Elegant Shell Craft

Hello! I'm so glad you could join me today! I have something FUN!

I thought of this last year, started playing around with it at the beginning of the year, and you know how my year has been going LOL. I finally got back to playing with this, and really like the results!

You know my eldest daughter is an extraordinary paper crafter. She makes beautiful cards and scrapbook pages, and has been published many times, and has some new cards being published in a few months. I'm so proud of her! She has been nagging me for years to scrapbook and make cards. I can't cut a straight line to save my life! BUT I needed to try this thing....on shells. So I actually have been delving into the arts of paper crafting, and EMBOSSING!!!

I love the way it looks! They turned out great! It WORKS!

You CAN emboss on seashells :)

So pretty! I used Stampin'Up! Embossing Powder on these. Love the colors! Wild Wasabi and Tempting Turquoise. (I did NOT get freebies to endorse them...but  wouldn't mind if I did ;) Just sayin'! LOL)

All you need to do this: a heat embossing gun, Versamark stamp pad, stamps, and embossing powder. Oh, and shells. The more flat and smooth they are, the better.

I do love this, even the imperfections, and the natural growth lines in the shell come through the embossing where the lines are more pronounced. I used a gold embossing powder that I bought at JoAnn in an assorted package. I think this looks like it has been gold leafed.

I used copper from the same package on this seashorse. You can see a few bubbles on the seahorse shells, from overheating. A word of CAUTION: The shells get VERY HOT!  I lay mine on a ceramic tile that I also use for a paint pallet. Let it cool before you pick it up!

These would make nice ornaments, package tags, in shadow boxes, and I have a few more ideas.

This is one of the first that I played with. It is a single image, it shadowed in the photo for some reason. I took this one with my phone to text it to my daughter a few months ago. BUT. This is one that I used a different glue pad with. I wasn't happy with the miss spots. Versamark doesn't do this. How I wish I had known to use Versamark in the beginning! They didn't pay me either :P But you should know which is the best one to use, right?!

This is really FUN to do! When you see the embossing powder take on a shine, it just POPS! So pretty. So addictive!

No time for paper crafts today!
This post is long enough :D

Have you ever done any embossing? Do you think you'll do some now?

Whiling Away in Paradise

And that is exactly what I have been doing! Whiling Away in my own little tropical paradise : )

Welcome to several new followers! I apologize for my absence. The truth is that I have been sick...AGAIN lol. But such is the life of someone with Lupus :) Be Strong and Carry On!

Thanks so much to my dear blog buddies who have sent emails, cards, and have connected with me on Facebook :) Ya'll mean the world to me!!!

You really can't keep a good girl down, so no matter my ills and pains... I still manage to putter around, have fun, play, joke, and laugh, and mess around with Facebook. ( well, except when I had pneumonia, pleurisy, and costochondritis all at the same time! eeek!) I just didn't feel like blogging or anything :(
BUT when I felt mediocre I was puttering around and workin' on Paradise, and I was of course taking pictures. ( well, except when I had pneu...oh, see above lol)

I knew I wanted to share this when I felt better, and that day is here!

I have had a LOT of fun playing with the shell arrangement! This big Murex is the one I got last year for my birthday from Momma P. This is a mixture of bought and found shells, with dried orchid blooms.

There was one person in particular I thought of, and think of when I play with/look at this.

So pretty with all the purples and whites.

The Scotch Bonnet was a Gulf find. I have found a few now, to date...but my hubby has found more than I have. He's a Scotch Bonnet Magnet!

Love that little white sharks eye with the purple spiraled center! See it? It's to the right of the orchid.

Yeah, those are hubby's worm shells! :P He's a magnet for those, too! I'm sure glad he's on My Team :)

It's a fair trade :) He gets to be on my team when it's Fend for Yourself night. hehehe

I 'borrowed' the urchins from my Christmas decorations.

Love this angle, too! That is an awesome wormey!

I've done quite a bit of rearranging my shells around the house. Project Paradise is a work in progress, but we are certainly getting there!

I'm looking forward to sharing it with you!

AND

I have been playing with another craft, and can't wait to share that, too!

Oh, it's SO good to be back! I've missed ya's so much!

Oh, Those Silly Mustaches!

You know what I mean....they are everywhere. I do not see the fascination with this craze.

BUT, when a certain piece of seashell went into my pocket, I knew it would be the perfect mustache.

Even though I really have abhorred this fad for the last couple of years. Is it ever gonna end????

Not that I am jumping on this bandwagon......

I intend to keep this shell mustache! I think it would be fun as a pin....on my jacket :)

What a neat chunk of shell, huh?! It was shaped like a razor clam when I started. All the same width. A little manipulation and wallllllaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! I have a one of a kind mustache pin :{


What do you think of the mustache fad? I personally don't get the point. Maybe I'm too old, LOL!

Simply SEAsational! or SEASHELLtional!

Yesterday I said I'd show you something that you can do. There are lots of simple glue on seashell projects to do.

Just because I've been wanting to do it, and Laci hasn't been with me at the craft store to tell me not to buy things, I went ahead and made some coasters. (Laci has talked me out of buying these cork rounds for a year!) And they are CHEAP!

I bought the cork rounds, they also have squares with rounded corners. I wanted round.
I already had the glue (I like Quick Grip) and some small shells (I already had these!) and Viola (vwallaaa!) we have coasters.

Easy breezy! I would have done a whole tutorial, but it's really just gluing shells around the edge. I used a toothpick (okay, more than one, there ARE 6 coasters!) to spread the glue around the edge of the shells. Just place your shells around the edge first before you start gluing to make sure they will fit. I also didn't want to get glue on the camera, cause I somehow always get glue on my fingers! Even when using toothpicks. 

I am working on a custom order, and a really cool statement necklace....and looking for my next crafty thing to make ;)

I'm really looking forward to the weekend though! How about you?

New projects

I finally got around to crossing some things off my ideas board! It feels so good to have completed a few of my projects.

One of them, a vintage Mother of Pearl Leaf Brooch has been on my board for close to a year. I bought it when my friend DeEtte was here last April. I had an idea of what I wanted to do with it, but it was difficult to decide what kind of shell to use. I came across a lightly colored, and still naturally shiny olive shell that was the perfect size. I happened to have some charms laying out at the same time recently, and it just came together.

This would look so awesome on a scarf, lapel, jacket pocket, vest, a blouse... and I can see it on a denim jacket too. So Cool! Yep, you know I love it! If I didn't, you wouldn't be seeing it, right?! It IS a keeper, but it's here in my Etsy shop.

The theme is Olive Shells apparently :D

I've been wanting to do this forever!

This is my Seashell Bolo Tie!

What a cool old Olive Shell!
Broken, tossed, and tumbled smooth through the waves and across the ocean floor for who knows how many years. My grandpa wore bolo ties when he dressed up :D

I think they give an air of sophistication. Anyone can wear a regular neck tie, but a man who wears a bolo has a real sense of self. My papaw knew he was a handsome devil, and he dressed to the nines! I think he would have loved my Bolo Tie, and would have looked so good in it....or ...it would have looked so good on him.

I do have another big Olive like this for another one, but I want less decorative ends for the next one. I also have some smaller olives with the top broken out, and smoothed by the surf and sand. One is already being used in something, but it isn't finished. I'm waiting for supplies. Again. Sigh.

I do have a bunch of new supplies to work with still, while I'm waiting for this one in particular. A pile of shells is waiting to be drilled, my work area is pretty tidy, so it's time to mess it up again!

I crossed something else off of my board, and it's something any mermaid would delight in.....

but that is another post!

Framed Seashells

On Sunday we were planning on going on a little outing, but the weather was so nasty we decided to stay in and do some little projects around the house.

I started to organize my craft room, and ran across some frames I had put away before Christmas, with the intention of doing something with them when I had time.

I have to make time for things, because I never have spare time on my hands. I'm always doing or making something.

The frames were kinda ugly...

so I hit them with a few coats of bronze spray paint.

I needed an insert, like a backer board...

I cut cardboard to fit inside, coated it with tacky glue, and dusted them with sand.

I chose 3 appropriate sized matching shells...

and sprayed them with high gloss sealer.

My little project was coming together!

and there it is!

and I still have room to add a little something.

The longest part of the project was the drying times. Very simple, very easy!

Now I have to make the time to finish my list of projects, and it's pretty long.

First, I better get my crafty space ready to store more shells!

In the Spirit of Christmas

Do you believe in angels? I do! Each and every one of us has our very own guardian angel(s).....which led me to creating this.

I think she is sweet!

and just what I need to remind me that my guardian angel is always there!

I was taking a break from working on my big jingle project (which is going to take forever) and just happened to have these wings....and my seashell angel was born.

I have been incredibly fatigued for the last couple of weeks, and trying my best to hide it. I thought it might be nicer if I shared with you the reason I am being so slow about getting things done. All I want to do is sleep! I'm normally quite an insomniac, but I have slept more the last 2 weeks than I have for the last 2 months!  All of my decorating is going slow, but I am s l o w l y getting it done.

I have one curtain finished, and one to go! I'm hoping to get up the energy to make the other one today, and then move on so I can take some pics for you!

Since I'm feeling so very crappy, I really need my guardian angel.

Do you believe in angels?

Del

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving preparations are in full swing,
I'm running around doing all kinds of things!

Dishes and decorations are falling into place,
Pretty things and smells are filling the space!

Organizing and planning down to the last detail,
There isn't even time to sit for a spell!

Turkey and stuffing, cakes and pies,
A feast for the mouth, as well as the eyes!

A time to give thanks for all we hold dear,
I have a lot to be thankful for all year!

Sharing our bounty with family and friends,
I hope you enjoy this four day weekend!

Hello! I am hoping to squeeze in one more post before Thanksgiving...
I'd like to show you around my place, cause everything really is falling into place!
But in case I can't, I'll leave you with this.....
just know I'm thinking of you, and I surely wish.....
that you all have a Happy Thanksgiving,
and enjoy your favorite dish!

I'll be back, you can bet,
you haven't seen anything yet!
I'll have more crafty seashell style,
and I'll be back in a little while!

I didn't forget about the jingle shells,
I'm gazing upon them right now!
I really can't wait to share them with you,
I'll get a chance in a day or two!

If I don't see you before then....
Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving Weekend!

Del

Everything's Coming Up Roses... Seashell Rose Rings That Is!

I had a eureka moment a few days ago, and I had to pull out my shells, and epoxy. This little light bulb lit up over my head, and I couldn't turn it off until I did what I needed to do!

Now don't go imagining that I glued shells together to resemble roses. I'm not that kind of shell crafter. I wish I was, but at this time, I'm not. Maybe someday!

Maybe I should just stop rambling and show you what I did. It was really simple. Too simple really.

Look very closely and you will see that those are 2 different rings, 2 different shells. The one above is slightly larger, and the one below the tip of the shell extends further down the stem. I didn't dare drill these. They are really thick for such a tiny shell, and I was afraid of breaking them. But I wanted to use them so very badly! So, now I have shell rose rings!

These turned out cute, too! You are going to start calling me the crazy shell lady for sure....if you don't already! LOL!

and since I had a couple more of those little calico scallops laying out....

I told you it was too simple! I do LOVE the results. Too cute! Now, I'm waaaaaay to old for these seashell hairpins, but I can see them in a younger woman's hair.  Well....they might be cool in an older woman's up do hair do....I could do that! Like in a gorgeous up do braid. Those are so elegant!


I may just grow a tail and fins after all :D

I hope you have an AWESOME Friday!

Until next time....
Del

Seashell Saturday

Good morning beachy friends and seashell lovers!

It has been a beautiful week here in central Florida with plenty of sunshine, and lower humidity! This is perfect weather for me :)

It was definitely perfect weather for the Food & Wine Festival at Epcot! I didn't have a pair of earrings to match my outfit (can you believe that???) so I made a pair right before we left yesterday morning.

I am so glad I had the option, and the ability to do that on the spur of the moment! I'll tell ya about the festival next week ;D

I ordered a couple of styles of bookmarks, and had a chance to play around with one of the mermaid bookmarks-

I like this one, but I have another idea for the next one.

Back in August during my whirlwind redecorating fling, I had an idea to make a seashell mirror. I was actually contemplating surrounding my huge bathroom mirror with shells (I've changed my mind). I did order some shells I can't find here, but may make a smaller mirror instead, or use them for something else. I haven't decided yet, but thought I'd show you the shells I got for the project. I sure didn't want to use just my found shells, and I'm a little stingy about what I use them for. Bought shells are easier to use for just any ole' craft.

I love fan shells, they are big and take up some space...I have a few of these in my Christmas ornaments.

These were labeled "frog" shells.

and some nice spiral turitella shells.

When I was crafting my candle, and making some new beachy decorations, I remembered something I saw on HGTV or Crafters Coast to Coast ( which later became That's Clever). I have been wanting to make these for years!

I frosted the lampwork beads to make them look like sea glass. I'm lovin' these little tea lights!

Last week I was looking around for a dress made with seashell fabric, or fabric to make one. I stumbled upon this gorgeous dress on Ebay!

Isn't it lovely? and so ME?! Too bad the images were from 2008, and was sold :(
I would love to find some of this fabric!!!

While looking through my files, I ran across my birthday present from my son, and I have to share it with you. He's very talented using PAINT, the program.

I have a few ideas for this, and have played around with it a little.

I wish I could figure out the exact font and color he used! I guess I could ask him. I love this, and think he did a great job depicting me!

I have taken some time to start stringing that necklace with the Olive shell (finally) but haven't had as much time as I want to spend on it. It was a crazy week at my house to say the least!

I did get to check something off my Bucket List this week! Visit Epcot/Disney World.
(Thanks Shae!!!!!)
It was my 1st time yesterday! Crazy!...since I'm a native.... but Universal/Islands of Adventure is the place to go for the great rides. We used to have season passes!!! (Another gift from Shae!)

I am in a great mood, can't ya tell?!

It's going to be a great day!

YOU have a great Saturday too!

Love,
Del