Busy Saturday

We had a very nice day on Saturday, but it was very busy. We went to the Chicago Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago. I mainly wanted to go to see the Mimi Kirchner dolls (here) but even though I had some "mad money" I couldn't afford one.

The Renegade Craft Fair was very different. The people at the fair (there were a lot of them) were all very nice, but I was disappointed by the level of craftsmanship in a lot of the booths. The emphasis was on recycling (and upcycling), but I don't see that as an excuse to make ugly things. Mimi's dolls are beautiful, all made out of goodwill sweaters and used fabrics.

I found a couple of things to spend my money on. I picked up some hand-made soap in Wintergreen scent (!)



and a pattern and some magnets from Mimi.



The teacup pin cushion calls for a felted wool ball as its base, but I'm thinking that a mari would work...

We were there with a crowd, and had a lot of fun. My folks were there, and DD1 with her friend who we met for the first time, a friend of the family, and P & C.

We had dinner at Bella Notte on the near west side, and we enjoyed ourselves tremendously.



DD1, her friend, and P being silly.



P again with Oma & Opa (my parents).



DD1 with C, looking adorable as usual.

The only complaint I had about the restaurant was that it was too noisy to be able to visit with everyone.

After dinner, DH, our friend, and I went to the Dukes of September concert in the Chicago Theater. I love looking at down town! This is the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower) and another tall building basking in the sunset light.



The concert was wonderful, with 12 musicians on stage and a good selection of songs, from the Blues, to jazz, to a Beach Boys' song, and more. The musicians were all wonderful, After and I don't think there is a bad seat in the Chicago Theater. We were in the middle balcony, 3 flights up, but we had a wonderful view of the stage.

After the concert we had about a 40 minute ride home, with very little traffic. We got turned around a little bit trying to get out of down town, and for me it was an amazing eye-opener. It was past my bed-time, and there were throngs of people on the sidewalks having fun (or at least trying to). I guess it is true that one half doesn't know how the other half lives. I can't say that it looked like a lot of fun to me.

My idea of fun is tonight, my Guild annual dinner meeting, good friends, good food, and a lot of stitching talk. I'll take pictures!