whale ornament diy

November 20, 2015

For Friday field trip today, I am sharing instructions on how I created my first ornament design for holiday 2015 to coordinate with my sea glass theme…a whale! And, I made him in a sea glass shade!

I started by drawing a whale outline on a thin piece of scrap cardboard. I used the cardboard as a template to cut out the shape of the whale from the clay. If you are not big on drawing, you can certainly find a pattern online to print out and trace.

Once I had my template completed, I prepared the clay. Softening the clay in my hands, I formed it into a ball and rolled it out with a rolling pin, as I would for cookie dough, to a ¼” thickness. Then, using my template as a guide, I cut out the whale shape using a dull knife. I added a hole in the top of the ornament using a straw – this is where I would add my wire for hanging. Following the directions on the package of the clay, I baked the shape in the oven.

Whale Ornament Supplies Needed:
• Modeling clay, 1 -2 oz. per ornament – will vary depending on size of ornament (my whale is 4” x 1 ½”) I used FIMO in the desired color for finished ornament
• Rolling pin
• 20 gauge black wire
• Cardboard template (optional) or cookie cutter
• Acrylic paint in black and white
• Thin paint brush

I was surprised how easy the clay was to use and how sturdy it was when it came out of the oven. Once the ornament was completed, I used the black wire to form a ‘spout’ of water. Twenty gauge wire is easy to shape without any special tools! I made one end into a ‘spout’ and I wrapped the opposite end of the wire through the hole I had created with the straw. My whale looked great already!

As an optional step, I decided to sand the edges some – just to make them look a little less angular. (For a vintage look, rub a little bit of Annie Sloan dark wax to the edges of the ornament.)

Now. all I needed to do was to add the whale’s eye. I did this with a little bit of acrylic paint and a thin paint brush – first a little dot in white, and then a smaller dot in black.

I completed my first ornament design for 2015! I will be making a few more in sea glass shades before the tree goes up! My whale may also get a little clear glass glitter for sparkle. :)

Have I inspired you to make your own whale? Or, maybe a variation on the design? You can use the same process to create something to coordinate with your own holiday theme.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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christmas feathers

November 17, 2015

Last week wasn’t a very good week for my ‘to do’ list! The rainy days threw off my whole painting schedule. I was so disappointed because I had planned to paint furniture outside and I was eager to finish a very special piece I am currently working on. (More on that in a future post!) In addition, my holiday preparations pretty much came to a screeching halt as I got distracted with some cooking, cleaning, and all around general errands!

But, as I was washing all the windows in my house the other day, I started thinking about how I would add some feathers to my holiday décor. I love feathers and I really want to incorporate some into my sea glass theme for the holiday – especially since they remind me of seagulls.

So, I did get a little distracted from my windows with some holiday thoughts and I had to paint some feathers that evening while I had a vision! I decided I would paint some in metallic gold and some in metallic sea glass colors. They came out great and I know I will use them later in my place settings and maybe, also, in some of my gift wrap. And, by adding a gold thread to the feather, it turns into a beautiful holiday ornament!

Painted feathers are so beautiful and can really be adapted to any décor and are super easy to make. Just paint feathers using acrylic paint by applying it gently using cotton swabs.

I think these feathers will look great with my sea glass holiday décor. . .I hope I have inspired you to use some feathers in your décor!

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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diy sea themed advent calendar

November 10, 2015

I haven’t gathered up all the supplies I will need for my sea glass themed Christmas décor just yet, but I have been working on a few things and today I am sharing this year’s advent calendar.

The design I came up with to coordinate with my sea glass themed holiday, although a simple one, produced really beautiful results!

I started with Halloween candy from the clearance rack of a discount store. You know, that 75% off stuff?!

I wrapped up pieces of candy (the little boxes work really well) – one for each day – in white paper. With some natural twine, I tied a little beach find to each package…a piece of sea glass, a rock, a piece of driftwood…

Then, I added a number to each. (I made the numbers by printing them onto clear labels using my home printer and adhering them to each package.)

Next, I arranged each wrapped ‘day’ onto a wooden tray. So simple, yet so beautiful! Tucking a string of battery operated mini lights into the arrangement will add a beautiful glow to the natural materials I collected on the sand.

The perfect advent calendar for my sea glass Christmas theme! What do you think?

If this coastal look doesn’t go with your holiday theme, there are certainly many ways to change up the wrapped candy to accommodate whatever your theme may be. Here is an example of a variation using birch bark stars on the boxes instead of beach items. See how easy the calendar can be changed up to go with an outdoors theme? Use paper and decorative items that best fit with your décor. Then, arrange the packages in a basket, a silver bowl, a clear jar, or lined up on your mantel – whatever works for your holiday theme!

I hope I have inspired you to create your own version of an advent calendar. Seas & greetings! ;)

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with Sand & Sisal, Thoughts from Alice, and Finding Silver Pennies.

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a sea glass christmas

November 6, 2015

I shared my 2015 holiday theme with you in the last post. My inspiration for this year’s Christmas decor is sea glass.

So, for Friday field trip today, I am giving you a quick little glimpse into how my inspiration is taking shape.

The first items I always incorporate into my holiday theme are my children’s baby cups. I love finding imaginative ways to bring them into my Christmas decor each year. With the sea glass theme, it is pretty easy! I am going to fill the cups with sea glass and sea glass colored bottle brush trees!

What do you think? Am I off to a good start? Next post I will share my sea glass advent calendar design. :)

Thanks for stopping in and sharing!

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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holiday dreaming

November 3, 2015

The last couple of years, I have been behind schedule on holiday preparations. When I think that it is already November and I am just now putting down some thoughts about my 2015 holiday theme, I feel so off my holiday game!

I have chosen a theme. Sea glass is my overall theme for this year. Of course, there are sure to be some other coastal influences mixed in. Inspired by one of the sea glass photos I took, I painted a few swatches of colors I would like to use for my holiday.

Looking through some more of my photos, my thoughts run to other things I may bring into my holiday décor…

Seagulls are a staple at the beach in the winter. I like the idea of representing them with feathers. I always love adding feathers to the tree. I can also use them with twine in some of my gift wrap in plenty of sea glass colors. The color of snow and the colors of sea glass look so perfect together for the holidays!

I also like the idea of ‘message in a bottle.’ I think I will make some ornaments in this theme.

I’m sure I will make a sea creature ornament or two also! And, of course I will use plenty of driftwood from my collection. The Christmas tree and piles of gifts will go into big baskets. I have plenty to work with!

My first DIY for the holiday season will be to create an advent calendar. I bought bagged Halloween candy; now on clearance. The bags of small boxed treats are perfect to craft an advent calendar. Buy some now yourself (be sure to get 24 – and maybe a few extra for snitching) to use for your calendar. If you don’t like my sea themed idea, you can always make a variation of it. I will show you how in an upcoming post.

Do you use a theme for your holiday? What did you choose for this year?

Thanks for stopping by. Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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september book giveaway!

September 1, 2015

September always seems so far away when summer begins. Of course, before you know it, September creeps up and with it comes the threat of the end to the best season of the year!

I don’t know about you, but I am still cramming every last bit of summer into my days – and, that includes the monthly book giveaway!

Since it is technically still summer, I have chosen a book that makes me think of summer and all I love about it. The book is called Sea Glass Treasures from the Tide. As a sea glass collector for my entire life, I can appreciate the wonderfully photographed pieces Cindy has captured in her first book. Even those of you who may not live near the water or, have the opportunity to hunt for sea glass will enjoy this beautiful selection!

Photographer Cindy Bilbao shares with us the vibrancy, magic, and beauty in sea glass that comes from the tides of her favorite beaches. Her book shares treasured trips and helps keep summer alive all year long!

Leave a comment on this post to let me know you’d like to win this book. A winner will be chosen at random from the comments I receive.

Congratulations to Deborah, winner of last month’s giveaway selection Irresistible Ice Pops by Sunil Vijayakar. I know you will enjoy this wonderful collection of recipes for many summers to come!

In attempt to celebrate the last days of my favorite season, this month’s Instagram Challenge is to share photos from the last days of summer. Use hashtag #pleasuregram to share your best shots!

Thank you so much for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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epitome of summer

August 28, 2015

Most every coastal town in Fairfield County schedules a sand castle building contest during the summer and each year I try to attend at least one. For Friday field trip this week, I am sharing a few photos from the contest I attended this year.

Which is your favorite?

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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diy nautical flag garden stones

August 11, 2015

I think we have all painted garden stones in our day. If not, you should have! They are so fun to make and look so cute in the garden or as a paperweight. Today, I am showing you how to create some stones for your garden that have more of a ‘beach’ vibe than the typically decorated stones – a batch of nautical plant markers boasting the shapes of signal flags!

They are so simple, yet so fun to make! The only thing you will need to make up some of these marine inspired cuties are some paint markers and some smooth stones! I used Sharpie brand medium point oil based paint markers. I love these markers because they totally eliminate the mess of paint and brushes but create the same result. And, the best part is that they come in a set that contains the exact colors needed for nautical flags! They should call it ‘signal flag set’ or ‘nautical color set.’ Thanks for that Sharpie!

These flags are used internationally as signals for ships at sea. Each flag represents a letter.

Stones painted with nautical flags also make great table markers at a beach wedding or a really nice addition to a gift of potted sea grass or beach roses. Make up the recipients initials in signal flags and add them to the potted plant!

I am sure you have said to yourself by now “This is a super activity for kids.” It sure is! Not only can children learn some basic seamanship with this craft, but it is pretty easy to incorporate a math lesson as well!

Another fun idea for the kids, is to have them make up some nautical ‘x’s’ and ‘o’s’ with some small rocks; using them for a game of tic-tac-toe in the sand! Fun!

I hope I have inspired you to make some nautical flag stones for your own garden or as a way to add some ‘beachyness’ to your décor…make up the name of your boat or the name of your favorite beach! Have fun with it!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with Sand & Sisal and Coastal Charm.

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it’s a beach day shopping trip

July 14, 2015

This is the time of year when it is really great to shop all the stores and identify the fun summer items you like, because soon they will all go on sale! Online shopping at the end of any season is fun, but I especially love it at the end of the summer, because I use the clearance coastal items I buy in the summer to decorate all year long! I am sharing a few of the items with a beach vibe that I am loving right now!

West Elm has some really great ‘beachy’ items this summer. I love the whimsical trays (in the photo above) – so practical! And, isn’t the crab pillow (opening photo) adorable?

Arm candy in the summertime is a must! The photo above shows some of the great creations from bba Bracelets (click here for info). All the bracelets are handmade and can be made to order! So fun to design an armful! They are also great for wedding parties and other special events because you can design your own bracelets with coordinating colored beads, tassels, or charms. My other love for arm candy is Kiel James Patrick! What better way to show off a tanned arm than a white rope bracelet with an anchor closure? Love it!

You may remember from my holiday shopping post that Grace in Niantic, CT is a favorite store of mine. The epitome of coastal cool! These are some of my favorite beachy pillows in the current collection of yummy summer items at the shop.

We all know that sometimes disposable paper goods are a must in the summer! These cuties from West Elm make disposable more than acceptable at any casual gathering!

At $4.99 even the regular price of this Ikea straw bag makes it a crafters delight! I have decorated it in so many different ways and it makes a great alternative to a gift bag for summer giving!

For my furniture projects, Anthropologie is always a go-to for cool hardware…this summer, I am loving the sea life on these knobs!

A cute tote is always in order in the summer, and a great way to help the kids get organized is to have them carrying their own stuff! This adorable tote from Pottery Barn Kids fits the bill perfectly! And, by the way, don’t think the items in PB Kids are just for kids! I bought a great insulated lunch bag with old school stainless storage containers for myself from the catalog!

For myself, in place of a tote bag, I prefer this Sailor stripe backpack by Baggu…cool, right?

I hope I inspired you to do a little summer perusing of your own! There are plenty of great items out there – like these awesome ice cube trays available at Nordstrom. Cheers!

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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homemade ice cream on the beach

July 7, 2015

Did you enjoy your weekend? Mine was the best! So many of my family members were together and the fireworks were the best I’ve seen…all in all; a great holiday!

Today, I am trying to catch up with work and with household chores, but I am taking some time to share a recipe for the ice cream I made over the weekend.

Going into the weekend, I was having some trouble deciding what flavor ice cream to make. I thought I would try making s’mores flavor. It seemed like a challenge. Maybe roast some marshmallows first and add marshmallow, graham crackers, and chocolate chips. I still need to give that a try at some point!

What I decided on for the Fourth of July was a ‘Ferris Acres inspired’ coconut chocolate chunk. You may remember Ferris Acres from this post (click here). I am not sure if it was the flavor or the work that went into the cranking that made it so good, but I thought it came out perfect! (I do need to give some credit to my daughter’s boyfriend – I had some helpers, but he did the lion’s share of the cranking!)

Coconut Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream Recipe (makes 5 quarts)
5 cups of milk (*see note below)
1 14 oz. can coconut milk, unsweetened
4 eggs
1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
2 ½ cups sugar
4 cups whipping cream
¼ teaspoon salt
1 14 oz. bag sweetened, flaked coconut, roughly chopped
3 1.5 ounce bars Ghirardelli Intense Dark Evening Dream 60% cacao bars, roughly chopped

*I substituted some of the 5 cups of milk with the coconut milk. I used the can of coconut milk first and then added enough milk to make 5 cups of liquid.

Beat eggs until foamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until thickened. Add cream, vanilla, and salt and mix thoroughly. Pour into ice cream maker canister. Add milk and stir well. (If your maker has a fill line, do not go over it.)

Put covered canister into fridge, as well as the prepared coconut and chocolate, until really cold.

Prepare in your ice cream maker. I use a hand crank using ice and pour salt over the ice. I used two bags of ice for this batch.