State Fair

[Tarcristiel]

One never knows what judges are looking at. I've heard of competitons where the judges want to see the back of your work - yikes! I'd never win a ribbon there.

Where you entered in a specific category, or were all the cross-stitch pieces lumped together?

[X Rogue]

It was a specific category, framed picture, between 341 and 648 square inches, and 14 to 18 stitches per inch.

Apparently they have 4 categories for framed pictures, because they get quite a few submissions.
I think it goes something like this:

1. 14-18 stitches per inch, 1-341 square inches
2. 14--18 stitches per inch, 341-648 square inches
3. 18-32 stitches per inch, 1-341 square inches
4. 18-32 stitches per inch, 341-648 square inches

Those are just the categories for framed cross stitch, there are categories for pillows, small items like hankies or towels, also categories for all these items in needlepoint, bargello, crewelwork, and a couple others.

[Tarcristiel]

That's an interesting breakdown. Maryland State Fair breaks down by subject (weddings, landscapes, fantasy, people, holiday, etc), and within subject by finished size. There are also categories for clothing, pillows, bookmarks, etc. In addition to ribbons in the above categories, there are several special prizes to be won. I believe there's also a category for juvenile stitchers.

Needlepoint, embrodriery and punched work have their own categories.

[X Rogue]

Hmm, having a category breakdown by subject would be a good thing here too, I'd think. Texas is so big, they get a tremendous number of submissions for all the competitions. But they do have a juvenile group for all their categories as well, which is good.

[minah]

I love watching you talk about your pation of stiching, honestly!!!
When we were in junior school we had an hourly lesson per week for stiching!
it wasn't considered coo; so I never followed it up. When i grew older thoughi discovered its psycologic (therapeutic) value, but I am still useless with it!!!

[Baseloaf]

I was decent at knitting, but sucked at sewing. I actually stitched a picture of our cat when I was 9 or 10 (it wasn´t very good, naturally), but that was with ordinary simple stitches. I doubt I´d manage that today, was much better at craftsmanship when I was a kid.

[X Rogue]

Aww, the therapeutic value is one big reason I do it. Keep trying, it's worthwhile.

Actually, Base, you're ahead of me, I never learned to knit.

[Tarcristiel]

Knitting is soooo easy - it's just making loops. But the variety of things you can do with those loops. It's usually pretty easy to correct mistakes too. And if you have a knitted garment from years ago that you no longer like, just unravel the yarn, wash it, hang it with a weight to get out the kinks and then you can re-use the yarn. I find knitting to be very therapeutic; the clicking of needles is so soothing. And the new yarns and colors - I drool!

Cross-stitch is also easy. If you can read a chart, you can cross-stitch! All the beautiful new fabrics and flosses in luscious colors, and so many great charts are now available. Beginners could start with something easy like Lizzie*Kate designs. Before you know it, you'll be like XRogue and me, and want to stitch big complicated pieces.

[X Rogue]

Well, she arrived back today. Can I get a vote on where to put her?

[Tarcristiel]

I vote for over the buffet between the curio cabinets. First, it's a prominent place so you notice it right away, and it's just the perfect size for the space so it's not overwhelmed by nearby things.

P.S. I love the rug in that pic. I want something similar for my entryway.

[X Rogue]

Aww thanks.

I was thinking the same thing about the space, actually.

[Baseloaf]

What about the bathroom?

[X Rogue]

Too humid.