Boy have I been spoiled rotten by the fair ladies.

Erika form mikodesign made this custom doll for me complete with apron, stars shawl, flowers and yarn. It made me blush so pretty and thoughtful this is, a true keepsake!!

The Gifts:

1. A collection of postcards form All The Luck in the World.
2. DIY Pom-Poms garland from byPetra – oh Christmas I see ye hanging in the tree.
3. Letter Y from All The Luck in The World – for my Y collection.
4. Cow necklace from Planet Fur – I already have this planned for an upcoming "dull" party. Ordered some meadow with yellow daisies fabric to make a skirt to go with it, I’m going to be a riot between all the black clothed people! Who made black chic?
5. A Villa Augustus Book – partially funded by Ingrid.
6. Plastic Peaces from Zilverblauw.
7. Friendship bracelet from Petra.
8. A Yvestown Flower stamp from MaandagDaandag.

Eline was so thoughtful to give me her book and diary. You can read her beautiful report of the day here.

Thanks, thanks, thanks!!

What a day, the sky was so clear one could see the moon, the sun was shining bright, the people were good spirited and we had a LOT of wonderful people attending the very first Yvestown Fair.

I really didn’t know what to expect or how many people would turn up so I baked 4 cakes and filled a dozen of cups with sweets. In just one hour we were out of everything so Philomeen and Bo had to do a shop. As it was a handmade market I didn’t believe in supermarket cake so we were out of food for the rest of the day. We definitely need a catering next year, as there will be a next time!

For the first length of the fair I didn’t get to witness it very well as I had a camera crew following me, asking me questions and wanting me to show my home. I have to say that that part of the day was quite stressful for me and that I didn’t really enjoy it. It was selling yarn, answering yarn questions (twice as the camera women missed it), instructing people to water and feed people, welcoming friends, family and long time blog readers … Fortunately I had Caroline, Philomeen, Wendel and Iris to take over and they did marvellously so. Thank you ladies for being so quick on your feet that day.

So many people have already blogged about it, here a few links to beautiful reports:

• Enigheid
• Planet Fur
• Zilverblauw
• wood & wool stool
• mama van vijf
• Silly Old Suitcase
• Stamping Days
• Moois by Riek
• Hééérlijk
• A Girl Named Phil (that kitchen pic cracked me up!)
• One Bunting Away

I only had time to take pictures after 16:00, when things slowed down a bit at the fair.

Joscha and Daan sat together as they had their kids to look after. Maantje, Elvis and Lola were absolute rock stars!

MUSwerk – MaandagDaandag

I didn’t do much decorating as I wanted to keep things simple. I knew once all the women filled their tables it would be super decorated. I’ve only created a bunch of hangout place for guests, they sure did take advantage of those places as we had people hanging out almost all day soaking up the homely atmosphere.

Of course there were family and friends present too.

mikodesign

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I’m still figuring out how I can get all the Instagram #yvestownfair images on my blog, but for now you’ll have to click here to see it for yourself.

Eline Pellinkhof

Pregnant Nina came with her sister, Olga, for the day so she could help her out a bit.

ninainvorm

It was so lovely to see familiar faces popping up here and there and to have fun chats with everyone.

I love this woman’s style so much. They have been blog readers for so long now. This was the second time they came to something I’ve organized. The necklace was made by Marloes form Planet Fur who’s table is not showing up in my camera. Keep an eye out for her Etsy shop as I know that there are necklaces left, I have one with a cow.

All The Luck in The World

Jane is opening shop with her daughter, Nina (right) in Amsterdam soon. I’m really excited to see what they are going to do with it.

wood & wool stool

My dear friend, Ingrid, was there too. Her husband, Henk, took some amazing pictures of the fair.

Zilverblauw

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You might want to check out the Yvestown Fair Flickr group – boy, I keep you guys busy.

byPetra

I was so happy with my very own apron as I could put my iPhone and change in that big pocket. The strings were super long so that everyone could style the apron in their own fashion.

Gorgeous women.

Most of the women I’ve met before, at events or meetings, and some I just know from the internet and e-mail, Instagram and Twitter contact. Only Rozalinde we all didn’t know as when Ingrid from Ingthings pulled out I wanted to fill her spot and I love Rozalinda’s work. She fitted in perfectly and it’s such a pleasure to get to know her.

MondaysMilk

Two things I came to know about myself after the fair;

• One – that I love the home where I live in now and that I wish to stay here, this is actually quite a big thing for me as I’m a mover. Ever since my 17th year I’ve moved around the world constantly always knowing when I settled in some place new, that I’d leave that place again. I’ve been always planning to leave and never to stay. This weekend I loved my home so much and was so grateful to her for letting me host this gorgeous day. That I saw that strangers were enjoying her too and feeling comfortable and in ease on my grounds. So I’ll stay … for now that is;)
• Two – that I want to organize not just a fair next year but a Yvestown Festival, I know a friend who owns a field.

My own table.

There’s a market sale in The Shop for the entire month 20% off on all online orders!

To be continued …

Tomorrow is the big day of the very first Yvestown Fair, something I’ve planned way back in May.

I’m writing this post in the middle of carrot cake and Victorian sponge baking, filling cups with my favourite sweets and all sorts of other preparations. I’m having so much fun, this is definitely my kind of thing.

There is cake in the oven, 14 tables on the trailer, the Toi Toi is gleaming in the sun, Bo is mowing the lawn and I’m waiting for the DHL guy to deliver 250 free copies of 101 woonideeën magazine (the press sponsor) for you to take home. And the best thing of all … it’s going to be 24° tomorrow with clear skies and no wind.

I’ll be MIA for the weekend but you can follow me on Instagram (scroll all the way down this page for the widget) and Twitter @yvestown. Make sure to follow #yvestownfair to see what all the other people attending are up to. And if you are attending and using Twitter or Instagram don’t forget the #yvestownfair so we can all look back at the photos.

101 woonideeën already blogged a preview of the fair. They will be here taking pictures for their upcoming November issue and there will be a TV crew for something new I’m working on but what is still a small secret.

Love you all and see you tomorrow in my garden or next week on my blog,
Yvonne xox