Summer Shows, Summer Sewing

I am lucky that my work means I can take a six week break during the summer. I love the summer for many reasons. Time to spend with my family thanks to the school hols, having a week or two away and the odd day trip, not to mention being able to have an occassional lie-in children permitting.

The school summer holidays also mean I have extra spare time to devote to projects that have been on the back burner during the school year due to concentrating on Hope & Gloria sewing clubs and everything that they involve. During my spare time since the beginning of the summer break I have been in a quilting/stitching/knitting frenzy and have completed three projects so this weekend I decided to enter them in to a local handicraft competition.

Anyone who knows me is aware that I love a village fair and over the past few years my family and I have had lots of fun going to local agricultural shows as well. I discovered the handicraft competitions a couple of years ago and last year I entered my first - the Egham Royal Show. These events are an amazing way for people to showcase their talents and hopefully inspire others to pick up a needle, a knitting pin or get their sewing machine out and get crafting.

The Chertsey Show is one of my favourites and I would highly recommend it to anyone in the area.
We had a fantastic family afternoon at the show yesterday and there really was something for everyone ranging from adorable livestock to classics cars.

A rare highland cow in the cattle tent.

Knights preparing to joust

Swing boats flying high!

Giles next to his dream car.

Stunning flowers in the horticulture marquee

I entered three categories at the show:

Knitting with my floral tea cosy

There were no prizes for this one but I am still very fond of this cute teapot cover. There were many stunning entries in the knitting category so I was happy just to showcase my project among them.

My Christmas themed cushion is hand appliqued, patchworked and quilted and then machine finished. I was delighted to achieve third place in the "stitched cushion" category.

I entered this colourful patterned bag in to the quilting and applique category and I was over the moon to win first prize.

Winning the prizes was a lovely end to a brilliant afternoon but I would highly recommend entering projects at the summer shows to anyone - it's a great way to show people why you love sewing, knitting or any type of craft and you may just inspire someone to begin a new hobby.