NEW ULM, MN (CBS) -- Now we have a story for you so good, you can cut it with a knife. She has a unique artistic ability that pulls in hundreds of thousands to the Minnesota State Fair's Dairy Building.
It's a craft that's no easy task compared to its intended use of spreading it in on food. Linda Christensen is celebrating an exceptional and delicious milestone of 40 years sculpting likenesses out of butter, ever since she graduated college with an Art degree. She says, "I loved it ever since, it's my favorite."
And what better place to celebrate than a butter plant in New Ulm? Taking part in a lasting tradition at the Minnesota's largest get-together, Linda will carve 12 Princess Kay finalists, including the winner for each day of the fair.
It takes her about 8 hours to complete each butter head.
Sculptor Linda Christensen says, "Normally if I were doing a likeness of someone I would take days and days but I really have to move, so going just for distinct features."
And four decades, 40 degree temps, over 450 sculptures and 32,000 pounds of butter later, she continues to have fun doing what she loves.
Brittany Larson says, "It draws in hundreds of thousands of visitors to the dairy building at the state fair every year where Princess Kay of the Milky Way and 11 other finalists receive their very own likeness out of a 90 pound block of butter."
2010 Princess Kay, Katie Miron says, "It's an honor and it's an experience because after 40 years Linda is an expert and she works so hard and turns it into a masterpiece."
An edible piece of artwork for all of those who are lucky enough to have their very own butter head.