Last Few Fair Entries

So, do you want to know how crazy I am?

Well, as I have written before, I am pretty addicted to ribbons

from the county fair.

I LOVE THEM!

Our county fair allows entrants to submit registrations for as 

many entries as they would like for free,

as long as they are submitted online by a certain date.

Well, because I am crazy for these ribbons, 

and I like free stuff,

I often register for WAY MORE things than I can

realistically complete.

While I sew constantly throughout the year, 

often by fair time, many things are too

"loved on" to be entered.

The judges at our fair are SUPER PICKY about the condition 

of things entered.

I can not enter the Bollywood Ball Gown

because it got all snagged from the beading on the sari fabric.

I can not enter the Queen Katherine gown

because it took such a beating during the Madrigal Dinners.

And of course, many of the custom items I made for clients would be lovely,

but they are all over the country being loved by their owners.

But here is the deal, I try to get as much done in between registration and 

the entry deadline as I can, because it is a fun challange.

So, one of the categories I submitted an entry for, was a ladies nightgown.

And instead of making one for India, I decided to make one for ME!

And since it was for ME, I chose some fabric I have

been hoarding in my stash for a long time.

This is "Bascha" by Alexander Henry.

It has all my favorite colors in it!!

And they are all together!! 

I LOVE IT!!

I used Simplicity 2739, view C.

I made a size Large, which according to the pattern,

is a size 18-20. 

I wear 16-18 in RTW, and did not have to make any adjustments to the pattern.

However, I did lengthen the short gown by a few inches.

And I accidentally sewed the ruffle like view B, instead of sewn on the 

outside of the skirt as is suggested for view C. 

I really like the lace and ribbon detail,

and of course, I had to use lime green ribbon!

 You do not get to see a modeled pic of this, because it is already at the fairgrounds.

Judging is today and I wonder if any of my entries have ribbons attached to them?

This was the last item I was able to complete to enter.

Oh, where are the buttons???

Well, I took these photos before swimming lessons 

and then sewed the buttons on while waiting for Ahnalin.

As soon as that was over, we took everything to the fairgrounds!

So no modeled shots on this on anyway.

This is Ahnalin's jumper for the first day of first grade.

So, you have seen this basic style from me a lot, right?

It is Ahnalin's favorite.

I did a few of my favorite tricks on this one though.

The 6 inch hem is caught up in a growth tuck, so

I can let it down when she gets taller.

And she likes these tucks because they hid the hem inside so she can't feel the seam.

Another fun goody on this dress is the pockets.

They remind me of bags of candy from a candy shop!

Ahnalin adores pockets so I try to put them on when I remember.

These little sweeties are gathered all around and then stitched over

the gathers so they poof out. 

The top is gathered very slightly and then bound. 

The wind caught the skirt so it looks like it has a bustle,

but it doesn't really.

And of course,

Rick Rack everywhere! 

I love the stuff!

I used large red heart buttons for the bodice and

small round red buttons for the back.

And depending on how hot it is on the first day of school, 

Ahnalin may or may not wear a white blouse under the jumper.

So, those were the last two items to be completed for the fair.

I entered 13 items and Ahnalin entered 3 items.

I realized, with shame, that I did not enter one smocked item this year!

I really need to get some smocking finished because I miss it so much.

Now, I need to finish cleaning the sewing room, 

and then make Ahnalin's birthday dress and some dress for her new dolly Elizabeth.

So, I think I will put on some music and get to work cleaning up my mess.

Happy Sewing.

Lovely, Lovely Ribbons!

Today, in addition to being the Hot Rockin' Hubby's birthday, was the day I got to pick up my Nevada County Fair entries, along with the ribbons and premiums I won.
I am just a bit competitive. I LOVE to win ribbons. I also love to win the cash premiums that come with those lovely ribbons. The premiums, or cash awards, are just tokens. But....I want to win as many as I can because I do not need justify spending that award money on fabric. Ok, it is not that Don ever complains about me buying fabric, because I am really frugal. But I hate to use our much needed family income on fabric.

So, each year, I find that I enter more and more categories. Last year, I learned about the "Sweepstakes" award. This award is given to the entrant with the most entries in a division. And that award carries a cash award of $50.00! Last year, with my 13 entries, I was nowhere near the winner of this award, who had 34 entries. However, this year, fewer people submitted items, which was really sad to me. But I submitted 19 items and WON the Sweepstakes!!! So, I am not complaining!

Unlike last year, I did not win any "Best Of Division" awards. I was sad about it, but really agreed that those who won, deserved those awards. There were some truly beautiful and amazing items in the fair this year. I just wish more people would enter their handwork in the fair. I feel so strongly that the home arts should not be lost, and those who enter their items for exhibition and judging are a real encouragement to others. We need to be proud of our work and the art form it represents.

But, since I am proud, and many have asked, here are my ribbons! Sorry for the rotten photographs. I took them on my kitchen counter with not-so-great lighting.

Blue Ribbon = First place in a class (category) = $3.00
Red Ribbon = Second place in a class = $2.00
White Ribbon = Third place in a class = $1.00

Most of the items I entered, I had already shown on the blog, but a few are from before I started blogging.











So, how did I do?
I received 11 Blue ribbons, 5 Red ribbons, and 2 White ribbons. The smocked nightgown was discontinued because it looked "worn". Well, the girls did wear their nightgowns for Christmas morning, so it was "worn". That is ok. The judge wrote me a note that the work was very good even though she disqualified it. I still feel good about it.

The large ribbon at the top of the blog entry is the Sweepstakes award. With the Sweepstakes cash award plus the ribbon premiums, my total cash award this year was $95.00!!! I am thrilled!


Sorry, these pictures are so bad. I think I need to learn how to really take pictures!

Oh, and PLEASE, check out your local county or state fair, and find out how to enter your work. Even if you think you work would not win, or the judging is unfair, or you are just self conscious and nervous, step out and enter. You will end up pushing yourself to improve, and produce more. You will learn new art forms and meet fun people. You will encourage others to pursue these lovely skills.

And, you just may come away with some lovely ribbons and a nice check of your own!

Please tell me your "Fair" and "Competition" stories. I love to read of your tries and successes! And I pray you all have a wonderful week!