Author: Cassi

Even though Rachel Spivey started crocheting 27 years ago, she didn’t compete at the Kentucky State Fair until 2017. At eight-years-old she learned to crochet from her great aunt Helen but only crocheted off and on for many years.  “I started really getting into it in 2016. I had wonderful memories of going to the fair, and every year I would browse through all of the crochet, knitting, quilts, paintings, wreaths, etc. in awe of the talent on display. After tons of practice, I thought – why not?” said Rachel.  She didn’t win any ribbons her first year competing, but that only made her more determined to improve. After working on projects, practicing her skills and learning new techniques, she won five ribbons in 2018 and then six more in 2019. “The feeling of seeing one of your projects with a ribbon on it, surrounded by other projects made by incredibly talented artists, is amazing,” said Rachel. To learn more about crocheting, click here to visit the Crochet Guild of America.    […]

Read More… from Celebrating Kentucky’s Crafters – Rachel Spivey’s Determination Earns Ribbons

It’s fitting that Donna McElwain has won prizes at both county and state fairs, including both the Indiana and Kentucky State Fair. She can trace her interest in quilting back to seeing the beautiful sewn artwork on display at local and state fairs.   Before she took up quilting, her mother taught her to sew at the age of nine and she began competing in 4-H sewing competitions. As a child, her mother insisted she learned to make straight and perfect seams. Back then she didn’t enjoy correcting her mistakes but today she’s grateful for her mother’s lessons. “I am so happy she was persistent. It has made me a better sewer and quilter,” said Donna.  Even when working full time as a registered nurse, she continued to hone her craft, making prom dresses, bridesmaids’ dresses and doing alterations in her spare time. Then in 1978, she created her first quilt, a blue and white queen-sized log cabin pattern. Since then she has made more than 100 quilts, mostly gifts for family, friends and charitable organizations. For beginners, Donna recommends quilting clubs as a good entry point into the craft. Many clubs offer workshops and classes including the Nimble Thimbles Quilt Club where Donna was president. When Donna first started, she found books and information at the local library. Now there are YouTube videos, which are great for novices because they can watch the videos over and over until they’ve mastered the different techniques.  Donna sees quilting as a relaxing and rewarding hobby. She enjoys being a part of a quilting club, where she has found many friends, and participating in community service projects. Quilting isn’t her only hobby, she also enjoys cross stitch and hardanger embroidery, which is a Norwegian cutwork style of embroidery.  […]

Read More… from Celebrating National Craft Month  – Donna McElwain’s Quilts

Little known fact: what’s often called “China Painting” is actually a misnomer. The works created are made with oils painted onto porcelain., This ancient art has a history dating back to the Chinese Ming Dynasty between 1368 and 1644 and even pottery found in ancient Greek ruins. You’ve probably seen well-known pieces without even knowing!  Debbie Higdon has painted in the medium for 20 years and  got her start after receiving a beautiful piece of china at the Bullitt County Woman’s Club. When she found out it was hand-painted, she was enthralled. The artist who introduced Debbie to the craft was Joan Walker, a founding member of the Eames Guild of Porcelain Artists, who eventually became Debbie’s mentor.   “This is a beautiful art form that does not receive the attention and accolades it deserves, especially in the United States. The countries in Europe, Asia and South America embrace and support this art form. The perception here is of little old ladies painting teacups and it is far from that,” said Debbie. Her preference is to paint portraits of children, still life pieces, landscapes and animals, pretty much anything other than flowers. She has won an international award from the IPAT and showcased her work in several museum shows.  Painting on porcelain requires a lot of patience. After applying each layer of paint the piece must be fired in a kiln at 800 to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit before the next layer is completed. The end result is incomparable. There’s a reason we still admire the Ming Vases and museums showcase pottery from ancient Greece and Italy. If you’re interested in taking up porcelain painting there are four active groups in the state of Kentucky.  The Louisville Belles, Louisville, Kentucky, President Sandy Stich 502-451-6433  The Eames Guild of Porcelain Artists, Mt. Washington, Kentucky, President Debbie Higdon (502) 492-4924 The KATS, Louisville, Kentucky, President Donna Hagerthey 502-968-7073 The Dixie Porcelain Club, Covington, Kentucky, President Juanita Barrett 859-468-7430 Additionally, you may contact the World Organization of China Painters(WOCP) in Oklahoma City, wocp.org and the International Porcelain Artists and Teachers (IPAT), in Grapevine, Texas, ipatinc.org for additional clubs and teachers. […]

Read More… from Celebrating Kentucky’s Crafters – China Painting with Debbie Higdon

When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Kentucky last spring everyone was impacted including award-winning quilter Mary Bauer. Even though she credits quilting with getting her through the pandemic, she had to adjust the way she approached her favorite craft. Social distancing kept her away from her quilting buddies and her favorite fabric stores but it also forced her to stretch her creativity, dive into her extensive fabric stash and find new online suppliers. Mary has been quilting since 2003 and loved it from day one. She’s self-taught, learning through trial and error. Over the years, Mary has earned many awards at both local and international shows with ten major awards at the Kentucky State Fair, including Best of Show, Best Quilting and Sweepstakes. She’s also won at the Bluegrass Quilt Festival, AQS Grand Rapids, Daytona Beach, Charlotte and Phoenix and from IQA in Houston.  Most people are surprised to learn quilting requires not only creativity, but strength. “Quilting is sometimes quite the physical work-out.  The quilt I am currently working on is very large and very heavy.  Pushing the quilt around under the sewing machine needle to create the quilting design takes muscles!” said Mary. If you’re considering picking up quilting as a new hobby, she would recommend finding a good introduction class either online or at a local quilting shop. There are also thousands of YouTube videos to help with specific techniques and Pinterest is an unending source of free patterns. […]

Read More… from Celebration of Kentucky Crafters: Quilter Mary Bauer Shows Off Her Creations

March is National Craft Month, which gives us the perfect opportunity to showcase many of our talented Kentucky State Fair exhibitors! Each year, thousands of ribbons are awarded in 31 divisions. In the Fine Arts and Crafts Department everything from weaving to wood carving is showcased.  We’re going to start our celebration of Kentucky crafters off with award-winning basket weaver Beckie Sigmon. Back in March of 2002, Beckie joined her parents for a basket weaving class at their retirement community. Immediately she was hooked on the craft. Since then she has learned to weave with a variety of materials, from seagrass  to bark. In 2010, she began entering her baskets in the Kentucky State Fair and has since won twelve Blue Ribbons, 10 red ribbons, 3 white ribbons and Best of Show twice.  For those interested in learning about basket weaving, Beckie says it’s a creative and relaxing craft. The best way to learn is from an experienced weaver, starting with a simple basket then working your way towards fancier and more complicated projects.   To learn more, visit https://www.kentuckybaskets.org/.  […]

Read More… from National Craft Month: Celebrating our Kentucky Crafters

After shifting to a participant-only event due to COVID-19, the Kentucky State Fair wrapped up a successful show featuring youth livestock competition and the World’s Championship Horse Show. With 642 livestock competitors and 1,442 equine entries, the modified Kentucky State Fair celebrated Kentucky’s agricultural roots and equine heritage. “In the face of unprecedented challenges, we focused on the core elements of the Fair. Shifting to a participant-only event allowed us to safely celebrate the agriculture heritage of the Kentucky State Fair and strong traditions of the World’s Championship Horse Show,” said David S. Beck, President and CEO of Kentucky Venues. FFA and 4H exhibitors from across the state participated in the Championship Drive, which awarded 20 banners across four divisions of market animals. This year’s champions are: Grand Champion Goat – Madison Goecke from Bracken County FFA Grand Champion Hog – Justin Arnett from Montgomery County FFA Grand Champion Lamb – Ty Jones from Allen County 4-H Grand Champion Steer – Paisley Cooke from Bracken 4-H In order to help the 4/H/FFA youth compete, Farm Credit Mid-America stepped up as a presenting sponsor for the junior livestock shows. In recognition of the unusual challenges the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, Kentucky Farm Bureau, Kentucky Soybean Board, Kentucky Pork Producers, and Kentucky Corn Growers increased their support this year. “FFA members prepare all year long for those few moments that they get to spend in the ring, and always dream of getting to show at the Kentucky State Fair. Our members could not be more grateful for the opportunity that they have been given to continue pursuing their passions of livestock and showmanship,” said Mallory White, Kentucky FFA President. Even without in-person spectators, the World’s Championship Horse Show hosted the diamond-caliber competition, culminating in crowning “I’m Lookin At You,” owned by Nissa and Kelli Sultan and ridden by Matt Shiflet, the 2020 World’s Grand Championship Five-Gaited Champion. The Oak Ridge Boys performed the National Anthem at the World’s Championship Horse Show finals, keeping their 45-year streak of performing at the Kentucky State Fair alive. The 117th Kentucky State Fair will be held August 19-29, 2021.  For more information, visit www.kystatefair.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. […]

Read More… from Kentucky State Fair and World’s Championship Horse Show Wrap-Up

1995 Winner Any Cookies Made with Sour Cream Tammy Drury Shepherdsville, KY Ingredients  1/2 cup butter or margarine 3/4 cup sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon shredded lemon peel 1/2 cup sour cream 1 & 3/4 cup sifted all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon soda Lemon Glaze (recipe below) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg and lemon peel. Sift together dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, beating after each addition. Drop from teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Or to roll and cut, chill dough, then roll and cut into shapes (if dough is sticky, work in a little flour). Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 14 minutes. Remove at once from sheet; brush with lemon glaze. Yield 3 to 4 dozen. Lemon Glaze 3/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup lemon juice […]

Read More… from Blue Ribbon Winning Lemon Tea Cookies

Any Quick Bread 1995 Winner Nell Meredith Louisville KY Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups sugar 4 eggs 1/4 cup pecans, chopped 1/3 cup walnuts, chopped 3/4 cup vegetable oil 2 cups ripe mango, cut in cubes Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, soda, cinnamon and salt. Form a well in the center of the mixture and add sugar, eggs, pecans, walnuts and oil. Add mango slowly, incorporate into the flour mixture. Pour ingredients into a greased loaf pan and bake for 45 minutes, or until a knife inserted into center comes out clean. […]

Read More… from Blue Ribbon Mango Bread

We know all of our general entry exhibitors were disappointed that we would not accept entries this year due to Covid-19. Every year we look forward to seeing what you bake, grow and create. And we know many projects are year-long labors of love that you were already working on when we made our announcement. Even though you won’t be physically at the Fair this year, we still want to showcase your talents. It’s not the same as having the classes in the Fair (there are no ribbons, premiums or exhibitor tickets available) but we’d love to highlight your hard work throughout the year. Whether it’s the prettiest tomato you’ve ever grown or a beautiful quilt you’ve worked on all winter, we want to see your projects. Want to participate in our virtual general entries? Use this digital form or email pictures of your projects to [email protected] and include the competition you normally enter in the subject line.  Deadline is August 10. Participants will be featured on our social media pages.   […]

Read More… from Calling all Bakers, Artists, Crafters and Other Exhibitors

Whether you’re packing in the van for a regional contest, state, or national convention, you wear your jacket with great pride. Alumni and current FFA members know just how special this feeling is. As a current FFA member, I could tell you countless stories that I have in my blue jacket but let’s dig deeper, what are FFA members like beyond the blue corduroy? Outside of the classroom and competitive events, my SAE (Supervised Agriculture Experience) consists of raising meat goats. Through this opportunity, I have learned how to safely vaccinate animals, keep financial records, and become a better advocate for the agricultural industry. As mentioned, the FFA and my SAE have helped me become a better advocate for an industry we all need, agriculture is my passion. For me, it’s an early morning of walking my pigs prepping for the next show, a day full of cleaning pens and perfecting feed rations, and long nights spent walking goats, sheep, and washing steers. My friends joke that if they ever want to come to the zoo they can just come to my house, it’s true, I have a lot of animals. I try and use my “zoo” to my benefit because I realize how important it is to share my story with consumers. Often times, it’s sharing facts, writing Facebook or Instagram posts about misconceptions, or even sharing cute pictures like these of my baby animals! […]

Read More… from Beyond the Blue Corduroy