{first craft fair}

...oh me oh my...
This past weekend I changed my wicked ways and finally went to my first craft fair at Got Craft? : holiday edition, and then followed it with my second the very same day at Deck The Hall.  My lovely SIL went to the last Got Craft? fair in May, alas on my one day off between closing a show, moving, and starting rehearsals for another show the next day.  Bad timing to say the least, so though I had really wanted to go with her when she stood in line early in the morning to get a free swag bag, I couldn't bring myself to part with those truly precious hours of sleep that morning.  I did, however, kick myself pretty hard after hearing how awesome her swag bag was and felt an unbecoming amount of jealousy toward her.

So this time when she sent out the word this was happening again and she was heading in early for the swag I was ALL OVER that.  Alas, I got one of the last couple spots and called my SIL to let her know, so she re-routed back home and I had to wait on my lonesome.  Also, on account of being at the very end of the line, I was standing in the open doorway the whole time rather than further inside, warmer, and sitting.  Now I know better for next time.  It was a painful wait.  My usually poker-hot hands and feet lost feeling from the cold as I waited.  But it was worth it.  A huge thank you to all of the lovely vendors who contributed to such a great swag bag that I would consider that wait worth it.
There were many awesome vendors there, and I would have loved to buy at least 65% of all items I saw there.  Obviously that didn't happen.  So I wanted to highlight some of the sellers that caught my attention the most, starting with the few I felt so compelled as to spend my meager budget on.

 {dotty logic}

I briefly spoke with the lovely Jasonda who designs the fabrics at dotty logic as I perused the patterns she had created.  I loved each of the patterned fabrics she had on show so much, but I had to choose the little bits I would treat myself to for now.  I bought some of her sprig & wreath and joyeux noel patchwork.

 {somebuttonlovesyou}

I don't usually go crazy for buttons, but I particularly loved her button purse mirrors.  One side looks like a large button with prints of your choice, but the other side holds a mirror rather than a pin.  I found a lovely matryoshka doll illustration for myself and a couple others for gifts.

{hudsonny}

I can't reveal what I got from hudsonny for surprise gift giving, but I can say that everything in this shop was SO CUTE!  I wish my dreams were in a world created by them.

{fleet objects} 

While this is a lovely picture, I wish I had a pic of the display created at their table.  There was the large, squat vase with the lid (pictured far right) with holly branches poking out of half the holes, alongside the pencil one shown above.  I indulged in the latter one, withe the azure blue on the inside, intent on recreating a mini-version of the holly vase at home...and I DID.  Those lids are a perfect alternative the the 'frogs' so often used for floral arrangements to keep things in place.  I like this way of keeping things tidy even better.

Now onto the lovely sellers that I couldn't quite shop from right now, but boy did I want to.

{bubbly shnooks}

Again, another land filled with cuteness and happiness.  Even her business card was to cute not to keep.

{owl+pussycat}

I may not have bought anything from this store that day, but I am particularly enjoying their contribution to the swag bag, namely a mini-felt stocking.  I put one leftover twig of holly from my other arrangement into the stocking and hung it on our door.  Just the right amount of holiday decorating for my tastes.

So that's it, folks.  Great fun, great gifties, and lots of eye candy.