I love shells! I love the beach!!

I'm building my own beach!!
 

I have been posting allot about what to do with shells lately...maybe forever!  I hope you check out my Facebook page because I keep finding  more things to do with shells.  I am enjoying finding more to do with shells but especially what else can I do to make my home as beachy as possible without living on the beach.

Above picture is from the fall of 2009 when I first moved in.  Sometimes I wonder if I should have left well enough alone!  But that isn't me, and so slowly but surely, I keep trying to get something done.

You don't have to live on the beach, although there is nothing like it, but love to have that beach feeling.  I am lucky enough to live in Florida where the seasons are adaptable for growing almost year 'round.  I have done pretty well without totally losing most of my plants and most came back.  But if you're not living in an area that stays warm most of the time, get what will grow and/or put plants in pots that you can bring inside for a harsh winter.  My sister has a green thumb and has such luck with beach grasses on Long Island.  They just keep on growing!

I so wish I could get my front to grow and look like that!  But I still try.

As I try to get plants to grow, there are other ways that I keep trying to bring the beach home, and you can too!  I've shown you some of these pictures before:   making my beach front

But making my beach front has been a long time coming.  It has been so hot and humid that I haven't spent much time outside at all.  I go out, basically, only when I had to and did as little as possible.  That's just reality.  When you go out and pull weeds and all you hear is your joints cracking, it isn't a good sound...then my legs got so wobbly.  It does look so nice after weeding but it takes me so darn long.  

I was so excited that ACE Hardware in Titusville started selling bags of shells but it has been slow getting the front ready.  My bags of shells are still in the back of my truck!

So, a little at a time, I've been going out to pull weeds.. try to wrap a vine that's growing around the hitch; clean up pine needles and pine cones; and trying to figure out if I should move what mulch is there and move some stone I put down.  But I have decided to worry about it when I get to that point.

It's getting there.... came out in the morning with the dog.  The only way I can describe her is that she was walking slow and on tippy toes towards the front.  It wound up that a woman that lives behind  me decided to pull some weeds for me!  OK by me.

I spray painted the slats at the bottom with blue... that's my water.  I started getting my 'dune fence' as close to the house and used tie wraps to secure it.  I started at the right corner and ready to attach at the back corner at the hitch.  The left above still needs to be racked out.

I just pray for breaks in the humidity to  get it done and finished soon.  I am looking forward to it being done.

what a difference!

 
Saturday, my brother-in-law participated and finished the NYC Iron Man.  After the swim and during the bike ride portion, I felt bad that he was doing all of this in New York's humidity and I was just watching.  So, being nicer than it's been, I went out to do what I could and got all the shells down except for one bag...I just couldn't lift and hold it anymore.  I'll put the other bag down tomorrow and hopefully have a better idea of how many more bags I'll need.  I really like it allot!

 This (above) is 5 bags of the medium Conquina shells and I have one bag of small shells left in the car.  I know I need at least 6 more bags ...maybe even 10-12 more for coverage and depth.

I was going to use black trash bags as a barrier, but it was suggested it may be too dark.  I had a clear plastic role of tarp and that covered most of the front.  As you can see, for the most part I used it doubled.  I then used white trash bags to the left.

Just for your information:

Each bag is 100% nature recycled landscape shell; alternative to mulching.  No additives, no chemicals, won't float away, doesn't fade, natural source of calcium and other minerals; Only 1" of depth needed.  1/2 Cubic Foot;  6 square feet coverage area for each bag @ 1" deep.  30 pounds each bag.

Great way to beautify your:

gardens, walkways, planters and more.

There you have it, until I pick up more shells this week.  I am liking it a lot! Besides that, I am motivated to do things outside again.  

Stay tuned for the journey to my beach and have a flip flop day!! 

Tropical Island Living

Have you ever fantasized about leaving everything behind and running away with just a suitcase to a deserted island?

"sometimes a fantasy is all you need..." Billy Joel

  
Check out this article about:   Tropical Island Living

Then when you're done you just may want to create your own oasis!

ENJOY THE JOURNEY!! 

Easy to-do from Nate's show

I am always looking for easy inexpensive ways to change things up.  I seem to want to tackle things that are harder, which is where I get frustrated because I usually don't have the tools I need.

 I usually watch The Nate Show on a daily basis.  It comes on CBS at 3 p.m. which is usually rest time.




Easy do-over ideas:

1. gift wrap over foam core boards cut to size for the back of bookcases, cabinets, drawers
2. ribbon around a lamp shade; I want to get about a 2 inch wide canvas ribbon to stencil on and update my living room shades
3. runner
4. paint...flat for walls and ceilings (Nate's pro) 2 coats
5. if redoing everything in a room: thrift wood furniture - easy to personalize and made to last.
6. no sew: wrap and tuck fabric, a sweater around a pillow and use a belt, ribbon, cord, rope to 'tie the package'
7. recover kitchen/dining room chair cushions with shower curtain; they are made to resist and clean up with damp cloth.

#1.  I didn't use foam core board on my bookcase but I like the idea and may just switch over, one of these days.  When I did this, I just laid the back on the floor, taped the maps and then nailed the back on.

#5.  I have found some great thrift finds as well as a couple of great dumpster finds.  They are made from wood and all have been sturdy enough, but wood can always be glued, nailed, reinforced, sanded and painted!

this wasn't more than $15 at SPCA Thrift; I covered it with maps of
Florida on the top, drawers and 2 sides. I wrapped the handles
with jute string.  Perfect storage in the bath room.

I had this.  It is now a stand for my printer.

I love how this turned out!
It's the drawer on printer table.

dumpster kitchen table
and thrift store chair $15







dumpster table



I had the lazy susan and painted it.

$1 at SPCA Thrift Store
It started off in the bathroom but now is
at home in the living room.

I will attempt to do this again and will follow the directions as I included in this post for you to follow:  Mistake...My attempt at decorative twine!    If you follow the directions, you can have the look of the first picture.  If one the other hand, you do what I did, you will wind up with something like the second picture!!

So there are some ideas to try, if you haven't already.  Most of all, have fun!  Have fun even when it doesn't turn out the way you expected!!

Making of a Mermaind sign!

I was going to do this free hand but opted to pull out the stencils instead.  Then I printed out this mermaid from The Graphics Fairy.  She's holding a cute little seal.  I hope it still looks like a seal when I'm done!

The top says: Mermaid Rest.  I think this is going on my bathroom door.  I'm still trying to figure out what I am doing to the door.

Anyway, I started with a 36 inch x 3 inch hobby wood (I think it's balsam wood?) I cut it almost in half with a razor.  Glued it together with E-6000 glue.  I used the stencils and a pencil to spell out "Mermaid Rest".  I then positioned the print out on the board and used painters tape to secure it; and just traced over the mermaid pushing firmly to leave a groove in the wood.

 I then use a black permanent marker to trace over everything to be able to see it.  (This may have been a mistake.)  I used a stencil to outline the stars, hoping they will look like starfish at the end.  (we'll see.)

I wrote inside the stars.

Again, using painters tape, I taped it roughly in thirds, but did no measuring.  I sanded the glue in the center.  I used a pickled white in the middle and driftwood for the two sides.  I did the same on the back.

NOTE TO SELF:  Self, the next time, bring it inside right away to dry.  Stain does not dry well in the heat and humidity! ~me

After a few hours outside and still getting stain on my fingers, I brought it in to hopefully help it dry. The black "permanent" ink seemed to run in the white stain. (that's what may have been my mistake.  Stain first, stencil and use marker after.)

 I got an idea from The Lord of the Things 's Mermaids.  He uses caulk... you have to go check his page out.  His work is unbelievable and inspiring!!  I love it. 

Anyway, I used caulk and a plastic fork to do her hair, scales on her body, the fins of the baby seal, his whiskers, and a little on his back.  Now, I have to be patient and let it all dry.

still need work on that seam.

OK Self, I think it was a BIG mistake to use E-6000 glue on this project. I think any other glue would have been a better but most probably should have used WOOD GLUE!! duh!!   

I now will be trying to scrape off as much as I can and possibly re-glue... we'll see.  Oh, it still feels like tacky glue and the stain along that line just comes off on my fingers when I touch it! darn!!

I sanded and scraped off the glue and with it came some stain but as I was working on it, I realized I probably should have stained last or had the patience to stain and let dry in a non-humid place, maybe a couple of days.  But that didn't happen so I'm working with what I have.


I used a green glitter pen to outline the seaweed above here hair; a gold glitter pen around the caulk of her hair. Then mixed a dark brown, white and yellow to pounce her hair.   I'm not sure my baby otter looks like an otter, so I may will be working on him.  After painting her body, I used another glittered aqua paint for depth and highlights, and started to use it to outline the stars and letters.


If to do it over, after tracing everything in pencil, I would have started painting.  I was anxious to see the difference between the two stains on bare wood; to get an idea of what I'd like to use on new plank floors (in the future).  I still don't know. 

I think I might also paint over the writing in the stars and work on it to be more starfish-like...and use the caulk for depth and texture.  For now, I have to let everything dry again!

I did the stars over...caulk and paint...

It's these little kind of crafts I love on hot days or days after I've pushed to much physically.  If I were to do this over, I'd do it differently  but every time I go back to work on it, I try to make it better.  But I like it and I love the sitting and creating...and it's mine!  My next sign is "Paradise Found" with palm trees for my bedroom door...if I ever finish this one!

I worked a bit on the baby seal and I think he is looking better.  I used the aqua glitter paint to add a water and wave look. I added some silver glitter to the starfish for some glistening look.

 I am going to trim with rope and give it an easy hanger... and of course add shells.  I'm just not sure about it's finishing!

 I trimmed the sign with rope, gave a quick coat on and off of the pickled white stain (I wouldn't do that again), repainted letters. glued on shells with caulk and painted the white caulk with dabs of aqua glitter paint, tied a knot with rope and the scissors is kinda holding it in place to dry.

almost done

I think I want to do some more...

What I did learn:

• Do all the staining FIRST!
• Then use pencil only to use tracing stencils and cut outs; don't use the marker or actually use stencil and paint;
• Use the caulk to outline and embellish;
• Use real star fish instead of star stencils; 
• DON'T use stain over the paint and glitter; it takes away the vibrancy of the colors and looks kinda dull; 
• Do better with lining up the middle (knot off centered).

Either way you do it... HAVE FUN!  It's one of a kind and made by you!!

hung on the bathroom door

Still want to do something to the door, but I don't know what yet!

Once upon a time...

Once upon a time, members of my family traveled from the old country to the new country, America. My mother's, mother's mother's family were Bohemian from Czechoslovakia, which is now the Czech Republic.  Prague is the Capital and largest city in the Czech Republic.  There is just so much history there and that history belongs to my family too.  My Great-Grandfather (Irish) called my Great-Grandmother a Gypsy!


In 2005, my sister, Maria and I went to Prague for a long weekend.  I'm not sure why she would let me book the trip.  I've never been overseas and wound up booking a 13 hour layover in London on the way back, but we took advantage of it as best we could.


We had a great suite in Prague and from our window we could see Prague Castle...which we had to find once we got there.  And we did!!  The following is a 5 minute slide show of pictures mostly within the grounds of the Prague Castle.  (as I find more pictures, I will share them with you.) Click this link to see:      A Rainy Day in Prague

The painting I bought became my inspiration in the cottage kitchen  I was living in on Long Island and once again the inspiration for the kitchen here.

There was a market place along the way and we both bought paintings.  I bought this one because it reminded me of "US" sharing time in Prague and the buildings around.

In addition to my trip to Prague, my other Great-Grandmother was from Paris, France and I got to spend some wonderful time in Pennsylvania at her home and later. 

Between all of that, I had dishes and glasses from both Czechoslovakia and France, and it became my "old" world charm of the kitchen.  I also had shopped the Czech Republic and working at Linens 'n Things I was able to get the Gothic mirrors, and Beall's Outlet I got a Gothic cross. 

Here is another slide show of  some of my kitchen elements.  If ever you are looking for a theme, there are so many to choose from, but consider your family heritage and those things that may only come out for special occasions or holidays.  Take out your china, drink out of wine glasses... you get my drift.

bowl on display

Odd old and newer pieces on display

dinner and salad plate on display

Sometimes a wine bottle label hits you.  I had to get this one and the wine was good too!

I recently found the Gothic cross, looped brown ribbon and hung there.  It won't stay there but it was a must have.

Toys from Czech Republic, wine glasses from Germany

This isn't what I was looking for but it still says what I'm thinking:

I found the words below and a YouTube video here for you to watch and listen.

 Wake up to the sunlight with your windows open   Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken Wear your red dress, use your good dishes Make a big mess and make lots of wishes
And have what you want But want what you have And don't spend your life looking back
Turn up the music, turn it up loud Take a few chances, let it all out 'Cause you won't regret it
Looking back from where you have been 'Cause it's not who you knew And it's not what you did, it's how you live
So, go to the ballgames and go to the ballet And go see your folks more than just on the holidays Kiss all your children, dance with your wife Tell your husband you love him every night
Don't run from the truth 'Cause you can't get away, oh no Just face it and you'll be okay
Turn up the music, turn it up loud Take a few chances and let it all out 'Cause you won't regret it
Looking back from where you have been 'Cause it's not who you knew And it's not what you did, it's how you live
Oh, wherever you are and wherever you've been Now is the time to begin
So, give to the needy and pray for the grieving Even when you don't think that you can 'Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you So, think of your fellow man
And make peace with God And make peace with yourself, oh yeah 'Cause in the end there's nobody else
Turn up the music, turn it up loud Take a few chances and let it all out 'Cause you won't regret it
Looking back from where you have been 'Cause it's not who you knew And it's not what you did, it's how you live
'Cause it's not who you knew And it's not what you did, it's how you live

Read more: POINT OF GRACE - HOW YOU LIVE LYRICS http://www.metrolyrics.com/how-you-live-lyrics-point-of-grace.html#ixzz22WVbYwa3
Copied from MetroLyrics.com

 As I shop, I must confess, I still look for things that would go with my heritage kitchen. I've picked up a heavy weight wine glasses to use everyday at the Dollar Tree; and orange ceramic bowl at the thrift store; the French tablecloth made in France at the thrift store for a dollar!!  


So many people redecorate their kitchens and dining rooms.  Those rooms to me spark memories of family gatherings around the table.  What better rooms to bring out the family heritage, traditions and memories that the kitchen and/or dining room?!  Use and display what you have, including old photos, and fill in the blinks.


And as I look around the kitchen, I can still hear my Gramma Blanche calling me "Mlle tout tactile"  which means Miss Touch Everything!

Stuff...

Whenever I think about my stuff, I can't help but think about George Carlin's Stuff!!  I've had my stuff in storage, stuff in an apartment, stuff in a bigger house, back into an apartment and now stuff in a shed.

Before I moved to Florida, I left a 3 bedroom cottage in a U-Haul truck.  I took what ever would fit in the truck and in my car (which I towed behind).  Whatever didn't fit, I left behind.  I still had stuff packed in the apartment closets that I gave away after moving in and when I moved out of the apartment, I donated to a local organization. Now I still have stuff, and once in a while I regret things that I don't have but I survive!

I remember when my sister came to visit me in the apartment, I said to her, "you can sit down", and she said "there are so many things to see".  She was interested in my 'dog gallery'... one of my favorites.

So anyway, as I work on making this my home, I seriously think about what I want... what I want to feel, what I want it to convey and feel like to ours.  I want most  of all to feel and be happy!  I have been accomplishing that with color, so far.  But I've also used themes too that are important to me.

For example, my kitchen's theme is focused around a rainy weekend in Prague with one of my sisters and our Bohemian heritage.  Although it was a rainy weekend, I chose yellows as my primary colors to brighten things up.  I am happy with how it turned out.  Among others, there is a lot of Gothic architecture in Prague.  The Gothic elements I did use, stand out against the yellows.  The only elements used in the kitchen were "kitchen things" and "Prague things".  If it didn't have to do with one or the other, I took it out.  That is how my "lost shaker of salt" stayed there because salt goes in the kitchen!

my "lost shaker of salt"

As the kitchen opens up into the living room, I wanted to carry the yellow kitchen ceiling onto the living room ceiling and a color for the walls that would coordinate with yellow.  I still wanted it to be bright but also very happy.  

When picking out a theme, it was easy enough, as I've always lived close to the water and the beach is my favorite place.  Coming from up north, my decor had more elements that I'd consider nautical and wanted to infuse more tropical elements but still focused around the beach.  I used some sayings to keep positive, family photos, and beach pictures I've taken.

My bathroom is decorated around the accessories I bought just before I moved called, "Beach Memories".  It is made up of photos of children on the beach, and there are a few pictures of my own that I want to add.  That is how my map covered dresser wound up with a map of Florida and photos taken in different areas of Florida.
Beach Memories ~ My Bathroom 

My home may not be any one else's style, and no one else has to like it, but besides myself, when you walk in I want you to feel comfortable enough to be barefoot with sandy toes.  While someone may find my thrown drop cloth over my sofa sloppy, I find it adds to the comfy casual look I'm going for, as well as the quilt over  my chair.

I am using colors of outside on the inside:

• SUN: yellows 
• WATER: aqua, turquoise, blues
• SHELLS, SHELLS, and more SHELLS
• CORAL and FLOWERS

As I wait for things to grow and colors to bloom outside, I have been infusing color outside with different elements like chairs, pink flamingos,  flower pots, shell top tables, lights on the palm tree, shells in the garden, shells in pots...

Left on my to do list is: 

•  painting the hallway, probably yellow just to brighten it up with a gallery wall on one side and built in shelves on the other. 
• the washer and dryer are in the hallway and besides shelves above them, I want it to look "better"!
• my bedroom:  I don't know if I want to paint a color or not; as I am going tropical in there, I have decided on a bamboo fence for behind the bed; and that is as far as I've gotten.
• my spare room started off as an office as such but has become a catch all.  I have to redo the floors, which means a lot of moving things around.  I'd like to set it up for crafts to do in the heat and a day bed for just in case.
• I still want to do more outside, but that is a little at a time.
• There are still bags of shells to be put out!
• And there's that stuff in the shed!  To unpack, decide and organize!

It's all about stuff.  There comes a time when you have to decide how much stuff do you need to live comfortably and which stuff can you do without.  That's where I'm at... clearing out my stuff.

Break time...

It's not that  haven't been working on blogging; I have been writing just not posting.  I am working on them, they just aren't done or ready for posting.  

But when I look back over the month of July, I covered allot of make overs and projects that aren't done.  More the month of August, I am going to concentrate on those things!  In return, it will finish up some of my posts.

My July posts started on the first, with this post, which you can read and click newer posts to go through the month, if you missed anything.

The weather has been so hot and humid and today's storm arrived early.  I thought it was raining at first but it was just the wind whipping around... then rain.  It's quiet right now.

But I AM missing the beach!  I'm missing just standing there...realizing that I am so small along side of such a giant ocean spanning out as far as I can see.  I miss the sound, the smell, and feeling of great peace I get right there.  It's that feeling of leaving everything else behind.  I hope you will keep in touch on Facebook in the meantime and we'll catch up soon.