Round Top Festival Institute...Glorious!

Have you ever wanted to take the road less traveled

or been tempted to step away from the crowd & start your own journey?

What wonders might await you, just around the next bend?

Who would have ever thought little ole Round Top, home to 77 people & the junk capital of the world,

was also home to one of the best kept secrets in Texas.

The Round Top Festival Institute...

it truly is, Glorious!

At the end of one of our busy days of junkin our tour guide, Charlene of 'My Heart's Ease', had mentioned wanting to take us to see this amazing music institute. I think getting back to the fields was primary in every body's mind, but as we started to drive by,

 Charlene made an executive decision.

"We don't have to stay very long, but I do think this is worth seein!" she said with her adorable southern accent, as we turned down the drive.

We were so blessed to have the lovely Charlene leading us.

Thank You Sweetest of  Friends, for taking us on the 'Road Less Traveled'.

While 1,000's of junker's shopped the fields of Round Top,

we were nestled away from the rest of the world at one of the most beautiful,

tranquil places I have ever seen...

a place of complete serenity.

The Round Top Festival Institute

& it's remarkable grounds,

it's corridors & paths

drawing you forward into a world of peace

& divinity.

I wandered alone on these grounds wanting to take in every magical sight & sound...

the Madonna & Child, hidden alcoves

& the soft, constant sound of water.

I have been to Rome, toured the Vatican & walked the historic Missions's of California & Texas...

but this simple chapel in the hill country of Texas, touched my soul.

Can you sense it?

Can you feel it?

Can you see it?

The Edythe Bates Old chapel was built in La Grange, Texas in 1883 as the Episcopal Methodist Church & was moved to this location in 1994...

& to our glory, the doors were open.

The only light we had once inside, was what streamed through the antique stained glass windows

& illuminated the dark within, again MAGIC!

Now don't get me wrong...

I LOVE my Junk Gypsy's & Magnolia Pearl,

I LOVE the fields filled with junk & treasures,

I LOVE Royer's pie & Blue Bell ice cream & Bar-B-Que,

but the highlight for me on this trip, was the Sweet Sanctuary at the

Round Top Festival Institute.

Thank you God & Miss Charlene, for the 'Roads Less Travelled',

for every time I have taken one, it has been, AMAZING!  ;)

XOXO

vintagesusie

More Round Top, are ya kiddin???

No Sweeties...I am NOT kiddin!

I still have MORE pictures of my beloved Round Top to share with y'all.

So grab a cup of, 'Whatever Sounds Good Right About Now', kick back & enjoy the tour!! ;)

I LOVED the Coffee Bug!!!

I spent many a cold morning huddled under it's canopy, warming myself by the glow of an electric heater, holdin a hot cup of JOE.

{or in my case, Cafe Mocha}

Loved this sweet gal & 'Wild March Hares'...

she 'Doilified' my life!

This was the booth where I made my very 1st purchase of the festival & what did I buy??

Why, a Doilified Purse of course!!

Karen of Valentine Designs & I, both got purses here.

I adored the tea stained purse on the top, unfortunately it was a little more $$$ then I wanted to spend. But that's ok, cuz I LOVE mine & have used nothin but ever since.

Yummmmmmy Stuff...

this girl could make a doilified toilet seat look good! ;)

Paris Montana's booth is in a vintage, Bambi Airstream...soooo very cool!

As is her amazing, over the top jewelry designs!

In her case, I would have to say,

less isn't always more...

sometimes, more truly is just... MORE!!

Again.....yummmmy!

Renck Hall is another one of the halls that was just, 'Out in the Fields'.

I mean really, talk about a 'Field of Dreams'!  ;)

I was enchanted by all the Textures...

& Color that is Round Top.

I bought a TON of goodies from this Lil Darlin, Claudia from Just Claudia Vintage Junkie blog.

Thank you Sweet Sheila  from Blessed and Distressed blog for giving me her name & helping me find her again!!

she had everything that I LOVE...

little bits & pieces of, STUFF...

old tin types, burlap bags & bottles...

Flotsam & Jetsam...

& doll heads.

And her prices were super GREAT, I just couldn't pass anything up!

I know, I know...y'all are gettin tired of Texas.

We're almost done, I PROMISE...this is the last of the shoppin pictures.

I just still have to show you the Music Institute & a little Dallas, Fort Worth.

They will be WORTHY, I swear!! lol

Thanks for stickin in there with me Sweet Hearts, you know I just want to take you with me everywhere I go!

with XOXO's

vintagesusie

My Sweet Friend Diane Cook & Marburger Farms

Yesterday was gloomy, but today is filled with sunshine & I'm ready to do...

SOMETHING!!!

Not sure what, but definitely something!

But 1st, a quick post to share with you some pics of my Sweet Friend,

Diane Cook's,

amazing booth at Marburger Farms!

Diane is an awesome Jewelry Designer & Teacher.

Her Etched & Layered Cuffs,

Rhinestone & Rosary Necklaces

& Ice Resin Charms & Necklaces

are GORGEOUS!

So yummmmmyyyyy!!

I had to buy some of her Sari Silk bundles, the hues were fabulous! ;)

A drawer filled with her gorgeous handmade earrings...

all her dispalys were DIVINE!!!

Don't you ADORE her Ice Resin Charms???

She teaches classes on how to create most of her designs, just head over to her blog rosa & josie's to find out where she will be teaching next. She's heading to my neck of the woods, So Cali, in May & I can't wait to take her Etched & Layered Cuff class, I LOVE those bracelets!!!

{I'm so diggin the look of those boots Charlene!}

My 2 favorite people in Texas...

Charlene & Diane,

Sooo Beautiful Inside & Out!

I LOVE these girls!!!  ;)

Random Marburger shots...

looks like a chair pyramid...

Tuscan urns with sheet music...

vintage metal baskets...love it!!!

Well, I'm off to shower & shine & to do SOMETHING FUN!!!

I still don't know what, but I think it's comin to me! ;)

XOXO

vintagesusie

vintagesusie, Magnolia Pearl & Robin Brown

I ADORE this picture taken by my sweet & beautiful friend Riki of Riki Jewelry!

Opening morning at Marbuger Farms, Magnolia Pearls booth,

with me & the creator of all things Pearl, Robin Brown.

In my own personal heaven, we are all flying high with our glorious white wings,wearin nothin but our ruffly Pearl, flower & ivy wreaths upon our heads, surrounded by bird's, nest's & robin eggs, listening to The Zac Brown Band, some Willie & Waylon & a little Bonnie & Jackson.

Take me now LORD...it sounds Divine!!! ;) 

XOXO

vintagesusie