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Saturday, August 11, 2012

County Fair -- And the Ribbons Go To...

If you've read any of my previous year's entries regarding the county fair, you may recall that the submission quality is high, but the quantity is low.  Usually only three entries per year.

Today I went to my county fair to view the tatting category and see which pieces won top honors.  What a treat to find six (6) tatted entries!

It gives me great pleasure to tell you that a tatted reticule bag won Best of Show in the Needle Arts category this year.  (Squeee!)

2012 Blue Ribbon and 
Best in Show, Needle Arts

Congratulations to (name not published) for tatting this treasure in mignonette stitch and roses.

The second place entry was equally eye-popping.  A charming, white christening gown made in the longer length of bygone days.


2012 Red Ribbon winner

From the tatted cap sleeves through the front lace panel to the hem finished with a trio of pink rosettes, this entry is a dress surely to be handed down for generations.

Congratulations to Sw4nkyL4c3r for creating this darling, tatted christening gown.

The third place entry was a set of dainty earrings tatted in white with clear beads.


2012 White Ribbon winner


Fine and exquisitely accented for just a hint of sparkle. Elegant earrings anyone would cherish.

Congratulations to (name not published) for tatting such pretty lace jewelry.

What about my entries? I submitted two pieces you have seen on this blog before.


Regal Snowflake, design by La Cossette
Tatted by IsDihara


Old Fashioned Heart, design by Etha Schuette
Tatted by IsDihara  

"They didn't think much of them in Old Paris"
Jack Dawson's comment to Rose DeWitt Bukater in the 1997 film Titanic seems fitting here.
No ribbons were awarded for either of these beauties.  Not even an honorable mention or participatory nod.

It would be a lie to say I am not disappointed.  I am.  But we can't all be winners. It is a triumph to see the category grow.  Tatting was chosen over all other Needle Art entries for Best of Show! Submission quality remains high and I am still peacock-proud of my pieces.
[*grumbles* Even if the judges didn't favor them.]

Perhaps it was karmic backlash for breaking the rules. Participants may only enter one item per category and I entered two. (To get around the rule, I used my niece's name and my neighbor's address.) Neither piece was disqualified, so maybe karma evened the score.

Or maybe my entries lacked the air of something saved from the past. Who knows?

What?  That's only five, you say?
But of course!  I almost forgot the sixth tatted entry!  *drumroll*


Decorated Egg with tatting!  Awarded a second place ribbon. Isn't it pretty? Congratulations to Sw4nkyL4c3r for garnering a second red ribbon for her beautiful work.

Huge, heartfelt congratulations again to all the winners. Now I will go eat chocolate and play World of Warcraft  (a computer game) to forget judges who don't know what tatting IS, only what it WAS.

11 comments:

  1. yeah, i worry about entering tatting into our state fair and the judges not knowing all the difficulty and time i put it. its a bit discouraging to see some great tatting go unrewarded, i love your tatting!

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  2. I think your tatting was worth a ribbon, don't know what they were thinking.
    the other entries are very good as well.
    Glad to see there are more entries this year.

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  3. I am sure those judges did not understand or know what they were talking about, the entries to go up to six is brilliant and I know not everyone can win, But your tatting was as good as the winners.
    Take heart there is always another year, you have a year to make something different to put in their faces.
    Margaret

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  4. Good that there were more tatting entries. Next year you'll have a better idea of what you're up against!

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  5. What do they know, anyway? : )) I think the tatting you submitted is excellent and worthy of being seen at this kind of event - even thought the judges are not very with it... Good to see entries like yours, for they serve to educate the unknowing public about tatting!
    Fox : )

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  6. Thank you ALL for your kind and supportive comments. I appreciate them so much!

    Jane, FYI--I have been watching the tatting category for the past four years (submitted entries for 2 of those 4) and feel like I have a pretty good idea what I am up against...judges who reward tatting that matches their antiquated perceptions)

    I had hoped to broaden their perspective a bit, but it doesn't seem to be having any effect.

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  7. Congratulations on entering and helping to expand the category! The judges might only see it as it was but with you putting it out there for the rest of the visitors to see you are expanding on their view of tatting. There may be one or two people that will go "wow, that's cool. I'd like to learn how to do that!" You could be the inspiration for someone to learn tatting! Must keep it up:-)

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  8. Change takes time, unfortunately, but keep educating them! Fabulous there is a tatting category! And wonderful there were so many entries this year! I think your tatting is beautiful.

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  9. So sorry yours didn't win - it was very fine, and worthy of a ribbon! Fie on the ignorant judges.

    Keep calm, and tat on.

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  10. It's wonderful to see what people are entering as their fair entries. I'm so sorry that yours didn't win a ribbon. They're blue ribbon winners in my book!

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  11. Given the judges you have to work with, the question becomes: Do you want to win a ribbon, or do you want the public to see contemporary-looking tatting that might pique their interest? If you want to win a ribbon, then submit what you know the judges want, like a large ecru doily or something. If you want to educate people about tatting, then keep doing what you're doing and forget the ribbons.

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