That about sums up the past week around here!
It’s birthday week – my oldest son’s was last week and my youngest son’s birthday is in a few days. My oldest wanted to a sleep over party and we combined it with a trip to the movies for the opening of Frankenweenie (3D). What a clever movie…..disturbing in some ways too. The little dog Sparky was awfully cute, but worrying about him losing his life twice in one movie was a bit much for a softie like me. It is possible to cry in a Disney movie.
Next up a few of us in the Northern VA area showed our support for the Northern VA Bead Society (NVBS), and attended the show held nearby in Annandale. It isn’t often that those of us in the area see one another outside of BeadFest and artBLISS, as everyone’s lives get so busy. But we need to change that! Julie Anne, Jeanette, Kathleen, Vicki (incidentally, Vicki started her jewelry blog recently – please go give her a warm welcome!) and I attended the show and a few of us took a class too. Unfortunately we just missed Sandi. The NVBS offered mini, 90-minute classes and we took a polymer clay bead shape class with Katrina Marsh Sarlin.
Julie Anne shopping for beads – she found some beautiful lampwork.
Kathleen and Vicki making polymer clay beads
After class, my family got on the road for a quick overnight trip. I don’t think all schools are closed on Columbus Day, but luckily my kid’s schools were. We headed to the beautiful Shenandoah Valley area of VA. There are a few incredible antique malls right off I-81 ….absolutely worth the trip. One of our favorite stops is Duke’s in Lexington. There is so much to see right in the parking lot before even heading in. And how many antique shops are open 365 days a year, 9 to 6?? I love taking pictures outside – in fact, I shared a few old car photos in this post when I introduced PicMonkey. That has to be one of my most frequently hit blog posts – people end up at sweet bead studio.com when they are searching “Monkey Picnic” or “Picnic Monkey”…. It goes to show how key word searches work!
Lots of beautiful rust
I didn’t take too many pictures while antiquing, but wanted to snap a few of the pie safes I saw. I am always on the lookout for them, who knows why. I’m drawn to primitive furniture, and in this case, I happen to like the kind of food that used to be stored in them!
A very common style, with diamond and circle punched tins
I really liked this one, with the paisley design. I believe the knobs are replacements.
Sounds like you’ve had a busy time, Cindy! I love the pics of the antiques, especially the rust and the pie safes. I love both! The punched tin on the last pie safe is incredible!
What an awesome cake!!!! I LOVE animated movies (I have no kids, so I have to wait for DVD or Pay Per View!). To this day, I cannot watch Bambi! I too, love the Shenandoah Valley area, especially this time of year! Sorry I missed the bead show…I was locked in my studio preparing for upcomng shows. BTW: the last few times you left comments on my blog (thank you), I could not reply to you, as your address came up “No reply”. Just thought I woukd mention it here. thanks for sharing your lovely photos!!!
oh, wait, everyone doesn’t cry at every disney movie? is that why my kids make fun of me?!
your cake looks great and so does your monday excursion – 2/3 of my kids had off..
Happy Birthdays to you all! Love, love the cake. Love the pie safes. Now we need to head down to the Shenandoah Valley!!
I have to admit, every time I go antiquing or thrifting and see a pie safe, I think of you ^.^ They’re quite unique pieces of furniture indeed!
It sounds like even though it was short, you had a fun-filled pack week!
And of course, happy birthday to both of your handsome young men! 🙂
You had a very full long weekend. That cake is pretty great! I would love to know what that disturbing looking hand if made from. 🙂 I am sure your son loved it!
Wow, that is some cool cake! Did you make it? Love all the rusty things, and the antique pie safes. I love antiquing too. I always get great inspiration after a good day of antiquing.
Love the cake!!!! And I so want to see that movie. I’m a sucker for rusty things too but my husband is NOT. So you won’t see any at my home…yet.
Such a great collection of photos at the antique market. And love, love, love the one of the rusted roses. I keep going back to enjoy the beauty of it.
great photos!
Wow! wat a lovely cake.i hope your son would have enjoyed it.
You’ve been super busy, my friend! Thanks for sharing your lovely photos with us – I feel like I was right there with you.
Oh, my, look at that fun cake!! How cute!! Now, you win the mom of the year award for that one!! Hope y’all have had tons of fun celebrating these special birthdays! What sweet cats ~ just perfect for an antique shop!! Happy you had such a great time!! Hugs!
We were in VA too! I can now say I have visited the town of Big Stone Gap!(before and aftrer that we wandered around “lost”). We had a great time and someday hope to come up your way! Love love the cake!!!
Rust!! I love the orangy-ness of rust…and that cake was amazing!! Looks like you all had a great long weekend…wish I was closer to have taken advantage of that bead class!!
I really enjoyed taking the polymer clay class with you and agree that we should get together for more than just bead shows and retreats! I really enjoyed reminiscing about the bead show through your post (I missed it on the 10th because I was at the Arts Festival that weekend). I also really enjoyed the photos of the antiques-sounds like you and your family had fun!
What a great trip,…beads, classes,…rust,…lovely time w/the family – what fun. I’m really loving your rust pics – oh my!!
I can’t wait to spend time with my family. I am hoping to see them soon. I am jealous how happy they are together. The smile in there faces tells how happy they are celebrating a special day.
Cindy, The polymer clay class was fun and I agree with Kathleen that we should get together more often. You really must come over as we have a German pie safe that I think you will like 🙂 Great pics and looks like you had a fabulous time that weekend. Cheers
Love all your pics of rust. Such a beautiful color and so much texture. I always love it when you share your antiquing photos. Sounds like an incredible weekend.