Beachy Birds

"Beachy Birds" This idea has been on my mind since I saw a post on facebook of people made out of pebbles! You can create this art work in 30 minutes!

 All you need are flat pebbles one oval and two triangle shaped, twigs, black paint, tiny liner brush or paint pen, a glue gun, and small pruners.

Trim the twig to fit the frame.

 I painted the back of the frame white.  I left it mottled to give it the beachy "look."  To construct the nest, cut several small pieces of twig shorter to longer and glue above the branch.

 Place and glue the triangle pebbles to resemble birds protecting their nest.

                                                        Paint in the beaks and eyes.


Take time to enjoy nature!

Nancy

Wooden Antique Candlesticks

I bought these candlesticks at an antique shop.  Each were hand turned on a wood lathe. Very retro '70's!  I paid 3 for $15.  The flameless candles I purchased at Dollar General all 3 for $15. They are so cool! There are 12 colors to choose from and an option to fade into each color slowly! I did have to purchase the batteries each candle takes 3 triple A's.

                                   The colors are so bright.

                                                         This is the remote control.

Anything to brighten your day!

Nancy

Saving Cut Flower Buds

The terrible storm a few days ago broke off a stem of my lilies! The buds looked like the greenish bud on the left! I thought the buds may have been too premature to save. However, I put them in a vase to see what they would do. To my great surprise they are growing and opening! They are in  tap (well) water. I change the water every couple days. (No floral additives)

May all our life's unexpected downfalls, turn into positive results!

Nancy

Mexican Macaroni Salad

Mexican Macaroni Salad

While driving home from work yesterday, I was thinking about making macaroni salad. I wanted to give it a little bit more flavor, something with a twist.  What about Mexican Macaroni Salad? So, here is the outcome and it is delicious!
Ingredients:
8 oz. Elbow macaroni (follow box instructions)
1/2 cup Hellmann's mayonnaise
1/2 cup Sour cream
1 T. spoon Lawry's taco seasoning
2 Hard boiled eggs (large)
4 Green onions
3/4 cup Black olives (unsliced)
3/4 cup Cherry or grape tomatoes
1 cup  Cheddar cheese (shredded)
1 Jalapeno pepper sliced(optional)

 Cook macaroni as per box instructions. Cool in cold water and drain. Place in large bowl.
 Add to large bowl both diced hard boiled eggs, three of the chopped greens onions, (set one green onion aside for garnish.) 1/2 cup black olives,  (the remaining black olives to garnish.) 1/2 cup of tomatoes, (remaining tomatoes to garnish)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese,  (the remaining cheese to garnish)
In medium size bowl combine mayo, sour cream, and taco seasoning. Stir completely and pour over the macaroni mixture . Gently stir....
Layer the remaining cheddar cheese over the macaroni salad, next garnish with the remaining green onions,  black olives, and cherry tomatoes.

May we all find the "spice of life" we are searching for!

Nancy

Herb Garden Rock Labels

This is another fun project you can make with rocks! I use these in my herb garden in place of stakes.  Supplies needed are acrylic paint, very fine liner brush, you may also choose to used a paint pen, and outdoor clear spray sealer.

The rocks I use are 3  to 4 inches in diameter.

Happy rock scavenging!

Nancy

Laurel Burch Inspired Cat Family

                                 BEFORE                            

  

AFTER

This cat family was inspired by a Laurel Burch design. I used Rust-oleum as the basecoat, acrylics for the colorful details, and 3 coats of outdoor high gloss spray polyurethane to protect it.

#7724  Sail Blue, #250705 Gls Fern, and #7747 Sunburst Yellow

                                                    I love Laurel Burch‘s designs!

This purse was my inspiration for this cat family!

Be inspired!

Nancy

Sandicast Dog Sculptures

Sandicast Dog Sculptures

These little darlings are so finely crafted it is hard to tell a real puppy from the Sandicast.  I began my collection years ago with a life-size Sheltie puppy that I found at an antique shop for $18.

Reese could not take it, the Sheltie getting all the attention!   So she ran in front of the camera!!!

Sandicast, Inc. is located in San Diego, California. It was started in 1981 by artist Sandy Brue, whose artistic gift captures the personality and inner spirit of each animal with great realism.  I first got introduced to Sandicast sculptures when a friend of mine purchased a life-size Golden Retriever for $300.  Immediately, I was struck by the details and realism of the sculpture.

Sandicast sculptures are hand-casted. Each hair is etched individually from an oil based clay that never hardens. Finally, each animal is fitted with glass eyes specific to the breed, which makes the sculpture come to life.  This allows for the fine details that make her sculptures so lifelike.  Sandra carves her name into each piece before the clay is casted.  Sandicast also creates several animals, including cats and other wildlife as well.  Sandicast and Sandra Brue are registered trademarks of Sandicast, Inc.

Bichon Frise

Border Collie

Brittany

Cocker Spaniel

Fox Terrier

Maltese

Shar-Pei

Shih Tzu

Welsh Corgi

Yorkshire Terrier

Oops! That's Coco!

Siamese Kitten

This is my collection.  Most of them I found at antique stores, garage sales, and resale stores.  I was able to find them for around $5 each.

Here is a signed piece.

For the love of dogs,

Nancy