Vacation Crafting. Suzanne McNeill

acrylic spray sealer

      1.Paint the box with two coats of tan paint using the sponge to apply a textured pattern. Let dry.

      2.Spray the box with a clear acrylic sealer and allow to dry.

      3.Glue lace around the body of the box, then glue ribbon around the top edge of the lace. Glue a doily to the center of the lid. Glue a tassel in place. Glue shells on top of the doily.

      ANGEL NOTECARD

      If you’ve really enjoyed beachcombing, you probably have more shells than you can shake a stick at! Why not make a greeting card to send to a loved one and share the shells?

      MATERIALS

      •1 long shell

      •3 fan shells

      •2 white felt squares, 3½" (9cm)

      •1 chipboard square, 2½" (6.5cm)

      •Blue acrylic paint

      •Paintbrush

      •Brown chalk ink

      •Glitter glue

      •Hot glue

      1.Paint the chipboard blue and allow to dry.

      2.Ink the edges of the chipboard. Glue shells to the chipboard as shown. Glue the two pieces of felt together, then glue the chipboard to the felt.

      3.Add a halo with glitter glue.

      FLOWER NOTECARDS

      These super flower designs made of shells look a lot more complicated than they really are. See what you can come up with using the shells you’ve collected!

      MATERIALS

      •Assorted shells

      •4" x 8" (10 x 20cm) white cardstock

      •3" x 3" (7.5 x 7.5cm) chipboard

      •Green acrylic paint

      •Paintbrush

      •Brown chalk ink

      •Twigs

      •Hot glue

      1.Paint the chipboard green and allow to dry.

      2.Ink the edges of the chipboard. Fold the white cardstock into a 4" x 4" (10 x 10cm) card, then ink the edges.

      3.Glue the chipboard to the front of the card. Glue on shells and twigs as shown.

      SNAKE BLACKBOARD

      Project by Linda Valentino

      If you’re a fan of both the beach and slithery reptiles, then this is the project for you! Create a cool snake with shells on a super useful blackboard.

      MATERIALS

      •30 small assorted shells

      •5 ¾" x 7 ¾" (14.5 x 19.5cm) blackboard

      •Paper towel to sponge on paint

      •Acrylic paints in light, medium, and dark greens

      •Foam adhesive letters

      •Small piece of red foam

      •1 small wiggle eye

      •Hot glue

      1.Sponge all the paints together onto the blackboard border and allow to dry.

      2.Adhere letters along the top.

      3.Glue on shells to form a snake shape. Glue on a wiggle eye to the head of the snake. Cut out and glue on a red foam tongue.

      SEASHELL SHADOW BOX

      Project by Cyndi Hansen

      This super shadow box is a classy way to display some of your prize seashell finds and remember a splendid trip to sunny, sandy shores.