Some enchanted evening at Na Da Farm

On Friday night
 I went with my sweet friend Jeannie,

of The Gilded Junque Yard, 
to the fall event at Na Da Farm!

It was my very first time at the farm, 

and we arrived in the dark unfortunately, 
so I did not get any really great photographs.

It was a perfect night, probably 70+ degrees,

a lovely breeze, a nearly full moon  

and not a cloud in the starry sky. 


We drove for miles and miles
out into the prairie heartland of Illinois.
Cornfields in every direction as far as the eye could see
with a barn or farmhouse
popping up in the distance here and there.


Aside from the gorgeous weather,

 Anne-Marie and her family and

friends created a setting that did not disappoint.
Now I understand what all the Na Da Farm buzz was about!

Anne-Marie of Na Da Farm at the homemade organic cupcake bar welcoming guests as they entered the barn.

The inside of the barn was set up with vendors in small booths.... each booth artfully arranged.

These photos were all taken

with my cell phone and without a flash.
Some of these are blurry because
I was literally shaking with excitement.

Please, bear with me.

This archway led into the vendor spaces. The other side of the barn was set up for gathering to eat and listen to the live music.

Maybe it was better that we arrived later.
They said there was so much of a crowd
early on that there was no room to walk or move!


For those of you who are not familiar 
with Na Da Farm,

please go visit Anne-Marie at her blog 
for more and

detailed information. 


You can link here.

Beautiful acoustic guitar music added to the ambiance. A small gathering area to sit and enjoy.

Living in Illinois, it is a much talked about

and blogged about area favorite. The two day

event includes several classes that you can take including

art and craft-related topics, Etsy and internet 
sales/blogging classes. There are several vendors 

selling antiques and vintage items, 

and local crafts people selling their wares to include
jewelry, artwork, handmade clothing & pillows, 
upholstered and painted pieces, sculptures, etc.

This swing hung from the barn rafters. There were branches and rustic light fixtures made by hand to illuminate the barn.

Anne-Marie's family and friends 
provided a variety of foods and beverages 
to enjoy along with musical entertainment.

You could purchase canned goods 

and organic baked treats made on the farm.
 Everything was delicious.  

I am so sorry I did not take more photos of the details.
(I was a Chatty Cathy and talked and visited too much!) 

The barn was decorated so naturally and beautifully 

creating an enchanted barn fairy tale setting.

The evening was magical. 

Needless to say, Jeannie and I 
were among the last girls to leave. 

(I wanted to hide in a corner 
and live there forever.... 

really.... I am not kidding. )

Christie was there selling us Annie Sloan paints and painted pieces too!

A perfect evening.

Thanks so much Anne-Marie

 for a night I will forever remember.

You have many gifts!  Your warm and sweet

smile and personality are ingrained in my memory.


You are a blessing to know.

xx,

Alison

These sweet little white vendor tents lined part of the pathway to the barn.

 My pictures didn't turn out, 
but Anne-Marie had taken tall white chippy
shabby support columns from a farmhouse porch 
and lined the path to the barn with them.
 Then she swagged them with a line of roping 
and covered it with fresh prairie wild flowers. 
It was beyond gorgeous. 
(Borrowing a picture from her blog to show you.)

So clever.... these old windows were used in pairs around candle-lit hurricanes to light the path from the tented vendors to the barn.

Special note: So great to see and/or meet fellow Illinois bloggers you may know to include not only Jeannie and Anne-Marie, but also  Jen Rizzo of JenniferRizzo.com, and Christie from CartersCottage.blogspot.com, and Kelly from Dreaming of Vintage, and Polly from countingyourblessings.blogspot.com/ , and Nancy, Julie and Anne from tatteredtiques.typepad.com/ 

You all are the best! xoxoxoxox

Greg Wheaton