Chain Link 2011

I arrived in Minneapolis on Tuesday afternoon.  Immediately I was put to work!  I was glad to help set-up for Professional Development Day with the other helpers.  Then we got a late dinner. Here are L-R Cari Clement (Creative Director of Caron yarns), designer Kimberly McAlindin, designer Marty Miller, and designer Renee Barnes.

 Here's my view from the stage on Wednesday as people were still arriving.  On the tables was donations from Lion Brand Yarns, and literature from Knots of Love.  During the day, participants were encouraged to crochet hats for Knots of Love. I was able to make a hat with a flower while Margaret Hubert spoke.

Here I am at the podium after I finished speaking. (See the happy, relieved look I have?) LOL.  Really it was great fun!  I talked about elements of great design and how to take an average pattern and ask questions to push it to an extraordinary design.  People offered great feedback about the presentation throughout the weekend.

I got to meet many friends who I generally only see on Twitter and Facebook and Ravelry.  Here I am with designer, April Garwood.

Wednesday night our group traveled to the Minneapolis Textile Center (on buses provided by Caron Yarn). At the center we visited a lovely gift shop (all local handmade fiber related artwork). They have a library of past and current fiber books.  Gorgeous artwork on the wall.  At the center was the presentation to induct the late Jean Leinhauser as the first ever recipient of the CGOA's Hall of Fame.  Her business partner and dear friend, Rita Weiss accepted the honor on Jean's behalf.  Rita did a fascinating presentation of Jean's life from her early days creating a knitting and crochet curriculum for home economics programs around the country to Jean's founding of Leisure Arts, to Jean "holding court" at the last few Chain Link conferences. Rita and Jean's company, Creative Partners, offered raffle prizes to the Professional Development Day and I have TWO prizes from them to giveaway on the blog. Maybe tomorrow, maybe Thursday. 

Kimberly is holding Jean's award, a beautiful hand-blown glass vase, while Rita was talking with others.

Here I am with another legend, Margaret Hubert.

And that was Wednesday!