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