Our first show of the year, Creative Stitches and Hobbycrafts at Glow, Bluewater, started the year as we mean to go on – as a fabulous success! We’ve received some heartwarming feedback from visitors and exhibitors alike, which is always what we like to hear! The two shows at the stylish new events venue Glow at Bluewater saw over 11,000 visitors throughout the four days, despite a few inches of snow fall on the Sunday. Dedicated crafters, including Gill from London, braved the icy conditions – nothing could keep her away!

“We nearly didn’t think we’d make the show on Sunday due to the snow, but luckily we braved it after digging out the car from the drive(!) and made it to Bluewater.  We had a great day and will definitely visit the show again.” – Gill, London

There were many positive reviews about the venue itself, accessibility, catering and variety of creative crafting supplies on offer, plus the stunning displays including Downton Abbey costumes; the whimsical ‘Romance of the Words’ (very apt for this time of year, wouldn’t you agree?); and the exquisite ‘Art of Lace’ exhibit. Not to mention the stylish catwalk shows, which saw a host of stunning models strutting a fashionable collection of garments and accessories down the runway.

The 3D knitted spectacular Above and Below the Waves drew many gasps of admiration, with its three dimensional tunnel depicting life under the waves in all its knitted glory! It leaves us even more excited and in anticipation for knitting goddess Alison Murray’s next project – The Big Books – coming to an ICHF show near you in 2013. The finished project will feature three enormous freestanding textile books each measuring up to nine feet high by five feet wide, with each book depicting a separate theme –  ‘Mythology’, ‘Nature through the Day’ and ‘Future and Science’ - this project looks set to be even more magical than the last!

After the shows at Glow, Bluewater received such a fantastic reception, we look forward to bringing back Creative Stitches and Hobbycrafts to Glow, Bluewater in the autumn, 6-9 September (previously 5-8 September).

It was a wonderful first show to start a monumental year for ICHF… which brings us to some very exciting news, and an amazing milestone for us… our 500th show with Craft Hobby + Stitch International! A fitting show to celebrate this fantastic achievement, as Craft Hobby + Stitch International, or International Craft & Hobby Fair (as it was previously known, and also where our name comes from!) was the first ever ICHF show, held back in 1976 at Wembley Conference Centre. As Europe’s largest trade show for the art, craft and hobby industry, our flagship show is going from strength to strength and signifies a bright future for both ICHF’s trade and consumer shows. Here’s to the next 500!

And so, as preparations are well underway for our upcoming Creative Stitches and Hobbycrafts shows at the SECC, Glasgow, and Sewing for Pleasure, Fashion Embroidery & Stitch and Hobbycrafts at NEC, Birmingham - which show are you most looking forward to? We’re super excited to be bringing you The Sewing Hub to both the SECC and NEC, which will be a haven for dressmakers and fashion fans looking for something unique on a budget, and comprises of the Stitch Diva’s Den, The Pattern Bar and the Sewing Machine Clinic. Not to mention ICHF’s very own version of London Fashion Week at Fashion Embroidery & Stitch! We always love to hear from you, so let us know which show/features you’re excited about by writing a comment below or emailing info@ichf.co.uk.

Before we sign off, we cannot fail to mention the most romantic holiday of the year… Valentine’s Day! How did you celebrate the day of love? Hearts and flowers? Cupcakes and champagne? Single or loved up, we hope you had fun! Take a look at what one of the girls in the office made in honour of the occasion…

Love was definitely in the air, with some very lucky girls in the office also receiving roses delivered to the door!

Until next time,

The ICHF Team x