The thrill at the county fair

Since our relocation to Chowan County in North Carolina, I've enthusiastically embraced the tradition of entering my needle-felted creations into the county fair exhibit competition. It's become a thrilling annual ritual, filled with the excitement of showcasing my work alongside others' talents.

Before our move here, I'd never considered competing in such events, as I hadn't grown up with this tradition, but I've discovered a newfound passion for it. Last year marked a turning point when, to my astonishment, my meticulously felted owl not only won a "Best of Show" ribbon at the regional fair but was chosen by the judges to continue the journey to the North Carolina State Fair, where she also clinched the coveted "Best in Show" ribbon within its category.

That momentous achievement ignited a competitive spirit within me. Now, I'm eagerly preparing to enter a needle- and wet-felted Blue Jay into this year's competition, hoping it will not only impress the local judges but also continue its journey to greater acclaim. Wish me luck!

Here are some pictures of the process. I am not quite done, but the fair is coming up fast, so I'd better get to it...