Going to the Fair

This past weekend I entered four quilts in the County Fair. Normally I wouldn't have entered at all. I don't like the competitive aspect of the Fair (or quilt shows). But I had three quilts that featured liberated piecing and still qualified to be entered (entries have to have been made within the last two years). I figured if I showed all three in the same fair the whole concept might be more acceptable to the viewing public.

The fourth quilt was my Christmas Round Robin which went into the Group category. It's a fun quilt and this is the last year it qualified to be exhibitied.

"Cosmic Goddesses" went into the small hand quilted, other (embellished) category.


My Fungly went into the medium tied quilts category. I wouldn't be surprised if it was the only entry in that category as tied quilts are still looked down upon as near as I can tell. Or it may not get hung at all as it has been used and laundered a good bit and may be showing too much wear.


And I entered my scrappy Trip Around the World that I'm calling "Souvenirs." I did wash it first so hopefully the wonky quilting lines won't be too noticeable.

I do not expect to see other than Participant ribbons on these quilts when I pick them up next week. I just couldn't resist the opportunity to show the public that there are quilts being made that don't conform to The Rules of Perfectionism and that those quilts can be fun and colorful and maybe just a bit more interesting than the "perfect" ones. (Was that a cat I just heard in the background?)

I was mildly distressed that my body reacted so badly when I went in to drop off the quilts. The building was spacious, and there weren't that many people there at the time, but within three minutes my hands were shaking and I was having a hard time putting my words together. It could be that the gal checking in my quilts was wearing something my nose didn't detect. Whatever. Maybe when it's time to collect them I can find someone else to go in for me. What a nuisance.

What I find more distressing is the malaise I now have to fight. I have no enthusiasm for anything. I did a little piecing yesterday - my 15 minutes - but it didn't really spark anything. Guess I'll have to try again today and see what happens...