Bingley Show - 23 July 2016

I can't believe it was almost two months ago, but it's my great pleasure to wish you a warm, if belated, welcome to the handicrafts tent at this year's Bingley Show.  It was my first year in this Show - first in any other than the Sheffield Fayre (which, owing to diary clashes, I wasn't able to enter this year....waaaaahh!), but it was a good one!  Let's join these ladies photographed kindly looking at my entries (at least the visitor in the foreground was), and take a look around some of the tent.

First let's look along the 'Piece of Counted Thread Embroidery' class displays.  This was a really good class with plenty of potential for variety (as opposed to the usual 'piece of cross stitch' in many other events), and had a decent number of entries, of which 5 were mine.

Because there were a good number of pieces in this class, the judges were able to award a couple of 'Highly Commended' tickets as well as the regular first, second and third prizes.  As you might be able to see here, my Tudor Lady was commended and....

Martin caught my stunned smile as it sunk in that the 'Sunshine and Flowers' sampler had not only won its second first prize, but also took the trophy for the 'most outstanding exhibit' in the handicrafts section!!  Wow!  'Handicrafts' covers all fabric, paper and embroidered items as well as an 'any other crafts' class, but not yarncrafts, art, photography or, of course, junior classes, all of which have their own cup or plate.

You can see my 'also rans' here in the shape of the narrowboat cross stitch, the bellpull that took a second in Sheffield last year and the peach hearts hardanger cushion cover.  There was one other piece of hardanger (see three photos up), which was commended.

Here are the entries in the freestyle class where my stumpwork bunny hopped off with third prize.  Another lady won the first and second, as well as the third in the counted section and plenty of others.  I saw her later on clutching a fistful of prize tickets from several classes and categories.  A very skilled and productive rival!!! =)

Looking back now at this display, I notice that the prize winning items were all nicely framed and it makes me wonder just how big a contribution proper framing makes in the awarding of points.  I hadn't formally framed my knot garden and goldwork viola pieces as they normally just live in my portfolio and I don't have any suitable frames for them (and don't really want to buy any - surprise, surprise!)  Worth bearing in mind for future events though.

Above are many of the entries into the general fabric crafts class and the red scatter cushion in the back row is one of mine (and now on our sofa).  We urgently needed new scatter cushions and the Show provided the impetus to get one made up quickly.  I just love the colour co-ordinated pen roll in the middle of this collection.

Below are the five entries into the child/baby knits class.  I didn't win anything here, but I'm not at all surprised.  You see, I'd not realised until my friends, Emily and Wanjun pointed it out a couple of months before, but my purl stitches are twisted.  I borrowed 'The A-Z of Knitting' from the Leeds Art library recently and from the photos in there, realised that I'd been winding the yarn the wrong way around the needle.  No wonder every second row looked so skew!  Next time I'll get it right.  Just hope I don't forget and slip back into bad habits....

Here we have the top two entries in the 'Hand Knit or Crochet Group' and the yarncrafts section trophy was taken - for at least the third year running - by the same lady.  She must be a real force to be reckoned with in the local yarncrafts sphere!  Her knitted toys are delightful!  I'd love to have a go at this type of work some time, but I'm hesitant to start at the moment as it would mean accumulating more yarns in several colours and I've recently reduced my supplies down to one scrap end and two part balls.

The 'Other Yarncrafts' section yielded some real treats, including this incredible crocheted Bingley Five Rise locks (by the lady who took stacks of prizes, I think), a crocheted wedding cake, and owl and pussy cat in their 'beautiful pea green boat.'

This class also attracted a number of felted pieces, which were superb!  When an e-mail from the Handicrafts secretary came out to all those who'd entered this year and asking for suggestions for classes, I suggested having 'Felted Item' as a separate class as there seemed easily enough entries to justify it.

Moving away from needlecrafts to the other side of the tent, and here are some of the paintings displayed.

And finally, next door to the horticulture tent where I just loved the juniors' fruit and veg animals

It was a great Show and a big success for me too, winning the handicrafts section trophy!  At first I was almost disappointed at getting the biggest prize first time as it kind of felt like there was nothing left to strive for, but there is, of course.  Not only do I want to defend it next year, but there are also prizes in other sections to aim for, especially the first prize in the freestyle and I'd like to aim to win something in the art and yarncrafts sections.

I also learned what wins trophies when it's a 'most outstanding exhibit' type, (as opposed to exhibitor with the most points, which can depend as much on sheer quantity of entries as anything).  From looking at the prize winning entries across numerous classes I could see that pretty pieces, well worked win prizes, but if you want the trophy, you need a piece with the 'Wow!' factor.  There were some truly lovely items displayed and all beautifully made by very skilled hands, but the 'Sunshine and Flowers' piece had that 'Wow!' effect.  It had nothing to do with me really - beyond my not gaffing it up too obviously.  It was simply the design that was the winner.  So, if you're after a trophy some time, that's the formula.

Text and images © Elizabeth Braun 2016

Sheffield Horticulture Show 2015

It's already been several weeks since the Sheffield Fayre, but I've been planning all along to give you a treat and show you some of my photos from the Fayre's main attraction - the Sheffield Horticulture Show.

It's a fairly young show, only about 15 years old and is still quite small and relaxed, but there's still plenty worth seeing, so why not take a walk around the tent with me and see for yourself?

Here are some of the floral arrangements and pot plants with the photography and art displays in the background.

Starting with the part that I head straight for and that most readers of this blog will be most interested in, here are the cross stitch entries (above) and the 'Craft - Any Media' ones (below).  The dog picture was made from trimmings from the exhibitor's own dog's hair!

At the back far right of the XS one and the back far left of the craft one, you can see my butterflies as the lone 'One Item of Embroidery' entry.  There was also just the one in the 'Cross Stitch - Own Design' category.

Just as with 'Craft - Any Media', the knitting classes attracted a lot of entries this year.  Last year both of these types of work were poorly supported and there were only one or two entries.  This time there was a good selection to see and some wonderful creativity in the toy and the garment sections.

Interestingly, the embroidery category pulled in seven entries last year, but just one this time and there were no entries at all for 'Hand Sewn Item', so I wonder if these things cycle.  One year the class has lots of entries so some of the competitors think, 'Oh, bother that, I can't win anything.  Won't enter next time!'  At the same time, someone sees a sole item in a class and thinks, 'Hey!  I might stand a chance, so I'll put something in that next year!'  I'm interested to see if embroidery makes a come-back next year, but craft and knitting take a drop in entries.  Watch this space in late August next year...

I just love these entries in the 'Group of Knitted Toy' class.  Both the busy knitting club at the back and the fantastic knitted noughts and crosses game at the front are superb.  I want to try a bit of toy making now too!

The art entries seemed to me to be a lot higher quality in several categories this time around than they had last.  I plan on trying my hand at some pastels in the 'One Sketch - Any Media' class, (as there isn't a pastel painting one) next year.  Wouldn't mind improving my watercolour skills too.

These are children's miniature gardens. =)

I usually enjoy the variety and colours in the group allotment displays (above) and what about these for prize vegetables (below)?

Last, but very definitely not least is the winner of the Best in Show trophy, the multi-talented Josie (who also created the knitted noughts and crosses game amongst other prize winning entries!):

She finds it hard to smile for the camera, but I got this lovely shot of her by Sir making her laugh just as I was about to take the photo.  She's created this amazing polymer clay miniature of the Show for fun and to attract donations to help stage next year's show.  However, the Lord Mayor loved it so much that, even though it wasn't entered as a competitive exhibit, it was awarded Best in Show and I believe is to be on display in the Town Hall!  Josie was rightly delighted!

Here are some close ups of each side and then the needlecrafts section.

Wonderful, isn't it?

Josie also organised a bit of a bric-a-brac stall to raise funds, so whilst there for staging before the Show opened, I promptly handed over the Chinese souvenir that a student had just given me (I have had SO many of these over the years) and, when we got home, put together a whole boxful of ornaments and little things that appeal to folk to donate to the cause.  It both helped us clear out nick-nacks and contributed to keeping the Fayre going and free to enter.  Someone came and bought something whilst I was still setting the items out and most of them were gone by the time I came back to get my pieces just as the Show closed.  A good bit of clearing out, methinks!

So, if you've never been to your local Show, be it a Flower Show or an Agricultural one with a Horticulture and Craft tent, I do recommend you give it a go.  Even better, get a schedule in advance and enter something.  Even if you don't get a prize (which I'll be lucky to do in the Leeds Flower Show in the future, as it's a much, MUCH bigger and more prestigious event), it's such fun joining in and it's inspiring seeing and enjoying others' wonderful work.

I realise that what I'm describing here applies very much to UK events and may not be as relevant even for the local and/or state fairs that take place in the States, Australia and so.  However, why not see what's going on in your area, wherever you are and report back?

PS Although I wasn't expecting comments on what stash you could let go of (or not) just yet, I've had some interesting ones so far and please feel free to keep them coming as I'll be using some of them in Sunday's minimalist stitching kit challenge post.

Text and images © Elizabeth Braun 2015

I won, gosh!

Wow!  I won!  I got first and third prizes in both the categories I'd entered - 'Embroidered Item' and 'Cross Stitch - not from a kit'.  The second category was a little ambiguous as I interpreted it very literally indeed, whereas it seems that the actual meaning is something one has designed oneself.  The second prize entry was self designed and I did 'fess up and say that mine were slightly adapted from commercial charts, but as the category wasn't clear, it wouldn't have been fair to penalise me, so I won instead!!

The stumpwork bunny rabbit came first in the 'Embroidered Item' category and the recent wedding ring cushion won third prize.  I should have tidied the display up a bit before the photo was taken, but I was so excited at having won that I didn't even notice the rabbit's rather perpendicular ear and the ring cushion being upside down until afterwards.LOL!

In the cross stitch section, the Tudor Lady came 'only' third, whilst the 'Sunshine and Flowers' sampler won the first prize.  I'd only entered that one for the sake of it and as it qualified for the timescale (which is 3 years in this show - most unusual!)

So, I came away walking 10 feet tall (that's 3 metres for those of you who speak metric), with £10 of prize money in my pocket and a feeling that this was a most successful first year in the show!=)

Aim for next year?  Win the Best in Section (Craft) rosette....

PS Sorry for the delay in getting the new tute out to you.  It's in progress, but I haven't been able to finish it up just yet.

Text and images © Elizabeth Braun 2014

Another prize!

Got the prize for winning the CSF ('Cross Stitch Forever' - it's a Yahoo newsgroup) trivia quiz again last month. Not that I think I'm much more than a good guesser and lucky that I get so many questions on things I know about (such as language and the Bible), but it's nice - esp. as I won in my own right this time, not just as the lady who really won doesn't take the prize of she comes out first. I've already done an L*K 'Welcome' design, so I'll have to think about this one. I may well be able to change the general colour scheme from the purples (which I love, rats!) to peaches and use it in the living room? Maybe as something to put on the sofa? I've never tried 25ct fabric either, so I'll be interested to see what uses I can put this to. I've seen some hardanger designs done on 25ct, which is a possibility. And beads, mmmm, yum! So, THANKS ANGIE!=)

CSF Quiz Win Prize Arrives!

I won the Cross Stitch Forever group's trivia quiz last month and the prize came today. Have a look and see what I got here:

So, thanks a lot for all of that, Angie! I esp love the linen and the beads. Can't get enough beads, can you? Dunno what I'm going to use any of it for yet, but I think the Aida will look good as a background for some lovely leafy floral design with pale flowers that will stand out in contrast to the brown.