Friday, April 2

excitement

This week has been a roller coaster of emotions for me - there was a real possibility of my job changing in ways that would of been terrible and possible mean the end of my time there too.  But this did not happen and I can happily say that the train is back on the tracks and chugging along nicely.

In the middle of all of this I illustrated my first book and it was read yesterday by Hugh Sheridan in the red chair.






Then on Tuesday I went off with my darling knitting friends to see the Arts Preview at the Royal Easter Show.  There has been alot written in the past few days about this.
I can only say I was nervous on the trains as it hit me what I had done entering garments into the show.  I made my way up to the cabinets with a glass of champagne, the first of way too many.  Then I cast my eyes on my (badly) displayed garments with ribbons draped on them!!!!


Gobsmacked is the only word I can use and with this open Gob I spent the rest of the night.

Viften was given a highly commended and Fractal a 3rd.

Poor Aggie received naught but he is having a good time hanging out with other odd and amazing items in the toy cabinet.

It was really great to catch up with other Ravelers and meet the grand winner of the silver plate.  I must also so it was great to tell a lot of the older persons wandering around the display that the cabinets were filled with a wide range items from a wide range of ages.  I am really passionate to dispel the idea that knitting is a dying art and I know that there are lots of disappointments about the judging process in general but if we keep entering and fill up the cabinets the bar will be raised.  I also agree with a lot of comments I have read and discussed in the past few days and I will be writing to the R.A.S. regarding judging parameters, transparency , categories and display.

7 comments:

Rose Red said...

I did not know you had illustrated a book!!! How exciting and cool! (and also, I'd be happy to have that big red chair when Hugh is finished with it...)

Congrats on the show prizes. I agree with you - despite the concerns about judging and display, I think it is worth entering items and I will do it one day I promise!

Anonymous said...

it would be easy to be dispirited after this years show but i think i will get my act together too. your things are so beautiful and totally worthy of ribbons. aggie should have got one, those clown dolls are hideous. huge congrats on the book too!

Melissa said...

Congrats on the book!! Very exciting. And well done at the show. Well deserved!

Kelli said...

YAY! Congrats on the book and on the prizes in the show. Nice to hear from you, I was thinking this morning that things had been quiet from you

jp said...

I had such a great time (even on the train there and back) to the show. Seeing the products of people you know on display and earning ribbons was just the icing on the cake.

Congratulations on the book. It looks fantastic.

Unknown said...

Your illustration on the cover is so cute. You should be very proud of yourself this week, so much achievement!

Skein said...

Congratulations with the book, love the cover illustration. Also great to hear about Viften and Fractal, what a great week!