Textiles, Crafts and Art Department welcomes exhibitors to take part during 2010 Fair

Spencer, Iowa – Once again the Textiles, Crafts and Art Department is welcoming exhibitors to bring in their entries for the 2010 Clay County Fair, September 11 – 19.

Receiving dates for entries and exhibits will be Friday, September 3 from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the west door of the Creative Living Center. Items may also be mailed to the fair office and must be received before the entry dates.

The Special Feature Class for 2010 in the Textiles, Crafts and Art Department will showcase wild flowers. Exhibitors may incorporate the wild flower theme by expressing it in fiber, painting, textiles, wood or other crafts. Entries will be judged on 30 percent appropriateness to the theme and 70 percent workmanship.

The 2010 Creative Patchwork Class sponsored by Quilts on Grand in Spencer, will be accepting entries that incorporate the Gaggle of Geese design. Entry items may include a quilt, mini-wall hanging, tote bag, pillow, jacket or any other similar item. The size of the patchwork block can vary to coordinate with the project but the basic block must appear at least twice. Along with premium money for first place, the winning entry will receive a $25 gift certificate from Quilts on Grand.

A crowd favorite, the Challenge Quilt Class sponsored by the Fabric & Textile Warehouse in Spencer, offers a unique spin on the traditional quilt class. The class requires exhibitors to incorporate a “challenge fabric” into their quilt, which can be purchased at Fabric & Textile Warehouse. The entry will be judged on general appearance, design, use of challenge fabric and workmanship. Fabric & Textile Warehouse will award the Grand Prize with a $50 gift certificate, the Best Patchwork a $25 gift certificate, the Best Applique a $25 gift certificate, the Best Mixed Technique a $25 gift certificate and the Novice a $25 gift certificate.

Other unique sponsored classes for 2010 include Rubber Stamping; Scrapbook Pages; Machine Embroidery; Paper Pieced Patchwork; Beading Project; Jewelry Challenge; Painting Bowling Pins; Recycling Jeans; Glass Art; Wines, Vines & Etc and Purses, Totes & Bags. Youth 2-Demensional Art, a sponsored youth class, is open to kids ages 4-17. Children’s sponsored classes include Flip Flop Art and Children’s Arts and Crafts. Children 12 and under are welcome to participate in the classes.

Sponsors for the classes include Quilts on Grand of Spencer, Party-Party of Algona, Seams To Me of Algona, Beehive of Spencer, Arts on Grand of Spencer, Spencer Sewing Machine Company, Spirit Lake Wild Child, Hearts ‘n Home of Laurens, Bogenrief Studios of Spencer and Medlar Arts & Crafts of Spencer. All sponsors will be donating gift certificates or gift baskets to the winners of the sponsored classes.

All ages are welcome to enter exhibits and there are age specific classes for those who qualify including senior citizens 70 years and older, youth ages 13-17 and children ages 12 and under. Additionally, a first-time exhibitor class welcomes those new to the department.

Additional classes in the department include everything from quilting to garment making, wood carving to jewelry crafting, painting to computer design and everything in between. Anyone with an interest in making and entering items at the 2010 fair is encouraged to pick up a premium book at the fair office or access it online at www.claycountyfair.com.  

It is required that all items be made since the last fair and must be made by the exhibitor entering them. Only a few quilting classes allow for entries where a group has participated in the making of a quilt. There may only be one entry per lot.

Blue ribbons are given in each group including textiles, art, crafts, quilts and special classes. Most classes give ribbons up to six placings and the children and youth classes all receive ribbons. Outstanding ribbons are awarded to various superior blue ribbon exhibits and the items chosen as the champions overall are awarded purple ribbons.   

The department will have live textiles, crafts and art demonstrations throughout the length of the fair. The demonstrations will be going on in the Creative Living Center and feature woodcarving, crafts and much more. Jerry Roberts of Spencer will create Spoolips. A craft made from recycled materials on Wednesday, September 15 at 1:00 p.m.

The Quilt Makers Gift presentation will be given six times during the fair in the Textiles, Crafts and Art Department on Saturday, September 11 at 2:00 p.m.; Sunday, September 12 at 2:00 p.m.; Tuesday, September 14 at 11:00 a.m.; Thursday, September 16 at 2:00 p.m.; Friday, September 17 at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 18 at 2:00 p.m. The quilts that will be shown were made by Marlene Nagle of Spirit Lake and friends, and quilted by Barb Heitland of Spirit Lake. Pat Olson of Webb and Marilyn Meyer of Everly will be coordinating this program along with volunteers of the Textiles, Crafts and Art Department. The demonstration is based on a children’s book that is a fairy tale for all ages. Written by Jeff Brumbeau, pictures by Gail de Marcken.

Another demonstration during the fair in the Textiles, Crafts and Art Department will be woodcarving. Kirt Curtis and Linda Langenberg will showcase their talents on Monday, September 13; Tuesday, September 14 and Wednesday, September 15 all at 2:00 p.m. in the Creative Living Center.

Exhibits for the Textiles, Crafts and Art Department will be on display in the Creative Living Center during the fair. Any questions regarding the department may be directed to Ellen Sorenson at 712-836-2325.

The 2010 Clay County Fair runs September 11-19. For additional information visit www.claycountyfair.com or call 712-262-4740.