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G'Day, It was our local country show yesterday, Saturday 23rd, and as always, I enter some of my wares in the 'Handicrafts' section in the exhibition shed. I'm the only leather exhibitor. ( I'm the only leather worker in my town and the next). I normally only enter 2 exhibits, I entered 3 this year. This year, I entered a carved Ladies fashion belt, with a Rose design on a black background, , and machine stitched with white thread. The second entry, is a handbag, modified to the clients requirements,a tri-weave tooled design with Oak leaves & acorns with simple lacing, and a gilt clasp. The third entry , was a re-creation of a custom cartridge belt that I made earlier this year. The owner was kind enough to let me borrow it and enter it in the show. To my surprise, the cartridge belt came 1st, and with a blue 'Most Outstanding Exhibit' ribbon. draped over it. The handbag came 2nd, and the Rose belt came 3rd (it. actually called "Highly Commended", same diff) . My only...,'gripe' , was later next day with a comment from one of the stewards, in regards to the cartridge belt. "O'h what such lovely machine stitching" "It was all handstitched !!!!" " It was also clearly stated in bold lettering on the entry form!!" They only need to look at the back to see where I've gone a bit off course a few times with my awl, .....and the odd blood stain. ( 'Humanity stitches' I call them) I was a tad insulted. geez...some (uneducated) people eh ??... Anyway, apart from that I came away a very happy man, and the owners of the bag & the cartridge belt are VERY pleased. All the best ,HS