look forward to it all year as it's a fab day out shopping (not many craft shops in West Yorkshire and no sponsors).
Didn't think last time was quite as good as previous ones, in that I managed to actually stick to my budget (shock horror!), but there was still plenty to drool over! :D
Definitely going this time, as I'm sure most of the Leeds Paper Dolls are again. :D

[Eileen C]

It's semi-local to me (doesn't take long on the train) so all I need to do is find the cash ... Do UKS'ers meet up at these events at all?

It's a bit hit and miss, but usually manage to meet up with someone! The Leeds Paper Dolls often hunt in packs with distinctive t-shirts, and can often be found catching up over a coffee and drooling over babies!! The last but one show UKS had a 'penguin' theme - I made some penguin earrings, others carried stuffed toys. Not many people commented, but last time I wore them again, and several folks said they'd spotted them the show before! I think last time was 'pink' and I tied pink ribbons / fibres to my backpack.

So, sometime in the week or so before the show some bright spark on here will probably come up with an appropriately ludicrous UKS 'theme' and you can then have the added pleasure of trying to spot other UKSers!

[Galadriel*]

Thanks for that, Eileen. I'll keep my eyes open for that thread if and when it turns up :)

[Natbag]

It's a bit hit and miss, but usually manage to meet up with someone! The Leeds Paper Dolls often hunt in packs with distinctive t-shirts, and can often be found catching up over a coffee and drooling over babies!!

That is so spot on! :lol:



The last but one show UKS had a 'penguin' theme - I made some penguin earrings, others carried stuffed toys. Not many people commented, but last time I wore them again, and several folks said they'd spotted them the show before! I think last time was 'pink' and I tied pink ribbons / fibres to my backpack.

So, sometime in the week or so before the show some bright spark on here will probably come up with an appropriately ludicrous UKS 'theme' and you can then have the added pleasure of trying to spot other UKSers!

So what's this year's theme then girlies?! :D

[leeann21]

I used to live in harrgoate and i loveeeeddd going i miss not being able to go now :( if i can find a friend to stay with i might make a trip down in february :D:D

Well worth it :)

[EmilyLovedHim]

Hmm now how long would it take to drive from Kent..........:lol:

I know that I have Ally Pally but I really do not like the idea of driving there from Kent and the public transport would take me forever!

[Pink]

........ Is it worth me going? ......

That is an understatement! LOL I love it, I have been going twice a year for the last few years and I think it should be on more often LOL

However it is on the same weekend as 'Yorkshire Brides' :blink: and I should really go to that and I don't think I would have time to do both in one day (they are both at the same place!)

If I do go to it and you live near (ish) to me I can give you a lift :)

Vicki

[Galadriel*]

If I do go to it and you live near (ish) to me I can give you a lift :)

Yay! I've spoken to DH and he thinks it's a great idea that I go (he works away from home a lot so gets guilty feelings and likes to encourage me to spend money every now and then B)). I normally go to Harrogate by train but car-sharing might be a cheaper way. I live in Haxby - are you anywhere near there? I need to go on the Saturday as I have church commitments on teh Sunday.

[Designer Bunny]

Well i am sold thats for sure, Rachel over at Hobby Horse Crafts said this is one of her FAVE shows of the year so my friend Jeannie Mccoll (lynne) and I are DESPERATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! to go, its sounds FABBY, if there is a theme we will soooooooo get involved we LURVE anything like that, really looking forward to it

off to start my shopping list!!!!! hee hee hee

[Pink]

Yay! I've spoken to DH and he thinks it's a great idea that I go (he works away from home a lot so gets guilty feelings and likes to encourage me to spend money every now and then B)). I normally go to Harrogate by train but car-sharing might be a cheaper way. I live in Haxby - are you anywhere near there? I need to go on the Saturday as I have church commitments on teh Sunday.

LOL I live in Clifton Moor, so couldn't really get much closer to Haxby (other than Wigginton that is!) If I go it will be definitely the saturday as its the better day :lol:

[reward]

last yr was my first time and as a leeds paper doll we all do go together or at least a few of us do then meet at lunch then have a meal after it was great last time, really lookng forward to it again, so nice to see things in the flesh, maybe even some nice colour bia wires i hope, think last time we said we will be at the tables at 1 if anyone if brave enough to say hello, which alot of people did, inc sugar almond who was lovely

[alicat]

Yes it's well worth the visit. Well I always manage to spend enough to pay my mortgage there anyway! :lol:
Perhpas the theme should be huge fat purses! :D

[sarahj1001]

It is deffo my fave show of the year. I didn't get there in September as I had a puncture on the way and don't have a spare, by the time I was towed to a garage, it was 6pm (I set out at 8am!!). I was gutted!!!!!!

Sarah
x

[reward]

oh no id of got a hotel and gone the next day lol

[jeanniemccoll]

Well i am sold thats for sure, Rachel over at Hobby Horse Crafts said this is one of her FAVE shows of the year so my friend Jeannie Mccoll (lynne) and I are DESPERATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! to go, its sounds FABBY, if there is a theme we will soooooooo get involved we LURVE anything like that, really looking forward to it

off to start my shopping list!!!!! hee hee hee

You bet Designer Bunny - might go on a stash diet until then :blink: ..... or maybe not! What's the theme then so we all recognise each other???! The ribbons sounded good last year .... will keep watching on here for more news...

[irboo]

Hi there I was thinking about this show too!!make sure you have some little brown envelopes to put any bits&pieces in that you may buy:lol::lol:XX

[Galadriel*]

LOL I live in Clifton Moor, so couldn't really get much closer to Haxby (other than Wigginton that is!) If I go it will be definitely the saturday as its the better day :lol:

Oh wow! That is close. But I'd better not make any firm arrangements yet as DH is still looking for his next contract and if it's awaya from home I won't be able top go as I won't have anyone to look after the boys.

[Galadriel*]

Hi there I was thinking about this show too!!make sure you have some little brown envelopes to put any bits&pieces in that you may buy:lol::lol:XX


:lol::lol: Ah, so that's what they're for :lol::lol:

Seriously, though, if we both end up going on the same day, we must arrange to meet up - I can thank you properly then :)

[leeann21]

right i have spoken to a few friends and i MIGHT have somewhere to stay :D:D that means i better get saving :o

[Natbag]

I agree Saturday is definitely the better day, more stock to be drooled over and some popular lines do sell out quickly. :)

[Designer Bunny]

ooooh looks like saturday is the day to be going then?, and it means we have sunday to play with all the stash too!!! :)

[lavabubble]

Has anyone been on the Sunday before?? I can't get there on the Saturday but if I know its going to be rubbish on Sunday I'll save my pennies and not go :lol:

[alicat]

I've been both days and they're both well worth the trip. Nat's right in that a couple of the big ranges may sell out on the Saturday but when I've been there's always been more than enough left! :)

[lavabubble]

Thanks for that :)

[lavabubble]

And nice to see another Barnsley scrapper - are we the only ones :lol:

[Natbag]

Sunday is still worth the trip, but if there's somthing a bit hard-to-find that you're after in particular you probably won't find it on the Sunday, where as you might on the Saturday morning if you're quick! :lol:
Apart from that I think most stalls bring plenty enough for both days and some nearby ones will probably re-stock overnight. You probably won't een notice. :)

[lavabubble]

I mainly go to stock up on Bazzill at Hobby Horse's stall - it's so cheap and a good range of colours. That doesn't usually stop a whole load of other things falling into my bags though!!

[Natbag]

Ditto Kelly, love that stall and their range is fantastic! Love the main sponsor stall too, the big one right in the entrance (not a sponsor so better not mention). :)

[reward]

stop it im getting excited!

[EmilyLovedHim]

V Jealous here !

[Designer Bunny]

ooooooh jeannie mccoll (liny) and I are very excited too, we are planning our wish lists already, no chance of the January blues in the midlands for us, plus we are on a Stash diet so we can induldge when we get to Harrogate yum yum:)

We can't wait hee hee hee xxx

[jeanniemccoll]

Stash diet? Who was the one who wanted to 'just nip to Hobby Horse Crafts' just this very lunchtime???!!!!

Only kidding DB, you know I'd go there every lunch time! For those who don't know us, HHC is a mere ten mins away from where we work, and from where I live so it's our second home - great shop and everyone so friendly and helpful. Can't wait till the show..............:D

[Designer Bunny]

hahahahahahaah thats soooooo funny JM, you male me laugh, its true tho, so close from HHC you can almost smell the chipboard, yum yum
xxxxx

[smarty]

I've never been before, and was think of going. How well does it cater for scrappers as opposed to card makers? I've lost patience with the one at Gmex cos they only really carry Papermania and Dovecraft. Will I get more of the sort of stuff that I like (eg Cosmo cricket, Love Elsie, Daisy Ds etc) at Harrogate or am I better off sticking to shopping online?

[Eileen C]

While there are some stalls which cater mainly for card makers (you know, A4 glittery card, decoupage etc) there are loads of stalls selling scrappings stash and tools. I used to go because I was a cardmaker, but get far more excited about the scrapbooking stuff now! You can buy everything from double sided tape to a Cricut expression, from purple feathers to Banana Frog stamps, from Bazzill Bling to Perfect Pearls etc.

Definitely worth a trip (even if it is less than two miles for me - woo hoo!)

[rosemaryhughes]

I used to go to conferences in Harrowgate before I retired easy for me as Leeds Bradford airport is near must look up flights for those dates

[rosemaryhughes]

Just checked flights to go from Fri to mon would cost me £64!!!

[Natbag]

I take it that's good? :unsure:
It's definitely worth going as a scrapper. As Eileen said, some stalls are aimed mainly at cardmakers, but then I think there's a big crossover anyway. And there are a lot of stalls aimed more at scrappers, or both. Well worth a visit, I wouldn't miss it for anything. :D

[alicat]

Same here Nat! Love it and have always found loads of the most recent cutting edge stuff.

[jeanniemccoll]

Last time I popped into HHC for some ink (£21 due to various bits which just kept slinging themselves in my basket!) I was talking to Rachel (who owns the shop) and she said out of all the shows Harrogate was her favourite to do as there was so much nice stash and that there was more room than at the NEC - can't wait!

[reward]

its gonna be good guys

[alicat]

And nice to see another Barnsley scrapper - are we the only ones :lol:

Probably yes! :lol:
Perhaps we should start a support group! :D

[lavabubble]

Probably yes! :lol:
Perhaps we should start a support group! :D

I totally agree :lol:

I've often thought about whether or not it'd be worth trying to start a crop here as the nearest is Leeds or Sheffield and they're just too far to go. I've dropped some hints at LSS too but seemingly to no avail so far :ph34r:

ETA - there also seems to be less scrappers per sq yard here than the outer hebrides though too lol

[reward]

thought id bump this thread as its just over a month away

[reward]

bump so what day is everyone going?

[darm]

oo it osunds good! it is over a3r train journey for me lol but i have some friends who might be going. does anyone know where the nearest train station is? are there any locla hotels??

[Nabview]

I've had this in my diary since I came home from the last one! I will be going on the Saturday...and I can't wait. I didn't spend a huge amount last time, but really loved everything I bought - so if I stick to that rule again I shouldn't go too far wrong... (don't laugh, I mean it!)

[~Rachel~]

hi, i'm hoping to go too, haven't been before so really excited!!

Last time i was in harrogate we stayed in a big hotel really close to where they hold it, i think its called the 'Majestic', going to try and stay there again if poss,

Hope to meet some of you girls there x

P.S must stop spending now so i have some money to take!!!

[irboo]

Is it in the centre of Harrogate?What days is it over?I really would love to go but I think it might clash with other plans.

[janee]

*Its fab - though even better as its just up the road from me - though I am trying NOT to spend at the mo....

[Eileen C]

oo it osunds good! it is over a3r train journey for me lol but i have some friends who might be going. does anyone know where the nearest train station is? are there any locla hotels??
If you get a train to Harrogate I think there will be buses running from the station to the Great Yorkshire Show Ground where it is held. The nearest station is actually Hornbeam Park which is on the York - Harrogate -Leeds line.
There are zillions of hotels and guest houses in Harrogate. The nearest would probably be the Travel Inn at Hornbeam Park, but if you Google I'm sure you'll find lots of alternatives


Last time i was in harrogate we stayed in a big hotel really close to where they hold it, i think its called the 'Majestic', going to try and stay there again if poss
The Majestic is Harrogate's grandest hotel - the marble men's toilets are famous and have appeared in loads of TV programmes! It's actually in the middle of town, which is relatively far away in Harrogate terms, but nowhere is very far from anywhere else, really.

Is it in the centre of Harrogate?What days is it over?I really would love to go but I think it might clash with other plans.
It's on on the Saturday and Sunday.

Not sure which day I'm going because I can't remember which day I've got to take one of my kids to a sporting competition, and I'm too lazy to walk two floors down to look at my diary LOL!

[reward]

i think im going on the saturday be fab for people to meet up

[Eileen C]

Just checked, the competition is the week before, so I'll be going on the Saturday, hoping to meet one of my teamies.

[janee]

might do both :ph34r:

[reward]

jane thats naughty!

[SarahPitts]

Some of us from the Bradford Crop are going on the saturday.

Can't wait to go and see all the lovely goodies! I came away with all sorts of things last time.

[~Rachel~]

me going saturday too, x

[reward]

do we know what shops wil be there, same as last time do u think?

[janee]

jane thats naughty!

but nice :ph34r:

[reward]

what u got your eye on jane, surely not more elsie u have looooooads if i cud steal your tote of lovelyness i wud lol

[Eileen C]

I'd love to go both days, but don't think I'd 'get away with it' at home - especially as I'm supposed to be on a stash diet - but I planned an exception for this. DS says, "but then you'll just buy everything you want on that day!" I'm now trying to convince him that I will not negate all my 7 weeks frugality ...



Is 'frugality' a word?

[reward]

its the same thing both days thou so surely sunday just have the same if not less than saturday- plus u get sunday to play with all your stuff dont you

[Calline]

do we know what shops wil be there, same as last time do u think?

I seem to recall seeing it posted on either the website or in SI. I think there are a few I don't recall seeing last time. I know The Stamp Man is supposed to be there (who I like) and I don't think I saw it last year.

[hazgizz]

I might have to give one of you some spends for me seeing as tho I cant go :(

[SarahPitts]

This is the exhibitors list so far according to the website.


Tulip Toppers - Craftwork Cards - The Art Of Craft - Crafter's Companion - Art From The Heart - Once Upon A Stamp - Stamps And Memories - The Stamp Man - A Touch Of Craft - Giles Craft Kits - You Create - Craft Corner - Dimension Fourth - Butterfly Kisses - Mei Flower - Simply Stamps - Brothersleep - Clevercuts - Lili Of The Valley - Giglin Gecko - Evies - Indigo Art - Phil Print - Samuel Taylors - J&C Creations - Little Lous - Sir Stampalot - Craft Habitat - Crafty Individuals - Ribbon Box - Hobby Horse - Oyster Stamps - Imagination - Lavinia Stamps - Glitter Magic - The Craft Bug - The Craft Basket - Clarity Stamps - WS Designs - Horseshoe Crafts - Craft Paper & Card - Which Craft - Patsy May - Davlock Crafts - Practical Publishing - Diannes Die Cuts

[SarahPitts]

Seems there are some of the usuals and a few new ones!!

[reward]

cheers sarah- so long as art from the heart is there then thats ok,

samuel taylor?????

[smarty]

Woo hoo, I'm going too! I booked a hotel this afternoon. It's my birthday that weekend too (a bad one :blink:) so I think I need stash, food and alcohol to numb the pain :).

[Eileen C]

Samuel Taylor is a local company, used to be mainly needlecraft, but now seems to be more scrapbooking and papercrafts. There is a large branch in Leeds, which is, I think, where the Leeds Paper Dolls meet. There is another one in Embsay but sadly we lost our (needlecrafty) one when our market / shopping centre got revamped.

Their stall is usually a biggish / double one on the far wall at the back, towards the left, and has some good bargain bins. Most of that stuff isn't scrapbooking stuff, but still some good crafting bargains to be had sometimes.

[liz2910]

there are five of us going from our crop on the saturday. cant wait!!!

[SarahPitts]

Our tickets arrived today!!

Can't wait now. Just need to save some money!!

[reward]

2 weeks to go

whats everyone after getting, im after alphas i think :)

[jeanniemccoll]

I'd like some of those 'thickers' in different colours and some chipboard alpahas - among many other things! Can't wait! Although I've already broken my 'stash diet' on Wednesday in Hobby Horse Crafts - only a little spend though!

[Eileen C]

I fancy a Bazzill stitch template thingy.

Well, actually, I fancy a Cricut Expression, but there has to be some connection with reality, I fear!

[reward]

oh i have one of them not a clue what to do with it, got it in a kit

[susan42]

is it expensive to get in and would the craft robos be reasonably priced do you think

where in west yorks are you nat bag, i know some shops and a warehouse for card

[Eileen C]

Not sure if anyone will be selling the Robo - a couple of stalls should have the Cricut Expression! (I know, I know, NOT the same thing at all LOL!)

It's £4.50 /day and £7.50 / weekend pass at advance ticket prices, so it'll be a bit more than this, maybe £5 on the door? You can buy the tickets online, they didn't have any in the Craftwork Crafts shop when I was in last week.

[reward]

susan42- natbag lives in castleford.

do we think be too early for the new basic grey to be there?

[Nic-B]

I am going on the sunday with my sis, its the first time either of us have been to a show so we are really looking forward to it :)

[sandy2662]

im not really sure what i want apart from a cricut expression (but i dont think that will happen) just see stash and buy!! that will be my moto for the day.really have to be thrifty though i go on holiday on the monday to spain so will supposedly watching the pennies (NOT)

[Pooch]

I am off to this on the Sunday. I've checked the prices and it's £4.50 for advance tickets and £5.50 on the day.

I am loving the Thickers at the moment to really want some of those. Would like a new cricut cartridge but apart from that it will just be a case of seeing things I like (which is everything!)

[Trubags]

I'm hoping to be there on the Sunday BUT I *may* be getting my new sofa delivered that weekend... I'll be gutted if I have to miss the Show as I've been to the past two and really enjoyed myself! If I do have to miss it, at least I'll be sitting comfortably :lol:

[KJJC]

I am off to this on the Sunday. I've checked the prices and it's £4.50 for advance tickets and £5.50 on the day.

I am loving the Thickers at the moment to really want some of those. Would like a new cricut cartridge but apart from that it will just be a case of seeing things I like (which is everything!)

don't think you'll find thickers there

[Pooch]

don't think you'll find thickers there

Why?

[reward]

there on offer on qvc if that helps
http://www.qvcuk.com/ukqic/qvcapp.aspx/app.detail/params.item.586141/walk.yah.UKCO-UK73

[Pooch]

there on offer on qvc if that helps
http://www.qvcuk.com/ukqic/qvcapp.aspx/app.detail/params.item.586141/walk.yah.UKCO-UK73

Thanks for that - have just ordered them!

Still not sure why they wouldn't be at the Harrogate show though as UK shops have them??? Oh well, I've got some on the way!

[sam c]

aww I usually go every time it is on and I can't make it this time.............gutted