Friday 19 April 2013

Alexandra Palace and my haul of goodies

I promised I would be back to share my day at the Stamp show last weekend. Alexandra Palace is a really interesting venue, I had never been before and I was intrigued by the building. It was apparently built in 1873 as a public area for recreation, education and entertainment. It was to be known as "The peoples' Palace". It has suffered a couple of fires in its history and  indeed after its initial opening was destroyed by fire. It was quickly rebuilt and its upkeep was eventually taken over by the local council in the 1900s. It was deemed to be kept for the use of the public for ever more.

In the 1930s part of the Palace was leased by the BBC. The world's first TV broadcasts were make from Ally Pally as it is affectionately known. I didn't have time to see the grounds it is set in but there are no less than 196 acres of beautiful parkland surrounding it. The Palace is 150 years old this year too and there are some planned celebrations there for the summer months.



There are several halls at Ally Pally and the show was being held in the Great Hall. The entrance for this was via the Palm Entrance..it was very grand.














The palms there are huge and thrive in what is almost a giant greenhouse.
















The Palace is still undergoing conservation work and everything is looking really good.



















There were some great Victorian murals on the walls too.
This corridor led into the Great Hall and the show itself.









These are the views north and south. In the first photo you can see the old Organ which is being restored and in the photo above you can see the gorgeous stained glass window.





Here is a close up. These photos were taken early on when the crowds were not too big. I think that in previous years the show has been hosted in one of the smaller halls so there was much more room to move around here.





Many of the main stamp makers names were there including Lili of the Valley, Visible Image, Rubber Necker etc as well as many of the well know stockists of everything to do with card making. I spent all day there and really enjoyed browsing and seeing some things in the flesh. There were demos too including some by the lovely Sue Wilson. She is such a charming lady and despite the crowds had time for everyone who stopped by. Here she is in action.
She really is the Queen of Spellbinders dies!

I finally dragged myself away at 4.30pm and took the train home. I promised I would show you my haul and so as not to make myself (or my Hb if he gets to read this gasp) I decided to stack everything and  photograph it all together. It then does not too bad (does it??!!) OK ...here we are...
It's not too bad is it ;0)

The Things which I Really Do Love and I have tucked behind are the Spellbinders Lovely Lattice die, Whimsy sentiment stamps and dies and also 5 new Tim Holtz Distress Ink pads. I also got 3 gorgeous colours of metallic guilding wax...swoon.



Yummy ink pad colours, I will have fun with these. His names of colours are great...Tattered Rose, Salty Ocean, Peeled Paint etc.....
















And new stamps too to play with. All I need is more crafty time.....I wish!
















Today's card challenge card uses one of my favourite "old" stamps called Bella Sleeping by Wild Rose Studios. This stamp lends itself to so many occasions. For this one I used it is for a new baby card I was commissioned to make.




Here she is in close up...such a sweetie. I have coloured my stamped image with Promarkers and highlighted with my Prismacolor pencils.
The backing paper is an old Dovecraft paper I still have in my stash. I really like the lush gingham ribbon to finish it off. The sentiment is LOTV.







I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

Paper Shelter #108 Make it bloom
I love Promarkers Pastel colours #164
Bearly Mine Spring flowers #82
Cupcake Craft Cute and Cuddly #238
Stamping Sensations Occasions
Penny Black and More Blossoms and bows
Visible Image Get stamping
Emma's Cards Butterflies
Pretty Little ribbons spring #21 can I also mention that they have a great giveaway running on their blog here
My Mum's Craft shop Easter or Easter colours

It's Friday evening already and the month is rushing by. I hope to get out to sort some gardening tomorrow and on Sunday we are going to a Tea Dance at our Dance School. It is a new venture and we are going to have a real high tea, with sandwiches and hand made cakes served on cake stands...it should be a fun afternoon. Plus we get to do some dancing to burn off those calories.

Have a lovely weekend everyone and thanks as always for your kind visits here, it is always lovely to see you all and read the sweet comments that you leave.

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x

22 comments:

  1. Ally Pally is such an amazing building, I do love a bit of history!
    That's a really good idea piling everything on top of each other to make it look less, I must remember that little trick! ;)
    What a great stash!!
    That little elephant is so cute.
    Have a great weekend Jane and enjoy your tea dance!
    V xxx

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  2. Hi Jane.. wow, that Ally Pally is gorgeous! The big palms in there are amazing. It's fun to see all the new goodies, I know you will make good use of them. Enjoy using your new things! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  3. What a lovely historical building Jane, brilliant photos. No stacking doesn't help disguise the amount of new stash, safer keeping it tucked away in a dark bag lol. I am off to a craft show tomorrow, hope I get as much nice stash as you. Your card is just adorable! What a class image for a new baby! Thanks for joining us at Stamping Sensations.
    Pinky

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  4. Oh wow... U lucky duck!
    All that new crafty stash!!
    Your cards fab sweete xxx

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  5. Good evening, Jane! Wow! Ally Pally is amazing! I love historical buildings and this one looks beautiful from your pics...then fill it full of crafty goodness - heaven on earth! Looks like you got yourself quite the stash (am I jealous? YES!!) I'm trying to sit on my hands and stave off the spending, so am green with envy at your buys! I'm sure you will have lots of fun playing with them!
    Love your pretty baby card, with sweet image and lush gingham ribbon! Hugs, Lisa x

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  6. Good evening Jane....Such a beautiful place..I haven't been to Alexandra Palace but would recognise it anywhere. Love your buys too and your latest card is so sweet!
    Most of all I want to say thank you so much for the beautiful necklace which my lovely postman delivered safely to me today. It really is beautiful and the card is so very pretty...you are a lovely friend and I feel so lucky...I shall treasure both!!
    Happy Weekend,
    Susan x

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  7. Oh my Jane what a wonderful place. Ally Pally is a huge edifice and beautiful. The Organ is magnificent and the long halls and indoor gardens are stunning. I can't imagine your excitement to see all those supplies and stamps in one place. Eye candy right!!!
    Love your card today, baby bella is so sweet : )
    Have a wonderful weekend playing with your new stash.
    xoRobin

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  8. aww, your bella card is just soo cute! i always enjoy your photos and commentary and am so pleased to see 'ally pally.' i read so many blogs where it's mentioned and being from canada i'll never get there so now i know what i'm missing. :) looks like some fun new goodies to play with. thank you so much for playing along with us at penny black and more this month.
    linda

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  9. Hi Jane! How great old building! And looks perfect place for the exhibition. I'm sure you have a wonderful time and difficulties to pick your shoppings! Have a lovely weekend and enjoy your dancing afternoon with delicious tea serving! x Teje

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  10. I love this image Jane, a lovely card. Thanks for joining in Emma's crafty challenge and good luck xx


    The photos are amazing, I've never been lucky enough to go so thank you for sharing x

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  11. Cute with a capital C, love the image. Thanks for joining us at I Love Promarkers and enjoy your new stash! xx

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  12. Great pix of Ally Pally , Jane...such a wonderful venue for crafty shows, isn't it? And what a wonderful collection of goodies you brought back from there! All lovely, useful and inspiring stuff though, so well worth adding to your crafty stash! Today I have been enjoying my pretty card and busy bee bag charm that you sent me...thank you so much again :)
    Wishing you a happy Sunday!
    Helen x

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  13. Great pics, thanks for sharing and I love your card, it's totally adorable. Thanks for taking part at I ♥ Promarkers this week.

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  14. I used to sit my exams in the Great Hall at AP, so thank you for this post, it has bought back memories!! Beautiful card also, love the colouring of that cute image and your colour combo. Thanks for joining us at Cupcake. Keeley

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  15. Oh your image is so cute :) I love your card! Thanks for joining us at the Paper Shelter Challenge! Hugs, Merkkari

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  16. Hi Jane
    So good to see you back with us again at Penny Black and More with a gorgeous card. Who could not fall in love with the adorable elephant image. I love the colour combo and the lovely shaped sentiment.
    Thank you for sharing your card with us and good luck in our prize draw.

    Shirley

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  17. Dear Jane,

    You made me smile so wide with that new stash - that's one proper pile full of wonderfulness :) - You lucky girl! You'll have fantastic summer ahead of you in your studio crafting away with all those...and I can't wait to see all your beautiful creations!

    Wishing you a lovely day, and many happy greetings from sunny Finland again!

    Yours,
    Mia

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  18. I'm still running very late Jane, but they say better late than never.

    That looks like quite a haul from Ally Pally and I spot my my favourite picked rasberry in there, enjoy.

    The image on your card is really adorable and I love blue and green together.

    Thanks so much sharing with us at Pretty Little Ribbons, Stamping Sensations and Penny Black and More challenges.

    B x


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  19. What a beautiful place. I always like looking at your photos and your card is too cute :)

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  20. What lovely photographs! looks like you had a fun time at Ally Pally. Nice choice of goodies you brought home with you! :-)

    Such a lovely, sweet card too - Thank you for entering into Emma's Crafty Challenge ~ good luck! :)

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  21. Looks like a really fun trip to the Ally Pally. I'm sure you can justify every purchase ; ) It's definitely like being a kid in a candy store!

    Enjoy your goodies!

    Jane

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  22. Beautiful card and love the stamp.
    Wonderful new stash of goodies - hope you have had time to play with them all. Stunning shots of the hall too.

    Thank you for joining the Blossoms and Bows challenge over at Penny Black and More @ Allsorts and good luck x Susan x

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Jane x