I arrived in Portland on Wed night (Sept 10th) and took the light rail transit into the city from the airport.

I managed to get myself turned totally around, so got completely and frazzlingly lost.

Everyone I asked for directions sent me in a different direction.

arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh……… dragging 2 suitcases around Portland at night is not fun!

Eventually, 3 very wonderful young Goth teenagers got me going in the right direction, and then a lovely young woman who was attempting to sign up voters helped

(come on people! You gotta VOTE!)

(I’m Canadian, and we’re in the middle of our own election, and you bet I’ll be voting…. people ~died~ so we can vote!)

um, please excuse that rant…. (but DO vote, ok?)

Anyhow, I FINALLY arrived at the hotel, thank heavens!

On Thursday, I took a workshop-

usually I am teaching in all the slots, so never get to take workshops, so this was a huge treat for me.

The workshop was Myra Wood’s self publishing class, and it was brilliant.

Myra is a genius and a delight and totally fabulous.  Here’s her website: Myra Wood

I taught a workshop in the afternoon, and had camnesia the whole day, so didn’t get pics. Sigh.

On Friday, I met up with my friend, Karen Whooley  (Karen’s blog).

I showed Karen how easy it is to spin with tiny support spindles:

It was such a treat to see Karen really Get It……

Wheeeeeeeeeee! and she took home yarn she had spun.

It’s a pity that the gentleman who took the pics for us didn’t stick around to capture the look of joy on Karen’s face as everthing clicked into place for her.

YAY  Karen!

The thing about spindle spinning, especially spinning with tiny support spindles is that you can get so much spinning done when you have a couple of wee little spindles in your bag.

Bring them out any old time, and away you spin!

Bliss.

This is one of the joyous and serrendipity moments of going to conferences.

Trading knowledge with your friends, and keeping  traditions and heritage crafts alive.

Bliss.

Image source: Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

Mel was sharing  some neat news about our friend, Myra Wood, who is a gifted designer and author non pareill as well as a totally delightful person.

Myra’s going to be teaching at a ‘dream come true’ expedition/workshop in Peru in June of 2009.

Here’s the link to the website: Awesome Peruvian Workshops

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

Myra is not only a terrific designer, but she’s also a splendido teacher, and has just released a glorious book of crocheted lace.

Here’s her link:myra wood

To know her is to love her.

Post from: Hankering for Yarn