I didn't do quite as well as usual but still managed to make a profit. Jim did very well in the flowers section too. Between us we seemed to have a fistful of winning tickets.
Here the judges are examining my rag doll Jessica. It's clear they preferred the knitted dolls best as she came 3rd. Archie, my male doll, received a 'Highly Commended'. I'll enter a knitted one next year!
There was one section for 'any crafts not entered in another section' and it was clear that the judges didn't have an understanding of the more modern crafts. A friend of mine entered a Nuno felted scarf which was absolutely beautiful. It took about a week of hard work to make but didn't get placed at all. Time for some new, younger judges I think.
Here are some of Jim's entries. His winning sweet peas on the left. His winning potatoes on the right and below at the bottom, his winning plate of pansies. Didn't he do well? The photos taken inside are rather 'yellow' but that's the lighting in the hall.
I hardly took any photos as I was busy on my stall outside. I have been making beads from paper/old magazines/old cards etc. I made some up into jewellery - bracelets and necklaces - and had a lot on display in an old printer's drawer.
Here I am serving a young lady who wanted to make a bracelet for her mum. She loved it and it was a pleasure to fulfil her wish. I made some beads while I was there and people were fascinated by the process. Most people thought the beads were bought when they first saw them. I missed not being about to look around the show but really enjoyed the day.
Here is a bracelet and earring set that I made - it came 3rd in the jewellery section:
I made the beads out of an old valentine's card from Jim!
And a couple of bracelets:
The weather was pretty good until about 4pm when the heavens opened! Jim got some good shots of soggy people:
I love this photo of a clown running one way and the child running the other! We waited for a while for the rain to stop, but when it wasn't happening, packed away and went inside the hall. At least I managed to get a look at all the exhibits.
Look at those puddles.
Jim managed a quick look around and watched this heavy horse pulling his master around:
Unfortunately there were a few rumbles of thunder and the horse became too spooked to continue.
I took this shot of a collie dog on his way home - I wonder if it won a prize?
The next day, Jim went back to the show hall to help clear up. He took a few photos there too. This is the best one of 3 of the stewards rolling the blue tack off the photo display boards!
They were all rewarded for their efforts with lunch at the Lady Gregory Hotel.
I'm still sorting out the beads and equipment at home.
Work in Progress in the Cottage
Jim has been very busy making a staircase at one end of the cottage. We did have a roof ladder leading up to the little room upstairs in the roof space but it wasn't very easy to use. He is also building a storage cupboard at the bottom - just opposite the door to my study. I'll see if I can find a photo of it:
It has progressed further than this. The banister is now finished and he has clad the end wall of the cupboard with tongue and groove pine. On the left you can see the entrance to my study. The upstairs room can be a spare bedroom or Jim may use it for his office while he attacks the final room to be 'done up' at the exact opposite end of the cottage. Currently this is used as Jim's office.
Forthcoming Visit
On 18th of this month, my daughter in law Sam and the grandchildren Jack and Kitty are coming to stay for a few days. I'm quite excited at the prospect but do hope the weather is kind to us. It's absolutely tipping it down today.
Here are a couple of photos from my last trip to Suffolk to visit them:
Gorgeous Kitty - how she has grown! This was entered in as 'portrait of a child' but didn't come anywhere!
What a grown up young man Jack has become. He is now 6. Here he was getting ready to go to the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds for his first public performance. He belongs to a drama group and performed incredibly well. I was very proud of him. He played a chef and had to wear one of Daddy's ties.
Buster
He's still with us. He still goes off wandering with is friend Max the labrador but has so far returned.
I think that's enough for today. I'm sorry I've been absent for so long. Thanks to all those who keep visiting. xxx
