It's April, it must be 'Ally Pally' time again...........

After three days of feeling 'under the weather', I was glad to feel well enough to take part in a girls day out to 'The Big Stamp & Scrapbook Show' at Alexandra Palace in North London. At 8.30am sharp 'D' arrived & we set off in the sunshine to pick up 'S' & 'J'! As driver I must say it was a thoroughly enjoyable drive through the Bedfordshire countryside to the A1M & we met with little traffic all the way down into London, arriving at 'Ally Pally' in time to park, walk up the hill (and boy! is it ever a HILL!!) & buy our tickets in time for doors opening at 10am!
I never fail to be impressed by Alexandra Palace. As well as it's part in the history of TV broadcasting, it is an impressive sight, sitting on it's green hill with panoramic views over London.

This year, I have to comment, the 'de rigeur' accessory for the discerning craft shopper seemed to be the environmentally friendly, jute shopping bag! It seemed as if every person making the climb up the hill to the BSSS had at least one & that's got to be a good thing - right?!!

The Spring BSSS always seems so much busier than the Autumn one, and as soon as we were through the doors it was madness! We split into two pairs & headed into the fray! Our first stop was the 'Everything a £' stall ( & 12 items for £10!!)!!! - Serious bargains to be had!! I stocked up on basics like double sided tape & glue dots, chipboard sheets & scissors. Still not feeling 100%, I felt the need to break for drink & a sit down at 11ish & then back to bargain hunting! We all met up at 12.30 & took our packed lunches outside into the sunshine, it really was a beautiful day. After comparing our morning purchases we returned to the West Hall to complete our circuit! All four of us managed a satisfying 'haul' & I think we all came in on budget!!!

We finally met up for coffee & a last minute dash to a stall that had been overlooked, selling patterned paper at 25 sheets for £5! (7 gypsies, Basic Grey, Crate Paper, Urban Lilly - all good stuff!!!) & then headed off to load our bags into the car!! The journey back to Bedford was just as pleasant as our drive in, but a good deal quieter! Everyone just enjoyed the sunshine & 'D' kept her window open to stop her dozing off!!

When I got back home & had spent some time with Hubby & boys, I enjoyed unpacking my bag of goodies, & feeling thoroughly smug about the good value!! But my favourite purchase of the day has to be this woven label, tiny, but it says it all!! My only comment is that it should read 'XL' instead of 'Medium', but a girl can dream!!

Now all I need to do is to get the boys back to school on Tuesday, restore order to the house & allocate myself some serious scrapping time!! If only it were that easy!!