Friday we went to the Creativ Festival. When we walked in, I was initially disappointed as it seemed much, much smaller. However, as we walked around I realized that the booths were all crafts related, rather than there being what I think of as the “sham wow” salespeople. The past few years there have been way too many of those vendors that really had no relation to crafts at all. This year? This year, it was all quilting, knitting, sewing, beading, embroidery and some scrapbooking. I think it’s a vast improvement.
The first order of business was getting the two things I was determined to bring home — a new Martelli rotary cutter and more of the Roxanne #12 sharps. I had a Martelli cutter but didn’t pay attention to the “use only Martelli blades” and, after using some other blades, it was ruined. The Martelli cutter is much easier on my hands. The needles are my absolute favourite to stitch with and use as pins when hand piecing.
Next on the list was a shorter ruler for cutting printed shapes. I saw some smaller ones than this, but I thought this might be a more useful size overall. The rulers I have are all longer than this and are just too large for some cutting.
Thread was next — more of the YLI Heirloom thread that I love to use and a spool of Aurifil for machine piecing. I had hoped to find a booth selling Superior Threads as I’d like to try their Masterpiece thread, but no luck. Maybe next year.
No fabric came home with me. I had hoped to find another black and white music print for the Harpsichord Quilt and was watching for an orange/yellow batik for the POTC quilt, but didn’t see either. There were some fabulous booths full of gorgeous fabric, but nothing that worked for the quilts I’m currently working on.
For the first time I noticed there were some booths with lovely embroidery items, including gorgeous hand-dyed threads. One booth was selling some historical British sampler patterns and I couldn’t resist this one.
Mr. Quilt Obsession bought this wonderful needle minder for me. It’s a little work of art on its own and is so handy! I have been working on a couple of biscornu for Christmas gifts and, if I put it down, I can just leave the needle on the needle minder and it won’t go anywhere!
The best part of Friday? We met some friends for dinner at a restaurant near the Convention Centre. It was a lovely way to end a great day.
Lester on the windowsill on the weekend.
And Smudge, as usual, showing just how relaxed he can be. If you look closely, you’ll see his eyes were open a bit. He was completely aware his photo was being taken.
Quilt Obsession 
Sounds like a lovely day out. I use the Masterpiece thread and like it a lot, it's very fine but I don't know how that compares with the YLI as I've not tried that one. The needle keeper is fabulous.
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I've never heard of a needle minder, but what a great idea! I always use a pincushion, and then the thread gets wound around the pins…
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Looks like you got some great stuff Cathi! I'll be doing a post with my haul soon!
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It sounds that you`ve had a nice day. I use Anchor machine embroidery thread.It`s fine but I`d like to compare it with YLI thread.
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Wow what a great haul you made. There is never any sewing stuff at our craft shows. I love the stitchery pattern you bought.Crispy
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I bought two similar needle minders at the Vermont Quilt Festival in June and I love them. No more lost needles!It would appear that you got everything that you had on your list Cathi except for the fabric and thread. And I love the stitching pattern you purchased.Enjoy all your new treasures!
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What great buys. I love the idea of the needle keeper. Love and hugs Gina xxx
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Gorgeous needle minder! Oh and the sampler…it is so pretty and I know you'll have that one whipped up in no time too!
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what a great time you had…the needle minder? is it magnetic? i've never seen one here…i love it! and the wonderful shade of pink thread in the same photo…lester's whiskers and eyebrows are amazing! ☺
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It sounds like you had a great time!! I know what you mean about the "sham wow" sellers – that kind of crap seems to infest all kinds of venues – I guess it brings in $$$ to the organizers, but I don't really go to specialty festivals to see water softeners or banks advertising their wares – we only have limited resources (time and $$) and really don't want to waste energy on nonsense!!! It sounds like you had a great time, and got some fun goodies! I've never heard of a needle minder before – I'll have to investigate that! (I usually find mine in the carpet or the couch, lol – OUCH!).
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I have one of those needle minders – mine has a kitty on it. :o) I use it everytime I do hand stitching.
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What "spoils" you brought home from the fair, Cathi! What needles would you recommend for hand applique?
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Lots of goodies! I didn't see the Roxanne needles. That is one I have yet to try. The sampler pattern is very nice and I love the needle minder. You did good!!
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It sounds like it was a fun day. I've never tried that rotary cutter. I didn't know it couldn't use other blades either.
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Enjoy your new goodies!
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What a fun day and goodies ….
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drat, drat and more drat, I forgot about that, I had wanted to go as I have never been before, maybe next year!!Are you going to the Women's show this weekend? I can't because of my knee, but its a great show.Gill
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It was fun to read about your visit to the festival. I don't go anymore…too stressful driving downtown TO for me. I'll go to the spring one by the airport if it is still on.
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