TNNA

Off to Columbus for my first experience with a needlework tradeshow called TNNA. Yes, yarn and knitting are included. My dear friend, Gail, had asked me to tag along and help her at the booth this year. I had been unable to go the last 2 times she asked due to health issues, mine and my mother in law's, but this time nothing came in the way, and off we went. I met Gail several years ago. She was a neighbor of mine that lived close by and saw me painting screens for an upcoming Lone Tree show that I did every year. We became close friends and she used my painting abilities to come up with stands to display her needlepoint designs. It worked well. Her husband, Ken, hit it off well with my husband, Paul. They have both been engineers at the same company and had similar interests. Since then we have enjoyed each other's company and gone on many trips together, including our last trip to Ireland. Our third, their first.

I enjoyed perusing the aisle after aisle of merchandise. The knitters were mostly on one side of the convention hall and needlework on the other. I made my way to the "other side" when things weren't that busy for Gail and enjoyed seeing what's coming up for the Fall season in knitting yarns and patterns. I also ran into Allegra and Marly Bird, they were checking things out as well for their upcoming designs.

On Friday night we went to "Sample It". It is a one hour free for all held in an enormous room. The distributors select an item that they sell at a great price to all who attend. It was my one chance to buy, as the show itself is only for retailers. I managed to find some great deals and bought a wonderful set of interchangeable circulars and yarn to make a shawl. I had some how lost my knitting that I brought on the plane to Columbus and I was itching to knit "something"........I also purchased a lovely Atenti bag. The photos are of Gail in her Artists Collection booth and the some of the wooden stands I paint. Also there is a photo of the goods I brought back. All together, it was a great time. Tired, but happy.....