Day at the Ohio State Fair

My family enjoyed visiting the

Ohio State Fair

this past Wednesday.

 

Here are a few of the outstanding things we discovered!



Can you see the feed sack incorporated

into the middle panel of this

adorable wall-hanging?

(Sorry for the glare.  This beauty was behind glass.)

 

 

I met a talented stitcher waiting

at a demonstration table

for her other guild members to arrive.

 

She graciously allowed me to photograph

this amazing hardanger sewing kit she had finished. 

 

This Dear Jane quilt was calling my name!!

The talented maker took a Dear Jane class for three years

working on the various blocks found in this gorgeous quilt.

 

I also loved this stunning sampler quilt.

 

Look at the tiny hand-quilted stitches,

the beads, the lace addition --

tiny details that add up to a spectacular finish.

 

I was also inspired by other types of crafters . . . .

I didn't know food could look so pretty!!

 

I also didn't know food could be so . . . hmm.

 

I was excited to see my Amish country favorite

at the fair with a booth!

 

 

This washtub planter received a ribbon

in the unusual container garden category.

I didn't know this category existed.



 

 

These summer chicks were quite entertaining to

young and old alike.

Can one ever get tired of watching new life?

 

Here's another unusual garden container I admired.

 

This was an amazing pumpkin!

 

 

I watched some of the sheep get sheered. This docile one

had already received her haircut.

 

 

We also took a break from the sun to watch

these Belgiums compete in one of the arenas.

 

Afternoon rain kept us from finding the rabbits and cows, etc.,

but we still managed to fill most of the day.

 

I love the fair; don't you?

 

Do you attend a county or state fair?

I'd love to hear.

 

Amy

 

 

Pretty Embroidery

 

 

Sometimes, I can't remember

how I acquired a certain piece of embroidered linen.

 

This sweet dresser scarf is one such piece.

 

I believe I adopted it from a dear friend who was parting

with some of her grandmother's linens.

 

I usually use this piece in early spring.

 

It sure would be lovely in a little girl's room!

 

 

I love the variegated pastel colors

in the dainty crocheted edge. 

 

 

July is quickly coming to a close!

Enjoy these summer days!

 

 

Blessings,

Amy

 

 

Sewing Downton Abbey $1.99!!! Get Yours!

I visited the magazine rack of my bookstore

and found this great special edition of Stitch magazine.

 The magazine was literally begging me to take it home. . . . Really!!

It pleaded, "You need me.  You need me."

 

(OK. OK.  I'm a little fanatical about the television series.)

 

The magazine is nearing its end of display date -- September 8.

When I checked on the link today from Sew Daily,

I discovered Stitch magazine is offering the special edition for $1.99!!

 

Click on the link below:

 Stitch magazine's "Unofficial Downton Abbey Sews"
 

I don't sew much clothing, but I still loved looking at

all of the varied clothing designs and patterns.

 

The magazine does have some "quilter friendly" patterns

 like the journal cover above

and the table runner below. 

Both samples were sewn
using the Downton Abbey fabric line

 from Andover Fabrics.
 



You also receive kitchen friendly patterns like the

apron and tea cozy below.

 



 

 

Just wanted to quickly send this post for all my sewing friends.

Just think of all the projects you could finish before

Season 5!

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Amy

 



Giveaway Winner and Mountain State Art and Craft Fair 2014

Happy 4th of July!

 

My son just drew the name

out of my giveaway drawing bowl!!

I'll be contacting the winner tonight.

Thank you for all that participated!

 



My family and I spent the day

at the Mountain State Art & Craft Fair

at the Cedar Lakes Conference Center

in Ripley, West Virginia



The weather was a beautiful 79 degrees all day.

 

I love visiting the different vendors. 

 These baskets

each have a wood base that features

 a hand drawn famous scene from the Mountain State.

 

Look at these pretties from

Beth Ingels' Pepper Pod Designs.

 

She makes gorgeous, vintage-style jewelry.

You might also find a bit of whimsy for your yard.

This is Tammy Keller May with her loom.

Her beautiful rugs are all made from recycled textiles.

I usually see her in November at the

Capital City Art & Craft Show.

Thanks, Tammy, for letting me include your picture.

 

I usually find a special treasure at the Fair.

This year, I had this silhouette artist

create a silhouette of each of my kids.

 

He made each silhouette in about two minutes

with his large scissors.

He didn't use the shadow technique.

He just studied their profile and cut.

 

I love the way he captured my daughter's

glasses and braid.

 

This year, the Fair included a Civil War Encampment.

This young man is getting a cannon tutorial

from a wise veteran.

 

Who knew?  Civil War Doxies.

It was a good thing that they weren't for sale!!

 

I told the owner that my family had two.  She told me

she had two more sleeping in the encampment tent.

 

Your $6.00 ticket also gives you access to free workshops.

I tried this paper marbling technique.

 

How did I do?

 

An enjoyable day of great guitar playing, art & craft vendors,

workshops, and of course . . . .

 

 

FOOD!

Here's my best friend and other half. 

We're eating

West Virginia hotdogs (chili and coleslaw). 

I've visited over twenty states. 

WV's the only place I've ever been that eats

hotdogs this way.

 

How do you eat your hotdog?

 

Blessings,

Amy

July 4th Gingham Apron Giveaway!!

I'm back for summertime blogging

with a super red vintage

Gingham Giveaway!

 

It's easy to participate.

 

Leave a comment on this post to have your name

entered once in the drawing.

 

If you're a follower through Networked Blogs, Google, or Linky,

 your name will be entered twice.

 

If you're a blogger that posts a link to the

 Gingham Apron Giveaway

on your blog,

your name will be entered three times.

 

The winner will be notified privately on July 4th

 after 9:00 p.m. for delivery information.

 

(Please be sure to tell me if you're a follower or have posted a link!

Also check your settings --

I can't contact you if you have a "no-reply" setting.)

 

 

 

I love the chicken scratch embroidery on this

darling gingham apron!

 

 

This pristine tea towel/luncheon cloth

has something to crow about -- it's beautiful!!

 

 

Every gal needs a bright red hankie.

 

 

 

The set includes a vintage valentine

and mini stitchery kit!

 

I'd love to hear an apron memory,

 if you leave a comment for the giveaway!

 

I have my grandmother's red gingham apron. 

 It has a lovely little white patch sewn with tiny stitches

where Grandma repaired a worn hole.

 

Enjoy your week!!

 

Amy

 

 

Old School

 

I've got a little weakness for vintage school

memorabilia and ephemera.

 

I've come across alphabet sets during my searches

through antique shops for unique linens.

 

The sets are usually too expensive or too incomplete.

 

 

 

When I saw this Fulton Chart & Sign Marker

for $8.00, I didn't think twice!

 

(Yes, it is called a "Sign Marker" not "Maker." 

 Isn't that odd?)

 

The only letter missing is the uppercase "H".

 

(These sets are readily available online for a variety of price ranges.)

 

It's far from pristine, but I don't mind.

It's loved condition tells me that this set was used and used

and used.

 

I also find it amusing that any

existing set I find online has a label stamped for practice

just like mine.

 

 

In the upper left hand corner, written with a fountain pen,

are the words "Our Lady of the Angels School."

I found a few schools of this name across the United States.

None near the store where I picked up this find.

 

For the history buff, I did discover the heart-tugging story

 of the 1958 Chicago school fire
which took the lives of 92 children and 3 nuns at

a school of this name.
The Our Lady of the Angels school fire
is considered the worst school fire in America's history
 and reminds me chillingly of the
 Triangle Shirt Factory fire from 1911 that killed
146 employees of the factory high-rise.


No matter where my little treasure came from, I know where it's headed -- to my fourth grade classroom.  I've got some crafty, creative students who will love stamping some artwork on a future rainy day recess!

Blessings,

Amy

My Blogger Account has been giving me fits.  I can't select any print for links or font changes.  Let's see how soon Blogger responds to my  help request.