Weekend Field Trip!

Last Saturday, Nancy, Peggy and I set out for a needlework field trip to Valparaiso, Indiana. The day was jam packed and we didn't get to do all that we had planned. Perhaps we'll go again!

The day began a bit overcast but turned out sunny and warm. I was intrigued by flocks of Sandhill Cranes flying over, heading home to Wisconsin. Their call is quite distinctive and usually that's our only sign they're there but this year they're flying quite low and are readily visible.

Our first stop was Needle & Thread quilt shop. It's a lovely Victorian with many rooms full of fabrics, patterns and idea. A class was going on and our visit was accompanied by the students' laughter. They're just adding a long-arm quilting machine to the shop.

Next we stopped in at Sheep's Clothing, just around the block from Needle & Thread. They had two classes going on!  In spite of all of our declarations of not buying anything, hmmm, we did.

We dined at Don Quijote, a Spanish restaurant. It's just up the street from Sheep's Clothing. We had zucchini soup (yummy) and shared a tapas plate, tried an intriguing wine drink, and had a great chat.

Our third stop was our longest.  Imagine Beads was having back to back classes to make the Shambala bracelet.  Mine is pictured above.  The bracelet was really fun to make and didn't take too long. We all left with finished bracelets.

and beads...I got this pattern on a previous field trip and got the beads for it Saturday. One step closer to starting it.

At Sheep's Clothing my purchase was yarn to make Dalek* egg cosies (finally, I've been wanting to make them for a while now).  It's Cascade superwash--wool that can be easily washed--great for a kitchen item.  So now I have pattern, yarn and I dug out hooks and needles (I have patterns for both knit and crochet Daleks).  Now to find some time!

*Dalek's are the perennial bad guys on Dr. Who.