Tuesday 1 October 2013

To Yarndale and Back with Love.


 Early on Saturday morning Wonderful Man and I loaded up our car and set off for Yarndale.
 We couldn't have asked for better weather.
Or a more scenic journey to the pretty market town of Skipton. Luckily I'd been able to set up my stand the day before with the help of my lovely parents, so there was only a bit of twiddling and pricing up to do when we arrived on Saturday morning. 
I had good intentions of taking lots of photos for you all but it turned out to be far too busy, in fact I didn't manage to escape from my stand to the loo until about 5pm! Luckily we hadn't been able to drink too much (just one cup of tea that my Dad had queued for) as the queues for the cafes were huge too so in an odd way it worked out quite well, lol.

This was the entrance hall on Friday when I went to set up looking fabulous. Festooned with some of the crochet bunting sent in by all of you lovely crafters. I'd been told that over six thousand crochet flags from over thirty different countries had been hung up. I received a lovely welcome from members of the Yarndale team when I arrived and I was very surprised that they already knew who I was when I walked in. 
This is Lucy's (Attic24) corner in the knit and natter lounge looking colourful and cosy and  ready for guests.
 And she had plenty of those! 
And there she is, the lovely lady herself. 
 The auction mart at Skipton is huge. That wooden structure behind the orange flag is the knit and natter lounge and this is only about half way down the mart.
 It was certainly busy on Saturday. We heard reports of the traffic tailing back from the auction mart to the A65 blocking the roundabout. I don't think the organisers expected it to be quite as successful as it was, I believe several thousand people turned up on Saturday and by 11am I felt like they'd all visited MarmaladeRose! lol. 
 I was overwhelmed by all of the lovely bloggers and blog readers who turned up to say hello to me. It was wonderful to be able to meet you all and put faces to some of the names that have been popping up on my comments list over the last 6 years.
(picture couresty of Yarndales face book page)

Talking of MarmaladeRose...would you like to see my little stand?

 The response to my felt art work was amazing! People seemed completely bowled over by it...which was wonderful to see and hear! I met so many lovely people and many of them eager to tell me where else I should try exhibiting my work. I was invited to two or three Embroiderers Guilds to give talks or do workshops. In all it was a real confidence booster. 
Wonderful Man was kept busy all day with sales and did a wonderful job of manning the stand single handed while I escaped to buy some wool. In fact I did wonder what he was doing as each time I came back he always seemed to be surrounded by women, lol. Unfortunately we did loose a couple of large sales as there was no cash machine at the venue and there wasn't enough Internet connection for mine and other stall holders card machines to work. We decided it must be all of the people outside tweeting that they were stuck in the traffic queues! 
Here's Wonderful Man brewing up on Sunday. We'd learnt our lesson after Saturday and made sure we had a flask with us. lol.
OO... it's looking a bit dishevelled and empty here but it was the middle of Sunday when I took this. 
As I sit here tippety typing away on my laptop and looking at my MarmaladeRose banner in the photo I've just realised something I'd completely forgotten about. 
About eight years ago I visited the Knit and Stitch show in Harrogate for the first time. I remember looking at the trade stands and reading their business names above and wondering what I would call my little business if I had one, not that I ever dreamt for a moment that I would. You know one of those little flights of fancy. Well it's just dawned on me...I've done it! I've realised my little dream without realising it, if you know what I mean. 
Gosh! 
Somebody pinch me! teehee!
Before we knew it, it was time to pack up and head home. We may not need something the size of the Yarndale shuttle bus but we certainly need something bigger than our little Volvo if we're going to do this again!
The journey home was just as stunning as it was going.

We headed home tired but very happy.

We had a wonderful weekend in so many ways. The team at Yarndale did a fantastic job on their first Festival of Craft but most of all, it was all of you who made the weekend special. 

Thank you for joining us and making it a truly magical experience.
You were all lovely.
...
If you like to see more lovely Yarndale pictures visit Linda's Crafty Corner blog here

39 comments:

The Fairy Glade said...

It all looks so wonderful and I just wish that it wasn't so far away. I am at the opposite end of the country but all my cousins live in and around Harrogate and Skipton. Pity that you lost some sales, but looks like you had a fab time. Dev x

Jenni C's said...

Your stand looked lovely, and your felted items are amazing...

Kim said...

i'm not surprised that you had such a brilliant reaction to your work Fiona. I love your blog and do wish that I had been close enough to visit Yarndale. Maybe next time. Its heartwarming to see a dream realised isn't it? Best wishes x

mckinkle said...

Well Done Fi and Wonderful Man! It looks like it was an awesome weekend and Im pleased that youve been so successful! You've worked so hard and long for this so its great that it was all so positive!
Enjoy a quieter week!
Keryn x

ZootyOwl said...

I am also not surprised in any way. Your work is amazingly gorgeous!!

The Weaver of Grass said...

My friend, who you met in the Craft Gallery in Hawes a couple of weeks ago (with the lovely little dog called Millie) came to Yarndale. She walks with crutches and a friend brought her, but they couldn't park anywhere near and she had to be dropped off and then wait for her friend who had to park half a mile away in a back street. My friend also said that she felt there were not enough places to sit down and also not enough cafes but we suspect it was all much more of a success than was expected. So all round marvellous. My friend said your stand looked very good indeed. So
congratulations. You deserve it.

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Congratulation on your success at the Yarndale show.. Thanks for sharing all the wonderful photos.. Much appreciated. Hugs judy

Debbie said...

Hi Fiona
It was a pleasure to meet you on Saturday, I was the lady who said she was an annorak as I would prefer to crochet than spend time trying to up load pics and up date my blog hooksandhoes
Anyway you asked to leave a comment and I did just try but it isnt there so im trying again.
Your work inspired me to try other crafts and I look forward to seeing you agin at another yarndale. I hope the weekend was hugely successful for you. Debbie xx

Mary Jenkins said...

Hi Fiona,
I too met you on Saturday and thank you so much for explaining your felting process to my friend and I - we loved your work. I was so thrilled to see some things I had watched on your blog in the flesh as it were and to actually buy one of your amazing felted brooches. I Love it so much I have hardly taken off my coat just so I can have a little fondle and quiet squeal to myself. Yarndale was just fab from start to finish and so glad you were there!

busybusybeejay said...

Yarndale was fab ,wasn't it.I didn't get chance to meet you as you were so busy but your stand looked amazing.I do hope they do it again next year.

Unknown said...

I thought Yarndale was fabulous and a resounding success. We enjoyed our weekend in Yorkshire (its a fair way from Devon!) ! It was worth every mile.

I bought some cards and have been trying to steel myself to give a few to friends...not sure I will manage it though :D

Jess said...

I'm so envious! I keep reading about blog people's visits to Yarndale, I wish I could have been there it looks amazing! I love your sign, it's so pretty!
Jess x x

Winwick Mum said...

Hello again - it was lovely to meet you at Yarndale on Sunday (we were talking about teenagers and sewing clothes at one point, amongst other things!) and to see your fabulous creations in real life. I'm so pleased that you've been invited to speak to other enthusiasts - the first steps of wider recognition richly deserved x (Christine)

Joan said...

Hi again , I had a lovely chat with you on Saturday and you were saying how overwhelming everything was and I agreed , but wasn't it a marvelous success , loved seeing all your makes and congratulations on becoming a business woman, great photos

... Bimbi said...

Well done, Fi! You obviously did well and naturally everybody loooooved your stuff. So they should!

Wish I could have been there and said hello - maybe another year!

Bimbi x

Deborah W said...

It was such a lovely day - in spite of a 25 minute walk after I abandoned my husband in the traffic! I love my brooch and the cards and the fact that I could admire your work up close. I have kicked myself for not buying a notebook or two as presents. Looking forward to next year - I'd better start saving...

Esther said...

What a wonderful event. Your stand was AMAZING, my only regret is I didn't get a chance to say hello and tell you how fab your work is. You were far too busy. :)
I can't wait for next year, maybe I'll have my own stand. Take care and happy crafting
Esther

Handmadewithlove-esther
Baggaleycottagecrochet

Jille said...

It was an absolute pleasure to meet you and you husband. It seemed funny to meet someone who I read about and followed for a long time. I hope your husband manages to find the pigs that he would like and I look forwards to reading about them too! Thank you for being as lovely in real life as you are on your blog!

primrosesattic said...

What an amazing time you had. Your stand looked really fab. Loved seeing all the bunting. Wish I was able to go. Maybe one day.
Rosezeeta.

Unknown said...

I've just started a little blog, & have been looking at others, your work is amazing & your blog is a pleasure to read I too hope my little business will take off too
Thank you for sharing & inspiring us all

Jacqui Galloway said...

Sounds like you had a fun and successful time. Sorry I couldn't make it.
Jacqui x

Beverley said...

Your stall was my favourite at Yarndale and I'm kicking myself now for not buying something. Your felted art is truly inspirational. I might give it a go myself but I doubt my efforts will be as good as yours. Hope to see you again next year by which time I'll have saved some money to hopefully splurge on one of your creations. x

Linda Metcalf said...

It would have been wonderful to have been able to be there! Thanks for the photos( I did see my Santa's in that picture :) Will Yarndale be a yearly do?

Jacquie said...

Hi Fiona, it was lovely to meet you on Saturday. Your stand looked fabulous and I love my mouse card.
Jacquie x

Gilly Tee said...

The stall looked great.
Gillx

Susan Smith said...

Seems like it must have been a lovely experience by all who attended. Would have loved it too. Thanks for the photos.

Pat said...

Thank you for the photos .. it must have been an amazing event, wish I could have attended ~ not easy as I live on another continent!!
Pat x

Twiglet said...

So glad it went well for you Fi - the stall looks fab. x Jo

Threads through my life said...

So nice to meet you Fiona and I am so pleased I was able to buy one of your small wall hangings, almost snatching it from another customer's hands....

I am so glad you had a wonderful time and felt inspired by your visitors. Let me assure you that you inspire me, now if only I had oodles of spare time...

Anonymous said...

So happy for you that it went well. Your stand looked stunning. Shame about the lost sales but if you get more chances of exhibiting things will probably improve.

Anonymous said...

It was really nice to chat to on Sunday at Yarndale, thanks for visiting my blog and for your comment on my YD post, it was a very photogenic event!

I'm regretting that I forgot to pop back to buy a notebook cover, they are so lovely. Another time I hope.

I've added your blog to my feed so will keep an eye on what you're up to!

Rachel - the little room of Rachell blog

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Evanna said...

It was lovely to see your felting work and i now have a card to remind me. I also couldn't resist a Santa Claus. We lived in USA for a while and was inspired to start a collection. Over the last twenty years I've bought a new Santa each year. I always look out for one that is different to any of the others so a Marmalade Rose red a white spotty one just fitted the bill this year. Thank you.

Karoline said...

I thought Yarndale was wonderful even though it was very busy, I hope that they run it again. It was lovely to see your work in the flesh & say hello.

Luna said...

I've only just discovered your blog, following the Yarndale trail from someone else's blog - I can't even remember whose now!!
I just have to say your felt artwork is just stunning - I'm particularly in love with the meadows. I will have to have one, one day - oh yes...!!

Ash said...

Hi there lovely lady, glad your week-end went so well. Such a crush at Yarndale but got some good fluff and one or two leads! Finally got some dyes that I might be able to work with too! :0) Catch up eventually. x

Anonymous said...

HI Fiona, I was at Yarndale and visited and chatted to you at your stand, such beautiful work. I have just about calmed myself down having read your blog - I did have a squeal and a giggle at actually being in your photos! I'm in a stripy top talking to Lucy with my friend Fi (in the blue top and short red hair). I hope you don't mind but I've included them in my blog for Yarndale (i've credited you with them and linked to your blog). I am utterly delighted!
Have a peep if you get chance,
http://mix-ture43.typepad.com/
I love keeping up with your blog and your activities. Take care. Karen@MIx-Ture43 xx

Lyn said...

Missed it! Maybe next year. Your stand looked great, hope you did well xxx

Carol said...

It was wonderful. Still seem to be walking on air. Your stall was my first destination, I wasn't disappointed. I loved your work, then I already knew that from following your blog, but even more fabulous in real life.
Yes, we really must do it again next year.
Carol xx
p.s. finally finished my (3 part☺) Yarndale blog post!