Did any of you get to Kirstie Allsopp's Handmade Fair at Hampton Court at the weekend?  Did you enjoy yourselves?

As with any craft fair, there were plenty of opportunities to spend money, with 2 huge marquees full of amazing stalls selling a wide variety of beautifully made items, and materials to make it yourself. 

 However, the big difference at Hampton Court was the emphasis on making whilst you were there.  There were opportunities to try a new skill (in paper crafts, food decoration etc) or take part in a making session with dozens, or even hundreds, of other crafters.

There were also a number of quick crafts available at some of the stalls - decorating a cake pop, wrapping a chocolate bar, trying rubber-stamping. There were talks on the big stage (mainly well-known crafts people like Kaffee Fassett and Cath Kidston) and at the Etsy Business School.

Also unlike many other similar events, the opportunities for eating were good.  Nothing bog-standard at Hampton Court!  You could get all sorts of tasty treats from crispy duck wraps, crepes and a cocktail to tea in a china cup accompanied by a talented trio of ladies singing 40s songs, dressed in 40s style.

And then there were the pompoms.  The 'theme' of the weekend was pompoms, with an aim of making a world record-beating pompom garland.  You could take some along to add to the growing garland, or you could make some there. 

 Hobbycraft were selling their pompom-making gadgets and wool, so you could have made a quick one over coffee!  Pompoms - both wool and paper - and bunting were everywhere, which gave a lovely village / vintage feel to the whole area.  Kirstie even had pompoms on her shoes!

The garland also had a serious side, raising money for the charity Sense.

It was a useful (I came away with some new ideas and some Christmas presents!) and enjoyable day, with a lovely atmosphere.  If there's another one, it's worth making the effort to get to, if you can.