Thursday, October 6, 2011

Our State Fair Is A Great State Fair

The 126th Texas State Fair is already under way and the D/FW metroplex is alive this weekend with football fans (Texas/OU game anyone), livestock and obscure fried foods (Buffalo Chicken in a Flapjack and Fried Bubblegum were the winners.)  Of course, you should not leave the fair without having the ultimate fair-going food:  The Fletchers Corny Dog.

Aside from the food, seeing a gentle giant, the myriad of events, exhibits and shows that can overwhelm the senses, the most important exhibit space to visit is the Creative Arts building (of course, we are a bit biased seeing how we are a stitching group but all the more reason to support the arts!)  Iridescent and textured jams and jellies shelved proudly, delicate hand-crafted dolls encased in glass, the saturation of color on canvas and the ever-blending grey tones on a black and white photograph adorn shelves and walls for passer-bys to ooh and ahh.

In addition to these crafts, this category is the primary entry us stitchers flock to see:  Needlecraft.  If there isn’t enough inspiration throughout the year at local yarn and fabric shops, online patterns and other stitchers projects, this is the crème de la crème of talent in the state.   This is what many dream of one day accomplishing; to have a project worthy of hanging at the fair.  This is the time when stitchers look at a project and say to themselves “I could do better than that!”, “What were the judges thinking?!?” or even an agreed “That piece deserved to win.”  Whatever thoughts that do transpire, attending the fair creates a sense of comrade between stitchers by encouraging all to go back home and try a new technique - even a new craft altogether.  No matter who has been pinned and who was left behind, we all know that even though our crafts are time-intensive and a labor of love, we knit, crochet, quilt and stitch because this is our peace; this is what makes us happy and in turn, others as well.

I encourage all of you to try to attend the State Fair this year and view all the wonderful crafts that are in the Creative Arts building.  Be sure to be on the lookout for ribboned items from our own crafters Kelli Phelan (cross-stitch) and Jennifer Stover (knitting.)

To find out more information about the State Fair visit HERE.
For additional entrance discounts during the week visit HERE.

The fair ends October 23rd so don't miss it; don't even be late!

See y’all at the fair!