Thursday, July 13, 2006

Professional Development Day

Have you ever been so excited that while you were asleep your internal clock knew the time you had to be up by?  It's a good thing my clock knew because the hotel's alarm clock never went off!  Keep in mind that this gal is a night owl, so finding myself waking up at 6:30 to get ready for today was a major milestone!

Upon arrival in the banquet room, the tables were piled high with many, many skeins of yarn -- of all colors, brands, and many textures including crochet hooks, knitting needles, tapestry needles and rulers.  As the speakers discussed the various topics we each crocheted or knitted up 12" squares that will be assembled into afghans and donated (forgive me, it's late, I could be wrong but I do believe they'll be donated to Warm Up America.  I'll double check & make a correction if need be.)  By the end of the day, I crocheted three squares.  :)

At the Professional Day Luncheon we learned of a new crochet magazine that will hit the stands next month.  It's called "Crochet Today" and will be geared towards the new crocheter.  Their plan is to offer simplier patterns -- oh, no, not simple as in easy, but simple as they'll be removing some of the abbreviations that throw so many when learning how to read patterns.  The magazine will have some 90+ pages, and feature 25 patterns in each bi-montly issue.  If you're interested in learning more about it, you'll want to visit
here ... it's a Coats & Clark publication.

Of course part of attending Professional Day, besides learning interesting topics related to crochet, is getting to see those from previous Conferences, and getting to meet those that are "new to me" ... from bloggers like The Crochet Dude and Jane, to International Freeformers like Victoria and Myra...it's like a big family reunion!!

The second half of Professional Day was like those "quick date" services you see them talking about on television.  You spend so much time at Table A about one topic then move on to Table B and learn about the next topic, and so on.  We got to pick three tables to do this with and I chose Contract Crochet & Pattern Testing with Marjorie Scensny, How to Drive an Editor Crazy by Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss (joined by Kathleen Sams of Coats & Clark), and then Creating Mulit-Sized Patterns (aka Slopers!) with Nancy Nehring.  That was a lot of fun.

Of course the biggest drawl of the day was the discussion of Copyright with Tammy L. Browning-Smith, JD., LL.M -- and for those of us who couldn't get enough on this topic there was the evening session which dove into the topic even further.  I was one of the evening attendees too.

After my last session I headed to the hotel lobby and chatted with Prudence Mapstone while my daughter and Margaret collaborated on a garment piece for my daughter's new doll.

What's up for tomorrow, or should I say later on today (it really seems to take for-e-v-e-r for uploading pics!)?  Ah, you'll just have to wait for those details!  LOL

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Dee,
  I was very disappointed that Lori and I didn't work out-- seems someone very close to her died and she can not go-- turned out to be her surgeon and boss and his wife and mother.  I do not have the courage to come to Valley Forge by myself. I think that this year was meant to be -- to say that i am bummed out is putting it mildly.  Eddie told me that i should go by myself -- do not think that would be so great.  I have a favor to ask you-- could you purchase Prudence Mapstones book for me -- the one about handbags?  I will pay you back of course.  My kids got me the buiillon one and the main one on Free form but couldn't get me the handbag one.  I so appreciate it.  i love reading all you notes -- thank you so much!!!!!!Have a great time -- you deserve it. g-d willing i will attend the show in New YOrk in the fall.
    Take care-- Fonldy,  Shelley

Anonymous said...

Thank you for keeping us posted on your trip.  Since I am unable to attend I feel like I am there with reading your blog.