Monday, September 22, 2014

Sand Pumpkins & My Sea Shell Obsession

 "Hello to Everyone!"
 I'm sure that most of you probably thought I dropped off the face of the earth, right? Well, actually, I've been totally enjoying my life living so close to the beach and I have become absolutely
 "addicted to shellin'!"
We have a lot of beautiful beaches nearby us, but our Oak Island is the best place to find some really beautiful shells around here. 


 Our screened in porch has become the place for me to display my growing collection of sea shells.

And to fit in with the tropical beach theme that our porch is now beginning to acquire, sand pumpkins seemed like a no brainer to me.

With no spray on glue in my supplies and my need to get my project done I opted to just brush on some mod podge and then dip it in some beach sand....two layers covered best.

Now, here's a look around the room at how I have displayed them.

  An aqua bottle, with some cotton rope that I wrapped around it's neck, holds an assortment of  "whelk" centers....I call them "swirls."

An old water jug holds sand and lots more swirls.

A peek inside.

Small "augers" fill a bottle and a "cockleshell."

These are some of my bigger "cockleshells," with speckled patterns in rust.

There's a trio in my rusty, wire candlescape.

And an assortment covers the soil of our patio palm adding a bit of interest to it's base.

A patio palm stands in one corner of the room.

This is our rear entrance into our Carolina room.

Of course I had to add a few shells to this wreath along with a few leaves for fall.

  "Whelks" are eagerly sought by shell hunters and quite a "score" when one is found!

The larger ones are my 6 inch beauties.

These are shiney, little "jingles" and are quite easily found.

An endless array of patterns can be found on scallops and are fun to collect.

Bits and pieces are displayed in a cast iron urn.



These are called "shark's eyes" or sometimes "fish eyes"....tiny ones are abundant, the bigger ones are much more scarce.

"Razors" are quite often overlooked. The smaller ones are delicate and quite easily broken. 

The larger 5 inch ones are harder to find.

Another corner with a table top vignette...

 with ocean barnacles on a plate of sand
  and below in a distressed wooden tote.

Some very special, Costa Rican, shells that were given to me from a friend are stashed in my little hanging cage.

Now, can you see why our porch is, by far, our favorite room in the house?

So, you see my fall decorating has begun....next, I'll be back to share our outside look and living room mantel with you.

  Love, Hugs and Kisses,



JP
and Gucci, too!



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Sunday, June 22, 2014

Vintage Yard Decor and No Sew Patriotic Denim Banner

I've been taking a break from crafting and blogging and enjoying the sun, our pool, the ocean, good food and good company. I've been getting some long overdue exercise with my buddy, Carolyn, at pilates, walking and some bike riding. Water aerobics is on my list this week, too :)
 Now, I'm back today to share this banner that I made for our Memorial Day gathering. It's gonna be perfect to use for the 4th of July and Labor Day, too!

Old jeans, craft paint, a few stencils, painter's tape, clothesline rope, and some red beaded trim from my stash, along with some hot glue, made my easy patriotic banner.

First, cut the fabric of your choice for your banner, then paint your stencil design. Then, simply fold the top edge of the denim over the roping and hot glue spacing each pennant evenly apart.....
No sewing at all!

Hot glue or use fabric glue to add your trim of choice into place.



 It's hanging out front of our house, now. It will stay up until after the 4th!

Now, here's a peek around the yard at some old antiques that I use for planting.

This is my old, "Fitchett Brother's" milk box from Poughkeepsie, NY.


These are our "No Sew Sit Upon's" that I made last summer. They really do cushion our butts on the hard, brick steps!










Even "Gucci" likes a cushion!
  


 My new wheels and lawn decor!



 I think our neighbor's see Gucci here a lot!

Well, I'll be back next week to share more of my new old bike with you. It's a vintage Hercules "klunker", as my sweet friend, Kathy, says...LOL!

  Love, Hugs and Kisses,



JP
and Gucci, too!



Visiting Southport,  N.C? be sure to stop by my booth @ the Northrop Antiques Mall and see what I may have there for you!

    
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