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My Summer Travels Part II

My trip continued to Portland, OR where the 24th Annual Chain Link Crochet conference would begin on July 26. I arrived early on Tuesday evening to take care of some committee matters and my dear friend Bonnie Meltzer picked me up at the airport and shuttled me to here home in Portland where I was the guest of her and husband, Richard.




It's my second time to visit this couple and I vividly recall my first visit and how I was in awe of the beautiful gardens that are the focal point of the sustainable lifestyle they live

The house is painted purple, Bonnie's signature color, and an artistic sculpture in its self! I've lived in a lot of places, some not so conventional; but I never thought to paint my house purple!


Bonnie and I were in and out of the conference hotel and in-between, she showed me the sights of Portland. Meals at her house were simple, fresh and abundant with produce from the garden. I even used some Citronella leaves to rub on my skin as a mosquito preventive. That was a first for this city-girl!

Bonnie posing with her interpretation of Beautiful Lives Lost at the Portland Art Instittute

Next stop: Scrap,a craft re-sale shop originally started for teachers. 
 There are some great finds at Scrap. I bought a cute and different crochet hook for $1.00!

I  love the little ball on the end; I think it is made of bone




The Chinese Museum was having a Members' Night and we enjoyed the beauty of the weather and gorgeous ambience!

Ceramic Seed Pods


Bonnie overlooking the pond

Largest collection of Lotus plants in the U.S.
At the official opening of  #chainlink2018 , it was so much fun reuniting with old friends to take selfies!

Lisa Schicker & Phyllis Schicker from Annie's Crochet Tour to Italy October 2017

Margaret Hubert, Sharon Blosch, et al

Katherine White in her lovely beaded Necklace

The always-fashionable Yvette Jiggetts Malloy


Add caption

KristinLynn & Rockfield from my Ravelry Fan Group: Cro-Kween Designs

 It is always amazing to meet cyber-friends face to face at #chainlink2018; and this is the 3rd time I've met up with the fabulous Courtesans! 

The Annual #cgoa2018 Member Meeting kicked off our evening, followed by a Market Preview for registered participants.The market met my expectations and I was even surpised to win two great prizes. Thank you DFW Fiber Fest and Margaret Hubert for you gifts!


Pauline Turner





Our weekend of crochet magic comes to an exciting end with the Induction of the #2018Jean Leinhauser/CGOAHallofFame recipient. This year the Committee was honored to name Pauline Turner from Morecambe England. Her picture is above at the podium. Pauline, a friend of CGOA since 1994, is installed into the Hall of Fame archives and receives an Honorable Lifetime Membership in CGOA. Congratulations, Pauline!

This video pretty much says it all about the fun we have at the Banquet Fashion Show! 


At the Evening of Excellence  we were introduced to the latest crocheters to achieve the Masters of Crochet Awards. Congratulations to all on their achievement! I introduced our speaker on behalf of the Hall of Fame Committee, Suzann Thompson. She amazed us with her presentation about her traveling exhibit, Celebrate Doilies.





After participants  had a chance to chat with Suzann, The Hall of Fame Committee treated her to dinner in the hotel. It is always stimulating to get a dedicated group of crocheters together. Good ideas were buzzing about! Thank you so much to the wonderful people on my committee: Delma Myer, Margaret Hubert, Janet Bates, and Dimitra Bogri.

I took one class this year, Lessons from Pastry: 3-D Forms From Flat Crochet Shapes with Bonnie Meltzer. Obviously, many who were in the class appreciate crochet art and who better to learn from than Bonnie!












I'm having issues with captions, so I will describe the last 3 photos:
-Diane Moyer & Karen Ballard
-Genevieve Mizzel Clark (formerly Miles). Genevieve juried into the art exhibit at the very first Chain Link art exhibit in 1994 with her unique hats. It was so good to meet her.
-Mirto from the Ravelry group I belong to: International Free Form Forum

Before leaving for home, Bonnie and Richard graciously showed me some highlights surrounding Portland.

Astoria. where the river and ocean meet



Astoria Column





 #chainlink2019 will be held in one of our favorite cities, Manchester, New Hampshire. If you have never attended a conference, I highly recommend it. Come to meet new friends, new crochet techniques and to see new cities. We'll be celebrating the 25th Anniversary of CGOA, a great achievement, indeed; and I will see you there!






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