Today was the Martinborough Fair which usually attracts 10,000 people to my region. The weather was not brilliant because of intermittent down pours but it did clear up eventually. My customers who visited today (probably reccommended by the lovely Agnes Coy who had a stall at the fair)found the fair to be good but ruined by the commercial 'junk' that is appearing more and more each year. Why can't this be eliminated? Surely there are enough talented crafts people in NZ to supply all the lovely handmade goods we could ever need! If you went to the fair and were also disappointed why don't you email the organisers and tell them. If we start to complain maybe something will change.........

Also today was the biannual Vintage Machinery Club Day Harvest. This is actually held across the road from me on the neighbouring farm. All my men folk had a brilliant day doing whatever they do......(?!) This event also attracts huge amounts of people-up to 8000. Unfortunately they are not the types to find delight in frocks and flowers in my shop but I was thinking that for all you gals who do like it, why not bring hubby and leave him out in the fields to look at tractors whilst you visit the fair, followed by local artist workshops and studios. Just a thought....book it in for 2012!

These photos show my new look dummy covered in cream wadding and decorated 'a la naturale' featuring tin butterfly brooches and Bretty's pedal car which is his latest edition to the shop. L.