My CRAZY EASY CRAFT to bring the "OCEAN to Your Home!"

This is such a simple yet fun project and whether you live in Alaska, Germany, or Ireland, if you love the ocean like I do, here is quick easy little project to introduce an ocean theme into your home!

I live right by Pensacola Beach, and one of my favorite things to do is find 'treasures', seashells, or sand dollars' every time I go to the beach which is frequent during summer vacation!  My last trip yielded a perfect baby sand dollar.  I  am a person who delights in the smallest of pleasures, so when I found my sand dollar, I was delighted and squealing with excitement.  Yes I do get VERY excited over the smallest of things~ just ask ANY of my friends!  LOL

I love little knickknacks... and I love to have a supply of gifts to give, on hand.  SO, this project fits the bill on many levels:

• Easy
• Inexpensive
• Something I love 
• Crazy Cute gift!

Ready to begin?  You will need: 

• A frame with a mat already inserted~ I always go for sale frames, usually from Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Joanne's...
• blue ocean scrap book paper
• shells~ again if you don't live near the ocean like I do : ) you can find these at any craft store
• Wired ribbon to match frame
• Aleen's Tacky glue
• Glue Gun
• Scissors

First take the glass out of your frame and clean it.  Careful not to cut your fingers on the glass edge.  Reinsert the glass and then the mat and trace a piece of your blue scrap book paper to fit the frame.   Cut it out and place the paper in the frame behind the mat and put something behind the paper to hold it in place in the frame, and close the frame. 

Next, using Aleen's Tacky Glue, glue the shell to the front portion of the glass of the frame, centering it over the blue portion of paper.  Let the glue dry thoroughly.  

http://www.michaels.com/Aleene's®-Original-Tacky-Glue®/gc0040,default,pd.html

Next take your wired ribbon, cutting it to the length you would like the picture to hang.  Tie a bow in the middle and fluff it out... wired ribbon makes this SO easy!  Tie knots at the ends of the bow so you will have something solid to glue to the back of your frame.  The ribbon serves as the hanger for your frame.

Once the seashell has dried, flip the frame over and put a dollop of hot glue on one side of the frame and then press the knotted end into the glue until it has dried... DON'T BURN YOUR FINGERS! : )

Once you have both sides of your ribbon tails glued down, you are DONE.  See!  I told you it was quick & easy.  Now find a spot to hang, or pop it in a gift bag for your bestie!  I have also done the shell picture in frames that stand as you can see.  I have placed these creations around my house and paired them with some of my antique books (another one of my small pleasures) or sea colored decorative bottles I have found at crafts stores, or my 'water fountain' collection. : )  So calming, relaxing, and an instant trip to the Seashore.  I hope you will have fun making your own Seashore project.  Something simple, yet so Crazy beautiful.

Living, Loving and Laughing from the Seashore,

Patti

My Crazy SUMMERY 'B'UTIFUL SEABREEZE Christmas Tree!

Yes I am continuing with my themed tree idea- leaving the Christmas tree up in hopes that can decorate it for each holiday or season.  I loved my Easter tree, but alas, as I tend to procrastinate in putting my Christmas tree up, I did the same with my Easter tree.  BUT, yesterday was a day of inspiration and I decided to decorate my tree to reflect several of my favorite things: the ocean, collecting shells, and the beautiful place in which I live.   So after a quick trip to Michael’s (my fav place to shop), I was ready to go!  P.S.  Here in Pensacola, there are sites on the internet where you can print downloadable coupons- and you can use a coupon a day for the whole week if you like.  Just type Michael’s daily coupon into your search engine and then look for the latest coupon.  

If you would like to decorate with a Seaside theme here is what you will need~

• ·      Your Christmas Tree of course
• ·      A strand of WORKING lights… I did find these at Michael’s in the bridal aisle.
• ·      Sand Dollars
• ·      Star Fish
• ·      A Box of “Ocean Breeze” Potpourri… or something like it- mine contained shells, and starfish and other lovely sea items, and they smelled divine
• ·      A bag of Raffia
• ·      Any personal seashells you have collected!
• ·      A drill with a titanium bit
• ·      Aileen’s Tacky Glue

To start with, I drilled holes in all of the shells and the ‘potpourri balls.  You need a titanium bit to get through the shells, and for the most part I had great success without shattering but just one shell.   Use a solid object under the shells to drill~ I used an old book.  I did not drill the starfish, sand dollars, or pieces of driftwood.  

I just tied them on with the raffia!

Using a strand of raffia, double it, and then slide the looped end through the hole, just enough so you can push the other end through the loop and pull it tight to make a hanger!  Then tie with a bow on your tree…. SO EASY!   Let the ends dangle so you have raffia covering  your tree.

With the starfish, sand dollars, and drift wood, I just tied and knotted a piece of raffia around the object (the sand dollars have the little holes to make your loops~ just be gentle) and then tie onto the tree and make your bow!  Again, SO EASY!

With the perfumed balls… I did have the hole that I drilled.  I took a piece of raffia and doubled it, and tied a knot in the ‘doubled end’.  I stuffed the knot into the drilled hole and then secured with glue.  I allowed them to dry and then tied them onto the tree with the raffia and made another bow!

My topper was the left over raffia, which I allowed to dangle down the tree… so pretty.  This tree looks “BEACHY BEAUTIFUL” and smells divine with the potpourri sea creations!  I also love the many personal shells I hung, that I have collected over the years, and which bring back so many memories.  I put some of my favorite shells I have collected at the base, and a sea scent diffuser, as well as pictures I have made using shells and starfish.  (an cheap but great gift idea~ and another blog for another time!)

Now when I am teaching my violin lessons, I can take a quick peak at my tree, and think about my next trip to the beach which would be, let’s see, TOMORROW!

Loved the creative flow and today… off to the resale shops to find some more hidden treasures to recreate for my next blog!

"It is better to create than to learn! Creating is the essence of life."
~Julius Caesar

Hope you will find your creative streak today… it DOES THE SOUL SO MUCH GOOD!

Living, Laughing, and ABSOLUTELY LOVING my new Crazy Beach Tree!

Patti

Come Visit My CRAZY BEAUTIFUL BEACH~ PENSACOLA BEACH!

A CRAZY BEAUTIFUL DAY at Pensacola Beach!

Yes, the sand TRULY is sugar white, and the water some of the most beautiful blues, aquas and greens you can imagine.  The surf is calming and the cry of the sea gulls beautiful.

Welcome to Pensacola Beach, known as the 
'Home of the Sugar White Beaches". A few blogs ago, I loved taking you on a tour of Downtown Historic Pensacola, but I am now loving taking you on a trip to our beautiful beaches, as I visit with my kids and their friends.

Here is a great link to Pensacola Beach ~ where to stay,
 the many eateries and attractions in the area!

http://www.beachguide.com/PensacolaBeach/Info

I am not a ‘get in the water and swim’ type of gal.  I enjoy sitting on a blanket, or taking pictures, or playing in the sand, or searching for driftwood and seashells, and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, watching the kids play in the water.   After working up an appetite we head off to one of my favorite restaurants!

So grab your flipflops, your best sunscreen ~ no burning allowed ~ and a towel, and walk along the beach with me.

Pensacola Beach has many places on the Beach itself where you can stop and find some privacy and room to spread out.  I am going to just share what you will see as you visit our beach.  Here are some beautiful shots of the water and surf.   The colors of the water, never cease to take my breath away.  I love digging my toes in the cool sand, and then running to the water’s edge to be refreshed by a wave or two washing up my leg. 

I have to admit that I am a sucker for the seagulls.  There is NOTHING like watching them hang in the air, as if by a string, as they wait for a crumb of something to be thrown their way.  My kids get so irritated with me, but I always take something for my feathery friends, and then enjoy the ‘following' I have until we leave! : )

The kids  love to splashing and playing in the surf, running into the water, take silly pictures of each other.  There is nothing like spending a day at the beach with your friends.  Relaxing, listening to music, eating junk food  (that I feed to the gulls! Lol), and drinking cold sodas from the cooler.  Just being with my kids is one of those ‘play days’ I discussed several blogs ago.  I capture the essence of their youthful, carefree spirit, and it runs over me, and soothes me, and soon I am giggling with them as I enjoy the salt air, the sand and the sounds.

Before long, I am in pursuit of sea shells.  On this day, I found some small shells which are pictured here.  I love shells!  Like snowflakes, each is so individual and so beautiful.  I love the different shapes, sizes colors… and the driftwood… so pretty so uniquely shaped due to it’s time spent in the water and then on the sand.  I love to collect the smaller pieces. 

Pretty soon after soaking up the rays it is time to go eat, and one of my favorite beach eateries is “CRABS ~ We Got ‘EM”  Best seafood, for affordable prices, and the mini donuts with honey as a 'free appetizer; are the BOMB!  Great food, good prices, and a SPECTACULAR view of the water!

http://www.crabswegotem.com/

New to Pensacola Beach is Margaritavillle! 

Inspired by the lyrics and lifestyle of Jimmy Buffett, this is the perfect setting for guests who want to escape the everyday, engage their senses and make lasting memories. Anyone who has ever dreamed of escaping to a tropical island and sipping a margarita will enjoy being immersed in the Margaritaville experience at this hotel. I will be heading there next weekend when school ends!!!

The Margaritaville Beach Hotel in Pensacola Beach sits on over 800 feet of gulf-front property. An additional 800 feet overlooks the bay. The new beachfront hotel features ‘barefoot elegance’ with 162 newly appointed guest rooms, including 24 Corner King Executive rooms with wrap-around balconies.

http://www.margaritavillehotel.com/about.html

As you can see, I do live near one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. If you have not read my blog about the Downtown Historic District, I invite you to go back and check it out. Such a wonderful trip back in time to one of the oldest settlements in Florida. And then after you have read that, and seen the beaches, you will have TWO CRAZY, MARVELOUS reasons to come and visit Pensacola! And believe me,there is so much more to see. I am thinking I may need to take you along for a visit to the Naval Aviation Museum. A truly wonderful place to visit! The museum houses the world’s largest aviation collection. Located aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, this historic treasure boasts more than 150 beautifully restored aircraft, hands-on exhibits and more than 4,000 artifacts representing Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aviation.

http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/

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1. Until then I will be blogging about a new craft project or meal, or my next play day! I hope to see you again soon. If you come to Pensacola for a visit, I would love to dig my toes in the sand with you!

Living, Laughing, and Loving the beach life,

Patti

***FYI picnic is a great facebook app which allows you to photoshop your photos for free!

http://apps.facebook.com/picnik/?ref=bookmarks&count=0