I've been working on several projects for the CGOA Design Competition. Last year several items I made won some very nice prizes.

The Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) is holding the Annual Chain Link Conference on September 21-25 in Greensboro, NC. The conference includes classes and fashion shows, along with the design competition. For more information about the conference and the Design Competition check out www.Crochet.org.

I was hoping to attend in person this year. (You don't have to be there to enter the competition.) I wanted to receive my Master's Pin during the presentation for those who have completed the Master of Advanced Crochet Stitches and Techniques. I also have a list of classes I would love to take. Unfortunately, I thought I had air miles, but I was wrong. So it looks like I won't be able to make it. I hope one year soon they will have the conference some place in the West – Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Diego, etc.

I'm especially disappointed because I was looking forward to meeting Prudence Mapstone. We share crochet history; we both were inspired by James Walters, international crochet innovator and author. She ventured into freeform; I focused on Interlocking Crochet™. After an exchange of emails, it would be nice to finally meet her in person. I wish I could attend several of her freeform crochet classes. I haven't tried freeform yet, but I definitely would love to learn from the master. Her creations are beautiful. If you haven't seen them, they can be found at www.prudencemapstone.com.