3rd Favorite Thing About the 2009 State Fair of Texas: Shoe-Gluing Excellence
As we discussed, the annual Glue-A-Shoe Contest on Opening Day in the Creative Arts Building is something to behold — and the winners of this contest are displayed throughout the entire Fair. Unfortunately, MY OWN Shoe Gluing Excellence will NOT be on display during this year’s State Fair in the Creative Arts Building. Let’s just say I had a bit of a malfunction with final assembly of my entry for this year. This is a lesson for you, children. Procrastination is a killer. NEVER EVER wait until the last minute to work on a crafting project. Such behavior is folly and never leads to the desired result.
Even though I was not personally able to begin my 2009 State Fair experience with a Glue-A-Shoe ribbon, a few other people were. And let me just say that I think the group of winners this year is quite fabulous.
I’m really quite impressed and honestly not sure that I could have been a contender in the midst of the quality craftsmanship and overall cleverness. Especially that of my friend, Lisa Stewart, who has become, over the past few years, a Shoe Gluing Savant, of sorts. She enters multiple categories and tends to win in a BIG way with great ideas that are extremely well-executed. Here are a few of this year’s gems:
I win the prize here for Worst-Focused Picture. Sorry, folks. At any rate, this is Lisa’s tribute to the economic crisis, entitled “SHOEconomy.” Checkbook, foreclosed house, cash for clunkers — she’s included it all here.
Shoe-depictions of current events are usually big winners in this contest… unless EVERYONE decides to cover the SAME current event. This year, there were multiple (as in 5-10) entries illustrating the “Octomom” weirdness. Lisa’s offering just happened to be good enough to rise above them all to become the only winner (sorry, Russell!). And you can see why… smart to use the “old woman who lived in a shoe” analogy, not to mention the attendant paparazzi and the autograph seeker. You can also see that Lisa’s laid out eight bottles and eight baby spoons for the eight children. It’s wonderful, but I think Octomom’s lips could be just a touch fuller.
I’ve already posted a photo of Lisa’s wonderful tribute to Swine Flu. I have to say that this is by FAR my favorite of this year’s bunch. Nice work, Lisa.
My other friend, Ann, has more Glue-A-Shoe blue ribbons than anyone I know. She is a master at this competition, and often has multiple entries herself. She would fully admit to you that it was a slow year in the inspiration department, however (sometimes it just doesn’t happen — the lightning-bolt idea simply does not hit you). Even still, Ann’s entry this year was a solid effort. Clever idea, well executed, and a VERY respectable second place, especially when you consider the very high quality of the other competitors:
Ann’s work, “Bootha” is on the right. Good stuff, no? I want to know where she found that awesome Buddha head. Just looking at that shoe has put me on the road to Enlightenment.
I’d also like to point out the fabulous “Tiramishoe” on the left. Brilliant. I don’t even know what sort of shoe that is, and I think I need a better peek at the entire affair to think about the craftsmanship (It looks like that may actually be LAYERS OF SHOE that have been added to make the “dessert”), but that is some GOOD stuff.
I may update this post with more photos. I admit that I did not take enough when I was in the Creative Arts building the other day.
For everyone thinking about entering this competition next year, I suggest you start working on your ideas now. With a field like this, some slapped-together-the-night-before offering just isn’t going to do it.
