Knitting & Stitching Show + Soft Monster Toy

I got a chance to go to the Spring Knitting & Stitching Show at Olympia over the weekend so I thought I'd share. I normally go to the show up in Alexander Palace but I was happy to go to this one too since it's not very far from where I live in London. I liked the fact that the venue was small, thus making it more manageable for a preggers lady to do in one afternoon. There weren't many quilts on display though but there were tons of venders on hand of course. 

I only had my phone camera handy so please forgive the shoddy pictures!

 (Some cute ribbon from craftyribbons.com and gorgeous Liberty lifestyle print bags at the Fabrics Galore booth.)

I did manage to actually get my act together and sign up for a workshop this time. I took a really fun Soft Monster Toy workshop so that I could bring home something for my daughter.

(That's my purple koala/monster WIP in the corner)

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I have so much fabric already that I didn't bring home much. Only a fun variegated ball of yarn (soon to be gender neutral hat for baby), some pre-cut hexagons and a super cute charm pack.

All in all, a nice afternoon out despite the pouring rain and I'm really glad that I could attend a shoe in central London :)

The Village Haberdashery: Open Weekend in London

I interrupt my mini "blog vacation" to bring you some good news. The Village Haberdashery is one of my favorite online fabric stores and they are celebrating the opening of their new "bricks and morter" store this coming weekend. If you are in London, please give it a visit!

What: The Village Haberdashery's first Open Weekend!
Date and time: Saturday, 15th December 11-7 and Sunday, 16th December 11-5
Location: 47 Mill Lane, West Hampstead, London NW6 1NB (West Hampstead Tube station)

London Transport Museum

One of our favorite day trips out in London is to the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden.  There are plenty of working models and interactive exhibits to keep your little ones engaged. Little miss just loves being able to "drive" all the real busses and trains. Also, your ticket entitles you to an annual membership so the museum is great value as well. 

The old double decker route masters are so cool :)

A really gorgeous exhibit of transport inspired art...

The gift shop is really nice and not filled with the usual fodder. They even sell textiles! Check out this display of really gorgeous pillows...

Since it was the last day of the Olympics, we wanted to soak up the atmosphere and we weren't dissapointed. Just look at how crowded Covent Garden was...

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Oh and if you're itching for some cupcakes, check out sweet couture cupcake boutique which is only a 5 minute walk from the museum. I always pop in when in the area :)

Enjoy!

Sass & Belle

I visited the sass & belle store (not to be confused with sass & bade) during a recent trip to Covent Garden and was completely delighted with all their wonderful crafty gifts and decorations. They have a wonderful collection of cushions, bunting, children's decorations and vintage inspired gifts.  It's a great stop for some affordable souvenirs if you are ever in London. I came away with some really cute owl ribbon and will definitely return!

sass & belle: 21-20 New Row, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4LE

The Big Egg Hunt in London

Fabergé is sponsoring a really fun Big Egg Hunt all throughout London right now. I came across the giant eggs during an impromptu walk around Covent Garden today (more about my tour later). Once spotted, you can check in via text for each egg. I think you are then entered into a contest to win an actual Fabergé egg.

However, I just felt like a kid running around looking for these things. It was great fun!

These were all spotted around Covent Garden. The furry one in the middle was my favorite.

It's Biscuit Time!

I came across this really lovely tin at my local Marks & Spencer a few weeks ago and just had to share. It's just a regular tin for shortbread biscuits but I just fell in love with the design inspired by London landmarks.  Once the biscuits are gone, I'm going to use the tin to organize some sewing supplies but I plan to enjoy the contents first :)

And for my American friends out there, "biscuit" = "cookie" out here in the UK.  Funny enough, one of my little one's favorite phrases is "BIS-KIT? PLEASE MOMMY!"

Here she is trying to get her fix...

New! Little Liberty & DVF for GapKids

I am so in trouble! 

Not one, but two of my favorite fashion sources are launching new clothes for kids.

Liberty of London (one of my favorite English department stores) is launching Little Liberty, their brand new children's department, on Feb 23 at their Regent Street store. According to their site, it's 2000 sq feet of clothing, toys, accessories and books for little ones. I must clear my diary now.

Here are some of my Little Liberty favorites:

Petite Bateau Striped Sailor Dress 

Barbour Rose Liberty Print jacket

Limited edition Liberty Bugaboo Chamleon. Win it here.

On March 15th, Diane Von Furstenberg is launching a collection for GapKids. I'm a huge fan of DVF's classic wrap dresses (can you say buh bye to mummy tummy?) so why not a mini version for Little Miss?

Here are some of my DVF favorites:

image via scoopcharlotte

images via downtownmagazinenyc

Oh, thank goodness for little girls and their little girl designers :)

London Zoo + Little Pink Backpack

We decided to take Little Miss to the London Zoo in Regents park for a belated family outing for her recent birthday. It was a cold, yet sunny day and most of the animals were out enjoying the sunshine. Little Miss loved seeing all the penguins swim around their new home and saying "Hello monkey" to all the monkeys. I also liked how the zoo used Christmas trees as toys/entertainment for the animals (what a way to recycle).

Little Miss watching Lion vs. Christmas Tree

"Baby viewing platform"

Aside from having a great day out, Little Miss also needed an early bed time which game me some free time to do some sewing. Hooray!

I always wanted to try out this drawstring backpack tutorial pattern from Prudent Baby and managed to whip one up in less than an hour. Next time around I would use a thinner material for the straps but I used what I had in my stash. The finished product was a bit on the small side but just perfect for a 2 year old or a favorite stuffed animal!

My sewing space (aka..the kitchen table) before getting started.

Fabric from The Eternal Maker. 

Cotton tape (used as straps) is from John Lewis.

London Renegade Craft Fair 2011

I managed to visit the London Renegade Craft Fair over the past weekend. Nearly half the tube network was not running (very typical London) so it was quite a trek to get to Shoreditch. However, I wasn't disappointed when I arrived. 

The event was held at the Old Truman Brewery so the space was very open with wonderful natural light. It had a very relaxed feel and felt like something I would have found in my old East Village neighborhood back at home (live DJ included).

People were very friendly and I managed to chat with several of the vendors. I was surprised to find that many vendors made the trip over from the US to attend and even met one who grew up near my home town in New York (small world!).

I generally gravitate towards children's clothing and gifts at craft fairs, particularly hand made dolls and softies. But this time I was drawn to several t-shirt artists, picking up a few unique gifts for little miss and family.

From top left:

1. I loved the light filled warehouse space

2. wee toddler tees and onesis made by joy nevada little ones

3. "happy tee's for wee people" made by tee and toast

4. fabulous batik t-shirts made by Hiho Batik of Miami

5. I wish I had a little boy for this great punk rock t-shirt (also Hiho Batik)

London Craft Fair Roundup - Fall 2011

For this crafty girl, the drop in temperature, warm coats and pretty colored leaves means that the Fall and holiday craft fair season is about to begin.

I thought it would be nice to compile a list of some really interesting craft fairs in and around London. Although I have not been to many of these in the past, I'm looking forward to attending as many as I can in the next few weeks.

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Origin - September 22-28

Old Spitalfields Market London (E1 6EW) 

"The Contemporary Craft Fair"

The Knitting and Stitching Show 2011 - Oct 6-9

Alexandra Palace, London (N22 7AY)

"The best textile exhibitions in Europe!"

The Renegade Craft Fair - October 8/9

The Old Truman Brewery (91 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL)

"The Renegade Craft Fair is a large-scale DIY marketplace event, featuring hundreds of the best indie craft designers and makers around."

(This is has great reputation back in the US so I'm really looking forward to this one).

Spirit of Christmas Fair  - Nov 2-6
Olympia Center, London
(Although not an "official" craft fair, I'm sure their will be some really great work by different crafty artists. Plus, I love Christmas fairs).

Made in Clerkenwell Winter 2011 - Nov 24-27

Craft Central, Clerkenwell (2 locations - EC1M 4DS and  EC1R 0DX)

(I've been to this fair in the past, it's a nice mix of local artisans).

BUST Magazine Christmas Craftacular - Nov 27
York Hall, Bethnal Green (E2 9PJ)
"The BUST Magazine Christmas Craftacular is London’s hippest craft fair..."
(I went to this craft fair 2 years ago and really enjoyed it's artsy, homey vibe along with their many independent artists.)

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