Mega Crafty Weekend

oh gosh! I had such a fun and crafty, three day weekend!

On Friday I drug hubby down to Long Beach with me for the International Quilt Festival, with the dangled carrot of visiting one of his former workmates that lives in Long Beach (who had just adopted a second child, so it was a lot of fun!). I had missed it before and had always wanted to go in previous years.

As wonderful as the quilt exhibit is, the vendors are just as exciting! We got there when it opened and there was a tidal wave of quilters, sewers, crafters, all abuzz and excited. I saw quite a few other husbands in tow too. ;)

I had looked at the vendor list and the only name that I knew was the wonderful, Bird Brain Designs. Since our time was going to be limited at the show, I wanted to see them first thing. They have got to be one of the favorites as they were in the first row opposite the entrance and there was already a line at the cash register, minutes after the show had opened. I picked up some really cute patterns from them and a new product that you put through your printer and then it adheres to your fabric, so you don't have to trace your embroidery pattern anymore. I hope it works as great as the owner said - I hate tracing! I'm so lousy at it.

Oh me. I then proceeded to go through the vendor area like a whirlwind. Some booths had chairs and my husband sat down on one and a woman approached him and asked him if he "gets points for coming to the show" teehee.

I'm embarrassed to say that my wallet took a direct hit bwahahhahahaha and is a little worse for wear after the experience but boy it sure was fun to see everything (and come home with some goodies too)!

(Round One of Sally vs tempting Crafty Goodie Weekend)

I only took a few photos with my phone ... when we first entered the exhibit we saw lots of signs saying no photography ... further in, I noticed that photos were allowed. (I guess the beginning ones were artist quilts or the prize winners/or both.) I took a few of the fun ones for you guys to see.

(Thinking of Twyla here ... hello, are you there? ... and her darling little white doggies.
This is a bit more maltese-y or westie but it made me think of you Twyla!)

Day two of Mega Crafty Weekend ... Saturday and the Paper Show in San Marino.


At first I was a little disappointed by this one ... it was a much smaller venue than the one we went to last year in Glendale and it was 99.999999999% postcards. And then I noticed that some of the vendors had a small selection of books, pamphlets, magazines and other paper ephemera behind their tables holding the gazillions of postcards. (I love postcards too but I was on the hunt for something else.)

Any ideas what book this is???

You're going to laugh your head off over this on ... the first thing I bought was a "part" of a book. Yes, you heard right. I have no idea what book it's from but the illustrations were so wonderful and I happened to read this snippet from the text, which for some reason tickled me to no end:

One day Joe and Eve each had a pen and ink.
It made them glad.

And then I wandered over to the other side of the venue and spied a box that said "childrens books".

whisper whisper ... a Kate Greenaway book ... calling my name ... begging to come home with me. (that's the way it happens, you know!)

It doesn't have a copyright date inside ... it was published by the same McLouglin Bros. as my darling craft book last week. I'll have to see if I can determine how old it is, she says donning her sleuthing cap.

(I'm only scanning one page now, it takes so long for the scans to finish boo hoo!)

The sellers of this delightful book were a charming elderly couple, so adorable. I asked the price and had every intention of saying "No, I'm sorry" but I found myself saying "Yes, okay" instead. They were so dear and sweet and I couldn't resist while under their spell. Had they offered me a cookie, I would have bought everything they had teehee!

I also got two children's magazines/booklets from them ...



Lastly I got three doggie postcards from another vendor ... there were lots more postcards that I wanted from the vendor but his prices were really steep. OUCHERS!


Day three of Mega Crafty Weekend ... Renegade Craft Fair in Downtown Los Angeles

We went last year and it was so much fun, I couldn't wait to go back again. So much fun to get to see crafty bloggers and Etsy-ers and their creations in person.

I got the most gorgeous lush hand dyed wool felt from Ohma Felt,
(oh and a felt Golden Retriever photo booklet cover, made by
Kata Golda, author of this charming book and made with Ohma Felt.)
and fun paper doll cards from Hungry Dog Designs.

Oh! Kata Golda has a blog!

I collected cards from my most favorite vendors ...

And now I'm one pooped puppy, you guys! I began before breakfast and now it's time to go forage for some lunch, I'm all rumbly in my tumbly.