Well, actually, this sign was from the Minneapolis Airport. We don’t have signs like this in Boston-

I was a day late getting to Chicago. My plane got so delayed leaving, that I spent another night in Minneapolis. I had one full day in Chicago with Eleanor- what a great way to spend my birthday! We did her errands, then went to Fabric Stores- 2121 21st St and Vogue Fabrics. I used the birthday excuse to buy myself some really special wool/angora(? or was it cashmere, I should have written it down) blend in my favorite acid green color. Then downtown to the Chicago Cultural Center and Millennium Park. Thanks Brandy for the fantastic suggestions. I’ve got a few left that I’ll have to do next time I’m in Chicago.

So here is the bean, of course… had to take a picture of that-

I don’t know how I managed to get those pictures with no one else around- there were crowds of people everywhere…

and this amazing fountain-

it was hot as anything and I was very tempted to jump in with everyone else-

On Thursday morning, before flying home, I went out to Redmoon with Eleanor and she gave me a tour of the shop. Wow! They are doing some amazing stuff and it all looks like it would be so much fun to work on. Another life maybe.

so busy but so little accomplished!

I went to see Abby last week, to deliver her share of our Super Fluff order- minimum order is 2 cases which is 2 boxes with 20 pounds of stuffing each- the 2 boxes together are about as big as a refrigerator! It is always great to see peoples work and be able to touch everything. No matter how good the photos are, it is not the same. And I was lucky enough to meet the 2 little nappers- what sweetie-pies!

On Saturday, I went to the Somerville Artbeat where I got to see Erica from mmm…coffee and I was actually bold enough to introduce myself. Her new felt creatures were wonderful. Some other craft bloggers were there including Sewing Stars but I didn’t talk to her. Magpie was right next door to them and was giving away fans. I snatched one up because I sure needed one- it was Very HOT!

Daughter Eleanor was doing her thing at the Gay Games Opening Ceremony. I was thrilled to see that Lisa of Bird in Hand had posted pics on Flickr. Later I’m going to see if I can find some more flickr photos of the opening ceremony.

Next week ( 7/26- 7/31) I am off to Minneapolis and the NIADA conference. After that, I am flying into Chicago for a few days. If anyone wants to try and meet-up or has any suggestions for great places not to miss, I’d love to get some input.

I am hoping to get some work done before I go off… we’ll see.

Eleanor gave us a demonstration of her new skill, learned in Cape Town. Now she’s gone to Chicago for the summer.

these next pics were taken by Peter’s friend Will-

this one’s my favorite!

We had fun in NY and I figured it was about time I posted about it… it rained a lot, but that wasn’t really a problem. It actually meant we stepped into a few shops we might not have gone into, just because it was pouring so hard.

One place we checked out when we happened to notice it, was the New York Doll Hospital on Lexington Ave- an amazing place. Piles and piles of dolls and doll parts. Lots of heads here.

I went to all the Japanese Bookstores on the Crafting Japanese list. I had the most luck at Kinokuniya- it is a beautiful store and easy to find everything. I found some beautiful books on dolls, my favorite magazine “Dolly Dolly”, a book of puppets and puppetmakers from Japan. I ended up spending way too much money… my excuse was that it is cheaper then a trip to Japan.

We went to the Museum of Modern Art Shop, one of my favorite places. I got these great socks.

We went across the street to the American Folk Art Museum. There was a show of the sculptures of Nek Chand. Fantastic!

On Sunday, we headed down to the lower east side. We went to Pearl River where I could have spent most of the day. So many fun items to look at. I bought some chinese brushes and some paper fans to ward off my current plague of hot flashes.

We then headed over to Purl– the yarn store and also the fabric store. They are just as great as everyone says. Since I absolutely don’t need any fabric or yarn, I had to control myself. I bought some white silk tape that I thought would be great for embroidery. I bought myself some fat quarters- just something to remember my trip.

We went to Pearl Paint which is a total nostalgia trip for me- it was such a big deal to go there when I was young and in art school.

We came home, totally worn out. Now I can start planning for the next trip.

is it get me places that I would never go to, if not for them. Last Thursday night, we heard Peter’s chorus sing Mozart’s Requiem. It was amazing!

Here is Jordan Hall at the New England Concervatory- a treat just to look at-

and here are the singers and the orchestra-

This was my wallpaper from when I was a little kid-

this is an image I remember very clearly. This fox always looked like a keyhole to me. It must have been right at eye-level when I lay in bed.

this kitty is my favorite now-

I needed to bring this old tea crate home and will keep it for a while at least- it says Tanganyika on it!

this sticker is on the other side-

I found this box of buttons. There were lots more when I opened the box but many just crumbled away when I touched them. Too many years in the attic. I remember playing with the sombreros when I was small.

and here is an actual sombrero that my Dad brought to one of my brothers in the early 60’s-

I found lots of my Mom’s UFO’s (unfinished objects)… let that be a lesson to me!

I found a box of miscellaneous vintage table textiles. There were the usual unmatched napkins and assorted doilies. There were a few odd things though, like these embroidered “bottom of your wine glass” cozies or whatever they are!

and a cross-stitch dish towel (?) map of Taiwan-

some silly fellows that I couldn’t bear to leave behind-

and Eleanor, here is that suitcase I was telling you about- isn’t it great! The box says it is a shoe and hat suitcase.

The couples are hanging out in the dining room these days.

I am helping my family clean out my parents house; the one I grew up in. They have lived there for almost 50 years. So much stuff. So much personal history. I am driving 2 1/2 hours each way, with car fulls of stuff.

Fabric and sewing stuff, a collection of silk ties…

tons of vintage clothing… there are 26 hat boxes here. Each box has several hats in it and although they are all labeled, the label almost never matches what is in it! I am meeting with a vintage clothing dealer on Monday.

I got lots of things that I like… I’ll post pictures. Here is the first-

I will be back and forth for the next few weeks and so there won’t be much doll-making.