Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Fair #2 results are in
Well, we went to Alameda County Fair (CA) on a Thursday during the day. Perfect, all the way around. Not too many folks, the weather was just about perfect!
My Tropical Mist doily took 1st, Granny Ripple Afghan 2nd, Bread and Butter pickles 2nd,Baby Shawl Afghan 3rd, I had 4 more entries that didn't win anything. This fair does give you the scorecard and sometimes the judges do write comments, but to me it is still very confusing. Wish my scanner was working so I could show you one of these. It is graded 25% appearance, 50% workmanship, 25% suitability. The grading scale is well done +, acceptable ^, needs improving -. On this sweater, I received a + on every point, but no ribbon. also, no comments. Go figure. However, on my tomato preserves, there are notes that I left too much head space and preserves should have fruit pieces. Now, that tells me what I need to improve to do better next year. Thank you culinary judge!
When we went today to pick up our items, I got the phone # and name of the person to contact so I can volunteer next year. I have bitched for the last 3 years about the way the items are displayed, so it's time to get off my duff and do something about it.
We have had a really hard time finding our entries at this fair. If there is a method to how things are displayed, I still haven't figured it out. And to complicate things, they had Home Arts in 2 buildings. I'm sure there was supposed to be reason for what went in each building, but there were afghans in both, sweaters in both, baby stuff in both. Can't find the pattern here. So, hopefully, I can get on the committee that does the displays and can give them some input. We'll see.
All in all, a very good day.

Friday, July 03, 2009

How much is too much?
Peter and I were discussing pattern prices the other day. In most of the online groups that we belong to, everyone seems to want all patterns for free. Makes it very hard for the designers to make any money. So, how much is too much for a well written pattern?
I am as guilty as the next guy about using free on-line patterns. Love them! But I've also been known to spend quite a bit when it was something I really, really wanted. Of course, I will spend more $ on a sweater than I will a potholder. To me, an afghan or beautiful doily pattern is worth more than a cap or scarf.
So, I've put a poll on the right side of my blog so you can help answer this question. You have until July 10th to answer this question.

Next Project
Recently on Crochet Partners, there has been a discussion on how we pick our next project. I've had to laugh at this, because most of us have several things on our hooks at the same time, and WIMs lined up just waiting their turn.
Last week, I had all my fair entries done, too hot to work on the afghan I'm making for Project Linus, so I thought "This is the perfect time to try that wire crochet." My friend, Kitty, gave me the book a couple of years ago, I bought the wire and beads. Guess what? I can't find any of it! I usually put the pattern and supplies in a Ziploc type bag until I'm ready for it. But I can't find the bag. Unfortunately, I haven't had a good place to put the bags so they kinda get stuffed wherever I can find room for them. I've been looking for a week and still can't find the darn thing.
So, I started making a tote bag for Mattie, who is one of the ladies in my guild chapter. She always raves about my purses when I show up with a new one. She doesn't really carry a purse so I decided to make her a tote for her crocheting. She is well into her 80's and makes a minimum of 3 or 4 blankets for Project Linus every month, volunteers at the Food Bank at the Community Center every week and still volunteers at Oakland Children's Hospital. No one deserves this more. Someone gave me a huge cone of suede ribbon yarn in a steel blue gray. Alice gave me a patch that says Project Linus blanketeer which I'm going to sew on the front. I have the bottom, both sides, the front and about 1/3 of the back done in just a couple of days.
I guess my NEXT PROJECT should be finding a storage place for my WIMs that are ready to do. I was thinking of shelves to sit the bags on, but I have so many different sizes that I'm not sure that would work. I'm thinking maybe just a good size plastic tub would be the best. Then I need to gather up all those projects and put them there so when I need something to do, it is the first place I go.