Sunday 2 May 2010

The Darling Buds of May....


It may be raining.. it may be grey.. but yesterday was a fabulous day!
I will never make a poet.. but I would like to wax lyrical about the fourth Vintage & Handmade Fair... which passed in the usual frenzy of packing cars at the crack of dawn, long drives for many, hurried assemblage of displays and then the meeting and greeting of all the friendly folk who came from far and wide..
I can only speak for myself.. but I had a thoroughly wonderful day.. and judging by the sea of smiles across the room.. I think others did too!
The ladies who come and sell their fine wares at the V & H.. always put on an exquisite display and this one was no exception...

If you came to the fair looking for something..'different'... this was the place to be.. so much vintage finery under one roof.. from deckchairs to Damask, lace to lingerie, china to chalk ware, books to bonnets, gnomes to home sweet homes, soap to silks .. we had it all!

Clare's elegant hats...

Elaine's Kitsch and Curious Mix

Donna's handsome haberdashery ..

Jayne's eclectic ensemble...

Unfortunately these photos of mine do not do justice to the fantastic merchandise on offer.. in my rush to take photos before the crowds descended.. I had forgotten to change the setting on my camera so you will have to squint and imagine the rest.. though I am sure there will be many other photos from the day over here..

Daniella's pastel pretties..

Amanda's bright and beautiful bazaar..

Lizzie's lovely linens.. and more..

Emma's gorgeous gardenalia ..

Kathy's pearls and pretties..

Jane's classy cases and more..

Claires very clever creations ...

Sal's super sunny display..

Sue's sumptuous stall..

Nicky's fabulous furry friends ...

Niki's finest linens and lace..

Lucy's amazing array..

Viv's natty needlework ..


Christine's cracking collection...

Leonore's amazing emporium..

Hen's floral fayre..

Helen's covetable collection ..

Lastly my own vintage corner..


Sincere apologies to those few who I did not capture on film..

We are so fortunate to have some loyal visitors who's faces have become familiar to us .. a host of lovely bloggers and to new folk who travelled from afar to visit.. like the charming Italian couple from Verona, Susannah and her husband Renzo (?) who came to meet me.. Please forgive my disgraceful lack of Italian.. but if you are reading this.. your visit made my day ! It was so lovely to meet you both .. Molto Grazie!

A special thanks to Wendy from Ticking Stripes who presented me with a sweet little cowboy themed gift.. I was so touched by your generosity and quite speechless!
Josie-Mary... thank you to you for your 'Bambi' obsession and giving my Bambi bookends a good home amongst your growing collection!

Thank you too, to the new ladies Vintage Inspiration, Louise Taylor Bowen, Emma Bond, Priscilla Jones, Helen Roskell .. who's contributions to the fair were very much appreciated..
Thank you to our wonderful menfolk... who's muscle power and general background support is always gratefully received... and lastly to our Magnificent Three.. Tamzin, Jack and Georgia who worked tirelessly throughout the day to provide endless cups of tea and cake to all the parched visitors and stallholders.. Your medals are in the post!

Lastly..thanks to my sterling partner Jayne .. high five!

Not wishing to gush.. I will leave it at that.. and let others give you their account of the day..
I am staying relatively horizontal today.. and planning my next table display for November 28th 2010 !
Have a lovely Bank Holiday Weekend.. word has it the sun is going to shine tomorrow.. hurrah!

39 comments:

KC'sCourt! said...

Oh I wished I could have been there! I had to work yesterday morning. All those colourful stalls, and lovely items to purchase I will make it one day.
Julie xxxxxxxx

Josie-Mary said...

28th November? In my diary already! It was lovely to see you all again, I was so busy chatting to people I didn't spend much! I love my deers, they have a lovely new home with all the others!
My photo didn't come out of your figures, I'm glad you took one....I'll be forwarding this to my mum. It was a great day, thank you. x

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

Hi Michele

It was a great event as usual! The standards are always so high at this fair. I had a great time.

Let's hope the weather brightens up!

Take care
Isabelle x

Micki Wilde said...

Wow those stalls looked stacked with stuff, I do hope the tables were strong!!
Everything looks amazing, I hope you all sold well!!
Shame I am not nearer, I would of loved to have been there to see it all!!

Micki x

JuicyFig said...

well my cry of it being too far to visit is lost to the couple from Italy!

I think a little research is in order, and if no-one is doing a fair like this in the north - then there needs to be one organised!

WOnderful photo's, and illiterations to rival those of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall!

Kath
x

silverpebble said...

Oh I always yearn to be there. It will happen - it will! It alll looks so wonderful. Was that little pup given a new home?

A Bun Can Dance said...

It was splendid as always - thank you so much :-)
keep that horizontal position as long as you can!
D x

dots and spots said...

Glad you had a good fair - hubby works Saturdays and my 2 pests are horrible being dragged around against their will - so would be absolutely no fun at all!! Sounds as it it went well - I did ask 'Mrs Cottage' to send on my best wishes to you! Hope everything else is going well for you - various websites etc Miss your tweets!will get together for that coffee one day!

Anonymous said...

Hi Michelle, I agree, it was a great day. There was a steady stream of customers who were in a good mood of buying. And all those friendly stallholders! Love your pictures of the stalls. I'm only missing a photo of Christine's table!
Thanks for a remarkable event, Gertie

All things nice... said...

The more I read and see of this fair I am so so jealous I wasn't there :( A day at the fair would be amazing?! Each display so beautiful so much gorgeous goodies to buy. Thank you so much for sharing with us that live too far away to attend. I may have to co-ordinate my holidays around some such event in the future.

All things nice...

bibbitybob said...

Fabulous photos, thank you for sharing! I wish I lived closer...one day maybe! x

Catherine said...

It looks fabulous! I wish they would do things like that here! Cx

Rubyred said...

I'm so sad I couldn't make it to the fair this year!I was working at my stall in Witney!
It all looks wonderful, as always, and I'm sure all concerned had a fantabulous day!
Have a well earned rest michele!
Rachel x

Midsummer Stitches said...

Yes it was wonderful to see everyone again, I had a lovely day and a picnic too!

BusyLizzie said...

Hope you have a glass in hand.. and staying horizontal! It was a Fab day, well done everyone. xx
PS the picture is propped up in the hall.. awaiting a special place!

Andi's English Attic said...

Lovely photos. Thanks for sharing with those who couldn't be there. xx

Anonymous said...

I was thinking about you guys ALL day yesterday!!

It's decided, I am going to petition you to let me have a stall at the next fair!

Please contact me about it!

Sadie at Flea xx

Country Cottage Chic said...

Whew! We did it again....(Do I feel a song coming on??)

I couldn't have said it better myself - I think each fair is "Bigger & Better" than the last - thanks partner!
;-)
Jayne

hens teeth said...

Perfection in a Fair....I loved every minute.
Great post M and thank you so much to you and the other half for all your hard work.
x

Rachel Goodchild Designs said...

That really was a great event! Shall come to the next one. Only problem is that our car died on the motor way driving back to Bristol! (gulp) must get it fixed before next weekend!

Bobo Bun said...

Looks fabulous as always Michele. Glad you had a great day, you sound really buzzy from it all.

Lisa x

WinnibriggsHouse said...

I am so gutted the more I read the more I know what I have missed. Now November you say... must get venue and time details ASAP and see if I cant get there...even if I have to stay overnight...Know any good local B&Bs.
Jenny

Daisy said...

Sadly I couldn't make it this time but it looks as lovely as the Christmas one. Glad it went well after all your hard work.
Mandy xxx

THISNTHAT said...

Hi, Thanks again for such a lovely event! We enjoyed the company, goodies (bought quite a few), cakes and the opportunity to be surrounded by those things which we so love:)

Clare said...

Thanks again for yesterday..it truly was wonderful as always, you two sure know how to do it!! Thanks as well for picking up my forgotten item...I knew I'd forget something!

Frances said...

Well, I think that your photos are just fine. They really do show the marvelous variety of treasures that were on display at the Fair.

Well done! Congratulations to you and to all the others who make this event actually happen, and even better, delight!

It can't be easy, and I do hope that each event helps to make the next one easier to organize.

How I wish that I could attend one ... when's the next? Is it six months' away?

Years agon when I often visited London, I used to love going to fairs/fetes hosted by churches in various areas of outer London. I would go co

Niki Fretwell said...

Hi Michele,
Thanks again for organising a great fair. Loved looking at your photos and noticed lots of things I think I should have purchased!
Hope you are enjoying a restful Bank Holiday,
Niki x

Vintage to Victorian said...

Hi Michele

Thanks once again for a lovely day. It's always so enjoyable seeing all the familiar faces and meeting lots of news ones.

I took photos and hope, eventually to upload them and do a post but it may take a day or 2 yet to get myself organised into posting mode.

I'm feeling the need to be horizontal today after a non-stop day at DH straight after the V&H. Hope you feel fighting fit and raring to go after your relaxed day!

Sue xx

Ragged Roses said...

Well done Dottie, it seems that you have another riproaring success of a day on your hands! Here's to the next one
Mx

Jennie said...

I'm sad that I live too far away and don't drive because it looks so fantastic. Thanks for sharing the photos x

Ticking stripes said...

Well done on such a fabulous event.I was there for ages but looking at everyone's pics there was a lot I missed! I'll just have to come back in November. Hope you manage to find somewhere for your little treasure - hope I didn't bully you into looking! It must have been a bit unnerving - a complete stranger coming up as I did! I don't make a habit of that sort of thing!

Kitsch and Curious said...

Only just catching up after the weekend myself...
Thank you so much for another wonderful fair! I met lots of lovely people - it's always so friendly. Thanks for taking a photo of my table - I'm always so in awe of everyone else's.
Hope you have recovered now!

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

what fun!!!

oh how i wish i could have been there. so many wonderful things to buy.

swoooning.....

xo
becky

Fabric Nation said...

it looks so perfect. Glad you had a fab day, and I hope I can make it to the next one.

LissyLou said...

it was such a wonderful fair!! wish i lived nearer so i could come to everyone!! My little boy loves the Noddy magnet i bought off you. xx

sarah-jane down the lane said...

Michele, you go rught ahead and gush you jolly well deserve to!

It looks magnificent, so so sad not to be able to make it this time.

You have been so busy, I hope you are having a nice cuppa as you read this and lovely big rosy pat on the back from me!

Sarah x

Lucy Bloom said...

Somehow it all seems to come together on the day, I thought everyone's stalls looked wonderful. I feel so fortunate to be part of this amazing event, definately the original and best - Thank You!

Emma Bond said...

Thanks M for a great vintage day, I enjoyed myself anyway! x

this is my patch said...

I've so enjoyed looking through your photos of the V&H Fair Michele. It's great to be able to enlarge them so as to have a good virtual nose! How I would have loved looking over the goodies on your stall. I hope you sold lots. x