Still in Portland....

By complete chance, (well, actually it was the decision-maker on the idea) my first Quilt Market in the USA happened to be in Portland, where my eldest sister has lived for 18 years.  We've combined business with family time, and a bit of a relaxing break after the madness of the trade show.

The wee girl has had time to get to know her cousins and we've had time to do everyday things like go swimming and...ahem... fabric shopping.

We spent a lovely afternoon yesterday with the gorgeous Lola Nova and her crafty girl, visiting Modern Domestics and Bolt, and chatting over dinner.  

I came away with warm and fuzzy feelings about the crafting community and like-minds' and a goodly stash of new fabric.  My wee girl came away with felt, needles and embroidery floss, and began crafting a cat on the train home.

...which she finished today... complete with a wardrobe of costumes.  Instead of coming into town to explore the city with me today, she wanted to stay home and sew.  No idea where she gets that from.

My exploration of the city involved mostly sitting in Starbucks with a friend from home.  

I nearly caught a train home from the city and then a phone call to my sister confirmed that it would be better if I spent another hour in town if I wanted to be picked up from the station.  I wandered around town, Powell's Books and in the rain for which Portland is so famous.

It's a cool and kooky place, where everyone appears to be incredibly polite.  And nobody uses umbrellas, despite incessant downpour.

I like it.