Hey, Sis,
Did I lose track of our heritage? Any reason I would be channeling Swedish? I ask because, gee whiz!, my Deep Into the Forest Bohus reproduction won the American Swedish Institute award at the State Fair for best example of this Swedish art. I was so tickled, especially as the competition was really outstanding. There was a lovely example of The Swan and several other sweaters and hats and mitts. The sweater also won a first place ribbon in the “Cardigan - Limited Colorwork” category. My first MN State Fair first!
Another nice result - my little Shibui Onesy placed third, which was a pleasant surprise. The collar really was bound off too tightly (but I’ll take that ribbon, thank you very much).
On the other hand, Karen’s veil didn’t even place. Supportive friends expressed amazement, but I felt like I’d let Karen down somehow. I wonder if the judges thought I was trying to trick the system by entering it as “not otherwise specified - wearable” instead of entering it in the very competitive shawls category. But I would have blocked it differently for that category and it was meant to be a veil, so I didn’t think I was gaming the system at all.
Oh, well, maybe this is life telling me that there was an entirely satisfying amount of joy from the veil already. I have to agree, now that a day or two have passed. Would a picture of the veil without Karen under it but with a blue ribbons make me more happy than this one? Not even close.
I didn’t spend much time at the fair this year, volunteered at the MN Knitters’ Guild booth and then did a couple of hours of touring about, but I always have to catch the crop art. It is as kitsch, and as political, as can be. I love biting satire expressed in millet. My all-time favorite is “Curious George Searches for Weapons of Mass Destruction”, but this year’s “Michelle’s Precious Moments” was pretty darn good.
Laura Melnick captured some of the most priceless Michelle Bachman (our local crazy congresswoman) quotes and paired them with the treacly innocence of Precious Moments sculptures. By the way, these are actual references from Michelle. You can’t make this stuff up.
I feel the pull of the fair from our house, but I don’t push my luck by trying to get Wilson to go more than once every few years. That is one of the secrets of our happy marriage, which hits 58 years (29 each) tomorrow. Once again, the universe is providing me with plenty of joy.
One more bit of crop art joy for you. Not political, but just amuses the heck out of me. Have a great weekend.
Love,
Ellen
Jan and Ellen are identical twins who have always had an innate fashion sense. Crafting is an integral part of their lives and they stay stitched together sharing their love of knitting, family and community.
August 29th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Congrats to Ellen!!!
August 29th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Way to go Girl!! So glad for your ribbons, and your bits totally deserve them. Although, I am with you on the concept that the joy the veil has already brought is so much more than some unknown judge’s view of whether or not it is good. YOU know in your heart of hearts, that it is MARVELOUS, and so does Karen.
Personally I would say… keep the Swedish channeling comin’
August 30th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Congratulations! Way to steal the show your first time out
They’re crazy not to have ribboned the veil, but you are right in thinking that Karen adorns it far better than a ribbon ever could have. You’re making me think that next year I’m really going to have to visit our local fair — clearly I’ve been missing out 
And happy anniversary to both of you!
August 30th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Of course to me, a SWE Dish is a commercial communications satellite ground terminal. I’m just saying. And I didn’t even know they had an institute in Minnesota.
I LOVE that you won the institute award. That sweater is so stunning, I am not surprised, but that it reflects an ability to so profoundly respect another heritage and culture is a true compliment.
You were robbed on the veil. Fortunately, it has given us all so much wealth that we can afford to give some more to whomever got the ribbons.
Hysterical clip art…I am simply amazed by some closed minds.
August 30th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
The Bohus was so beautiful and deserved every award it received!! But you were robbed on the veil and that just shows to go ya that the fair isn’t always fair!
August 31st, 2009 at 8:42 am
Not surprised on any of the ribbons. The sweater in particular had “heirloom” and “State Fair Prizewinner” written all over it. Congratulations! Maybe the story of the veil isn’t over…granddaughters, who knows?
August 31st, 2009 at 2:50 pm
A big congrats to Ellen. Way to go! I hope you are basking in the glory.
August 31st, 2009 at 6:17 pm
This is sooo cool! You’re going to be in the “Gifted and Talented” wing of the prison, I just know it…! My niece is going to The Fair today, and she is on the lookout for the Bohus to take some closeup photos for me!
As for that veil, I can only quote one of my favorite lines from The Confederacy of Dunces: “[Your] excellence confused them.” Clearly!
September 1st, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Rachel Maddow referenced the Michele Bachman seed art in her cocktail moment tonight. Apparently there was also an Obama birth certificate?
September 1st, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Yes, there was an Obama birth certificate. It was just straight journalism, though, not the biting satire of the Bachman stuff. I am glad MN is getting our due.
September 2nd, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Congratulations!! I’m also surprised that the veil didn’t place, but maybe you’re right about the categories. And really, two out of three isn’t bad at all!
Satire expressed in millet. Something new every day. =)