Friday, August 14, 2009

Best of Show!

Is there anything more synonymous with small town living than the local fair?  Well the town where we live is no different and it’s fair time!

I love walking through the grounds and listening to the sounds of laughter and screams from the children on the rides and the sights of the livestock all brushed and clean just waiting their turn to be shown in the ring.  Saturday night is the highlight of the fair with the demolition derby which just packs the grandstand with fans and onlookers.  We live about a mile away from the fairgrounds but we can still hear the raucous noise once things get going on Saturday night.  

Please believe me when I say that I had no intention of entering anything in our local fair this year but because of Mr. Painted Quilt’s continued ‘nagging’ over the last couple of days, I finally gave in.  So yesterday morning I brought over some of my things.

This afternoon, we visited the fair and the exhibition hall.  There are about 30 different categories but all I can do is paint, stitch and sew.

In the ‘Miscellaneous Sewing’ category, I entered one of my needlecases…

DSCN0863which won a second place ribbon.

I also entered two of my painted items, the first one in the ‘Painting on Wood’ category.

DSCN0864My American Eagle won first prize.

The second painting category was ‘Painting on Tin’.

DSCN0865It too won first prize.

There are several categories in the quilting section and I elected to enter a quilt in the ‘Hand-Pieced, Machine Quilted’ category.

DSCN0860  Not only did it win first prize…

DSCN0861 It won ‘Best of Show’ for all categories! 

Yikes!

Happy stitching!

Kaaren  ♥

 

48 comments:

Susannah said...

How wonderful! Absolutley wonderful! I'm so glad for you. I could just tell that your work is superb. Congratulations to you and thanks to Mr. Painted Quilt for pushing you to enter.

Friends,
Susannah

Patty said...

Congratulations! You are truly talented and it shows with all the ribbons you've won. And obviously Mr. Painted Quilt is very proud of you and wants the world to know it.

Jocelyn said...

Wow Kaaren! Congratulations!! What an incredible honor. You do such beautiful work. And BEST OF SHOW is more then terrific!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Congratulations! All are so beautiful and I'm not surprised to see they are also award winning!

Lurline said...

Oh, Kaaren, I am so happy for you I have tears in my eyes - all this while Alleghany Moon plays in the backgound is 'too much'!
Hugs - Lurline♥

Miriam said...

Congratulations Kaaren!!

cockermom said...

Congratulations, that is wonderful!

Sew Useful Designs said...

CONGRATULATIONS BEST-OF-SHOW GIRL!!! :-)

Yay!!! I'm doing the happy dance for you sweetie! I'm so happy for you!! You are so talented Kaaren, you really are! And your ribbons just go to show that your blogging buddies aren't biased! :-)

I'm sure all those lovely people at the Fair are delighted that your husband persuaded you to contribute!

I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy!
Hugs sweetheart!
Vikki xoxo

paulette said...

I can see why your quilt won in all areas as it is absolutely gorgeous!! Well done!! Congratulations in all you wins!!
Paulette

quiltmom anna said...

Congratulations on receiving recognition for all your beautiful pieces Kaaren. They were all really lovely and you can be proud each and every one of them.
Sometimes we need a little encouragement to take that extra step- good for Mr Painted Quilt for giving you that little push.
With best wishes,
Anna

Kimberly said...

Ok, is there anything you CAN'T do?

Congrats on your well-deserved wins!

Stina Blomgren said...

Ahhh... CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Your dear husband of yours was right wasn´t he? NO wonder you won all those lovely red bows and ribbons.. your work is just wonderful... ohh.. this was a sunny start of my day.. hugs to you!

RG said...

Wow!!! You go girl and a huge congratulations to you Best of Show Girl :D

Annette said...

Good for Mr. Painted Quilt. He already knew you are a winner. Those ribbons are well deserved. And your quilt is absolutely awesome!

Julia said...

Wow Kaaren! Congratulations!!
I'm so happy for you...and " Best of Show ", How wonderful!
Julia ♥

Béa said...

Congratulations for all your win, I'm not surprised, your work is wonderful !
I love the soft colours of your quilt. Kiss from France

Abby and Stephanie said...

How thrilling for you Kaaren. Congratulations. Although your winnings are no surprise because your work is perfection and you are so talented. So glad Mr. Paint encouraged you to enter.

Rumi said...

Yea! A big high five to Mr. P for talking you into entering your wonderful items. He know what gems they were!
I won a 2nd place ribbon with an embroidered pillowcase years ago. It was thrilling to walk in and see my item with a ribbon on it. With your multiple wins (and best of show to boot!) you must be over the moon! Congrats Kaaren, you deserved them!

Terry said...

Congratulations!! Everything is just wonderful! Now aren't you glad you entered those things after all? :0)

Cathy B said...

Awesome job Kaaren, congratulations! Your painted items are beautiful and that quilt....wow!

Julie said...

i just knew it!! now it's time for you to eat humble pie and tell sam he is ALWAYS right!! LOL
i'm not surprised in the least.
big hugs
julie xoxo

ranette said...

Woohoo and congrats on your ribbons. All of your work is wonderful and that quilt deserved the "best of show" award...I love it!

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

WOO HOO!! Way to go!! I am so excited for you and I have to say, not all surprised you won in several categories! I know my needlecase is exquisite and I use it all the time - so persoanally, I think that shoud have gotten first place too!

And best of show - WONDERFUL! I am so happy Mr. Painted Quilt bugged you enough to enter!!

hugs, Linda

Jilly's Space said...

Kaaren!!! WOW!! Congrats on ALL your wins, you kicked butt! ;o) Well deserved, you are one talented lady, is there anything you don't know how to do. The painting is unbelievable, what talent. I can draw stick figures quite well..lol
Nice that you hubby believes in you so much and I am sure you are happy that you listened to his nagging!!
Proud of ya :o)

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Wow, Oh my gosh, that is wonderful and you sooo deserve it!! Do you have any close ups of your quilt on your blog, or did I miss that post?

Francien said...

Good for you Kaaren!...your creations are so wunderful!! now you know it from "someone else"Glad Mr.PQ gave you a push and now he is walking beside his shoes because he will be very proud of you...and you can be very proud too...such wunderful creations..love them all...champagne!!!
greetings Francien.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

You are too modest Kaaren - your work is amazing and now you have ribbons to prove it!

Unknown said...

Congratulations of your ribbons, it is sooooo nice to be appreciated when we work so hard on our various loves. I really loved your eagle, have a thing for the beauty of the eagle.

Linda said...

"WOW KAAREN" That is just so great!! Congratulations!!! I love the painting on tin. You are so talented.

Candace said...

Fantastic, Kaaren!!!!! I'm so glad Sam encouraged you!
Cheers!

Unknown said...

Congratulations! You are so very talented! I know the needlecase I won in your giveaway gets a "first place" in my book! I get a lot of compliments on it too. I use it all the time. Thanks again!

Deb said...

All those entries are just lovely Kaaren and well worth the vote with the fabulous ribbons.. great way to celebrate our fair.

Loris said...

Not surprising...your art is beautiful! The quilt is particularly lovely. Congratulations! I know your town was lucky to view your work.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, but you are a talented lady. Mr Painted quilt you did a great job, she should enter more contests. Every piece is so beautifull.

Dorothy said...

Congratulations Kaaren. Well deserved. You do such beautiful work.

Carrie ~ Cricketwood Prims said...

How exciting for you!! It is such an honor, now what are you going to do for next year!! Enjoy your honor, you are a gifted gal!

Sherri said...

Congratulations Kaaren! I live a mile away from our county fairgrounds...and the second week of April each year is our fair time...I completely know about the sights and sounds...and even got to judge quilts the last three years!

Ginny Worden said...

Congrats, and well deserved. You are a truly multi talented woman.

Carrie P. said...

Way to go girl. That is so exciting. I am proud of you and Mr.P. knows how talented you are. Congratulations!!! on all your ribbons.

Cathi said...

Congratulations!!! Your work is superb! Good for Mr. Painted Quilt pushing you to enter!

Pat said...

WOW Kaaren congratulations! You go girl. I knew you could do it. Next year you can add some cross stitch projects too!

Sara said...

WOW! Kaaren, congratulations! You are so talented and I love all the stuff you entered! Great job!!

And I love county fairs too!

Janet said...

It doesn't surprise me at all that you took home so many ribbons and the top prize. You are a very talented lady and artist. Congratulations.

Darlene said...

Hooray!!!!! You are a true talent!

Nanette Merrill said...

Good for you Kaaren. This goes to show your ability and eye. What a winner. I'd love this quilt.

Maggey and Jim said...

Hello,
You are an amazing artist!! your pieces are so good. And the quilt Lemoyne star is so fab..You couldn't ask for better finish than that. Keep up the good work..
Maggey

Donnelly said...

Congratulations!
Have a great day!

Charlsey said...

Congratulations on your many ribbons. I enjoyed browsing your blog. You are very talented in so many areas!