Chilly and drizzly. All day.
Saturday was the perfect day to attend an outdoors-centered event indoors.
The Runge Conservation Nature Center in Jefferson City hosted a nature-themed cross stitch class early Saturday afternoon. It was warm and dry in the conference room where a group of adventurous folks tried their hands at cross stitching an image of a northern cardinal.
A naturalist at the center, Rachel Mandi, led the program in which she taught a group of newcomers (and some experienced people) to cross stitch.
She began by explaining the class use a pattern that depicts a cardinal and provided a slide show that explained all about the popular small bird, including information about how they get their color. It's in what they eat, whereas the genetics of other birds, like blue jays, determines their colors.
Mandi explained that eating certain insects gives cardinals their red plumage.
Mandi then moved on to cross stitch, a needle art that is a form of embroidery in which the artist uses crossed stitches to form an image.
"Our image today is a cardinal in kind of a winterscape," she said. "And it's sitting on a little branch and there will be snowflakes."
Participants were to create their art pieces on small wooden discs, each perforated with hundreds of little holes. The discs were to be turned into ornaments later.
Mandi said the class participants were to complete their projects at home, but stay in touch with her and other volunteers when they needed support, advice or help.
She said the cardinal project is challenging. It took her more than seven hours to complete. The Department of Conservation provided a bagful of supplies for each participant to take home, including thread and a needle.
Niki and Preston Feeler attended the class. Every now and then, Niki leaned over and helped Preston adjust his work.
"I just think it's fun that he said yes (to attending the class)," Niki Feeler said.
Jeanne Westhues said she was a veteran at cross stitch.
"(I haven't) done it on wood. I've done it on cloth," Westhues said. "I like that cardinal. I think it's a really pretty pattern. I think it will really look nice once I get it done."
Alexa Pfeiffer/News Tribune photo: Rachel Mandi leads a cross stitching class Saturday at the Runge Nature Center. The Missouri Department of Conservation supplied all of the tools needed for the project and walked the students through the pattern step by step.
Alexa Pfeiffer/News Tribune photo: Rachel Mandi shows her cross stitching class how to begin its project Saturday. Mandi leads an event each month at the Runge Nature Center for anyone interested in learning needle art.
Alexa Pfeiffer/News Tribune photo: Juliette Kipp, left, and Carole Hopkins begin a new cross stitch project Saturday at the Runge Nature Center. The design for this month is a cardinal that participants can turn into a Christmas ornament.
Alexa Pfeiffer/News Tribune photo: Preston Feeler concentrates on his needle during the cross stitch event held Saturday at the Runge Nature Center. The class is open to people of all skill levels and is held each month.