Blue Ribbon!

Several weeks ago, I entered my Farmer's Alphabet (Prairie Schooler) in the County Fair. Actually, it was kind of a last minute thing. I usually enter several pieces, but this has been a difficult year, complete with a new job, a move, and other really overwhelming things. So life priorities took over. I figured I would just focus harder next year. At the last minute, as I was checking to see what entertainment was at the fair, I saw that I still had a day to enter something. So this went in. I did it primarily because my heart just breaks at the sight of dwindling entries every year and I want to do my part to bring attention to the craft. I am still surprised that it got a blue ribbon. I feel good about this first place finish.

If you have a local fair, please consider entering it. We need to support local fairs. Please do not worry about whether what you do is good enough, because, really it probably is very good quality. The nice thing about entering fairs is that I also get feedback so that I can get better at what I do. So if you bake, sew, cross stitch, or do any home arts, I would encourage you to get your guidebook to your local fair and start planning. It feels really good, you are supporting a local endeavor and raising the awareness of your craft. Perhaps someone else will become inspired by one of your pieces and want to try it, too. I find that I really challenge myself a bit more to take the time to really do something well since I know that someone will be looking at it with a discerning eye. The best part is when your peers and people who know your craft, tell you that you are doing a good job. So next year, go for it!

So now I have to start planning for next year. I am thinking that I would really like to ribbon in hardanger and blackwork...