Wednesday, November 7, 2007

It's Show Time!

My last post must have been the calm before the storm! It's the local Agricultural Show this week in our town, and I spent my entire childhood living and breathing the local show around this time of year (in another town) as my Dad was the Show Secretary for 26 years. It just means that it is ingrained into my make up to support the local community in it's efforts to show case talents and produce and get the kids involved. My mother, I'm now convinced is Saint. In fact I think I will call her Saint Jude when she arrives at the weekend, for a visit and a Show excursion. She ALWAYS encouraged us to find some category we could enter and it was always a VERY busy time. When I took my own childrens entries in last week, and some of my own, the lady at the office said there had been little support from schools this year. Of course I "fessed" up that I was a school teacher and would head back to school and rev them up a little and try and find some more entries for them. I think this is when the stress kicked in. I ended up with 79 Posters for Grades 1 & 2 entered and 10 Woodwork entries from Grades 3 & 4. I was "under the pump" yesterday, getting it all organized but today I just have to take it all in for display. The kids are VERY excited and the lady at the show was VERY appreciative, so I guess it was all worth it. I just know that if everyone said it was "too hard" it would be a dull old show. I will be going on Saturday and we are looking forward to seeing our entries.
I have snuck in a little craft on the side however (just to keep me sane!). I am in cushion mode at the moment and used some Aunty Cookie pieces to make this cushion just for me. I just LOVE her work. I am a big fan!

...and a little bit of crotchet - extending my basket patten to make an extra flap which made a litte bag. I have found a suede leather black strap in an op shop and will try to attach that to finish it off. I was quite pleased with how it turned out.

Saturday night was my big Girls Night In, and I'm pleased to say it was a great success. Lots of women, neighbours, craft friends, work friends, and we raised almost $400 for Breast Cancer Research. It was a fun night and great to have so many friends all at my house all at the same time. The only problem was, the night went too quickly and before I knew it, it was all over. My very first Poppy of the season came out for the party. They are just so divine. With the rain we had at the weekend and now some sunny days this week, I have quite a few poppies dancing in my garden now.

This is one of my favourite friends in my garden ... meet Dainty Bess.

11 comments:

Jenny said...

Thank goodness the show has families like yours to support it or it would be a very dull show indeed. I love your felted bag innovation and your cushion is gorgeous-and for you too-yay! I love that poppy-what kind is it as I don't think I have seen one that quite exquisite before. Aren't the roses wonderful this time of year. Good on you for raising all that money for cancer research :)

Anonymous said...

You have been busy. I too have been encouraged to add things to our show, that's next May.
Love your cushion. I have so many ideas for cushions, just have to get them started.

Bren said...

Annie hearing about all your community work makes me very proud to be your friend. Good on ya gal!

Donna said...

Thank you Annie for taking the time to have your own in-house fund rasier. Great stuff!! It must be working cos' all the talk this month about breast cancer awareness is certainly reminding me to check mine. Cheers!

KatieDid said...

Hi Annie, I was wondering if we should have a display for the Ligar Street quilts at next year's show? Yuor comments are quite true. Maybe we can get this town moving! Where did you get Dainty Bess? I remember us having a discusion about her once in Ligar Street. I used to have one in my garden in Adelaide, but I think she died.

Chookyblue...... said...

wow so much to comment on for a post........good on you for organising the show pics etc......I am a goer for the old country show........great tradition.....
.........bag...very nice..are you going to felt it?........
......girls night in...good fundraising.........I was involved in a Melbourne Cup luncheon yesterday and it was heaps of fun.......
beautiful poppies.........
.........hope that is all and I have forgotten anything......

Leanne said...

I love poppies they are one of my favourites. I'm a country girl so good on you for making it a better show.

Locket Pocket said...

Love that cushion!!!! Is the knit and purl fabric from Aunty Cookie too? The whole thing is such fun! I'm not surprised you are keeping it for yourself! Lucy x

Wendy said...

That's fantastic you got some response from the community. Great looking pillow you made.

I love seeing the flower pictures as we are in the middle of winter.

becsta said...

Wow! Top job on organising all the kids' stuff for the Show. That kind of work is invaluable, I reckon. And getting a bit of crafting in on the side must just mean you're a talented woman!

atet said...

Sounds like you have been busy, busy, busy. I love that Aunty Cookie fabric, I've seen her blog and work before and it is just fantastic!