Sunday, August 26, 2007

Minnesota State Fair

Friday night I volunteered for the Minnesota Knitters Guild at the MN State Fair with a few friends. We certainly had a good time talking to fair-goers as they passed by. The only downside was that we were sitting on a bit of a stage behind a sample barrier. The effect was reminiscent of visiting the zoo- and we were the animals in the cage!

There were many gorgeous knitted items submitted this year. Of course, it's always fun to see entries from knitters that you know--
Deepa, Jeanne, Louise, Susan, & Leslie all received awards-- congrats to you all!


In return, thanks to all who have sent congratulations my way-- Lizard Ridge took 1st place *and* afghan sweepstakes! What a fantastic surprise!!!

Check out the reflection of the fair-

Afterward we visited a few spots. The horticulture building had a "largest sugar beet contest". Good lord, I had no idea how big these are. I'm from corn and soybean country. The North-western corner of MN grows a good deal of these.

(Berry Lozenge sock for scale)

Have you seen the crop art, or seed art? Wow! Truly amazing work!!!

Someone painstakingly 'painted' lace out of small seeds on the Spanish Lady. The seeds lend to a true sculptural form. I was entranced. There was a good deal of pop culture and kitch, some were drop-dead gorgeous.

I can't help it. I have to leave you with this:

16 comments:

Orinda5 said...

I thought that might have been you listed in the winners. Congratulations! I am looking forward to seeing LR when I get to the fair. I'm sure it is even more impressive in person. :)

Stacey said...

that's so great!!! congrats!!!!

Deepa said...

ROTFL...the seed art is fabulous! I wonder if the judges are swayed by content, just a little bit?

You absolutely have to get a professional to shoot your LR, so non-MN knitters can see its dazzling splendor.

Unknown said...

Oh! That was yours?! I said, to my non-knitter friend, "Look, it's Lizard Ridge! I wonder whose it is..." Congratulations, it's a beautiful piece.

InkyOrchid said...

Congratulations! That's so exciting that you won. And the seed art is fabulous.

Guinifer said...

Love,love,love the seed sculptures!

Congrats on the win!

Elemmaciltur said...

Congratulations on the first place!!!

Miss T said...

Congratulations!

Erik said...

The C word!

AsKatKnits said...

Congratulations!! Wow - that is so awesome!!!!!!

Jess said...

Congratulations on the win! The afghan turned out beautifully. Hopefully I'll get a chance to go visit the Creative Activities building later this week.

Love the seed art - the Spanish Lady is incredible, and the Cheney one is hysterical.

Diane said...

Lizard Ridge is ab fab! Certainly deserved awards, ooo's, and aaahhh's too.

Kay-From the Back Yard said...

Congratulations! Your afghan is really beautiful.

Anonymous said...

I saw Lizard Ridge yesterday--gorgeous! Congrats!

Kitt said...

What a feather in your cap! Huzzah!

limedragon :-: Harriet said...

Congratulations, it's a gorgeous afghan and the awards are well-deserved! : )