Beads! Beads! Beautiful Beads!

Here is a sneak peak at my latest work in progress.


I love the mix of colors in this!

Finished product should be ready for pictures in a week or two. It's always exciting to have a project this close to completion!

Mystery Destination

Last weekend, my grandmother called to invite us on a surprise getaway. It was Sweet Daughter's 7th birthday, and her great-grandmother wanted to "make a memory" for her. I don't know how much Sweet Daughter will remember, but the rest of us certainly made a lot of very special memories!

Half the fun was trying to guess where Mam-Maw was going to take us!

When she came to pick us up, she announced we were going to stay at the new lodge on Mt. Magazine!

If you've never been to Mt. Magazine in Arkansas, plan to stop by next time you're in the neighborhood.

It is the highest point in Arkansas and for many surrounding states as well.

The Arkansas State Parks system has recently built a beautiful lodge on the mountain. Every room has it's own balcony overlooking one of the amazing views.

And it's 10 degrees cooler than the rest of Arkansas! (I really like that part!)




Here is Sweet Son (age 10) and Sweet Daughter (just turned 7!) looking at one of the views from the lodge.

As wonderful as our little getaway was, the best part of it for me was getting to go with my 82 year old Grandmother! And she even insisted on keeping the kids in her room so that Sweet Man and I could have some time alone! She is an amazing lady!

Mam-Maw with her great-grandson.

ABC 8

ABC 8 = Arkansas Bead Cave, 8th year!

The Annual Arkansas Bead Cave will be taking place this year the first weekend in October. I can hardly wait! I learned so much last year, and this year they have asked me to teach a class on French Beaded Flowers.

I am planning to teach the flower pictured above. It's my own creation, and while it isn't the prettiest flower, it should lend itself to being easily taught and easily learned. I'm hoping that my students will be able to take what they have learned and use it to make more aesthetically pleasing flowers.

The center of the flower is not my creation. It is actually a vintage earring that belonged to my Grandmother.
Here are other flowers made using the same pattern, but these have traditional beaded flower centers.

I'm hoping my students will get creative with these little flowers, using buttons or earrings or other items for their centers.

And I can't wait to see more people get hooked on making beautiful flowers out of little, tiny beads!

I need some company in this crazy hobby I have!