Ally Pally - September

[aliscrapper]

This thread has been automatically created, because the original thread had over 250 posts.

The original thread was located HERE (http://www.ukscrappers.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=230199).

The first post was....

Hi

I'm going to the Scrapbook Exhibition at Alexandra Palace in London in September for the first time.

Can anyone give me any hints or tips that has been before about what to expect. Also are any of the Sponsors doing any workshops there?

Many thanks
Ali

Please feel free to carry on......

[Legoluce]

RE: threading water punch

Yes please Vikki!!! I may also be needing an album but undecided currently....

[chocolate_ee]

OK 2 of everything - where can I park the truck ?

[Wisher]

getting really excited - did my CTM order lst night (so I m less stressed on saturday !)

[cockneycrafter]

Can someone tell me what the water punch thing is and does please x x

[sarahm]

Does anone know if ther is a bus service from the train station up to the Ally Pally please?

[Judith]

Yes there is a free shuttle service just follow all the crafters. You will spot them in a flash. x I will be there sunday I shall hold my brolly up like a tour guide If you see it follow me lol

[Judith]

Can someone tell me what the water punch thing is and does please x x

I was wondering that also

[leigh11]

just bookmarking so i don;t lose you all :D

[scraplori]

Hi Everyone,

Have had my head buried in the massive shipments that have been coming in this week. Have no room to move!!! The website is not up to date on quantities or stock ranges - I won't have time to upate. But I can now confirm that we will be bringing the latest yummies from Autumn Leaves, Basic Grey, Maya Road, Fancy Pants, Bazzill (the new edge strips are lush), Prima, Making Memories christmas and Halloween ranges, Teresa Collins, Round It Alls, Fiskars Treading Water Punch, Ali Edwards' new book, Elsie's Recipe Box and more!!

Someone asked for the MM Trimmer and nestabilities, we will have them both. So come see us on Stand 20. If there is something you are desperate for, feel free to order it online (by 1pm tomorrow) and select 'Collect from Ally Pally' as your shipping option.

[sweetpea555]

Bookmarking also... wont be long now and i do agree it seems as if it is going so so slow its weird as its getting so close yet seems so far away!!!

Leona x

[Judith]

I know i sound daft but what is this bookmarking? I think i only know the basics of this site, but i love it. x

[kipper]

i so cant wait, i have spent the past week telling people where i am going on saturday over and over again, my head is now spinning whenever i try to think of a list,hahahahahahahahahahaha am just going to go and see stuff i like and hope to get things i have had my eye on. cant wait.

[aliscrapper]

Bookmarking also... wont be long now and i do agree it seems as if it is going so so slow its weird as its getting so close yet seems so far away!!!

Leona x

I was just thinking exactly the same thing today Leona - only 2 days to go - but the days seem to go by so slowly!!!

[fiona2277]

I keep starting lists then loseing them so start again get too excited and dont know what I want :lol: think for the 1st time ever I am going to go without a list and wing it???

[Lynnda]

it is all very exciting, just planning the trip let alone the show
I hope I get time to enjoy it all and it isn't too hectic
I hope I see lots of folks to talk too and go ooh ahh with!!

not long now

[Wisher]

so where and when is the get together on saturday?

[starbeval]

I don't know about the Saturday, but would anyone like to meet up and say hi on the Sunday? It would be nice to meet other UKS'ers :)

Sue

[hot potato]

My mates and I (who I travel down with)meet in the coffee shop to the left in the main hall....near CTM at 3pm on the Saturday for coffee and catch up on what goodies we've bought and what bargins.......any of you are most welcome to join us especially those of you who have gone to the show on your own.....but ALL WELCOME......Janina xx

[cockneycrafter]

ok hot potato i will see you there then lol

[chocolate_ee]

ooooh I love comparing bags !! See you there. I'll be the one wearing the comfy shoes and a handbag full of empty choccy wrappers !

[Legoluce]

To the people who asked, the threading water punch is one that does the scallop border with the little holes in each scallop if you like.... does that make sense?? Google is and you'll find it!

Thanks Lorraine, I may just pop onto the site.... feels a bit odd doing all my shopping before the event lol!

[chocolate_ee]

Just had most wonderful present from DH ... a crisp £50 note in my birthday card (... coz I'm 50 today !!!) ... can't think why he'd think I need it ... not like I'm going to be doing any stash shopping at Ally Pally !:P

[leigh11]

you won't need it-they'll be absolutely nothing to buy--so send it my way ;);)

[Legoluce]

Just had most wonderful present from DH ... a crisp £50 note in my birthday card (... coz I'm 50 today !!!) ... can't think why he'd think I need it ... not like I'm going to be doing any stash shopping at Ally Pally !:P


Excellent!

Happy birthday!

[jayni]

Woohoooo not long to go now, only 2 more sleeps!! :)

I am so excited, can't wait for some much needed "me" time! Its my birthday in 2 weeks and dh has given me some money to spend at Ally Pally as my birthday pressie!! :)

[chocolate_ee]

you won't need it-they'll be absolutely nothing to buy--so send it my way ;);)
:lol:

[primrose]

Just had most wonderful present from DH ... a crisp £50 note in my birthday card (... coz I'm 50 today !!!) ... can't think why he'd think I need it ... not like I'm going to be doing any stash shopping at Ally Pally !:P


Happy Birthday! What a lovely pressie, bet you're glad you're not 20 now! LOL (bit cheeky, sorry)!


I am going on Sunday as well, is anyone else going on the Wheelers coach that picks up from 'Just a Memory' ?

[chocolate_ee]

Happy Birthday! What a lovely pressie, bet you're glad you're not 20 now! LOL (bit cheeky, sorry)!





So by the time I'm 90 I could really go to town !:P

[aliscrapper]

Just had most wonderful present from DH ... a crisp £50 note in my birthday card (... coz I'm 50 today !!!) ... can't think why he'd think I need it ... not like I'm going to be doing any stash shopping at Ally Pally !:P


Happy Birthday!

[primrose]

So by the time I'm 90 I could really go to town !:PThat's the spirit!! :P




I have just asked DH to get me some cash out- working on the basis that it I have it, I probably won't see as much to spend it on. If I don't have much I will see loads of stuff...


....and I think he believed me ;)

[chocolate_ee]

That's the spirit!! :P




I have just asked DH to get me some cash out- working on the basis that it I have it, I probably won't see as much to spend it on. If I don't have much I will see loads of stuff...


....and I think he believed me ;)

Reverse psychology - Love it !

[maddiejane]

Yes!! that was me!! Thank you so-o much :) Will order a Trimmer to pick up on Sunday :)

Hi Everyone,


Someone asked for the MM Trimmer and nestabilities, we will have them both. So come see us on Stand 20. If there is something you are desperate for, feel free to order it online (by 1pm tomorrow) and select 'Collect from Ally Pally' as your shipping option.

[amcmen]

happy birthday Claire - do come and say hello - I'll be on the Clevercuts stand!

Anna x

[sweetpea555]

Happy birthday claire....

I agree with the excitment our plans went a little t**s up lol we were meant to be staying at my oh's brothers for a long weekend but they have plans they forgot about swo i said waste of time going really plus i found out it was as long to get there from theirs that it is from ours ;) so we maybe doing the whole drive on saturday or a travel lodge for us on the friday night!

Alls ok except im the only one that drives!

[Giggle Princess]

ok what do I expect.... never been before and I have to use crutches, will it be that packed I can't move and how much should I take knowing hubby is coming too

[sweetpea555]

Giggle i know i am still unsure how much to take still with me! I was wondering how much everyone else is roughly taking with out being to nosey that is! I will have my cards though but i dont want to go ott!

Leona x

[leigh11]

i tend to take £200 and a card 'just in case' :D

[amcmen]

I've got £60 (birthday money and no I'm not 60 :lol:) and leaving the cards at home :) Way too much temptation.

[whoopidoo]

I thought you'd all gone quiet! Snuck off without me eh? I'm all better so I'm def going! WOOHOOOO!

I have £120 - hope it's going to be enough! May have bubba with me now as OH has caught my bug! Oops!

[Kay2]

I'm probably taking about £150 cash with me, and no cards. Not been to a scrap show before but have been to stitching shows so I know the temptations!

I'm going on the Saturday, and have managed to make a badge with the UKS logo on plus my avatar (which looks a lot like me except I don't have the tail, lol).

My DD is insisting on coming with me, but I don't know why. It might be because last time I went to a show (stitching show at Olympia) I came over not very well. Both DD's had left me there and went off shopping, and I had to come out and sit in a coffee shop in Kensington High Street until they could come and collect me. Mind you, I was in the middle of my cancer treatment at the time! I'm fine now but my DD's tend to still fuss over me :rolleyes:

Anyway, I am really looking forward to the show (I love Ally Pally, though the journey there is a nightmare, across London on the tube) and looking forward to meeting lots of you there :)

[sweetpea555]

Well i was about right then lol i was thinking of taking around £200 with me but i have the cards just incase lol not for the scrapping as such but for the journey aswell never know how many stops we may need!

But oh is keeping that with him so i have no temptation to spend over the odds lol...

Leona x

[sarahm]

Anyway, I am really looking forward to the show (I love Ally Pally, though the journey there is a nightmare, across London on the tube) and looking forward to meeting lots of you there :)

Not what I wanted to hear lol I hate the tube and will be travelling it alone, really not looking forward to it. Think might as DBF to give me a lift eventhought he would have worked a night shift.

[emmabarnes]

Hi

I'm going to the Scrapbook Exhibition at Alexandra Palace in London in September for the first time.

Can anyone give me any hints or tips that has been before about what to expect. Also are any of the Sponsors doing any workshops there?

thanks emmab

[babybluegirl]

Hi there,

First time posting here, and just wanted to ask a question about Ally Pally. I've never been before and I was reading the previous messages and lots of you saying how much cash you're taking with you. Do most stalls only accept cash? Or is it okay to only take cards and a small amount of cash?

Thanks for reading,

babybluegirl

7.39pm

[leigh11]

you can take both-but when it gets busy sometime the card machines fail-so it causes ong queues :D so cash is a lot quicker :D

[amcmen]

If you go to the first post there is a link to the previous thread that is full of handy information.

hints and tips -
Food and drinks can be rather expensive and not that great.
Wear Layers as it gets hot
Most stalls only take cash and the cashpoint doesn't always work
Not all stalls take cards and the pin machines can be slow as they run on mobile frequencies which aren't always reliable.

HTH

Anna x

[hot potato]

No workshops this time. It's best to take cash where ever possible as people have had big problems in the past getting their cards to work......also the cash machine outside has run out of money before!!!!!!Take cash and card as a backup.......Janina

[babybluegirl]

Thanks for all your replies :)

babybluegirl

7.57pm

[whoopidoo]

Where does the shuttle bus leave from? Was thinking about driving up but realised I will be driving my OH and my Dad (both back seat drivers) so have changed my mind on that one. If they decide to go off sight seeing then I will be getting the shuttle bus - if they decide to spend the day near Ally Pally then I'll be getting the tube, if that makes sense?

Sarah - I bet you wont be alone on the tube - I suspect there is going to be a mass invasion of UKS'ers!! :lol::lol:

[jayni]

I've been once before (and also to similar shows) and its easier to take cash with you if you can. Although most stalls do have the facilities to take cards it can mean waiting to process it as they usually only have 1 machine and several people trying to pay by card iykwim.

The shuttle bus is easy, if you get to Wood Green Tube station (on the Piccadilly line), as you come out of the station look across the road and you'll see the bus stop where there will probably be loads of women stood there waiting for the bus lol! Just follow the crowd!

I'll be travelling across London from Waterloo main line station on Saturday morning and then getting the free shuttle bus so I'll look out for anyone who looks like a UKSer, whose looking lost!!

Not long now!!!!!!

[maddiejane]

I was hoping to have about £150 cash. But have preordered one item so that would bring me down to £100. Taking hubby & his card though so i will see how generous he will be on the day:)

[Legoluce]

Well I very quickly made a tag to put on my bag last night with UKS and Legoluce one it, I'll be carrying a Whittard Canvas bag with that!

Woo hoo, nearly sat!

[hot potato]

I've made a stand up sign with UKS on it that I will put on the table when we stop for coffee at 3pm tomorrow in the coffee shop to the left in the main hall.....come and join us or just say hello......Janina

[whoopidoo]

My UKS badge hasn't arrived so OH wants to make me one on his engraving machine at work (his new toy! :rolleyes:) So look out for someone with a bright yellow badge saying UK Scrapper! All he will have room for apparantly!!:lol::lol:

[amcmen]

Well, I'm off to Sainsburys in about 15 mins to change up all the coppers I have been saving for the past year for spending money :) Remembers I had an ice-cream container of them tucked away - so I figured I might as well put it to good use and convert it into stash :lol:

I will make a UKS badge tonight but will be on Clever cuts stall, so come on over - see you all Saturday and/or Sunday!

Anna x

[noctrl]

Well truck has left with quite a few new goodies, unfortunately we didn't get the advent calendar kits done as we had a rethink and got better ideas, so those will wait...but some lovely new stamps have gone (dare I mention 3 new journalling ones.....) Our card terminal is in with all it's little booster aerials so fingers crossed a good signal will mean you can all be tempted!!

So just enjoy!! Oh and be gentle with DH we only got 5 hours sleep last night and most of this week so take it easy on him!!

[Catsnratties]

I'm driving there - I only live near Heathrow, but public transport would take 1.5 hours and I can drive it in 50 mins!!!

Planning on taking about £100 plus cards - I'm on the look out for die cutting/embossing bargains!

[sweetpea555]

LOL oh dear im a little over excited i think lol i booked a travel lodge last night so we are off soon for a slow drive down there..... the one at toddington if anyone is there.....

Hope to see you all with happy faces tommoz i will probably be the one with the oh with his face down to the floor with the arsenal top on lol they play tommoz and hes not very happy!

Leona x

[Kay2]

My DD is begging me not to wear my badge while I'm with her :P It's only a rectangular thing with the UKS logo and my av on it, but for some reason she finds the whole thing embarrassing. She is 23, but I swear she acts more like a teenager most of the time!

Anyway, I will wear my badge discreetly inside my lapel or something, and flash it at anyone who looks like a UKS member :lol:

I will be picking up the Victoria line from Vauxhall and then changing at Finsbury Park to the Piccadilly line for the last three stops to Wood Green. If anyone is travelling the same way and sees a rather fluffy female brunette (ish - going to grey) person (I'm not fat, ok, just short for my weight!) in the company of a gorgeous young lady who is nagging her poor old mum (she never leaves me alone!) then please do say hello. I'm not sure what I will be wearing (except it will be comfortable and have flat shoes!) but I will have a very large black shoulder bag with me which will look very empty, except for the other large bags stuffed inside it........ maybe we should have a secret handshake or something :P

I'll be more than happy to come and say hello to you, Janina, at the coffee shop. I am guessing my DD will have got bored and gone home by then!

[Legoluce]

Hope to see you all with happy faces tommoz i will probably be the one with the oh with his face down to the floor with the arsenal top on lol they play tommoz and hes not very happy!

Technically, the game is at 5.30 I believe (BF same) so he could stop off in a pub after AP closes at 5pm!

[whoopidoo]

Anyway, I will wear my badge discreetly inside my lapel or something, and flash it at anyone who looks like a UKS member :lol:



:lol: That made me laugh - we'll all be looking a bit dodgy flashing everyone!! :lol:

Still trying to decide whether to drive up (which will take longer but be cheaper but will involve London driving) or train up. OH just been on the phone to the train people who advised to train straight to Ally Pally - anyone know the route? And they weren't aware of a shuttle service tomorrow but am guessing it's not them organised it... I'll still be deciding tomorroww :lol:

[Kay2]

I know trains go from Kings Cross to Ally Pally overground, but I don't think they go that frequently so the tube is the better option once you get into London I would have thought. If you are coming in from Kent, trains usually head in to Victoria, so you would have to cross London on the tube to Kings Cross anyway as far as I know - or maybe to Moorgate. HTH :)

[Myra]

If you get out at Ally Pally station, there is quite a climb up the hill. The view is spectacular though, unless it's foggy as they say it might be. The courtesy bus runs from Woodgreen Station. Saves the legs! and the lungs!

[Wisher]

we're setting off in a few mins - we will be staying at the travelodge in Gants Hill (Ilford) anyone know what the drive from there to Ally Pallywill be like - I can't bear to miss the start lol

btw is Ally Pally in the congestion charge zone?

I haven't got a badge - but if you spot a fat wheelchair user in a green top with scraped back long hair (there will be no time to do it properly!) with a frzzled looking friend - it's probably me! - so please say hello!

lol

[misteejay]

Gill, from Gants Hill you shouldn't have any problems (but saying that you can never be really sure with roads in and around London :rolleyes:) - you can take the A12 to join up with the A406 (North Circular Road) travelling west to the traffic lights at the Green Lanes junction - turn left and follow down to traffic lights at Green Road (right hand turn) there are normally signs all round here for Ally Pally - and no it is north of the congestion zone so you won't have to worry.

[jayni]

I've made a stand up sign with UKS on it that I will put on the table when we stop for coffee at 3pm tomorrow in the coffee shop to the left in the main hall.....come and join us or just say hello......Janina

Ooh I may join you for coffee, Janina if thats okay, as I'll be on my own and by 3pm will def be ready for a sit down and a cuppa!! I'll look out for the sign as I know no one else from UKS!

[whoopidoo]

I think it's going to be Wood Green and follow the trail of UKS'ers :D

[harrysmum]

Guys just one more sleep and we are there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it is truly sad how excited i am!!!!!!:wacko:

[whoopidoo]

WHOOP WHOOP! It's like christmas but for us :D

OH just came in with the little badge he made me. It's bright red now not yellow - he tried to match the UKS logo :wub: He was going to put UKS cr@ppers but I said I'd send you lot chasing him down the hill! :lol::lol: I've stuck buttons all over it and love it so I'm making him a curry tonight :P

If we haven't spent all our pennies by 3pm we'll pop in and say hi too :D

[leigh11]

well i have my outfit ready--gonna be quite warm (apparently :D) so i'll be the one in a black west top and cropped jeans :D

oooh and i have some water in the freezer too :D

[aliscrapper]

Guys just one more sleep and we are there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it is truly sad how excited i am!!!!!!:wacko:

Definitely not sad! I keep saying to my OH "Just one more sleep". ^_^ He keeps saying back to me "but the problem is; you won't be doing any sleeping!" He says he's going to camp out in the spare room with the cat and try and get some sleep! lol!!!

[misteejay]

oooh and i have some water in the freezer too :D

Mum has done the same Leigh :D....just one more sleep, then Ally Pally - here we come :wub:

[leigh11]

woo hoo :D

[harrysmum]

Definitely not sad! I keep saying to my OH "Just one more sleep". ^_^ He keeps saying back to me "but the problem is; you won't be doing any sleeping!" He says he's going to camp out in the spare room with the cat and try and get some sleep! lol!!!

:D:D:D it is good to know that i am not on my own!!!

[jayni]

How excited are we?! Lol! Might just go and pop a bottle of water in the fridge ready to take. Good idea!

Yep, its gonna be warm tomorrow, I've got all my clothes ready (vest top & jeans & a sweatshirt for when hanging around the train station at 7.30am tomorrow!) and bag is packed!

[fiona2277]

im not going till sunday but have set the satnav as im driving up form poole and planned all my outfit already:lol: just my bag to do, Ill be green thinking of you all tomorow while im at a kids party and Lee evans in the eve!!

[louloucrafts]

im not going till sunday but have set the satnav as im driving up form poole and planned all my outfit already:lol: just my bag to do, Ill be green thinking of you all tomorow while im at a kids party and Lee evans in the eve!!

I will be there Sunday too. Will be driving up on my own as my mum is poorly and unable to come.

Haven't been before but am looking forward to it. Don't have much money to spend but i think that rule may get broken!!!

Lou xx

[misteejay]

My Amy Butler bag is packed, gear sorted - just petrol to get in the morning...oh and mustn't forget to pick up Mum :lol:

[leigh11]

im not going till sunday but have set the satnav as im driving up form poole and planned all my outfit already:lol: just my bag to do, Ill be green thinking of you all tomorow while im at a kids party and Lee evans in the eve!!

have fun tomorrow evening--i'd love to see him :D where is he playing??

[belleooo]

Have a good day ladies. Wish I was going but too far away. :)

[vikki@CaptureTheMagic]

We've had a great day setting up :) Can't wait to see you all this weekend. We have over 400 individual papers and cardstocks for sale by the sheet aswell as loads of other fab stuff :) There's a few more boxes loaded up this evening to put out in the morning, but apart from that we're set :)

[leigh11]

woo hoo--see you in the morning vikki :D

[aliscrapper]

Guess who can't sleep with the excitement! lol!

[misteejay]

Ooooo, another Stanford-le-Hope bod :)...I'll be setting off shortly as I've got to go to Canvey to pick Mum up (see everyone - I remembered :lol:) might see you there Ali, I'll have my Amy Butler bag and Mum will be sat on her little blue disabled scooter.

Have a great show everyone :)

[whoopidoo]

Morning girls :D WOOWOOOOO! :D :D :D We are still deciding how to get there, I'll be in black jeans and pink t-shirt and carryong a load of those cotton co-op bags :P Think we will probably be setting the satnav too.
YAYAYAYAYAYAYAAAAAY! :D

p.s apparantly congestion charge is only weekdays?

[harrysmum]

i am being picked up in half an hour, you dont want to know how long i have been up for!!!:rolleyes:

[germgirl]

Anyone back yet? what did you all get? hope you left some stuff for me tomorrow :)

[whoopidoo]

Am I first one home?

Had so much fun, OH is going to give me pennies for christmas so I can go again in April :D Didn't spot you Leigh, was looking out for cropped pants! :lol: All the buttons fell off my badge :lol:

Have to say my favourite stalls were Capture the Magic and Scrap Revolution (where I finally found my Grungeboard!! Woohoo!) My little bubba is now happily chasing round 11 plastic balls! :lol::lol: Wonder where they can have come from? Did the cropadile set go? I was the one with the blonde dd who refused to believe she wouldn't win it! :D (I had the puddy tat shoes on!)

I bought loads and LOADS of that new halloween stuff it's gorgeous. Specially the web paper that you can stroke! :wub:

AND I drove to London first time ever and without incident so will be doing so again! What a good day :D

[whoopidoo]

Ooops you beat me to the post Jackie! It was brilliant!

[scrap-happyuk]

Glad you had a good time Carmen :wub: Rhiannon is sitting here with me now trying to work out what she needs :lol: takes after her mum!!! Did Devon enjoy herself? Was there lots for her to look at?

ANY TIPS GIRLS PLEASE?! :D

[whoopidoo]

Devon spent all her money and started on mine!! :lol::lol: Loads for Rhiannon to see and lots of demonstrations too. Go to the Capture the Magic stall and they have one of those big ball machine thingies (like you get toys in at the end of supermarkets) £1 a go and every ball has a lovely bit of stash in and some balls have big prizes like a cropodile set. Devon dragged me back there 4 times!! £11 we spent on it - got some lovely brads and ribbon and stickers and charms. Also that stall has some great bargain buckets - I got loads of Love Elsie stuff there, oh and they had the new Halloween range which is really gothic some of it :wub: Devon said it was the best stall ever - very funky apparantly :D

The bangle demos up the back were cool too and looked brilliant. Loads and LOADS to see Julie. Take sarnies though as the food was naff and the coffee wasn't very nice in the bar.

If you like the Distress Ink Range (Tim Holtz) Then Scrap Revolution was selling them 2 for £8 wasn't sure if that was good but was cheapest I saw there so got some of them and some grunge board and some other lovely bits :wub: So much, to see :D Def going back in April with my christmas pennies. Going to get Caz a ticket for her crimbo. :P

[leigh11]

Am I first one home?

Had so much fun, OH is going to give me pennies for christmas so I can go again in April :D Didn't spot you Leigh, was looking out for cropped pants! :lol: All the buttons fell off my badge :lol:

Have to say my favourite stalls were Capture the Magic and Scrap Revolution (where I finally found my Grungeboard!! Woohoo!) My little bubba is now happily chasing round 11 plastic balls! :lol::lol: Wonder where they can have come from? Did the cropadile set go? I was the one with the blonde dd who refused to believe she wouldn't win it! :D (I had the puddy tat shoes on!)

I bought loads and LOADS of that new halloween stuff it's gorgeous. Specially the web paper that you can stroke! :wub:

AND I drove to London first time ever and without incident so will be doing so again! What a good day :D



glad you had a good day--sorry i didn;t get to meet you as i had a bling duck for you-so if you PM me your addy i'll post it to you :D

[ani]

wow, had a mega day

[darm]

i had a cool day, spent loads of money - too much!! loads of different things to see. i did think it was a bit small (smaller than i expected anyway) and lots of card making stuff. the ctm stall was soooo busy all the time i went, i bet they did ace

[sweetpea555]

What a fantastic day i had!!!!

Me and OH staye din a travel lodge last night and the bed broke!!!! Couldnt believe it!

So oring there as well lol bu i was excited to get up this morning and travel down from toddington was such a breeze aswell first time i have driven down aswell lol...... so i am no longer scared of driving down to London...

As for pennies spent i am now banned till after christmas to buy anything lol he had the card and kept taking out bits of money for me well out of his wallet lol and the total is to much to think about but i brought lots of lovely stuff and there was so much choice but scrap revolution and captur the magic did it for me but was very very busy!!!

We went in there early and i had to go back and it was so busy you couldnt move lol... didnt have anything to eat there though but had some drinks, oh the beer lol and me the coke, he said it wasnt badly priced either was expecting around £5.00 a pint! But was a lot cheaper than that so he was happy!!!

But i think my best buy today was my new wheeled tote from hobby horse crafts was meant to be £55.00 but she took a fiver off for me as i was local to them lol...but i love it its so funky and its an around the block one if any of you girls saw them? The pink and chocolate ones.... also i think the stamps off the stall at the front were great if your into cards aswell which i am! Brought loads from there two bags actually lol 50p for sentiments and i brought some little people and ethel and larry which are hilarious for £3.00 each bargain i thought!

Anyway have fun ladies who are going tommoz..... im jealous lol!!!

HUgs Leona x

[sweetpea555]

I agree with you on that one darm i was expecting it to be a little bit bigger! But hey ho i still loved it though other liked the beer the best and he did say i was a god girl!

Leona x

[Kay2]

I had a great day. Met some fellow UKSers which was good and, wierdest thing.... bumped in to my cousin and her DD. I haven't seen her for ages even though we live about 10 minutes away from each other, yet we meet up on the other side of London!

Spent loads, visited CTM about 3 times :lol:, Scrap Revolution was also partly my downfall. Also grabbed a few bits and bobs on the £1 stall and made a few random purchases of things that grabbed my attention while I was queuing to pay for other stuff. I now have no idea what I was thinking :unsure: and I ended up with 2 green and 2 red stamp pads because I forgot I had already bought one lot :lol:

[misteejay]

I spent way too much as well :lol: I got some super clear stamps and glitter, miri board, DST, glue pens, templates, embossing folders, stamp pads, card blanks, glimmer powder/paints and Mum treated me to a beautiful Thomas Kinkade stamp (she has already said she wants 6 Christmas cards made using it :rolleyes:) loads & loads of stuff...........and still manged to spend £50 in Artbase on the way home :wacko:

[whoopidoo]

Kay - it sounds almost exactly like my day - exact same stalls :lol: Either I was following you or vice versa! :lol:

Leigh, you are lovely :wub: Will pm you now - I can have a bash at another ducky if you like?

[leigh11]

Carmen--don;t worry hun :D if you want to have a play at another that fine, but there is no need :D

[babybluegirl]

Hi all,

Well finally the day arrived, and I made it to Ally Pally. I'd never been before, and I actually imagined it larger than it was. Despite it being smaller, I managed to spend 6 hours shopping and spend a small fortune.

Thanks for all those hints and tips. I wore clothes that wouldn't be too hot, took a packed lunch and brought a trolley with me for all my purchases. I had a great time going up and down the stalls. Managed to buy a few bits that were on my Wish List and other products that I just had to buy whilst there.

For any of you wanting to buy a BigBite - I saw one for a good price - £22. I can't remember where it was now, but if you're interested, try and look out for it!

Can't wait to start playing with my goodies tomorrow.

babybluegirl

9.31pm

[Wisher]

what a great day - hello to everyone I met and also to those I didn't. Brill show and I spent loads - even ate the food (steak pie - which was actully quite nice and for less that £6 we were happy - and the plum/custard danish was seriously good lol)

one more tip for those going tomorrow - take your sunglasses!! when they opened the roof today the sunlight was really intense!

[whoopidoo]

That sounds delish Gill - we went to that set up stall thingy outside the bar - wished we hadn't :wacko: Ours cost over £8 for 2 sarnies and 2 teas.

[scrap-happyuk]

Just getting ready to leave - my mate is picking us up at 8am!!

:D :D :D See you all tonight!

[Emmyloo]

Me too! Am so excited! Am debating over a Bind-it-all...

[babyfairy]

Waiting for DH to get back from walking the dog then he's dropping me off! Then I'm on my own for a few hours till my nest mate (and package carrier) arrives.

[eluned]

Thanks to darm and mum (don't know your UKS name!) for arranging the coach to take us all to Ally Pally yesterday! Capture the Magic, Scrap Revolution and Banana Frog were my favourite stands. Lovely to see Shimelle there - she looked fab in her 'Fifties-style outfit' - and she was so lovely to talk to! Recognised Retired Nana at Capture the Magic and had coffee with dab, jpduck and valelady. UKS scrappers are so friendly! Hope all you Sunday visitors have a great day. :D Ann

[jayni]

I had a fantastic day!! Loved it, although left home at 7.30 and didn't get home until 9.30pm (train home was delayed 40 mins due to a swan wandering loose on the track!!) so was very tired!

Capture the magic was fantastic with the most gorgeous selection of papers! Spent a small fortune!! Got most things on my list and more! I thought the catering was better than last time, I went to the little cafe near to CTM which was okay!

Hope all those going today have a fab time!

[hot potato]

Had a great day yesterday too. Met Petra, so hi there and Kay2 joined us for coffee....I went to that £1 stall and got that snow stuff!!!! The Rubbernecker stand was great, really lovely stamps at fab prices, hence I bought loads. Art from the Heart wasn't there this year which was disappointing, so where were you Dyan? Roll on April now...................Janina xx

[Sav]

Hope everyone who goes today has a great day, was going but have been up all night with a bad headache, so will have to spend my money on line.

[moonbeamcottage]

I went for the first time and thought it was great and that there was a terrific atmosphere in the hall. However I just saw on another forum that someone said they only stayed for 45 minutes, very disappointed that a lot of normal stalls weren't there. We must have been in a completely different place - there was more than enough to keep me busy for over four hours. I shall be there with bells on next time!

[misteejay]

I went for the first time and thought it was great and that there was a terrific atmosphere in the hall. However I just saw on another forum that someone said they only stayed for 45 minutes, very disappointed that a lot of normal stalls weren't there. We must have been in a completely different place - there was more than enough to keep me busy for over four hours. I shall be there with bells on next time!

That surprises me too - the only reason we left after about 3hrs yesterday was because it had become too crowded for Mum to get around and she couldn't get close enough to most of the stands to see anything (she is disabled and uses a mini scooter). I did notice that some of the regulars were missing but there was plenty to see - if you could get to it.

[aliscrapper]

Hi

It was my first time at Ally Pally yesterday and I had the time of my life!!! Absolutely loved Capture the Magic - I just stood there and wanted the lot! lol! So glad I can order from them on-line!

Leigh - Sorry when I met you in Capture the Magic I couldn't stop and talk long; but I was with my OH's Mum and she kept wandering off to every stall in sight and I kept losing her! lol!

Toni - such a shame you left early. Must have been really disappointing for your Mum too; but glad you had a good time anyhow.

Will definitely be going next April.

[leigh11]

:lol: no probs aliscrapper--next time :D

[babyfairy]

I just got home. Was there before it opened and had a GREAT time. Wasn't too budy today so it was easy to see demos. Spent loads and got some gorgeous stuff, especially new papers and lots of ribbons.

[misteejay]

Hi

It was my first time at Ally Pally yesterday and I had the time of my life!!! Absolutely loved Capture the Magic - I just stood there and wanted the lot! lol! So glad I can order from them on-line!

Leigh - Sorry when I met you in Capture the Magic I couldn't stop and talk long; but I was with my OH's Mum and she kept wandering off to every stall in sight and I kept losing her! lol!

Toni - such a shame you left early. Must have been really disappointing for your Mum too; but glad you had a good time anyhow.

Will definitely be going next April.


Ali, so glad you enjoyed yourself - I dread to think how much more we could have spent if we had stayed longer :lol: I will be taking Mum to Ally Pally again on the 9th Oct for the Knitting & Stitching show...they usually have lots of beads and that is Mum's thing at the moment as there are no needles to prick herself with or knives to slice fingers :D

The Spring Stamping & Scrapbooking is a must, so all being well, we will be there for that one too :)

[scrap-happyuk]

Hello girlies :D I'm home and cream crackered!!! I loved the fact that there were different stands this time - it's good not to keep having the "same old same old" every time or it just gets monotonous :huh: I just loved LB Crafts and seeing Leandra from PaperArtsy demoing her own products :D I have added to my collection of Glimmer Mists :lol: CTM was a great stand too - got there first of all thanks to the Saturday girls who said how busy it was :thanks: for the tip :D

My DD (9) spent most of her time at CTM helping to retrieve the balls that got stuck on their machine - she spent most of her birthday money on it, which kept her very happy :)

Did anyone else get any bargains?

[Tanya]

Had a lovely time, wasn't too crowded, spent all my money!!!! CTM - lovely stand but gets way too crowded so done early in the day! got some lovely stamps (my downfall!) and some great really thick acetate sheets which I am going to use to store my stamps :) but the best thing of all was meeting my friend Tracy :)

[Catsnratties]

I got a bargain - found a stall that sold nestabilities £60 for 4, even better though took my MIL and she paid half as an early b-day pressie!

[EssexSarah]

It was my 1st year going.
Brough a few bits but was so amazed with HOW much 'stuff' there was I didn't know where to start!!!!
I put pics of my purchases up http://sarahletchthoughtfulspot.blogspot.com/2008/09/ally-pally.html

It was good, but we only spent 3 hours there as was soooooooo busy! I spent most of the time stuck in corners of stalls!

And I said sorry so many times for bumping into people, none of which replied! Never knew how croazy people got! Especially with the bargin £1 shop thing!!!

[Myra]

I had a brilliant time at Ally Pally, well not a whole day, 3 hours to be exact. We went by train and my DH bought my ticket and then left me to enjoy a good old browse. I've been three times before but enjoyed every minute. Bought some wonderful stamps and spent all my money. What could be better!! I agree with you Sarah, I got bumped and also apologised and got blanked. What happened to good manners I wonder.

[EssexSarah]

I had a brilliant time at Ally Pally, well not a whole day, 3 hours to be exact. We went by train and my DH bought my ticket and then left me to enjoy a good old browse. I've been three times before but enjoyed every minute. Bought some wonderful stamps and spent all my money. What could be better!! I agree with you Sarah, I got bumped and also apologised and got blanked. What happened to good manners I wonder.

Oh pleased it wasn't just me, been a bit hormonal so thought I was maybe being over sensitive!

[whoopidoo]

Soooo. Who's going in April? :lol: My OH has said if I don't buy any stash inbetween (apart from cheapo, cheapo pound shop stuff and magpie stuff etc, etc) He will help me save each week and I can make that a regular 2 times a year thing :D :D I said definitely. It was so nice to be able to see stuff in the flesh so to speak and see it demo'd and ask how it works, and be able to just pick stuff up and buy it and not worry if I could spare the cash or if I needed the money for shopping/bills. Am now telling everyone I don't want pressies for christmas just contributions to the Ally Pally fund! :P Addicted after just one visit!

[sweetpea555]

Glad you ladies today had fun...

Im also glad i went yesterday im extremley ill today spent most of the day in bed i have a lot of symptoms for flu so we think thats what i headed for..... all this new stash and no time playing as i am literally flued up :(

As for next year carmen i will be there lol oh says i am allowed also if i start saving up and if i dont buy any more stash unless essentials from now until after christmas ;) but im happy as he says im allowed!

As for the manners i think everyone lost them today then as i was bumping into people and being bumped into but every time we both apologised and it was nice as we are all going crazy for the same thing!

Hope we didnt buy everything up....... Wont be long now until the next one though lol...... i suspect we will all be chatting about it before long anyway.... what other events are there before :lol:

Oh dear i am addicted Hugs Leona x

[Jane Toomer]

I had a great time with three of my friends. We drove up from Swindon nice & early and got there just as they opened the doors and we left 10 minutes before they closed!! We certainly didn't find that peeps were rude at all, in fact, quite the opposite. There were one or two places where it was difficult to see just what was going on but you just have to be patient! We all bought loadsa stuff, although not as much as the first time I went four years ago - I had only just started crafting then and went rather mad! It was also lovely to sit outside in the sunshine and eat our picnic - seeing what we were missing if we'd been at home! I know where I'd rather have been and can't wait to go again! So have lots of new goodies to play with now but unfortunately I MUST get my tax return done today if I can so it will all have to wait!

[maddiejane]

I had a fabby time for my very 1st trip there. I was told it was smaller than it used to be but i was kept busy for a very long time. We left at 3 but only because i was absolutely exhausted.
It was brill to meet friends from various forum inc UKS.
I came home with oodles of stuff which i really must take a piccie of & put on my blog!
Roll on next year!

[whoopidoo]

Think I am on an Ally Pally come down :lol: Got dd1 off school today with poorly tummy, got pile of housework to do, got deliveries to make later and just feel generally bleurgh! Didn't hit yesterday as was dd3's b'day so was still rushing round and went to inlaws(to be) for fabby day out in Hastings so was still all hyper but now... *sigh*

Might HAVE to play with my new stash later and maybe order Aprils tickets seeing as my pc crashed last night.

[maddiejane]

yes i am abit like you. i had to have a blood test this morning which i had to fast for so i couldn't even have a first cup of tea first thing this am to try help get my mood in a turnaround.
Its kind of hard to have that much fun yesterday & just go back to "normal" today!

Think I am on an Ally Pally come down :lol: Got dd1 off school today with poorly tummy, got pile of housework to do, got deliveries to make later and just feel generally bleurgh! Didn't hit yesterday as was dd3's b'day so was still rushing round and went to inlaws(to be) for fabby day out in Hastings so was still all hyper but now... *sigh*

Might HAVE to play with my new stash later and maybe order Aprils tickets seeing as my pc crashed last night.

[aliscrapper]

Leona - hope your feeling better soon - I had the flu that is going round the other week and it makes you feel pretty bad. Hope you recover soon; so you can play with your new stash.

I've already e:mailed the coach company I went with to see when they start booking up for next April's Ally Pally! lol! If they don't run it, I will make it up by train because I couldn't bear to miss it in April! lol!

[lelly]

Do you have the dates for next April

[hot potato]

Think it's the 17th & 18th if that's the dates for that weekend.......

[whoopidoo]

There (http://www.alexandrapalace.com/bigstampapril.htm) you go - that's the link I used :) And here (http://www.alexandrapalace.com/whatson.html) is what else they have going on :P

[lelly]

Thankyou - like to plan ahead

[louloucrafts]

Hello girlies :D I'm home and cream crackered!!! I loved the fact that there were different stands this time - it's good not to keep having the "same old same old" every time or it just gets monotonous :huh: I just loved LB Crafts and seeing Leandra from PaperArtsy demoing her own products :D I have added to my collection of Glimmer Mists


I watched the demo at LB crafts yesterday too. I was spellbound it was just so good! I wanted to buy so much but left feeling a bit overwhelmed. thank goodness i have their website details as i may have to email them and ask for help. I just couldnt decided on colours: I liked the blue and yellow and the yellow and green and the pink and yellow...arrghhh so much choice.

The only downside was the traffic when i left. It took me nearly 3 hours to get on to the M25 as there was an accident.....i should have been almost home by then. Didnt get home until 9pm, it took 5 hours instead of 3. Thank goodness i had the day off!!

Fab day though, will be back in April.:D

[chocolate_ee]

Must have been my 4th trip to Ally Pally and I'd say it was the best yet !
CTM, Scrap Rev, Banana Frog, Sugar and Spice were my faves as my credit card statement will vouch for !
Saw loads of new stuff I hadn't seen before and lots of presents for the advent swap.
Managed to pick up the new BG Ambrosia set , some of the divine layered stamps from Autumn Leaves, lovely velvet brads, Maya Road cupcake chipboard , some fab transparencies from Banana Frog and Tim Holz goodies.
All in all , a grand day out !

[fiona2277]

silly question but has anyone noticed having any bites?? only mum and I have a loverly collection of very itchy insect bites!! we didnt have any before yesterday so can only think that they have come from ally pally?? its only an idea of course but I wanted to see if anyone else had noticed any??

TIA

[scrap-happyuk]

No bites here Fiona (apart from the large chunk out of my wallet :lol: )

[fiona2277]

No bites here Fiona (apart from the large chunk out of my wallet :lol: ) oh yea i got that one too :lol: not as much as some years but still big enough!! had a great time though so worth the itching i think:)

[Scrappi Sandi]

Sorry - can't help with the bite mystery :blink:!! Did you sit on the floor at any time? I noticed some ladies sat on the floor to have lunch/coffee etc - then there may have been carpet bugs or something!!!!

It was a great day out - loved the 'everything £1 or 12 for £10' stand!!! My 4th time too but I missed the guy who has all the bargains on Glue Dots etc :( - in fact didn't see Glue Dots on any stands at all - maybe there's a shortage :lol:!!!! Had no problem blowing my budget on every other stand though!! I agree about there being some fab new bits as well as the old stalwarts too!!

Got to start the countdown to April now :lol::lol:!!!!

[whoopidoo]

We've got lmozzy bites but that comes with the territory living where I do. (Surrounded by marshland and sea :rolleyes:)

[darm]

anyone see the friendly plastic demo?? wnated that for ages now s i got loads and cold have watched her all day!!!

[fiona2277]

nope didnt sit on the floor?? its a mystery:lol: oh well ill tell mum to have a bath or something more often:lol:

[Myra]

I sat on the floor right up next to the coffee stall, no bites here though, although since hearing about it I do feel a bit itchy, lol.

[Legoluce]

Well its taken me a while to reply, I came home from Ally Pally saturday at about 3pm and had the start of a headache, which developed into a migraine... which last until yesterday!

Loved the show as always, Banana Frog, Scrap Revolution and CTM were fave stalls as always. Probably spent the most I've ever spent but also got the most for my money. Got tons of stamp sets so felt really really satisfied when I emptied my bag out at home! Haven't had time to play with anything yet due to the headache, but also want to take a pic to pop on my blog so don't want to start blending things in with my other stash.

Thought there seemed to be a few less stalls, there seemed to be more space especially at the back, although that wasn't a bad thing either. Really enjoyed myself, whizzed around the stalls and got everything done relatively fast. But felt so tired I had to go home early ish!

[maddiejane]

Oh No Lucy. Hope your better now :)

[aliscrapper]

Migraines are awful. Hope you are feeling better now.

[Legoluce]

All good today thanks guys!

[sweetpea555]

Good to hear Lucy...a lso slowly recovering here so i think i may get some goodies out today and do a little scrapping fingers crossed!

Hugs leona x

[aliscrapper]

Good to hear Lucy...a lso slowly recovering here so i think i may get some goodies out today and do a little scrapping fingers crossed!

Hugs leona x

I got all my goodies out yesterday to scrap and sat there for a good few minutes debating whether to use them or use stuff that I already have. Love my new goodies so much didn't want to spoil them!!!:lol:

[pollyscraps]

Glad to hear you had a nice time Ali!! You'll have to show me your goodies soon :lol:

[leigh11]

well, apart from the BIA, i have put my goodies on my blog :D ( my camera ran out of memory :lol:) when i have deleted the pics i'll try and remember to take a piccie of it:D

[whoopidoo]

I keep wondering about a BIA - you'll have to let me know how you get on Leigh :D

I'll take a piccy of my goodies soon although I can't beat yours Leigh as my conscience got the better of me and I stopped spending when I found my Grungeboard and realised I still had enough left to get what I wanted to get OH for crimbo... lucky I found it after 3 hours and not 10 mins eh? :lol::lol:

[leigh11]

:lol::lol: as i'm away this weekend, it'll be next week before i get to play but will let you know ;)

sorry--didn't make post office today either--hoping to get there tomorrow hun :wub:

[Legoluce]

I'm going to take a pic of my stuff now, and maybe even use it!!!

[Legoluce]

Here are some links to my stuff :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/Legoluce/STA74123.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/Legoluce/STA74125.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/Legoluce/STA74126.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/Legoluce/STA74128.jpg

[maddiejane]

My piccies are on my blog.
Mentioned to hubby i would quite like to go in April again rather than wait round til September & i was suprised i didn't get an outright NO! So looks hopeful atm :)!

[Lynnda]

well that is encouraging. My OH survived his first visit, I haven't been brave enough to mention April yet but he did say we would have to go again!! not sure he realised how soon. He does know I am going to the NEC in November and was talking about what to do then where to eat etc. so maybe he will enjoy another trip!!!

[germgirl]

Did anyone get stuck in that terrible traffic on the way home? it took me nearly 3 hours to go 25 miles! every way I turned there was another accident and road closure, and then, half a mile from home, there was a 10 mile diversion! My dinner was very well cooked by the time I got home (it had been in the slow cooker all day :))
Apart from that though, we had a great time, I spent muy budget plus about a fiver, which was OK, got loads of stamps, some cuttlebug bits, 2 BG packs (offbeat and ambrosia), a few more papers, some core-dinations. Loads of lovely stuff.
I also met up with one of my team mates for the first time, which was lovely.
All in all a great day, my dad's partner is already looking forward to April - she'd never been to anything like AP before, and she absolutely loved it :)

[whoopidoo]

Was that the saturday Jackie? Only incident with us was a bit of an accident in Wood Green high street which held us up for about 20 mins. Otherwise the biggest hold up was my dads sat nav directing us this really odd back roads route to the motorway :wacko: :lol: What time did you leave? Left the fayre at 2pm but the actual park about 3pm.

Then we couldn't work out how we had to go through the dartford tunnel on the way up but didn't have to go over the bridge on the way back. V.strange.

[amcmen]

Sunday evening it took me over 2 hours to about 50 miles. There were accidents on the North Circular, a carnival in East London and problems on the M1 and M4!

Anna x

[Azimuth]

*waves to Jackie* it was good to meet you, too! I also got stuck in traffic although I didn't initially have as far to go. When I finally left London at 7:30 there was *still* a lot of traffic. Apparently some massive accident where the air ambulance came out etc - the road I needed to be on was shut til 7:00 - I should have gone round, as it would have been quicker than going that way when it had only just opened. I then got stuck in the traffic from 2 more incidents on the M1. long day, but good.

this is where I whisper that I didn't actually spend my budget, and I spent most in the shop that's just up the road from me in the Midlands. The vendor was a little surprised to see me! hehehe

[whoopidoo]

We stayed at Santa Fe, try and get the earliest breakfast slot otherwise you are queuing for ages. When we got there the restaurant was almost empty but when we left the were queuing right out the hotel door.

[jayni]

Can't believe its over a week now since Ally Pally. I took a pic of all my goodies before I had a play yesterday, first chance I've had.

You can see it here http://cardscraftandcoffee.blogspot.com/2008/10/ally-pally.html

Iim now wishing a got a BIA whilst there but will put it on my Crimbo list now!!