Shell Memory Frame

This post is going to be short and sweet. With all of the shells that I collected in Florida, I used ideas from Pinterest to create this nice memory. I took a cheap frame from Goodwill and white washed it. While at Goodwill, I picked up some fake pearl necklaces and shiny marbles. I then, just glued away! All the shells were cleaned and ready to be hot glued, but adding the pearls and marbles added something more!

Fast, easy and a lasting family memory!

Painted Garden Window

I also wanted to give my mom something to tie her garden books (see previous post) to her garden...

https://www.etsy.com/listing/30317462/sample-painted-windows?ref=sr_gallery_19&ga_search_query=painted+window&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_ref=auto1&ga_search_type=all

https://www.etsy.com/listing/159054701/garden-library-cicero-quote-a

I used these two pins as inspiration...I collect things for future crafts. Last summer, a church was giving away windows so OF COURSE I grabbed a bunch. Every day, my husband complained about them and the fact that I wasn't using them. I decided to try my hand at painting one. I am not an artist; however, I am pretty fearless so I went to Fleet Farm (I work at Home Depot and know that we do not have paint for glass) where I found paint for glass. Little containers for like model cars and things. So I jumped in and tried to mimic the painted window while incorporating the quote.

 The hardest part was waiting for the paint to fully dry between steps. I am not patient and I am used to quick drying latex, but I did it...

 For not being an artist, I thought it came out pretty nice...

And Mom loved it!

Books for Mom's Garden!

Garden "Books"

http://wasbella102.tumblr.com/post/61762198667/bricks-painted-to-look-like-books-in-the-garden

I was inspired by this Pin last year. I decided I would give it a try! My mom loves her garden, and I thought it would make a great birthday gift for her! I went to Home Depot and bought a variety of paving stones. I brought them home, cleaned them and allowed them to dry for 24 hours.

I used Exterior Behr Marquee white semi-gloss paint and painted the "pages" of the books (3 edges). Once they dried, I used any and all exterior paint I had in my garage to paint the covers of the book.

Then, came the tough part. I spent hours at the library looking for copies of some of my mom's favorite books. I checked them out and brought them home. Then, using paint markers, I tried to replicate the covers/font and edge to the best of my ability. Once I finished, I let them dry, then sprayed with a clear protective coating.

 I think they turned out great!

And my mom loved her gift!