Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Travels and Surprises

We spent the last ten days traveling to my hometown to attend the wedding of my niece.  It had been two years since I have seen many of my family members so it was really a special visit.  We drove the 350 some miles to get to Saxonburg Pennsylvania with our new camper in tow.  The wedding and visit were awesome.

 I am convinced that the creatures from the other dimension live in Western Pennsylvania... as we traveled the country roads that were lined with forests of trees that canopied over us I was sure I spotted some wee creatures.  We drove through the rain with the sun blinding us as the leprachauns created a rainbow to find their gold.  The roads are winding and narrow with lots of bumps and gullies in them.  My reaction to the terrain surprised me as I spent the first 40 years of my life there. I guess it is the result of living on the coastal plains for the last eight years.  Delaware is very flat and open for the most part.

We drove back east via Phoenixville Pennsylvania so I could meet my bead friends at the Interweave Beadfest show... we stayed at a wonderful KOA campground that was tucked back in an even more remote area than where I grew up.  I love camping!  I also loved the bead show.  My oh my... almost overwhelming!  I bought some fun stuff... like some wool and a felting needle and a kumihimo kit!  I have had some fun with both of them and will post some finished products soon.

When I got home from the trip I had a wonderful surprise waiting for me!  My bead soup partner Melissa Mesara had sent me treasures!  I love her Etsy shop One Eared Pig!  I was excited to see what she sent me.


The box came in the mail!

In the box there was a card and another box!

In the other box were bags of awesome bead soup!


Melissa makes amazing glass beads.  Van Gogh's "Starry Night" was her inspiration for these beads.  I love the color and the metallic streaks.


Definitely "Starry Night"!

 Love these beads and clasp to really make the soup taste good!

More starry night beads to add as well!

 
...and some "just because" beads that are so adorable... the mutant fish has three eyes...


He won't miss a thing with those eyes!

Thanks Melissa!  I can't wait to get started with this bead soup!  I love how creative and eclectic you are!  Even the card was awesome.  This is a picture of Neodymium Chandelier by Dale Chihuly.


Amazing!

Hope you all are having as much fun with this Bead Soup Blog Party as I am!  I am looking forward to see what everyone else creates!









6 comments:

  1. Oh boy Marian, have fun! I love the little three eyed fishy. I know what you mean about the country roads in PA and the critters that live in the woods. ;-)
    Therese

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  2. Your vacation sounds so relaxing and wonderful. It is always so nice to reconnect with friends and family. I've driven through Pennsylvania a couple times and it is a very pretty state.

    I'm so glad you like your stash!

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  3. Hey Marion, I've never been to that part of the country. It seems like a place that would have some magic! Your trip sounds wonderful ... and the beads that were waiting for you are just beautiful ~
    have fun!

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  4. Your trip sounded really nice...it must have been so special to see family you hadn't seen for quite a while. Love your Van Gogh inspired beads and that Dale Chihuly piece is something else!! Thank you for your comment about my beads, Marion..you are a kind lady.
    Jenni

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Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me!