Saturday was full of crafty museums and crafty mail.

First Marci and Amber came down to Philadelphia for some museum visiting.  Our first stop, where we hooked up with Amber's mom (who was way cool), was the Fabric Workshop and Museum.  My favorite part was Jean Shin's TEXTile.  The central piece is an interactive "fabric" using thousands of discarded computer keyboard keys embedded in a continuous textile approximately 25 feet in length.

I think it was my favorite because we got to touch it. Some of the keys actually worked, so viewers (like me!) could type using the fabric and see their typed letters appear on a video projection at the other end of the fabric.  It felt so interesting.  I liked running my hand over the keys - they were all sizes, heights, and colors.  Who knew there were so many colors of beige?  

Our next stop was the American Swedish Historical Museum to see the exhibition, In light of us - Weavings by Anita Grede.  The weavings were incredible.  Amber, the resident weaver in our little group, explained that Anita was taking several strands of fiber of different weights and colors (sometimes up to 15 at a time), twisting them together, and then using the resulting bundle to weave.  The effect was an impressionistic, pastel-like finished weaving.  They were dreamy.

Our last crafty stop was Jomar, whose fabric supply seems to be dwindling (Get on the ball, people!).  We didn't see my favorite fabric dude, but the 50-cent-a-card button box is significantly lighter, thanks to us.

Once I got home, I had awesome mail waiting for me.  I got my Tiny Original (image above, used with permission) from AshleyG of Kitty Genius fame.  Oh!  I love it.  I love the color of the paper.  They eyeless girl is so wonderful.  I like that I can't tell what her mood is - she could be upset, angry, sad, confused, inquisitive...  Not being able to determine her frame of mind makes her so intriguing and unsettling.  AshelyG also tucked in some awesome little extras - the cutest pins and postcards.

My other crafty mail was from Laurie from Old School Acres.  She sent her readers (who were brave enough to comment) a little package of goodies for her birthday.  How sweet is that?  The answer: really sweet.  Thanks Laurie! :) Do you see the awesome mushrooms hidden in the floral? Love it!