Wordless Wednesday

Shell Crafts

These are my shell angels that I make every year. The smaller ones are the shells that I've found on the beach. I have different size pearl beads that I use depending on the shell size.

And a better addition to my new sea urchin "jelly fish". I still have to make more sea urchin "snowmen". I have enough shells, I better start glittering!

I usually have on my tree some sand dollars that we found and decorated too, they are packed away right now.

I also made some night lights. I have one in my kitchen with a sand dollar on it.

Here is a sea urchin shell that I bought at The Green Turtle. It's a different variety, a lot larger shells than the ones I found. The natural opening is large enough to put the bulb in through.

I originally got this shell to make a candle out of. These we can find at our beach at times.

A large scallop shell, usually have do dive for them.
A blogger friend said I should take more photos of Tucker. Well, I have plenty, but didn't want to post too many. I took this the other day just for Phyrra! This is his "do you have anything for me?" look, "are you sure? I'm just sitting here watching"

Why I don't do Christmas card photos...

My older sister was married way before I was. My younger sister got married probably five or six years before me (not really sure) but for years ahead of me they were able to send photos as cards or with their Christmas cards, they were adorable! My cousins and friends also did this, and one cousin's wife, well and others would write the yearly update letter. It's amazing how accomplished their family was and how active their kids were. Of course they had the flair to put it down so cleverly in words, and copied on such festive paper. Well intimidating as this was, by the time I was married and had one child I thought it would be a nice thing to do. Now I have experience in photography, took a lot of photos throughout the years. I had my 35mm that I controlled all the settings...shutter speed, aperture, film speed etc... piece of cake!
This is the cards that I bought to put the photo in. (I actually had to cut the wrapper open today to scan it!) So just to give you an idea! If anyone wants them I'll send them to you, never been used.
Aren't they just the cutest? This was 1987. I think there were some earlier ones, this is what I found.

Oh, another one in 1988...and she had three kids to line up! She sent these for years, even with them all grown. Can't wait to see this years with Ryan married and with a baby of his own.

My little sisters girls. Now I see you don't always have to have a Christmas theme if you get an adorable photo during the year and remember where it is. Even on a beach on Lake Michigan will turn out great!

But the in front of the Christmas tree ones, you can't beat it! She also sent these through the years. The girls are older here so that should be a snap, but look how nice the dog is sitting!

So with all this in mind, but the first Christmas she was 1 month old, and I haven't a clue what I did. The next year, a great picture...

but a little late!

Okay, lets decorate the chair in Christmas fabric next to the tree...perfect!

again, oops, again!

Okay, this year lets try one outside with the dog. Again Christmas decorations for that special touch. Oh, she forgot to smile, hey Tucker, over here!

Tucker, look, oops, too late you moved.

Oh good they're both looking at the camera, well... I got most of her face!

Next year back inside. Yes, nice one!

There you go, nice smile! nice pose! (may I remind you I only have one child)

Uh, no! Get some shoes on, and pick up your mess!

Okay it's getting easier, now that she's getting older.

It's easier, but I still didn't take the pictures in time to get them in the cards. We didn't have a digital camera, where you can check then take some more. That's what we end up doing for Maranda's annual front porch birthday picture! Take some pics, run in check on the computer, run back out get camera on tripod (Wade's really not good at taking photos at all). We ran in and out, on the tripod, off the tripod I think four times before we were satisfied with a photo to put in her album. Next year I'll post all those photos, from 1 year old to 16!

I do have tons of photos of her just being herself. When I took them I was so frustrated that she always had a funny look this way or that. Now going through them to scan her old pictures, they are all adorable. It really shows her personality. My dad always says the best photos are the natural ones, not the one where they are sitting, posing, smiling for the camera, but aren't those the ones you always get in the Christmas cards? Except from me!

So I leave you with a photo my dad took of us three girls and two of our cousins as we are watching The Wizard of Oz.

Happy Christmas card writing! I better get started.

Wordless Wednesday

Sea Urchin Ornament #2

My friend called me last night to tell me to try to make these "jellyfish" Ornaments with my sea urchin shells. She saw someone on Martha do it, but I guess she used tinsel. Now I had most of the stuff except for the ribbon that I wanted to use instead of tinsel. I think the wired ribbon which is slightly translucent works well. Too bad it didn't photograph well at all. I was kind of rushed to make it before the sun set too far. I had to run out to Michael's after work, and of course we had a staff meeting, so I didn't have much time to let things dry. I think I'll take the pink beads off and take my time to decorate it a little better and the fine snow glitter didn't show up much, but I think you can get the idea. Boy these were hard to photograph!

I also just put glittered sea urchin shells over my tiny glob lights on my tree. The natural design of the shells are beautiful by themselves. If I can capture that on film...er...in a photo I'll post it.

Sea Urchin Ornaments

We like to walk the beach often and when the weather is cooler we go more often. You never know what you are going to find. I don't know what it is that "dumps" certain sea life on the beach. The weather, time of year, currents, I just don't know, maybe I'll look into that. Anyway last January when Wade was running on the beach he told me that there were a ton of sea urchins. So when we went to the beach that evening for sunset to collected some. Then Maranda and I went the next week in the morning to collect some more, we couldn't believe how many were there. When we get them they still have most of their quills on them, so we look for the ones that most have fallen off. They are already dead, so we have to take them and clean them up. I make sure they are dry by letting them set in the sun. Then it easier to work with them. I do use bleach to make sure they are nice and clean.

When they were setting on the tack box drying, Maranda noticed the sizes and put them onto snowman. So the idea to make them into Sea Urchin Snowman came into play.

First I use some watered down glue and paint it on the shells, then sprinkle with snow glitter. Then I get some small ribbon and thread it through the natural holes in the shells. I put a large bead that will hold it inside the bottom one so it won't slip through. Using beads I glue on the eyes and nose. Glue the three sections together, and add a ribbon scarf. I am still trying to figure out what to use for a hat.

For My Daughter

To my lovely daughter Maranda
I just have this to say
Have a very happy birthday
On this your special day


Oftimes you drive me crazy
It's like living in a zoo
You're a lazy, untidy so and so
BUT I REALLY DO LOVE YOU


Despite your found teenage-itis
Happy 15th Birthday
Lot’s of Love From Mom and Dad

Happy Birthday even though it is on BLACK FRIDAY!

I've added what I commented in the comments, because some of my family doesn't read them. I just wanted to put it here too: Maranda really is a sweet, kind hearted, well mannered girl that wouldn't say a mean word to anyone (well except maybe her mom). She's not your typical only child - teenager, she doesn't ask for much (of course she has most things). She is always concerned about "not wanting to talk me into things" (don't worry she can't do that). She will hold doors for strangers, and I've always gotten complimented on her behavior when we were out in public or at restaurants (once she got past that "tantrum" stage). She doesn't give me too much attitude, but she has perfected the "look", and the "what?" and "I will" with just the right (or wrong) tone.

Oh, and if anyone can help me get her to clean her room, please help.....email me!!!!