Wednesday, August 20, 2008

And then there's Meg!

So, I went to the 2008 Knit and Crochet Show in Manchester, NH last month. It was my first national event and I had a BLAST, but I made one little mistake - inviting "Meg" along.

Don't get me wrong - Meg is a great Muse, but travelling companion? Not so much!

But I'm getting a little ahead of myself. Let me start at the beginning...

I had a great time at the convention; I went up early to attend the Professional Development Day and learned alot from the "Industry Established." The first night, I went to dinner with friends while wearing my crocheted vest... yes, the one snubbed by the State Fair of Texas... and received several compliments from established designers. Margaret Hubert , being one of THE 3 "Old Broads" introduced me to the other two, Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss. Here's us at the PDD:
The rest of the day was CHOCK-FILLED with information and I went back to the Hotel with my head spinning-full of information. Meg was preoccupied with the MinorLeague ball game going on right outside our hotel room, so I escaped any interrogation from her about what she had missed:

But that didn't last long...

The next day, when I returned from classes, she was livid!

It seems that when I invited her to accompany me to the conference, she expected to meet people. I (hesitantly) agreed to introduce her to "the players" as she called them, only after she promised to be on her best behavior. In Meg's defense, she was a natural - no fawning or gushing - and she met several "players."

She met Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss:


















She met Drew Emborsky (The Crochet Dude) and Robyn Chachula from the PBS Show "Knit and Crochet Today"




















She met Jennifer Hansen, The Stitch Diva:


She met Jenny King (from Australia). (And those are Jenny's travelling companions, Lizzie and George):
















She ran out and practically accosted Myra Wood for a picture in the sun:



This is my new friend Patsy H. from Tampa, Florida. Our local chapter adopted her since she was the only one from Tampa: (insert appropriate prayer here)














These ladies had the most wonderful merino at market; They are Decadent Fibers:
















My friends Pam and Yvette had to get in on the action:


















And my loyal friend Jan:


















As well as several vendors and shoppers at market:






















And in perhaps the strangest display of solidarity, Meg and her Matching Auntie Molly:
Never before had there been someone to whom Meg was so drawn!




















All in all, I thought Meg was appeased enough to safely pack into the bag and head to the airport. But once we were on the plane, her lamentations began again. Seems she didn't like leaving while the Party was in full swing... me either !





















But finally she settled in for a peaceful flight, thankful for the opportunities...


Me, too, Meg. Me too!



SDOSAS!

~Jer