11 years ago
It’s a 3 hour drive over windy mountain summits. Being without transportation myself, I really do rely on the guilds to work it out together how they are going to get me from place to place, and I know it isn’t always convenient or easy, but these gals made it so fun!
They stayed for my program Thursday night.
When all the rest of the people had dissipated after Thursday night's guild meeting, they took to packing up my quilts into the duffle bags without being asked even though they were not part of the guild that brought me in.
It wasn't their job, but they saw a need ((Boy did I need! I was dealing with a crazy book table and packing that up!)) and just stepped up to the plate.
When they found I had no plans for Friday, no transportation, and me just figuring I’d spend the day in the hotel sewing, they grabbed me after breakfast before heading back to Grants Pass to go see a bit more of Eugene than just what was in walking distance of my hotel and its noise of interstate traffic.
They included me in their plans even though they were officially “done” with me in any guild capacity. They brought me along because they wanted to, not because they were contracted to do so.
I am so appreciative and humbled!
And what a day we had.
If you have a chance to visit the 5th Street Market Place in Eugene….you will find some really unique shops that you just can not find in a regular shopping mall. When I think of shopping malls and cities and towns all across the USA ---the term GENERICA comes to mind. It’s all the same. Same stores, same merchandise ---it’s no different shopping at those chain places than it is at home at those same places, so why bother and have to cart it all home?
But this was FUN! The terraced open air plaza boasts wonderful shops and restaurants – and be sure to take lots of time to wander, you are going to need it!
We started here. At the Swahili African Modern store.
Beautiful gifts and home décor items are expertly handcrafted from areas all over Africa. Proceeds from the sales of these items go back to help develop these areas. It’s a win/win!
Cute little purse made out of African Style batik fabrics – $10.00 HEXIES!! Do you see?!
I fell in love with these woven mats – SO colorful!
Look at the colors of this one!
Would you believe these are woven from telephone wire?
These critters are so whimsical!
They had so much interesting stuff in there, but I got busy shopping and stopped taking pictures! Carved wood items, jewelry, hand bags, kitchenware, WONDERFUL shop!
As we wandered the plaza, we took time to notice the flowers in their last throes of summer splendor.
Okay. Splendor may be a bit strong of a word – they are starting to look tired, but are still vigilant!
Zinnias, Purple petunias and that lovely sweet potato vine!
I think we were saving the best for last. This is Mindy’s Needlepoint Studio…but be prepared for more than just canvas and yarn. Mindy has a very ecclectic shop full of fun fashions, accessories ((including the cutest socks ever)) beads, ribbon, felted wool……threads….notions….and the list goes on and on!
Check out the threads!
((okay, I really want this curved display cabinet, but I don’t know where I’d put it!))
Yarns and threads of every weight and color!
Even a sale basket!
Pretty twists of color just begging to be stitched!
Oh my! One whole wall of flossibilities!!
Buttons!
hand dyed silk ribbons!
Gorgeous ribbons and trim!
Yes! These are for me!
The name is deceiving – the trip, amazing!
Put this on your DO NOT MISS list!
We lunched at the Japanese restaurant across the courtyard! All that shopping brought on quite an appetite!
The flower shop on the bottom level was full of beautiful flowers, market style!
I would have taken some home if I weren’t spending just a couple of days in a hotel.
There is a cute little inn attached to the 5th Street Marketplace called “Inn at the 5th” It would be a great place to stay so you could really explore this area of Eugene.
I was so pooped by the time we dropped me back off at the hotel that while Karen and Gerry were making their 3 hour drive back to Grants Pass, I took a 3 hour nap ---I needed it!
The rest of my evening was spent getting to know this girl!
Thanks to a Eugene guild member, I have this machine on loan for the duration of my time here. We worked really well together I am happy to say.
This is my last workshop day in Oregon, and Eugene, like Medford, is going to be knee deep in Cathedral Stars today. It should be a fun time and I am really looking forward to getting to know the Eugene ladies today.
Tomorrow ---Homeward Bound, Hexies in hand!
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