Stumptown Comics Fest was fantastic. This year there were workshops (Dr. Sketchy figure drawing with the models in burlesque costumes, how to generate ideas when you're running dry, Photoshop tips & tricks, etc.), along with the regular non-stop panel discussions and a large room packed with inspiration.

The highlights for me:

• Discovering Puddleville, a "graphic novel collective" that appears to be a group of beginning cartoonists of various skill levels, banding together to help each other keep on going. Similar to what Yoko, friends, and I are doing in the Arts 'n Crafts Circle, but specifically for comics. I can't wait to go to one of their meetings.
  
• Chatting with the folks at girl-wonder.org, an organization supporting women comics creators and characters. They have great stickers, too.
  
• Buying the newest issue of Steampunk Magazine, which includes patterns for spats and an aviator's helmet. The woman at the booth was fabulous and told me about her adventures researching one of the articles in the current issue, and turned me on to Google Book Search as a craft resource. Great stuff - after searching, try clicking "Full view" to browse some wonderful vintage stuff online.
  
• We met Carla Speed McNeil, and bought an original work from her, a gorgeous page from Finder: Talisman!
  
• Phil Foglio sketched Girl Genius on my Girl Genius messenger bag!
  

I also bought a "stop" sign that instead reads "poop", several creatively hand-painted wooden Pacman-style ghosts, and a tiny spaceship being attacked by a tiny octopus.

Now I'm full of energy and ideas, with pages of notes and several new books to read. Also, proud and happy to live in a city with so many artists.