The Niles Public LIbrary  tea and signing last night in a suburb of Chicago was a huge success.  It was an evening to be remembered, with good food, laughter and books!  I am reminded once again of the value of libraries and their commitment to the community.

Today is the start of Stitches Midwest in Schaumburg, IL, and I’m eager for all the activities.  I’m staying at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel, which is incredible.  It’s the first hotel I’ve encountered that features a television in the bathroom mirror!  It is sensor activated.  The first time I walked into the bathroom and the mirror spoke to me, I nearly jumped out of my skin!

I’m in Chicago, my first tour city.  I’m excited and enthusiastic and I’ve already managed to do some shopping.  My hotel is near Michigan Avenue, which is the main street for all my favorite stores:  Nordtrom, Nieman Marcus, Macy’s and Sacks.  So, I had a nice long walk yesterday, purely for the exercise, you understand.

I’m looking forward to meeting my readers in Chicago.  Tuesday evening I will be on my way to Indianapolis, the next stop.

Chicago was fabulous.  I signed my knitting pattern books at the Leisure Arts booth at the Craft and Hobby Show.  Walking around the show was an insight into what’s hot in crafts in America.  Definitely, scrapbooking is king.  Who knew?  I visited with the good people at the Lion Brand Yarn booth.  They have some wonderful new yarns coming out that really impressed me.  What can I say?  So much yarn and so little time . . .