Another year of crafting for the county fair has finally come to an end and this mama is exhausted! The oldest country kid might be the one who is making and showing projects, but fair moms put in a lot of work over the year to get their kids ready for show day. I supervise, get supplies, give input, drive him to 4H meetings, fill out paperwork and tags, blah, blah, blah. And of course as fair aproaches there are always projects to finish (and start LOL). The few weeks before fair is “crunch time” and I’m exhausted from the crafting “death march.”
At our fair, the exhibitors are also interviewed about their projects by the judges. So not only does the oldest country kid have to turn out amazing projects, he has to be able to get up in front of the judges and tell them about the projects. The interview process is nerve raking on every exhibitor, but more so for the oldest country kid. If you didn’t know, he has Asperger’s syndrome, which is on the autism spectrum. Talking to strangers and giving detailed explanations isn’t his forte. So this year we spent time practicing his interview skills too.
At the beginning of this year’s long process, the oldest country kid signed up for 40 projects. Yes, you read that right, 40! Aim high , my son! On judging day he had completed 31 of those projects. Not too shabby. And while I might be biased as his mother, I was impressed by the quality of his works. He won 30 blue 1st place ribbons, 1 red 2nd place ribbon, 4 special class award rossette ribbons and 2 best in show plaques! But what I was most impressed with after judging was not the awards he recieved, but his interviewing skills. He did an amazing job talking to the judges and explain how he had made everything. He really rocked those interviews!
Some of his projects I have made before, for our blog (I was is inspiration! Awww) and some of them I will be writing up tutroials for in the coming months. He made some pretty cool stuff! So, without further ado….. Here are the country kids 2017 Fair Projects and how he did with them.
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| Sunny side up eggs cupcakes, cake decorating – 1st place blue ribbon! |
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| Tie Dye pillowcase – 1st place blue ribbon! Held back for further consideration. No special awards received |
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| Cool Tie Sewing projects – 1st place blue ribbon! |
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Wood working, picture frame – 1st place blue ribbon! |
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| Wood burning – 1st place blue ribbon! |
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| Mod Podge picture frame – 1st place blue ribbon! |
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| Gift wrapping, Perry the Platypus – 1st place blue ribbon! Held back for special consideration. No special awards received. |
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| Glass etching – 1st place blue ribbon! |
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| Sand art – 1st place blue ribbon! Held back for special consideration and received a special rosette ribbon. |
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| Ceramics – 1st place blue ribbon! |
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| Candle making – 1st place blue ribbon! |
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| Summer decoration, watermelon planter – 1st place blue ribbon! |
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| Recycled project, pop bottle cat planter – 1st place blue ribbon! |
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| Fall decoration, wooden pumpkins – 1st place blue ribbon! Held back for further consideration and received a special rosette ribbon. |
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| Silk flower arranging – 1st place blue ribbon! |
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| Canning, blueberry jam – 1st place blue ribbon! |
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| Canning, corn – 2nd place red ribbon! |
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| Other worthy project, nail polish on rocks turned into magnets – 1st place blue ribbon! |
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| String art – 1st place blue ribbon! |
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| Refinishing, step stool – 1st place blue ribbon! |
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| Rock collection – 1st place blue ribbon! Held back for further consideration AND received a special award rosette ribbon, AND Best in show plaque. |
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| Brownies – 1st place blue ribbon! |
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| Water color agate slice – 1st place blue ribbon! |
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| Educational psoter on birds – 1st place blue ribbon! Held back for further consideration AND received a special award rosette ribbon AND a best in show plaque. |
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| Pastel flower – 1st place blue ribbon! |
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| Pencil drawing owl – 1st place blue ribbon! held back for further consideration but no special awards received |
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| Acrylic paint of birds – 1st place blue ribbon! |
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| Multi-media art – 1st place blue ribbon! held back for further consideration but no special awards received |
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| French bread– 1st place blue ribbon! Held back for further consideration but no special awards received. |
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| Gardening, green beans – 1st place blue ribbon! |
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| Lego, child design – 1st place blue ribbon! |
Your oldest did a great job! He is quite artistic! For a kid his age to complete so many projects really says something about his determination and perseverance. Great job!
And mom's ability to nag! LOL
Wow, you have a very artistic child. What a blessing for him. Love to see children's creations.
Thank you, I grew hi myself LOL
WOW!! What an amazing job he did! I remember doing a few projects for the county fair as a kid. I don't think that is even done here. I'll have to check into that. It would be fun to participate again. I especially love the acrylic painting of birds, the watercolor agate, and most of the string art heart.
🙂 gwingal
I am so glad his work hit a note with you!
What a wonderful experience for him! Both of you should be very proud! He made some truly terrific things. I love the wood burning! Congratulations!
I am so proud of him. Thank you for taking a moment to share in his success.
Very impressed. Way to go!
Thanks you from the oldest country kid
The sand art was the best. Great job.
He really enjoys doing the sand art
Thanks SO very much for sending me this link!! I'm gone a lot during the summer, house sitting, and I'm so glad I didn't miss this!! What a cool kid!! Way to go Oldest Country Kid!!!! And cudos to mom, too! Dona
We are a crafty(ing) breed LOL