The Texas State Fair has long been an annual tradition for our family. For as long as I can remember, it has been my mom’s birthday outing of choice. We take a picture with Big Tex, grab a Fletcher’s Corny Dog, and make our way to the Arts & Crafts Pavilion.
For those who may not be familiar, the Texas State Fair Creative Arts competition is open to participants of all ages and features a wide variety of cooking and craft categories. Entries are judged within their respective categories, with ribbons awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention. In the major categories, a Best in Show ribbon is also selected from among the 1st-place winners in each subcategory. All ribbon-winning entries are displayed throughout the run of the State Fair.
We have always loved wandering through the craft displays each year. More often than not, we leave with inspiration for our next project, ideas for how to improve one already in progress, or simply a deep appreciation for the creativity of others.
In 2023, we decided it would be fun to enter the Texas State Fair Creative Arts competition ourselves. The next challenge was deciding what to enter! Mom had purchased a Big Tex needlepoint canvas by Painted Pony Petei Designs from Fancy Stitches in Cleburne, TX. She stitched it and finished it as a stand-up box.
Personally, I love the background stitch and the Howdy charm. I think they give him so much character. He won Honorable Mention for his category.
