Seaside Treasures

 

I wish a happy hello to all of my crafty friends! It's a lovely Wednesday, and a hot one in the Charleston. We're forecast to stay at 97 - 99 degrees for the next six days. I'm super thankful for central air conditioning. I'm not sure how ladies handled the heat back in colonial days. I hope you're finding ways to stay cool as the temperatures soar.         

The seashore is one of the loveliest ways I can think of to beat the heat, and our new two week 'By the Sea' challenge begins today at the Frilly and Funkie Blog! Kathy is our hostess and her guidelines are as follows:  

It's summertime, and our minds turn toward the shore where we find sparkling sands, delicate shells and refreshing breezes. This sets the theme for our latest BY THE SEA challenge. Let's take a virtual beach trip by creating any kind of vintage or shabby chic project that features a nautical or beach theme and color palette.

  

At the end of the challenge the team will choose their top four picks. Our first place winner will be invited to join us in a Guest DT spot at The Frilly and Funkie Blog.Three additional talented participants will receive badges to display on their blogs. Everyone who enters and adheres to the challenge guidelines will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 spending spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique! For entry specifics and  inspiration from my amazing teammates just click on the blog link above.

I love strolling along the beach or Charleston Harbor in the evening, reflecting on God's gifts that are so apparent in nature. My card is inspired by the treasures found in the sea. 

I found the perfect papers in Maja Design's Vintage Summer Basics collection. The center panel is cut out with a Spellbinders circle die, left deep blue to represent the ocean. 

You'll find sea encrusted riches everywhere you look, even the bow!    

Random splashes of sea water are added here and there. 

The mixed media flowers are handmade from mulberry paper, along with a host of products to add texture and sheen. All of the colors you see in my creations are a custom blend of several products. There will be a supply list at the bottom of this post, and I'm planning a tutorial for these flowers as well.    

Miniature starfish and pearls adorn my little ocean. 

 

The seagrass along the side is from a rubber stamp I won in an auction (no manufacturers name on the side).

I finish the interior and back of my cards with coordinating design papers. I usually do a little stamping inside, as you can see with the Tim Holtz stamp in the photo below.  

Thanks for taking a walk by the sea with me! It's time again to turn the challenge over to you! I'm super excited to see your 'By the Sea' creations! 

Hugs, 

Ranger Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet	Tim Holtz Tonic Studios 9.5" Titanium Scissors	Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents	Tim Holtz Tonic Studios Kushgrip Snip w/Non-Stick Blade & Cap	Sizzix® Accessory - Precision Base Plate for Wafer-Thin Dies
Sizzix® Accessory - Cutting Pads, Standard, 1 Pair	Ranger Wendy Vecchi Archival Ink - Potting Soil	Ranger Heat It Craft Tool	Ranger ADHESIVE - WHITE FOAM ROLL 1/2" X 1/16"x 2.1 YDS.	CutterPiller Crop Precision Paper Trimmer
Ranger Inkssentials Mini Mister	Prima Art Basics - Heavy Gesso - White 17 fl. oz. (March Pre-Order)	Prima Art Ingredients 3D Powder Fine: Texture Powder 100ml (March Pre-Order)	Prima Art Ingredients - Mini Art Stones (March Pre-Order)	Tim Holtz Distress Glitter Tarnished Brass
Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Spray Stain - Mermaid Lagoon	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain Spray - Weathered Wood	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain Spray - Stormy Sky	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain Spray - Old Paper	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain Spray - Chipped Sapphire
Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain Spray - Salty Ocean	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain Spray - Frayed Burlap	Lindy′s Stamp Gang Starburst - Starburst Industrial Chic Set	Prima Art Alchemy Acrylic Paint - Metallique Steampunk Copper (March Pre-order)	Prima Art Alchemy Acrylic Paint - Metallique Silver Spoon (March Pre-order)
Prima Art Alchemy Acrylic Paint - Metallique Rich Turquoise (March Pre-order)	Sizzix Alterations Die - Mini Tattered Florals Movers and Shapers Die by Tim Holtz	Sizzix Alterations Tim Holtz Tattered Florals Die	Heartfelt Creations - Deluxe Flower Shaping Set	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Mermaid Lagoon
Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Weathered Wood	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Chipped Sapphire	PRE-ORDER Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Stormy Sky	Ranger Embossing Powder - Gold - Super Fine Detail	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Powder - Pumice Stone
Ranger Embossing Powder - Gold Tinsel	Ranger Embossing Powder - Silver	Maja Design 6x6" Scrapbook Paper Pad - Vintage Summer Basics	Maja Design Paper - Vintage Summer Basics (Full 30 sheet set)

Additional Supplies: Glitter Glass, Frantage Elements, Chipboard Anchors, Starfish from Linda's shop, Decorative Netting, Flower Stamens, Sewing Machine, Thread.