County Fair Entries and Results, 2022

The Cass County Fair is going on this week. I did my usual stint checking in the canning entries and helped in other departments as needed.

I, myself, didn't have that many entries this year. Although I've been doing some "making", it's not as much as previous years and I'm not sure I finished any big projects. Or none that I still have in my possession. :)

Realizing the fair was coming up, I thought I'd better get to that quilt block for the raffle quilt! About two weeks before the fair, I decided on my idea (the only one that was going through my head), looked up some pictures for ideas and got started.

The theme this year was "Keep on Trucking" and they gave us a few pieces of fabrics including this piece of novelty fabric as the focus fabric:

I really didn't see how it would be very useful for piecing (with the wide variety of colours and values), and there were very few whole trucks for applique. What to do??

I ended up appliqueing a scene. I drew out the scene, copied it and cut apart the copy to know what shape to cut out the pieces. I used the original copy to place the pieces in the right place. I sewed it all together with a buttonhole stitch.

You have to use each of the fabrics, so I cut out the most complete truck from the focus fabric and put it on the road.

There are things I would have changed about the design, but the cream background fabric is the only one that is big enough to span the whole width of the block. The rest are only 10"x10".

In the end, my block was awarded honorable mention and was chosen to be included in the quilt.

There were a lot of block entries this year so I was gratified to make it.

Here are all the blocks that will be in the quilt.

I was surprised how many pieced blocks there were. Generally there are more appliqued ones.

Here are the top six:

And here's a close view of the top block. There wasn't a person who looked at the blocks that didn't point out this one as their favorite! It's beautiful.

The focus fabric apparently makes up the flowers in the back of the truck and the railing. I find it interesting that the block they liked best used the least amount of the focus fabric and you can't recognize it at all. This year's theme is "Keep Calm and Grill On" and it includes a novelty fabric with grilling paraphernalia. It's going to be just as hard to work with.

Here is the quilt from last year's blocks.

Where's my block? I couldn't find one in my pictures or Instagram feed from last year and then I remembered that I couldn't find the kit. I remember all the little squares with different animals so I either lost the kit or they had run out by the time I went to buy one. I can't remember!

My second entry was my Bright Stars on Black quilt.

It was in the category of king/queen/full--machine quilted--pieced and won first! I finished this a few years ago, but it was the same year I finished my blue and white elephant quilt and I had entered that instead. There were two quilts in this category and the other one had quilting issues.

This quilt actually has machine and hand-stitched quilting but I entered it in machine quilting because I know they value hand-quilting more. Any machine quilting would disqualify it in hand-quilting, but hand-quilting wouldn't hurt my position in the machine quilting category. People are funny, right?

That's it for hand crafts!! A far cry from my usual number.

I also entered two photographs. This one from a senior picture session:

which did not place,

and this black and white lakeshore shot,

which also didn't place.

I thought I could only enter one colour and one black and white photo, but they've changed the rules. Maybe I should have looked at the fair book more closely and sometime before the week that the entries are due! :)

I had a nice time walking around the fair after I worked the Home Arts table on Wednesday. I enjoy walking through the animal barns and had to check out the new goat barn that someone I know had worked on.

On Monday evening I was with a group of people and mentioned I volunteered and the fair. She asked, "Is that the one with the baby animal barn?" I said, ya the fair has one, not realizing that every fair doesn't have one. She was so excited! She had heard about this a couple years ago but lost track of what fair it was. She has looked online and asked anyone who mentioned a county fair and finally, I had given her the answer! She immediately started planning which day to go to the fair this week. Lovely to make someone's day so easily! :)

Fair Results 2021

The first day of the fair was today and I went to find out how my entries did. And lucky for those who are impatient, it looks like I'll manage to post them the same day!

In the same order I showed them in the last post:

Knitting

Pullover: Second place

There were two entries in this category. The other is shown below and you can see it was chosen for grand champion as well.

Vest or Shell: First place

There was at least one other entry in this category, if you're wondering.

Socks: Second place

They were right beside each other, so I showed the first place entry in the same picture. I'm guessing the strips put it on top.

Any other-cowl: no place

Apparently the judges were not impressed with the double knitting. I did not take the time to try and figure out what else was in this category. It can be a real hodge podge!

Crocheting

Pullover: First place

Not to rain on my own parade, but pretty sure this was the only entry; but at least it was appreciated enough to get a ribbon. (A ribbon does not have to be awarded even if there is only one entry.)

Quilting

Full/Queen/King-machine quilted-pieced: Second place

I didn't get to see this being judged and I didn't confirm which quilt was first, but I think it was the one that was chosen grand champion, which is a killer quilt (I'll post it later with pictures of the other quilts), and just my bad luck to enter the same year.

I think at least one of the judges agreed because I saw this note on my card. They don't normally leave notes or feedback so this was a deliberate choice.

Meanwhile, my sister and I can keep up the joke from how my lace coat did, summing up something's worth with a facetious: "good enough for second place at the fair." :)

Twin-pieced: no place

There were at least five in this category. I saw the tail end of the judging, but not specific comments on this quilt. There aren't a lot of scrap quilt entries so I'm not sure they are appreciated. Even so, I'm not trying to imply that the ones that were awarded ribbons didn't deserve them.

Wall hanging (180 inch perimeter and smaller)-Pieced: First place

This was an honest win: there are usually quite a number of wall hangings. Again, I didn't search out its direct competition so I can't show any for comparison. (The ones it's hanging with here are table runners--different category.)

Mini quilts (96 inch perimeter and smaller): Third place

Mine is the blue and yellow on the left. The red and white one beside it would have been in the same category.

Any other quilted article not listed: First place

I don't know what it was up against, but I'm happy with that!! :)

Photography

Color: abstract: First place

Pretty sure there were only two pictures in this category, so not much competition.

I could not find this picture when they were put out for display after judging. Looked and looked. When Troy went with me today, I had him look. When I met the superintendent and mentioned it was missing, she looked and looked. I suggested it might be behind another picture because they put double layers on the shelves to hold them all before judging. She really didn't think that could be it, but she looked and found it...behind another picture. So now it's out and my mind can stop dwelling on it.

Black & White: head or figure: Second place

A lot more competition in this category. (There always is. People like taking pictures of people! :)

I wasn't happy with how it was printed; I think the dark side is too dark. But maybe changing that would have blown out the light side, so maybe it needs some touch up work done.

So there you go: 12 entries, 10 ribbons, 1 comment from the judge, and a lost picture found.

County Fair Results, 2019 Edition

I was working in the Home Arts building last night at the county fair. There's a lot going on this year...besides buying tickets for the raffle quilt ($1 each or 6 for $5), there is also voting for the People's Choice award, guessing how many buttons are in a jar, guessing how many corn kernals are in a jar, and finding a red and green bow in the displays. That's a lot of explaining to visitors!! (Don't worry; I don't hit them with all of it all at once! :)

As always, I went a little early so I could check out all the displays, take some pictures, and see how I did. Here are the results:

In Pullover/Cardigan, my vintage blouse place first!

Until I typed that, I thought it was second!! I still get confused by the red and blue ribbons. In Canada, red is first and blue is second. It's the opposite here and I'm telling you, I have the hardest time keeping it straight. Well, woo hoo! I saw one other entry in the category.

Next, my Blooming Brioche shawl placed first. (I didn't see any other shawls When I looked again, there was one other shawl.)

 My socks placed second:

 They were topped by these socks:

I see Laura's projects every year and she's very good. Always good to have some worthy competition! :)

Next is the pullover in the child category. My Wool-Aid sweater placed second:

 Again, beat out by Laura!

But it's never a shame to be beaten by the Grand Champion!

The final knitting project was my mini sock book marks, in the "miscellaneous" category. They placed first:

It's hard to tell what else is in this category so I have no idea what the competition was.

In quilts, my blue elephant quilt won second:

ETA: When I got the quilt back, the judges had noted that the piecing was very good but the quilting "needed work." I can't argue with that since I'm more of a "confident beginner" than expert at free motion quilting.

I had the fun of seeing two different people vote for my quilt for the people's choice award. The third person said she was voting for mine (of course she said "the blue and white elephant one" since she didn't know it was mine at the time) and then I saw her write down the wrong number! I wasn't sure at the time so I didn't say anything but when I checked later, I confirmed it. Oh well, there's a vote I won't get.

This is a new award for the fair. The winner will get a $20 gift certificate to a local quilt shop. That's a lot more value than any of the ribbon premiums!! I believe they said they'll count the votes on Friday so that they can post it on Saturday for everyone to see. (So if you want to give mine a vote, get to the fair before then!! :) ETA: I was notified that I did win the people's choice award! I'm so flattered and excited.

The raffle quilt block category was very competitive this year. For one thing, there were more blocks returned than any year I've been there, and they were good. So it is a great pleasure to not only be picked to be on the quilt, but to also be awarded sixth place!

This is the second time I've placed (in 10 years), and both times it was sixth. Apparently the judges had to get very picky this year, so I'm glad I got all of my points to match!

On to photographs...look at this!

Grand Champion for black and white photography! One year the clerk told me I was really close with my picture of some keys, but this time I got it! Wow.

My "seascape" picture was awarded third:

 It was also beat out by the Grand Champion:

(well, and the picture which placed second).

And finally, my collage placed third:

Mine is the one on the left. I've included the others in the picture so you can see what else was there. I think there was a fourth and maybe a fifth entry in this category too because just before I left on Saturday, I walked by the table where the judge was evaluating these and I thought there was a very good chance I wouldn't place at all.

Another fun year at the fair! I should be able to get a post with all of the quilt entries later this week so keep an eye out for that.

County Fair Results 2018

Thanks for your patience (a whole 24 hours)...here are the results of my entries to this year's fair:

1. Knitting: Socks

An auspicious beginning...a first place for my socks.

I couldn't find them in the displays for a long time and was actually starting to worry that they went missing. But the displays were just overcrowded and they were sitting on top of a quilt entry. (I rearranged the displays a little later in the evening to make room for all of the entries.)

I didn't see any other socks for the category which is astounding to me. Where are the other sock knitters, because I know I am not the only one!

2. Knitting: Vest - Child

Another first. I don't think there were any other entries in this category either. :)

3. Knitting: Doily or Table Topper

Oh my...another blue ribbon. I doubt there was any other competition in this category either. (I didn't look closely, but I don't think so.)

To be honest, I had hopes this might get the Grand Champion, but that honour went to a sweater knit in a bulky variegated acrylic. (There was a much nicer lace cardigan up for Grand Champion too; I can't imagine how the sweater beat out the cardigan, but I didn't get to listen in on any of the judging.)

As I was rearranging some of the displays, I noticed there was an empty rack and put my shawl over it. It displays the shawl better and it made more room for the other items to spread out on the tables.

4. Knitting: Hat, Scarf and/or Glove/Mitten Set

No ribbon on this one. It is fun they had the head to model it on. The cowl isn't very well arranged so I fixed that later too.

5. Knitting - Any Other Not Listed

No ribbon on this one either. Since it's a miscellaneous category, it's hard to know what it was competing against. I know I saw a nice shawl with a blue ribbon so that would have been one of them. (Since there's no shawl category -- what?)

6. Quilts: Full, Queen, King Size - Machine Quilted, Pieced

No ribbon. I saw a little bit of the judging when they were looking at this category. They liked it, but there were five entries so someone has to come in last.

The quilt was hung right beside the door so it got some attention as people walked out. The volunteer desk is right there so I got to hear some nice reactions. Most of the time, I mentioned that it was my quilt and that led to some nice conversations. It's a little awkward, but I figure it's more polite to let them know before they say something they may not want overhead. :)

7. Quilts: Twin Size, Pieced

No ribbon. I didn't hear any of this judging. I know the piecing isn't fancy but the quilting is quite detailed.

8. Quilts: Wall Hanging, Appliqued (180" & smaller)

No ribbon. Remember my comment about the applique pieces not being sewn down? Yah, well, the judges didn't like that. You can see a note hanging from the quilt in the picture - it's an explanation that they liked the design but since the pieces aren't sewn down, they didn't judge it.

I guess they didn't find another category to move it into. Usually the volunteers try to move entries around if they don't work in the category they were submitted in.

9. Quilts: Mini Quilts (96" & smaller)

Blue ribbon here. I saw a little of the judging for this one. I think there were only about three entries, but they really liked my little mug rug.

10. Quilts: Table Topper/Runner

No ribbon. There were five or six entries in this one. The judges didn't like my quilt much. I think I overhead one judge say something like "I don't like this fabric at all." I left a note that I had painted the fabric, but I'm not sure they got it.

But the other entries were great and deserved the ribbons so I'm not trying to say mine should have won.

11. Quilts: Quilt Block Contest

Honorable Mention. (It made it on the quilt.) Remember my worries about the additional fabrics and using the purple upside down? They held it and another one to the side for a long time and I heard a few of the fair coordinators talking about it on an off. But in the end, they let the blocks in.

There were at least two other blocks with the purple fabric used both right side up and upside down. (And the other ones ended up in the top six.)

12. Color Photography, Head or Figure

Second place. I wandered by after the judging was done and the volunteer in that department let me know that the judge really liked the picture. It was nice to hear.

You can see the first place and third place photos in this category to the right and left.

And that's all of it! It was a fun day on Saturday. Tiring, but fun. I like my judges in the canning department and I'm getting to know more of the other volunteers as I see them year after year. The judging in the other departments was done fast, though; I didn't get much of a chance to observe any of it!

As usual, I worked the desk in the Home Arts building on Monday evening. I'll be there again Wednesday evening and Saturday around lunch if you want to stop by and say hi.

Buy a ticket (or 6 for $5) for the raffle quilt you can see hanging behind me. These are the blocks from last year. (And my block happens to be in the picture...the paddler in the bottom row.)


Before I was due at the table, Troy and I had a walk around the fair.

We stopped to watch a dressage event; they were putting the horses through their paces.

We also took a walk through the rabbit and chicken barns. From very small birds,

 to the very large:

This rooster was fantastic:

even in the more literal sense of the word.

Rabbits, too, come in tiny sizes,

 and large:

We always like seeing the satin breeds because that is what we had. The one above looks just like our "Red". Speaking of large, there was only one flemish giant that we saw and we think it was a juvenile because it was not as big as most.

We capped the evening with a delicious ice cream from our favourite truck, "Good Dips". They weren't in the same place as previous years and we fretted that they didn't come back. But with persistent looking, we tracked them down. It was worth it!