are you up for doing something different? we invite you to participate in an exhibit at the Fair showing the work of YOUR hands! There is no jurying - no stress.

My grandmother, Beatrice "Lorette" LaLonde Cassidy passed away in 2002 (at age 98!) and left me her bag of patterns. I am the oldest granddaughter and the only one who she taught to knit and crochet who kept at it.

It was difficult to go through, so I put it off. In 2008, I brought it with me to a "Do It In Public" meeting and we all eagerly and tenderly looked through the bag and found some great retro stuff! We thought it would be fun to take one of the patterns to interpret and create an exhibit for the Fair. The result was a stunning display of every kind of interpretation: knit, crochet, quilt, felt, beadwoven, sewn, etc. (see header above from our first exhibit)

We continue the tradition each year to honor those who taught us and those who have inspired the work of our hands. Thank you to Coats & Clark for permission to use this retro pattern!

it's "in the bag"! ready for a creative challenge?

Create this "retro" 1945 handbag - your way - and we'll exhibit it for all to see at the Fair! This year it is all about diamonds, squares, and circles! There are a couple of rules:

~ Proportion: Bag front and back must be square and kept in proportion - smallest bag: 4" tall x 4' across; largest bag: 18" tall x 18" across (you choose the width of your bag)

~ Bags must have at least three diamonds and buttons, beads, knobs or circles.

you can make it a clutch...or a backpack...you can crochet it, knit it, bead it, weave it, felt it, quilt it, sew it...Let your imagination run WILD!

Entry fee is $10 for the first bag and $7/ea for additional bags. The pattern will be emailed to you. If you wish to have a pattern mailed to you, there is an additional $7 postage and handling fee.

to enter:

1. Fill out the online entry form.
    
2. Download a copy of the 2012 Handbag Information Sheet.
    
3. You may pay your entry fee by credit card or check.
   
   To pay by credit card (or PayPal):
   
   

   	$10 Entry Fee
   	Optional: Add $7 Additional Bag (adjust number at checkout)
   	Optional: Add $7 Handling Fee (mailed patterns only)
   	View Cart/Checkout

   
   To pay by check: (Note - due to small office staff, it could take up to 2 weeks after date received to process checks). Make check payable to the Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Fair and send to:
   
        Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Fair
        Vintage Handbag Exhibit
        PO Box 754
        Crystal Lake, IL 60039-0754
    
4. You will receive your pattern after entry fees/forms are received and processed. We process payments/forms once a week.
    
5. Deadline to register: April 1, 2012

Once your entry and entry fee have been received, we will email you the pattern. If you would prefer a pattern mailed to you, please state so on the entry form - the entry is $10 for the first bag (to cover mailing costs) and $7 for each additional bag entered.

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