Enjoy the Moment !!!

Three of my neighbors are developmentally disabled men who are also deaf . They are excellent neighbors , always ready to help with any project . One of my dogs was born deaf. He loves those neighbors because they speak to him with body language, something he can perfectly understand .
I love having those men as  neighbors too !
They constantly  help me to remember to enjoy each little moment of my day.

Occasionally hot air balloons float over my house.
I am usually too busy with daily chores to notice.
But, my neighbors never seem to miss seeing them !!!
They get so excited by those balloons,banging and hammering on my door to show me!!!!
This week, sure enough ,they came pounding on my door to show me a balloon!!! I'll admit, I was very busy and a bit annoyed to have to stop what I was doing .
They indicated they wanted me to take a picture for them .
I really didn't feel like taking the time  to drag out my camera.
But , I did take a photo for them.

While I was printing it , I found myself  admiring those clear  bright balloon colors . I was enjoy the change  from the subdued neutrals and muted autumn shades I have been working with .
So  I decided to take a break from seasonal beads and make a few primary brights !!!
The balloon was good bead inspiration and a nice break from my daily routine!
A  moment to celebrate color, beauty and the fantasy of a hot air balloon ride !!!

In this fast paced world we often forget to stop enjoy life's little moments. 
I am fortunate to have good neighbors who remind me to do so!
What might you be over looking as you hurry about your life ???
this week
slow down ..look around
enjoy the small moments
and
Bead Happy!

m.e.

Bead Soup Reveal !!!!

Autumn Garden

When  I opened my bead soup mix from partner Melissa Meman
I was in awe !
She made the  focal pendant and toggle herself and they are GORGEOUS!!!
She also enameled the 4 filigree beads! How lucky am I!!!
My mix was so lovely it almost created a design all by itself !
But , I wanted to play with it a bit , so I decided to let my ingredients simmer a while .
The colors sort of whispered Southwest .
But,that somehow didn't fit the beads. I was stumped.
Then on a trip to the local hardware store , inspiration hit me square in the face!
Outside was a beautiful big display of annuals for fall planting . Wonderful blue green kale and deep red  chrysanthemums !!!  PERFECT !!!
My design would be an Autumn Garden complete with the warm golden tones of a sunny fall afternoon!!!
I wasn't expecting to find a design idea the hardware store .
But,you never know how or when inspiration will present itself .
this week find inspiration
visiting the Bead Soup blogs!
the links are below
and remember to
Bead Happy !

m.e.

My Soup and my Soup mix

1. Aimee Wheaton and Barbara York
2. Alice Craddick and Sandra Richardson
3. Alison Sachs and Amy Severino
4. Allison Scott and Cynthia Abner
5. Amanda Cargill Austin and Charlene Sevier
6. Amanda Davie and Patsy Evins
7. Amber Dawn and Kim Ballor
8. Ambra Gostoli and Christine Hansen
9. Amy Freeland and Christine Altmiller
10. Ana Krepel-Novak and Eleanor Snare


11. Andrea Morici and Hope Smitherman
12. Andrea Trank and Jayne Capps
13. Andrea Turini and Charlene Jacka
14. Angela May and Emanda Johnson
15. Anitra Gordy and Elizabeth Owens Dwy
16. Ann Rishell and Debbie Price
17. Ann Sherwood and Lynne Bowland
18. Anna Lear and Barbe Saint John
19. Anna Sabina­­­­ and Erin Siegel
19. Nan Emmett and Erin Siegel
20. Astrid Boyce and Birgitta Lejonklou


21. B.R. Kuhlman and Deanna Chase
22. Barbara Bechtel and Bryna Lumb
23. Barbara Blaszczyk and DaviniaDesign
24. Barbara Judy and Holly Westfall
25. Barbara Lewis and Cathie Carroll
26. Barrie Edwards and Lyn Foley
27. Becky Fairclough and Jana Tarhala
28. Bella Borgouise and Gillian Lehman
29. Beth and Evie McCord and Erin Prais-Hintz
30. Beth Bricker and Heather Pyle


31. Beth Emery and Cassie Donlen
32. Bobbie Rafferty and Cindy Cima Edwards
33. Candice McGinnis and Sally Anderson
34. Carol Bradley and Cece Cormier
 35.  Cathy Khoury and Molly Alexander
 36. Carol Tannahill and Hilary Frye
37. Carrie Tahquechi and Cris Peacock
38. Cat Pruitt and Cindy Gimbrone
39. Charlene Gary and Doris Stumpf
40. Charlotte Pevny and Kate Gardenghi


41. Cherrie Fickand Cathie Carroll
41. Claire Maunsell and Cherrie Fick
42. Cheryl Roe and Jenny Vidberg
43. Chris White and Norma Turvey
44. Christa Murphy and Kathy Alderfer
45. Christie Murrow and Dana James
46. Christina Miles and Collette Collins
47. Christine Brandel and Elizabeth Woodford
48. Christine Damm and Cynthia Deis
49. Christine Hendrickson and Debbie Goering
50. Christine Stonefield and Dee Wingrove-Smith


51. Cilla Watkins and Johanna Rhodes
52. Cindy Wimmer and Riki Schumacher
53. CJ Baushka and Cory Celaya
54. Courtney Breul and Joanna Matuszczyk
55. Cristi Clothier and Kathleen Robinson Young
56. Cryss Thain and Serena Trent
57. Cynthia Tucker and Kitty Durmaj
58. Dana Johnson Jones and Eva Sherman
59. Davinia Algeri and Janet McDonald
60. Deci Worland and Lara Lutrick


61. Diana Ptaszynski and Kristy Abner
62. Diane Cook and Kerry Bogert
63. Diane Hawkey and Jen Judd Velasquez
64. Dorcas Midkiff and Jill Harris
65. Doris Radlicki and Heather Goldsmith
66. Dot Lewallen and Gaea Cannaday
67. Elisabeth Auld and Jennifer Justman
68. Erin Fickert-Rowland and Geanina Grigore
69. Erin Grant and Julie Jones
70. Eszter Czibulyas and Helena Fritz


71. Fiona Christie and Michelle Heim
72. Gail Zwang and Genea Crivello-Knable
73. Geneva Collins and Jana Haag
74. Gretchen Nation and Heidi Post
75. Heather DeSimone and Karin Slaton
76. Heather Marley and Terry Carter
77. Ingrid McCue and Jennifer Pride
78. Jackie Ryan and Nicole Keller
79. Janna Harttgen and Joanne Tinley
80. Jean Yates and Lori Anderson


81. Jelveh Jaferian and Jenny Davies-Reazor
82. Jenni Connolly and Jennifer Heynen
83. Jennifer Cameron and Kristi Bowman
84. Jennifer Geldard and Lisa Liddy
85. Jennifer VanBenschoten and Kim Hora
86. Jess Italia Lincoln and Lori Greenberg
87. Jill MacKay and Lori Bergmann
88. JJ Jacobs and Karen Tremblay
89. Joyce Becker and Kathy Welsh
90. Judy Glende and Karen Sinkowski


91. Judy Riley and Kelly Morgan
92. JuLee Wolfe and Julie Bean
93. Julianna Cannon and Julianna Kis
94. Julie Nordine and Lesley Watt
95. K. Hutchinson and Shea Zukowski
96. Karen Firnberg and Karyn Bonfiglio
97. Karen Williams and Kimberly Roberts
98. Karen Zanco and Polly Barker
99. Kari Carrigan and Laura Twiford
100. Karin von Hoeren and Laura Blanck


101. Kate Richbourg and Lorelei Eurto
102. Kathleen Lange Klik and Maria Clark
103. Kathy Engstrom and Keri Lee Sereika
104. Kay Thomerson and Loretta Carstensen
105. Kelley Fogle and Laurel Bielec
106. Kelly Ramstack and Sally Anderson
107. Kim Stevens and Tiffany Long
108. Kristi Harrison and Mandy Williamson
109. Kristi Kyle and Lana Kinney
110. Kristina Johansson and Sue Hodgkinson


111. Kym Hunter and Laura Sanger
112. Laura Zeiner and Susan Kennedy
113. Laurel Steven and Mary McGraw
114. Laurie Hanna and Lisa Boucher
115. Lesley Weir and Liz DeLuca
116. Linda Djokic and Tracey Weiser
117. Linda Inhelder and Pam Brisse
118. Linda Landig and Lori Dorrington
119. Linda Murphy and Lisa Hamilton
119.  Line Labrecque and Marianne Baxter
120. Lisa Lodge and Monica Johnson


121. Lois Moon and Melissa Muir
122. Lola Surwillo and Therese Frank
123. Lori Bowring Michaud and Marci Brooks
124. Lupe Meter and Norma Agron
125. Maggie Towne and Marge Beebe
126. Malin de Koning and Susie Hibdon
127. Mallory Hoffman and Shirley Moore
128. Marcie Abney and Patty Miller
129. Marcy Lamberson and Melissa Clarke
130. Margot Potter and Suzann Sladcik Wilson


131. Maria Grimes and Wendy Blum
132. Maria Horvath and Melinda Orr
133. Maria Rosa Sharrow and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp
134. Marian Hertzog and Melissa Mesara
135. Marianna Boylan and Sandi Lee James
136. Marina Dobrynina and Michaela Pabeschitz
137. Marsha Neal and Miri Agassi
138. Mary Ellen Parker and Melissa Meman   You are Here !!!
139. Mary Elliott and Tamara Soper
140. Mary Hicks and Laurel Steven


141. Melissa Pynn and Michelle Buettner
142. Michelle Hardy and Niki Meiners
143. Michelle Mach and Moira McEvoy
144. Missy Rappaport and Norma Agron
145. Molly Alexander and Poranna
146. Mylene Hillam and Nicole Rennell
147. Nadezhda Parfyonova and Stacey Curry
148. Nan Emmett and Nancy Peterson
149. Nancy Boylan and Natalie McKenna
150. Natalie Monkivitch and Niky Sayers


151. Natasha Lutes and Pam Ferrari
152. Noemi Baena and Penny Ilagan
153. Pamela Petry and Rebecca Sirevaag
154. Pat Haight and Mary McGraw
155. Patty Gasparino and Vonna Maslanka
156. Penny Neville and Sandi Volpe
157. Pepita Bos and Wendy Chamberlain
158. Raida Disbrow and Rebecca Watkins
159. Rebecca Anderson and Sabrina Staub
160. Regina Santerre and Rose Binoya


161. Rhea Freitag and Tari Kahrs
162. Rochelle Brisson and Sheryl Stephen
163. Sally Russick and Tracy Bell
164. Sandra McGriff and Shay Williams
165. Sandra Wolberg and Sara Hardin
166. Sarah Elder and Salla Small
167. Saskia Kaffenberger and Sharon Gardner
 168. Sharon Palac and Shannon Chomanczuk
169. Shay Stone and Suzette Bentley
170. Shiraz Biggie and Tammy Powley


171. Staci Smith and Tracy Stillman
172. Stacie Stamper and Tracy Martin
173. Stefanie Teufel and Vicky Taylor
174. Stephanie Dixon and Stephanie LaRosa
175. Stephanie Haussler and Valerie Norton
176. Suzanne Tate and Terri Wlaschin
177. Sweet Freedom Designs and Tammy Jones
178. Tania Spivey and Tari Sasser
179. Tara Plote and Terry Matuszyk
180. Terri Gauthier and Deana Hager
181. Theresa Fosdick and Tracey Nanstad

Fungus to Fashion ?

Fungus Flower

Somewhere between the bright shades of Summer and the rich hues of Autumn,  my world turned gray !!!
Rain , rain and more rain !!! Where is the Sun ???
An occasional rainy day with a cup of tea and a good book  can be very pleasant.
But, weeks of rain seemed like too much  !!!
I like color ! I am inspired by color  !
Lately each new day is cloudy ,wet and gray .
Even my water loving tomatoes are looking sick and sad .

But , something rather neat is happening .
Fungus are amung us... LOL!
All this rain seems to be just what fungi love.
Magical mushrooms of every size and shape are popping up everywhere. It's like an alien invasion!
I took advantage of a break in the down pour to take some photos of the weird  and wonderful shapes.
While I was taking pictures, I realized I was having a color inspiration ! Or maybe a lack of color inspiration to be exact .
All those gray ,white and creamy tones looked very nice against the wet black mulch.
Nice and  neutral  color blends!!!
Of course !!! Why not create some  beads in those fun fungi shades!
Neutrals would be perfect for Fall and Winter Fashion .
The accessory equivalent to curling up tea and good book . Something tried, true and sure to please .

So instead of swimming against the current and bringing out all my bright clays  on a gray day;
I decided to go with the flow and work with the lovely muted  shades all I was seeing all around me .
A restful and welcome  pallet.
Just the thing to prepare me for the Holiday color celebrations coming soon!
this week
relax
rest up with some nice  neutrals 
and
Bead Happy!

m.e.