Daily Check-In Post 3rd March 2021

[pensnest]

Hello everyone, and welcome to the regular daily check-in post, for this week hosted by me, pensnest. Just leave a comment below to let us know how your current projects are progressing, or even if they're not.

Checking in is NOT compulsory, check in as often or as seldom as you want, this community isn't about pressure it's about encouragement, motivation, and support. Crafting is meant to be fun, and what's more fun than sharing achievements and seeing the wonderful things everyone else is creating?

There may also occasionally be questions, but again you don't have to answer them, they're just a way of getting to know each other a bit better.

Today's Question: Where do you get your materials? Do you have a favourite supplier?

If anyone has any questions of their own about the community, or suggestions for tags, questions to be asked on the check-in posts, or if anyone is interested in playing check-in host for a week here on the community, which would entail putting up the daily check-in posts and responding to comments, go to the Questions & Suggestions post and leave a comment.

I now declare this Check-In OPEN!

Comments

[m_findlow]

For me, I really miss the trade shows. It's where I've got 95 percent of everything I currently have. Craft shops basically don't exist in bricks and mortar here anymore and the art shops that are around only have cheap, tacky stuff for kids.
Mum and I loved the trade shows because everyone does demo's and lots of stuff is heavily discounted at shows so you pick up twice as much stuff for the same price and don't feel too bad about buying stuff you have no idea what to do with yet. Cross stitch kits were the best because I always like the really big, fancy ones which are upwards of $100 normally and I'd get them for maybe $60.
I haven't been to one for many years for various reasons and now with covid I don't know if we'll ever see them again. The downside was always how ridiculously packed it was, and a real bun fight to get to anything at the stalls, but I do miss just thinking about them not being here. Buying online isn't reply something I've tried. I like to be able to see things first hand and not having to pay additional postage. There are two major shows for the year and the first is always in March and the second in July so doubtful well get either this year. :(

[pensnest]

That's a very good point - I miss those shows, too. I used to go to the Knitting and Stitching Show in Alexandra Palace, which was *enormous* and horrifyingly crowded, so that you had to buy that thing that you liked the look of on your first pass, or you'd never fight your way back to it! There was a really excellent small show every summer called Fibre East, which was basically all about the yarn, with loads of small creators and high class yarns in fabulous colours, plus all the things that you might conceivably need to go with your yarn. I got some ammonite buttons there once. A chance to see lots of different things and stroke all the yarn, which is important!

For me, buying online works when I am already familiar with the brand so I know I will like it. Can't be so brave about trying unfamiliar stuff - and actually, it's a whole lot harder to find as well. Let's hope our big shows come back next year.