Aintree with Jo

Before I begin can I just say Welcome to my newest Followers.  I'll be along to visit you shortly.  Thanks for following me, it means a lot.

Well, I was not going to go to the Aintree Show but a conversation "wi' mi' mate Jo" the night previous and I set off in the pouring down (read torrential) rain on Thursday for Aintree and one of the 'ichf shows'.  It took far longer to make the journey as the rush hour traffic had obviously slowed down and so the rush hour went on until well past 10 am.

First stop was obviously to see the Oyster Stamp Family and it was lovely to see Tom and Liam there - two young guys who always make me feel warm and fuzzy because they are so lovely.  Then it was Tracey, busy demonstrating and sporting a new hair cut which really does suit her, and Graham, her lovely other half.  /a bit later I saw Barbara, whom I always enjoy working with so much, she was doing continual workshops in another part of the hall - well worth doing if you are going there today.  I gave Tracey my Design pieces (one on here yesterday and the other below) and then, because it was so busy dashed off to see what I could find.

This is another of the Jewelled Goddess diecuts from Oyster Stamps and this time I decided to make it into one of those mannekins that have been so popular but this time with coloured sheets of paper rather than a magazine as usual.  I have Annette to thank for showing me how to do these and there is another one partly done but more of that another day.

I only had a look on one stand and when I turned around there was Jo talking to Wendy from Cardio.  I went over and made some comment about her not being on time for the "meet" if she didn't stop chatting and after saying "hi" to Wendy we made our way to see who else was going to turn up.  

When we got to the eating area we found Carol and her daughter Becky (see Jo's blog) so managed to grab two seats next to them.  Later we were joined by Ann and her daughter Wendy (below).  Ann was telling me she is being laced into an Elizabethan costume next weekend for a Fayre she is attending.  She was most distressed as she cannot show her purple hair off!  I didn't get a photograph but we did meet up with Jacqui and Carmel too.

Spent very little apart from the things from Oyster Stamps so will show you the textile photos that, I hope, are different to those Jo uploaded.

I love masks and I think this was  by someone from Merseyside Embroiderers' Guild

as was this flower from a Fascinator

and these tiny pictures

The Guild are having an Exhibition in the Concert Room, Liverpool Cathedral, St James' Mount.  On Saturday, 9th June at 3 pm Kathryn Thompson will be the speaker - "Dolls with Attitude".  Sounds good.

Don't think Jo had this one - it's Victorian Mourning Wear

More beautiful work

Bob in his wooden hat

Love this waistcoat on the Soluble Film Company's stand

Finally -  Paverpol (I want...)

This is the husband of Shirley who had a stand showing her Paverpol creations.  These can actually be put outside!  He was a very interesting man to talk to and I intended going back and then didn't make it.  Not to worry, I learned a lot from him and now would love to dabble in it.  Must find out more about the lady who does these.

Hope you have enjoyed my brief, but heavy on pictures, blog today.  The show was worth going to for the exhibits - and don't forget, there was Downton Abbey there too.

(some of the exhibits you were not allowed to photograph, one lady explained that they could not give permission to photo work by some of the ladies exhibiting as they had not had permission from those persons.  Others clearly had a sign on them so maybe they were destined for another show with merits being given - who knows?)