A few weeks ago, Natalie from And Sew On (the rather lovely fabric shop two doors up from us on the Blake House Craft Centre) took a roadtrip to Ally Pally. This wasn't the most sensible move for us, as apparently putting two not-very-good-at-adulting people in a car together and then letting them loose at a knitting and stitching show, was crazy. We won't talk about how much money we spent, because that is frankly shocking (let's just say the 11 bags over spilling with yarn was getting some stares...) and as some clever person in the world of the internet once said...
We also caused much mayhem with our cackling, which could be heard several aisles away from wherever we were standing. We had several stall holders comment on how it was lovely to see people actually enjoying themselves (I am always amazed at how miserable people look at these things myself...) but I think that may have been code for 'wow, you are wierd, don't make eye contact with the crazy ladies'.
At one point, whilst we were sitting at the cash machines (there was no where else to sit and we had cookies and coffee...) with some other ladies, we managed to scare a poor gentleman by implying (ok, actually saying) we were going to knock him over, and steal his money as we were depserate for more yarn...
Anyway, I digress. This was not just a little jolly to Ally Pally. Oh no, we were going to an AWARDS CEREMONY. That's right, because...
That's right, we won!!! Third place in the Best Independent Yarn Shop in the South East of England Category! I am totally blown away by this still, so THANK YOU so much for all voting for me. I really need to mention the other two shops who came first and second, because they are run by the two loveliest ladies. If you are in the area, you MUST go and visit them. Second place went to The Sheep Shop in Cambridge, run by Sarah, and First place went to Jenny Wrens in Ipswich, run by Lois.
The day did start in quite a civilised manner...
And this theme of serious business owners continued when we met up with the other Local Yarn Shop Owners during the ceremony...
But by the end of day the sensible businesswoman facade had vanished and we were purloining posters...
I also sort of took over the awards photo booth bit, getting as many group photos done as possible...
Official photo with Let's Knit Editor Sarah...
Sarah from The Sheep Shop in Cambridge, Lois from Jenny Wrens in Ipswich and Me! South East England Winners...
Local Yarn Shop Owners Unite!
And I got a goody bag!!! With some rather lovely but random things in there...all of which implied as a yarn shop owner I am ageing badly and have terrible skin, but let's not read in to that too much...
So once again, a HUGE thank you to everyone who voted. It was an amazing day, and an amazing honour to be voted for by you guys. I know I say it all the time, but you are all the reason I do this job :)
Cheers!
Sam x
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