I'm terrible at not working every hour available and this week has been yet another where I'm working until gone midnight and then back at it again by 7 or 8am.

I'm so very fortunate with my job but it can be hard when you bead pretty much everything yourself and then have to do all the instructions, pack all the kits etc single-handedly. Even just keeping up with the 40+ items I bead each year (some years 100+) means every evening you can find me beading away on a project.

I always mean to learn to better take time off but so far I've not got there. But today I was determined to try and do it.

I love going to the Knitting and Stitching Show but through work have missed the autumn show for the past 5 years (but managed a day out to the Spring one for a memorable day back in 2013).

But this week I've worked like mad and got on top of everything so I can take this afternoon off and head off to the show with a friend.

It was such a treat to get to visit again and be overwhelmed by all the craft, art, colour and design around me. This is such an amazing show which is jam-packed with items to buy, be inspired by and drool over.

I was quite restrained and in the end just bought a wonderful pincushion, 2 quick embroidery kits and a wonderful skeleton bauble from Spellbound Bead Co.

I had such a good time that I resolved to not wait another 5 years but instead take this Sunday off from working also and sneak back again for another day - I can't wait!