Do you enter Country/Village shows? What have you won- and are you already working on this year's prize-winning entires yet?!

[SpinningBirdKick]

After I outed myself on a thread regarding craft shows, it got me thinking about competing in these things, as I know quite a few people who like myself, take it quite seriously indeed!

I have entered shows since age 7- and have over 50 prize cards, quite a few trophies and a couple of best-in-shows....
What gets me though is the planning and work that goes into these things- I started my 2013 entries before I'd finished exhibiting in all the 2012 shows- my main categories are
-Computer Aided Design (always a poster or book cover, but by trade am a graphic designer so get VERY stabby if I don't place)
-Knitted Garment
-Cross Stitch (and Embroidery if it's a separate category, sometimes it isn't)
-Painting/Drawing (Only ever enter drawings, framed but don't normally get a 1st in this one- lots of 2nds though)
-Knitted/Soft Toy (my fave one to enter!!)
-Crochet (if it's a category)
-Papercrafts (usually something like origami or pop-up book)
-Might do a birthday cake- depends on time.....

I actually tend to give the exhibits as christmas presents, so most of my 2012 entires were given as gifts (eg Grandad got the Aran cable jumper I made which he loved) so they aren't hanging around my house forever....

I'm currently working through a ballsachey cross stitch picture of the 23rd Psalm (will donate to church afterwards and it's really complicated and doing my head in) and have started my soft toys this weekend just gone.
I wondered who else loves this kind of thing as much as me!!......

PS- For what it's worth, I'm a 34 year old guy.....
...Most people tend to think I'd be a retired Granny doing this kind of thing!

[dothraki]

You might have just outed yourself again. Were you on that Kirstie Allsop programme ?

[dothraki]

Whoops - I don't mean "that" Kirstie, I mean I can't remember the name of that series

[SpinningBirdKick]

I wish!

Nope- I'm not Mr X Stitch off Kirstie's Show (which I was seething at watching- talk about fix factor on some of them).....just a regular guy who likes to compete

It's a big deal in our village though, always has been and I like the competitive aspect....

[dothraki]

Well I wasn't impressed by his stitching - so post some photos on your profile - and see if you can handle a mn jury

[SpinningBirdKick]

I've put a few images up there, Dothraki.

I'm not starting a thread to talk about my own work- I don't always like what I enter simply because I enter to win-
...and I know what judges tend to look for!

I didn't like his stitching personally- it was too small, not "showy" enough, framed badly and who cares that he designed it himself? Most cross stitch winners I know use charts and books, and I do myself.
I enter categories that I feel I can use my craft skills to win- I could do a stormtrooper soft toy, but it wouldn't win- it needs to be more child-friendly, or show very commendable makeup skills.....
Anyway, I've shown a couple of mine, now it's your turn!

[dothraki]

I have never entered any competitions, but the Kirstie thing intrigued me. I make stuff just for family, and I haven't done embroidery for years, but I'm rethinking that. Very jealous I'd love an aran jumper. Maybe there is somewhere else you could compete - as your stormtrooper toy sounds fun.

[SelfconfessedSpoonyFucker]

yes, I've entered our local county fair a number of times and won some. Usually sewing but cake decorating too. My kids have entered things as well and won prizes.

[Seabright]

I am going to try and enter some when I get back to the UK next year, there is a County Show in my area and a couple of other shows too.

[marissab]

I live in a suburban area so not much in the way of country craft fayers. Is there any online directories to find them or websites etc? I wouldn't mind giving em a go

[SpinningBirdKick]

Where are you based Marissa?
I tend to just google the village names close to me- something normally comes up

[marissab]

I'm west yorkshire. I never thought of doing that! Duh!

[NotADragonOfSoup]

For what it's worth, I'm a 34 year old guy.

LOLOL - now that isn't what I expected. Although I didn't think you were a retired granny either.

There have never been any shows near enough to me. I was inspired to look by that Kirsty programme but the only classes were food based or floristry.

[getoffthecoffeetable]

I did a sketch of my Grandma once and framed it and gave it to her as a gift. She entered it in the local village show and won first prize. She couldn't understand why she shouldn't be basking in glory of self portrait winning! Didn't matter how many times my mum and I tried to explain she'd not done it, bless her!

[AnitaManeater]

I got a 2nd and 3rd in the last County Show I entered. On my 2nd place item there was a shakily written note from the judge saying 'shame about the long thread'. Had missed it when I weaving in the ends at the last min. Made me feel stabby.