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Tag: sea glass


diy tic-tac-toe

13
November

sand and sea diy

Now that we are well into November, are you starting to think of Christmas?  I have tried to cut back on my holiday shopping and this seems a common way of thinking among my friends as well.

I think it is far better to give experiences rather than material presents and I am trying really hard to keep that guideline in my mind as the holidays approach!

tic-tac-toe on the beach

That being said, there is nothing like a little homemade gift to surprise a little one come the holiday!  And, a homemade gift can definitely help create an experience as well!

Today’s DIY project is the perfect example!  It is super easy to make and it can be used to create a fun experience to give a child – how to play tic-tac-toe!

supplies for homemade game

The only supplies you will need are:  a small muslin bag (mine is being reused from a jewelry purchase), embroidery thread or baker’s twine, a sewing needle, and a handful of small items.  I used sea glass for my small items but you can use pebbles, shells, buttons, or small candies like m&ms…be creative and use what you have!  I made my DIY tic-tac-toe for no cost at all!

travel tic-tac-toe diy

I used brown and white baker’s twine to sew a tic-tac-toe board onto the muslin bag.  Then, I just collected a handful of sea glass in two different colors to use as the playing pieces.  The pieces are handily stored inside the bag when not in use.

collecting sea glass for diy

How easy is that!  I hope I inspired you to create a DIY tic-tac-toe game to gift to that perfect little someone this Christmas – personal instruction included!

diy tic tac toe on the beach

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

Comments Off on diy tic-tac-toe | diy, holiday, sand & sea

seaglass carousel

19
February

SeaGlass carousel pleasure in simple things blog 013

I have been eager to see the new SeaGlass Carousel at The Battery in New York City. For today’s Friday field trip, I am sharing my first visit with you!

I hadn’t been able to fit in a Carousel visit on any trip I’ve made into New York since the Carousel opened last August. When I found out it would be open for visitors during Presidents’ Day week, I scheduled a special trip to make my first trip!

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Winter may not seem the ideal time to plan a trip to a park, but it turned out to be the perfect time! There were no lines or crowds to deal with – the cold weather kept everyone away! And, the fact that it was a gray day totally worked in my favor – better for viewing the glow of the lights!

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From the moment I caught a glimpse of the ride, I was impressed. But then, I guess the result of 10 years work and $16 million dollars should be impressive!

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Although actually made of fiberglass and steel, the structure looks like sea glass! It is made up of 30 sea creatures – some as tall as 13 ½ feet – that glow from within to create a marine life looking bioluminescence.

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Passengers sit inside the creatures as they rotate and rise up and down. Each creature has 3 stereo speakers and a base speaker to best project the classical music selections that play during the ride (and include sounds of gurgling water).

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The Carousel is truly a unique experience and definitely worth the $5. fee to take a ride. (I am guessing the same as the price of a beer in NYC?)

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Hours/days of operation are limited during the winter, dependent on the weather, so check the SeaGlass Carousel Facebook page for up-to-date schedule information if you plan on visiting.

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I am looking forward to going back – next time at night; to get the full effect of the glowing!

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I hope I have inspired you to visit the SeaGlass Carousel at The Battery next time you are in New York City!

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

P.S. I posted a short video of the SeaGlass Carousel on my Instagram. :)

Comments Off on seaglass carousel | field trips, sand & sea

sea glass diy gift tags

11
December

sea glass gift tags pleasure in simple things blog

For Friday field trip today, we are visiting ‘gift wrap central’ where I designed some gift tags to go along with my sea glass holiday theme.

diy sea glass gift tags pleasure in simple things blog

I decided the perfect detail for my gift tags was grommets. Not only are they currently a big fashion trend, but they add a nice ‘beachy’ vibe to my tags!

grommets on gift tags pleasure in simple things blog

Since I was designing these gift tags myself, I wanted to make them unique. That was part of the reason I decided to make them a little different shape than a typical gift tag. I decided on long rectangles – cutting card stock into 1“ x 4 1/4“ strips.

holiday gift tags diy sea glass pleasure in simple things blog

After I cut the tags, I added the grommet detail. If you decide to make these – don’t be intimidated by the grommets! They come in 2 pieces and are easily applied using a simple 2-piece metal tool and a hammer. The grommets and tool are inexpensive and are available at any craft store. Believe me; once you apply your first grommet, you will come up with tons of applications!

making sea glass gift tags pleasure in simple things blog

I used twine on my tags to stay consistent with my theme. Lastly, I used a big dab of strong glue, careful not to let the glue show, to attach a small piece of sea glass to each tag. Pretty easy, right?

final sea glass gift tags pleasure in simple things blog

I love the way these tags came out! It makes me eager to get wrapping!

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

1 comment » | diy, inspiration, sand & sea

a sea glass christmas

6
November

sea glass and vintage cup pleasure in simple things blog

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.

sea glass christmas pleasure in simple things blog

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!

sea glass and white candy canes pleasure in simple things blog

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!

seas and greetings pleasure in simple things blog

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

Comments Off on a sea glass christmas | holiday, inspiration, sand & sea

holiday dreaming

3
November

candles on the beach pleasure in simple things blog

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.

sea glass christmas paint

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

seagulls for a beach glass xmas pleasure in simple things blog

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!

bottles for xmas pleasure in simple things blog

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!

inspiration pleasure in simple things coastal holiday

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

Comments Off on holiday dreaming | holiday, inspiration, sand & sea

september book giveaway!

1
September

pleasure in simple things giveaway book for september

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!

giveaway book pleasure in simple things blog

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!

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

3 comments » | good reads, monthly book giveaway, sand & sea

5 great ways to use sea glass

31
July

“One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach.  One can collect only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few.”
—Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Okay, after spending countless hours searching for sea glass, you are pleased with your collection this season.  Are you tempted to add it to that one big jar you have in some nondescript location?  Don’t do it!  There are better ways to put these beautiful treasures on display.  Here are five great and easy ways to use your favorite pieces of sea glass…no drill, glue, or special talent required.  (Be sure to click on the photo collages below to see the sea glass treasures full screen.)

IN YOUR GARDEN  Sea glass looks great as a decorative touch in your garden.  It gives a fresh look to a birdbath or garden container.  It is also a neat way to finish off a potted plant by covering the top of the soil.  Maybe the thank you gift for the weekend you spent at your friend’s beach house is a plant finished off with the treasures you collected while visiting. 

ON A SHELF  A great way to display favorite pieces in your home is on a shelf, bookcase, or coffee table.  Just use a couple favorite pieces to highlight them as special, or group them by color for some great impact.  They look wonderful used in combination with other natural items like driftwood or a bird’s nest.  A unique piece can look great under a small dome on your mantle.

AS A VASE FILLER  Using sea glass to fill a vase is always a great way to bring the beach into your home.  Pieces can be used in a vase with fresh flowers or to anchor a candle in a jar.  Putting pieces in a mason jar and adding an old nostalgic black and white beach photo is a great addition to a summer mantle.  If you have a large collection, filling a glass lamp is another option.  I like to use a filled vase to serve skewered summer appetizers or desserts.

MAKE AN EASY AIR FRESHENER  Gather some pieces of sea glass into a small dish or teacup to use as an air freshener.  Just add your choice of fragance oil.  I found some really great oils at a local herb store, but most craft stores also carry it.  You can pick a floral scent or something reminiscent of the sea and surf.  Yard sales or Goodwill stores are great sources for pretty dishes that are sure to sell for under a dollar.  Or, use that odd teacup you haven’t been able to throw away.

TO CREATE WRAPPING PAPER  Take a photo of some pieces of your collection.  Get a color print of it on your home printer or at the local copy center to use as wrapping paper.  An easy way to add the beauty of the sea to a gift.  Use raffia or pretty sea-colored ribbon and tie on a shell to complete the look.  Use your new giftwrap for any occasion.  It is a great departure from the giftwrap typically used for the holidays..using it brings recollections of  warm memories of the sand and sea no matter how cold it may be outside :)

Thanks for visiting, Jackie

This project is being submitted to Celebrating Everyday LIfe recycled & repurposed diy project linky party

5 comments » | diy

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