I got a phone call yesterday morning, of all times, from my Auntie En, of all people, during which I mentioned I’d entered stuff in the village show but I couldn’t bring myself to say I’d entered her doll in case she didn’t win. Not because she would have been disappointed, because she is really modest and was embarrassed the time she entered some dolls in a St Johns Ambulance show and won the first three prizes, and certainly not because I didn’t think her doll worthy of winning but I didn’t know what would float the judges boat. And there had been an entry of two rag dolls of a more contemporary nature. So I ended up wanting Auntie En’s doll to win more than anything else. However not only did Auntie En’s doll win first prize win but I won a couple of things too…
Auntie Ann came with me in the afternoon for a shufty round at the other stuff eg, photographs, vegetables, flora displays, backing some of which have junior categories which I think is a good thing. (B spied an opportunity to get out of it and jumped with both feet and without the aid of a safety net.)
In the interim I’d decided to get through the backed up ironing pile and this caused Bud a bit of a dilemma as in my sewing room he doesn’t have an allocated or even available comfortable area in which to lie down. Yesterday he contemplated the clean laundry basket, with the laundry still in and despite my pair of cream linen pants being on top I had to see if he managed it. However after getting his two front paws in he decided it wasn’t to be. Let’s take a look at Bud and the basket together for dog to basket size comparison…
(Okay the basket it not really just three times the size of Bud’s head – the angle’s made it look that way but he could just about stand in it if he breathed in – enquiring facial expression is due to being posed for a photo – this has never really happened before (excluding trying to get him to wear antlers or a birthday hat) and being woman-handled to a suitable position got him a bit wary. This was soon rectified by the consumption of a dog treat.)
Anyhoo back to the show – I was heard to say to B and Auntie Ann that I didn’t know if I would win the Handicrafts Trophy this year (jointly or otherwise) – not out of modesty you understand but just because there were two categories I hadn’t entered and after seeing the Handmade Toys I thought my Buddies and Bunny, although cute, wouldn’t cut the mustard. However…
It’s mine, all mine!
And ‘we’ (B and Bud included I suppose) got a bonus prize. One of our neighbours entered in the baking, flower and jewellery sections and also won things. One of her winning entries was parkin (now we all know I love parkin – but not parking – and that my Auntie En makes the best parkin in the world, nay the galaxy) and I may have asked whether she was giving away samples while we were at the show. And what do you know she turned up at our door today with a selection of apple pie, parkin and bread – mmmmmmm!
Needless to say I will not be available to comment on the deliciousness or otherwise of the parkin.
Let’s finish up with a prize by prize breakdown.
Category – Cross Stitch Picture
Third Prize – I’m ashamed to say I didn’t take note of what won third prize.
Second Prize
Carousel Horses in Cross Stitch – October
First Prize
Mirabilia – Mermaid of the Pearls #26
Category – Knitted Garment
Third Prize
Rowan Magazine 41 – Peony
Second Prize was an Norwegian style jumper in a muted palette with colour areas above the ribbing and a coloured yoke that appeared to be worked in the round – I didn’t pick it up and give it the once over like but when I saw it in the morning I thought ‘Ohhhhhhh – that’s nice!’
First Prize
Debbie Bliss – New Baby Knits – Aran Jacket with Large Collar
Category – Crochet Item
Third Prize was a lovely lemon baby blanket embellished with self coloured crocheted flowers.
Second Prize
Comfort Knitting and Crochet Afghans – Greenway
First Prize
Jane Crowfoot Crochet Club 2011 Mystery Blanket
I’m embarrassed to say, but not so much that I’m not saying it obviously, that when I went up to collect the trophy the show co-ordinator suggested that anyone who hadn’t seen this should take a look before they left.
Now I have to go as there’s a cup of tea wating for me and I have a big decision to make – Do I start with the apple pie, parkin or the bread with some butter on it?
