I have a list that I wouldn’t exactly call a bucket list, but more a list of things I want to try/do/learn/see.

One of the items on that list was to take part in our local Liskeard Show. We have similar agricultural shows in New Zealand, but many of them no longer have the country home crafts sections, and I’ve been keen to have a go here for some time.

A few months ago, I decided that this would be the year I’d enter. In true me fashion, I promptly entered all seven of the open craft categories, without having actually finished (in most cases, without having actually started) the items I was going to enter. I did have to make decisions around the specific types of items to enter as they needed to be described, and I had to give an indication of their size.

I went into this with very little expectation. I appear to enjoy frenzied crafting with a deadline, and enjoyed having a reason to try out different things. I thought that placing in something would be nice (I haven’t had a certificate for anything since school, and that was a long time ago now!).

The items were dropped off on Friday afternoon, with judging to take place that evening. Show day was Saturday. We were in a heatwave, so decided we would attend for a few hours only and had to time that with collecting items at 4.30pm. Despite the heat, our first stop was the craft tent to see if I had been awarded a certificate for anything. Many thanks to Steve for photographing my items and the results, because I didn’t even think to take pictures.  As you can see, I received rather more than “a certificate” and am thoroughly chuffed. The culmination of points (the advantage of jumping into all categories!) was the trophy which is very heavy, and a great responsibility to take care of for the year.

I will be back next year, I am already planning things. It is extremely likely however that I will still leave it until the last minute. It seems I don’t know any other way to do things (it also seems that, at least this time, it worked to my advantage!).

Trophy, rosette and certificates.
Item of clothing – size 4 dress, fully lined with sash and lace.                 

Embroidery/needlework category – embroidered purse. I took some fabric with a repeating pattern and embroidered over the patter, and added beads.

Papercraft category – a handmade coptic bound book (the most rushed of all the items – I’m surprised the glue was dry)
For the “any other craft” category I made a rag doll. This was fun, although with more time I had intended to make a bag, toy and extra clothing for her.
Artwork – any medium. The most daunting as it’s the item containing the most “original material”. Cyanotype bleached and toned, laid over an original watercolour.
Knitting category – lace cowl.
Table runner. The items ahead of mine in the patchwork/quilting category were amazing and with so much more skill and effort. I was thrilled for a third behind them.