This is a love letter

Dear Stitches and Craft Show,

We hadn't met before today. Not officially, that is.

Oh, I'd eyed you up and down from afar, that's for sure. I'd drunk in your smooth and glossy brochure, running my fingertips over its cool skin and shivering with the thought of what was inside. Once I even sidled up close to you and breathed in your inky scent, though you never noticed me of course.

You were a beacon of light captured inside four high walls. A shining star hovering at the horizon of my mind. And I've heard your siren song, oh yes I have. I've been a clandestine admirer, longing to make your acquaintance.

Today I took a deep breath, screwed up my courage, and took my chance on you.

It was your deep, wide aisles that finally seduced me, you see. Your rich lusciousness, set in the jewel of my heart. The promise of your tantalising wares made me catch my breath with anticipation, and I bit my lip as I approached, nearly wincing with the deliciousness of it all.

Stitches and Craft Show, you did not disappoint me. Today the rest of the world disappeared before us. You were mine, and mine alone, and I adored you.

I revelled in your colours, your textures, your kits and buttons. I wanted to gather your madeira threads into piles and roll in them, and bathe in pools of your ribbons. Your miles of trim cried out to be strung from the ceiling like lacy, glittering chandeliers.

I spun from stall to stall, nearly blinded and aching with desire for your fabrics. My chest tightened with every step, every stall, and I held myself back until the last moment, until finally, your beauteous craft labs wrapped themselves around me, and I rocked myself in delirium at their bosom.

You're no cheap hussy, Stitches and Craft Show. Your exhibitors scale the heights of talent and accomplishment. I met your bloggers and smiled in their welcoming embrace. Your fat quarters, your quilt kits, your multitudinous handbag handles, your softies to end all softies. Your warm and wonderful bundles of yarn, your cashmere hanks and delicate beaded embroidery - I loved them all.

Oh Stitches and Craft Show, be mine for ever!

You see, you've ruined me now, Stitches and Craft Show. I cannot compare you to any other. Here at the pinnacle, all other craft shows will pale beside your brilliance. They should hang their heads in shame.

But you, stitchiest of stitchy Stitches and Craft Shows, stand tall and hold your head high. Alone in your superior excellence, you have eclipsed them.

And I have gone gladly into your light.