This crazy week is over, and I will be spending all day in my chair watching football today. It was a full week, but lots of fun, mostly centering around the Mountain State Fair. Wednesday was the big day, with the morning taken up with judging for the crafts division, which was really fun and interesting. We did our category of Professional Crafts with a team of 5. Two of us were judges, one to pin the ribbons on, and two to carry the class entries to us at the judging table and back again. The system worked efficiently, and I enjoyed the process. The other judge, Rita, and I were in sync the entire time, each of us choosing the same projects for the same ribbons again and again. We only had one time where I chose one piece and she chose another, and we were able to inspect again, looking more closely at workmanship and level of difficulty to reach an agreement.
For each category, we kept the blue ribbon winners out until we had all the classes judged, then chose our Best of Show and Judge’s Choice. Once again, we agreed on every one right away. In most cases, the Best of Show was chosen for amazing detail, level of difficulty and workmanship. Almost every entry scored high on creativity, appearance, and suitability of materials.
I know you are asking, but how do you decide? Really, it wasn’t really hard, as we kept the scoring of the criteria in mind. Each item was inspected, and sometimes the winner was obvious. I would group items together on creativity and overall visual impact. Then from those, look at workmanship, then level of difficulty. Here is an example of a surprise Best in Show. This was the smallest item in the entire category. The ribbon rosette was bigger than the ornament.
Take a closer look, all those perfect holes in the center were drilled individually. No, it was not a pre-drilled piece, the scoring inside the holes showed they were obviously individually done. Then the weaving and beading were added in a circular pattern. Level of difficulty, very high. Artistry and creativity, high. Wrapping reeds are evenly spaced, beads nicely embedded and evenly spaced. Workmanship, very high. When we put the scores to this one, it came out with the highest number of the items in its class.
From the smallest to the largest item, the same criteria were applied to each item, then the items were compared to finalize the order of awards. Judging the holiday dolls was a fun category. Classes were determined by size, then all sizes competed for Best of Show and Judge’s Choice.
Best of Show went to this one, for the extra effort of the sheep and sleigh. Not because it was bigger, but because of the workmanship involved with the extra elements. This one also had more detail in the face and in the sleigh. Not one bit of glue was showing anywhere. Tiny details like the mittens on Santa and the berries in the harnesses were taken into consideration.
When we were done, we were given this wonderful appreciation gift. It is an insulated bag with a metal cork-backed Mountain State Fair coaster and a nice card.
The card had a lovely sentiment and was hand signed.
On Thursday, our neighborhood group had our monthly meeting. This day was our donation day for Safelight. As you may remember, I made two quilts for this effort, plus 30 pillowcases. Our members set a new record with 39 quilts and 63 pillowcases made and donated.
Then, the fair opened on Friday. I cooked in the afternoon, then went to the fairgrounds to turn in my dish. We went to the exhibit hall while the dishes were judged to see if any of my items had a ribbon. Oh, yes, I did have a few! In the quilting category, my bird quilt had a third place ribbon. Now, I know what you are thinking, what did the other quilts look like that beat the custom quilting on mine? You’d be amazed.
Like this one, the Best in Show winner by Gwen Kelsey in the bed quilts class. Holy cow, look at the number of pieces and all the hand applique. The quilting was exquisite as well.
The Jewelry Tree had a second place ribbon. First place in this class went to my friend, Barb, who did a piece with about a thousand seed beads all hand sewn.
Then I was thrilled to find a second place ribbon on my National Quilting Day wall hanging Winter Amaryllis. Again competition was fierce, and the first place winner was another NQD quilt with tiny flying geese.
I’ll show you more ribbon winners next time, but we had to get back to the Davis Center for the announcement of the winners of the Fresh Tomato Cooking Contest. Normally I do not like having my picture taken, but I know you all want to see this one. So here it is. First place!!
The dish is a pasta and Italian sausage dish with red and yellow Roma tomatoes placed on the mixture, topped with cheese and baked until bubbly. Yes, I do know that you want the recipe, LOL!! Here it is – Fresh Tomato Pasta.
So, I’m resting today. The next cooking contest is tomorrow, and it is Pork Recipes. The criteria include that it have an international theme, with the name of the contest being PassPork to Flavor. Isn’t that cute? Yep, I have my idea, and we will see what happens!
From My Carolina Home 
Need a LOVE button! Carole, congratulations on all your entries! The judging process sounded like you & your cohort worked like bread and butter. That’s truly a compliment to the selection panel and both your skill at acknowledging and recognizing the crafts you judged. I’m sure the entrants were thrilled.
Carole, congratulations! You are so talented. I loved seeing the holiday dolls. Enjoy a day of rest after an exciting and I am sure exhausting week!
Job well done, Carole!!! Congrats!!!
Well done you! Judging on the American system with a score card is usually pretty straight forward. Our fair just moved to the American system from the Danish system, and while I think some folks are not happy because of the fewer ribbons, it really makes more sense for open class. I knew you would be a good judge. Congratulations on the tomato contest! I am going to take a look at your recipe, as Italian sausage is a favorite at our house, and now that we have ground pork in the freezer again, I will make some up and try the recipe. Congratulations again!
Hi Carole. Congrats on the ribbons! I’ve also been having some fun at our local fall fairs (much much smaller venues than yours) This is the first year back since Covid for me. So far, my quilting efforts have done quite well and I have collected a nice little pile of red ribbons (those are firsts in Canada) as well as one reserve grand champion (not a lot of competition at that fair) But next week end will be the real test–competing against several extremely talented guild members and personal quilty friends! Oh it’s going to be fun!!
Awesome, I hope you win a bunch more ribbons! Entering the fair is just too much fun!
Congratulations! Your recipe looks perfect for the early autumn weather we’re having today. It’s always nice to have a convenient baked dish for a football watching afternoon. Well deserved ribbons for your quilts. Your 3D amaryllis & decorated Christmas tree are so creative & original. The 1st prize winner is beautiful, lately it seemed to be a pattern entered in every quilt show. A good choice for applique fans.
Congratulations on your entries in the fair. I appreciate the recipe using fresh tomatoes since I have loads to use or freeze. We will be watching some football this afternoon.
Congratulations on the well deserved ribbons! The tomato dish sounds delicious, so it’s going in my recipe book – my husband and I have enjoyed many of the recipes you’ve shared 🙂
Thanks so much!! My Sweet Babboo liked it as well.
Congratulations, Carole, on your wins. Good luck tomorrow, too. Your pasta/sausage recipe sounds yummy, thanks for sharing. Enjoy your day of rest.
WELL..congrats again for all your hard work.
YAY!!!!! Congratulations! I knew you would be rewarded for your great projects & recipe and for daring to take a chance with the competition. Enjoy your Sunday rest.
Congratulations on your cooking win! That sounds delicious! It does sound like you had a crazy busy week, and a day watching football is the perfect reward. I’m glad you and the other judge in your category worked so well together, too. I bet that made the whole experience a good one!
Congratulations on judging and on winning ribbons. You are amazing.
So happy for you–getting to judge and then the ribbons too! The Best in Show quilt was a pattern from The Quilt Show, the BOM for 2023. It is a beauty, but I liked yours more!
Congrats Carole on your blue ribbon win in the cooking contest!
Hi Carole, Congratulations on your ribbons – well done indeed!!! Glad you got a chance to judge, it can be lots of fun and so great that you and Rita agreed on the winners.
Congratulations on your ribbon winnings. Well deserved. The Pasta Bake sounds yummy. Will definitely give it a try.
Congratulations on all your ribbons! The first place in cooking is a wonderful achievement. Since I’m not a great cook, I love trying others recipes and your pasta bake looks so good it will be one for me to try! Being a judge would be difficult for me as I see the work, time and creativity put into each item and would want to give everyone a ribbon. The Santa and Sheep would have won Best of Show in my judging. The medallion not so much IMO. Enjoy your football day, it’s my favorite time of year too. Can’t wait to watch Tom Brady on Fox’s debut!
They did win Best of Show in the dolls division.
Congratulations on all of your entries and for sharing some of the other winners. I saved the pasta recipe as we have a ton of tomatoes at the moment and this might be a good way to use them up. I can see I have a lot of catching up on your blog but I did get all my pumpkin fabrics cut today to start the 2018 Pumpkins and Stars quilt. I guess I better get busy before the Autumn Jubilee starts for 2024.
Congratulations on all your hard work.Carol
thank you so much for volunteering. And for all the terrific projects you entered. Lots of work and lots of great memories . Keep up the terrific work you do.
Oh yes, do rest today! Tomorrow is a biggie! But then, so was today (or yesterday?) between your judging and accolades! I’m pleased to see your projects were honored but WOW! A first for the pasta? I’m checking that one out! Congratulations, Carole! (And it’s a lovely photo!)
wow, 1st place for your cooking entry, well done. Plus all the other ribbons you collected for your craft entries. Doing the judging must have been interesting too.
Well done Carole for attaining your ribbons and your 1st Place for your Pasta dish. Your photo is very fetching too. Worth a frame! 🙂
You give your time and expertise to this event each year and I’m sure your efforts are very much appreciated. Wearing a new hat this year with your judging must have been enjoyable as well as the feeling of responsibility to make fair decisions for the entrants. You should enjoy your day of rest and I hope you have a good book to bury your nose in!!
Congratulations!!
Mary :))
Oh Well Done!!!!!! I will need to go back for more/closer views of everything. Beautiful work. I feel like I was there! Thanks
Congratulations on all of your ribbons! That’s quite an accomplishment!
Congratulations Carole! How fun to be both a judge and a ribbon winner! The fair always sounds like such a wonderful time and I love how you fearlessly enter your quilts and recipes. Good luck with the PassPork!
Jenna
Woohoo! Congratulations on all your ribbons and your tasty blue ribbon recipe!
I have been following your blog for awhile. I am interested in your Safelight project. I belong to the Local American Sewing Quild. We have a neighborhood group, Quilts of Kindness and have given quilts to our local domestic Abuse program. I would like to also do something like your program.
Karen Ambrecht
I hope you have recovered a bit from last week! The judging description was very interesting. And congratulations on all the recognitions/ribbons awarded for your creative efforts on both the sewing/quilting and the cooking fronts! I can’t wait to try out your recipes. And what a lot of sewing you got done(and fabric “out”)! You have inspired me to buckle down and see what I can accomplish this month!