What do you see when you look at certain objects??

Happy Wednesday morning peoples!! Ya know what Wednesdays mean.....it's getting closer to those three nights and two days that we all seem to love so much. The weekend!! I'm hoping that ours will include a beach walk cause heaven knows, I NEED more shells....hehehe!!

I finished the tree topper yesterday and Robin loves it. I love making special pieces and then having them loved as much as I loved making it. That's a lot of LOVE peoples!!

Pretty, yes? I really enjoyed making this piece. I had originally planned on using 4 of my oyster shell angels but it would have been to wide at the bottom to be a topper and also probably to heavy. Don't want a leaning tree that could topple over, now do we? I ended up using three angels and instead of the cockle shells I use on my single hanging angel I chose to use scallop shells. Turned sideways they do look so much like a pretty wing. I'm thinking of making a few of the hanging ones with both types of wings and even sculpting a few of the faces instead of using the moon shell. Still in the muse whispering stage at the moment though. ^_^

As I stated yesterday in my post, that I was going to work on the two projects, I actually got both completed. I think Santa turned out rather...........beachy.....hehe!! I love using items I find on my beach walkabouts. Every shell on these were found on walks taken in Gulf Shores. The moss is from a walk in the woods (in Wetumpka) from a long time ago that I dried out myself. So...all are gifts from Mother Nature, that were just laying around, waiting for someone to see what more they could be.

What do YOU see when you look at certain objects? I've always been one to see "hidden" objects in just about anything. A wooden floor, a rug, paint swirls on walls, clouds overhead and even shells. Santa just JUMPED out at me with these two. I must confess that I have more shells that have Santa peeking out of them as well.

Here's some I'm going to be working on today. Notice that some have additional oysters started on them? What do you see? I see some sweet kiddo faces or perhaps an elf. Who knows just WHO will pop out once I start with the clay.

Until next time..........LOOK,
Regi ^_^

It's Monday and time for an angel to come visit!!

Happy Monday peoples. I can't say happy good morning because I kinda let the morning slip on pass me. It's lunchtime already. Geez...someone grab Father Time by the coat tails and slow him down, will ya? ^_^

Are you following along with the seashell projects? I hope you are. I would so hate to think that I have been talking to myself here. HEHE  No matter really though cause (looking around) I do it often....talk AND answer myself. It's nice though if YOU are following along. I would love to see some photos of any that you have made from my How To's. Please!!! Purty please!!

Yesterday I promised that we would make an angel ornament today and boy is this one easy project to do. The hardest part is where ya have to go and find the shells and then leave the beach. I mean, isn't it so hard to walk AWAY from the beach. I know it's hard for me and I can go anytime I want. I'm so easily distracted..what were we talking about....oh....yes....a project. What you will need for this project as seen in the above image are the following:

Oyster shell

Cockle shells (2)

Moon shell (small)

Wire (20 gauge)

Beads (4-5)

Moss

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Twine

So easy to do. Make sure that you clean and dry all your shells before putting together if you haven't already done so. Take the oyster shell and place either side up that you want to use. I really liked the outside of this one but if the inside is prettier, you might want to use that instead. It's your angel!! Place the cockle shells sideways on either side at the top and then place moon shell turned sideways in between cockle shells. The cockle shells are going to be her wings and the moon shell her face. Doing this lets you see where to place the shells before you start to glue anything down permanently.

Finished project. 

Cut a piece of twine about 4 inches long and knot the cut ends together. I normally do two knots to make it strong. Take your glue gun and place a line of glue on the back side at the top of the oyster shell and lay twine over it. This will be the hanger so make sure it has enough length to add a wire hanger or even enough to use the twine as the hanger.

Next, taking your glue gun you want to add a dab of glue to left top side of the oyster shell and attach one of the cockle shells. Turn the cockle shell sideways so it looks like a wing. Take the moon shell and place sideways next to the now attached wing so that you will know exactly where to glue the other wing and leave enough room to add moon shell afterwards. Now, do the same thing to the right top side to add cockle shell. Once that's done add dab of glue in between the cockle shells and place moon shell sideways.

Cut about a three inch piece of 20 gauge wire and thread about 4-5 small beads on to it. This is going to be her halo. Once beads are on wire, take wire and place around pointer finger and cross wire over in back and then twist until you have a small stem coming down. Don't twist to tight on finger because you don't want to be part of the halo, do you?? ^_^  To keep beads from moving add a tiny dab of glue to both ends or you can fill up the halo part with beads. Remember, it's YOUR angel!!

Take some of the moss and add to the top of the moon shell. This is her hair. Add as much or as little as you want. After moss is attached add a dab of glue to the back of moon shell and attach the halo stem. I normally put a small dab on to the stem as well for add support and strength.

You angel is completed. See, I told ya it was an easy project. A beautiful ornament made by you using gifts from Mother Nature. What could be better? Perhaps making several and giving as gifts? Or perhaps making several to hang on your tree? You know how to make them now  so make several and have FUN!!!

Until next time............spread those wings,
Regi

Happy Thursdays!! (it is Thursday, ri iight??)

Goodness...I had to recheck my calendar to make sure it really is Thursday already. I would be sooo lost without my calendar. I would be even more lost if I didn't mark off each day on that calendar. Yes, Yes..I'm getting a tad bit forgetful...just ahhhhh...what were we talking about it? HeHe

I have been trying to recoup from walking on the beach this past Sunday. Now I LOVE to walk on the beach but I have to make sure that I don't take a 3 hour trek without resting in between again. Me old bones are letting me know that I seriously abused them AND now they are abusing me right back.

We did find some beautiful shells on that walk. Not any big ones but several small ones and lots of broken ones but ya'll know just how much I love the broken ones too.

Nice little lot Mother Nature gave, yes? There were several that had the natural holes in them and those make perfect earrings, IF I have matches to go with them in this bunch. I do believe I have one or two. Some great twisted broken ones that will look amazing in a glass jar or in the hermies (clay hermit crabs) habitats. You remember the lil hermies, ri iight? Well, here's a photo for those that haven't seen them or have forgotten. Geez!!! hehe

Now some of the shells that we found Sunday and some of the ones that most seem to walk on past are actually my favorite ones to find. The big broken ones that look like wings.....angel wings. I know that everyone can look at something and see something completely different but if you take a close look then I'm sure you will see the broken wing too. I helped a little bit so that you would see it.

I want to make a few of these and put them inside a shadow box frame. Two shells, one looking at the front side and the other painted on the inside with a few pretty white feathers. NO no, no angels or faeries were hurt in obtaining the feathers...they were a gift. I have a poem that I wrote that I will place in between the shells.

Tis short my stay

on this warm, sun soaked day.

To hear Mother Ocean's roar

and know that soon I must soar.

Soar up into the sky 

so calm and blue

but I'll leave

behind something

just for you.

You that gets to walk 

on the warm, white sand

A broken shell to be

placed in your hand.

Look closely 

and you will see

An angel wing tis

what it be.

Until next time..........Hugs,

Regi

Bump de Bump de bump!!!!

I guess ya'll have figured out why there hasn't been a post for a few day, yes? I told ya I was addicted and please help me...cause I just can't STOP!!!   For those just visiting today for the first time...I am addicted to making ornaments...just so ya know..hehe

I have had some commission orders for them and that has kept me busy and that's a GOOD thing!!! That I had some orders not keeping busy. I'm always busy piddling and a potching doing sumthin!!! (one of those Southern sayings)

One of my best friends and the mother of my godson contacted me and wanted me to do a special ornament in remembrance of her twins (a boy and girl) she had recently lost. This one was hard to do, thinking about my sweet friend having to deal with the sadness and loss of her precious little ones. She is a strong woman and even though the loss hurt, she knew that God decided to call them back home to be with him. I love you Ber!!!

Next, I had a request for a group of angels. I love making my angels. I'm getting to use some items that I have had for some time now....just sitting in a box....covered in dust. It feels so good to be able to share some of my treasures with others. A good bit of my images come from one AWEmazing site, The Graphics Fairy. (like my favorite and most requested angel face) If you're looking for vintage images please make sure to go and check out Karen's site.

Another wanted Santa....lots and lots of Santas!!! I'm really happy with how this grouping turned out. They are so beary cute, eh?  HeHe  The last one is for "Baby's First Christmas" and I love the little vintage baby image I had.

This one I'm making to hang on our tree. (I can of course make one for YOU too...just sayin) I love candy canes and was told the story when I was young about what it represented this time of year. I know it's hard to read on here so here's what the ornie says:

Look at a Candy cane, what do you see?

Stripes that are red, like the blood shed for me.

White is for my Savior

Who's sinless and pure.

"J" is for Jesus

My Lord, that's for sure

Turn it around and a staff 

you will see

Jesus my sheperd

was born for me

Have you ordered YOUR chenille bump ornies yet? Ohhh I'm just kidding...well...no, I'm not actually. ^_^

Until next time.........Hugs,
Regi

I'm having soooo much FUN peoples!!!!

I can NOT believe that I haven't been making the chenille bump ornies all these years. Why...oh why...did I put them away? I'm so happy happy I got them back out to play...hehe

Thursday nights are football time for the mister...which means HE has total control of the remote and we WILL be watching football!! I don't mind especially since my addiction to making my ornies is back and is not going to be dealt with for sometime. HEY....I could be addicted to a whole lot worse, ri iight??  I made quite a few last night while saying "go go go" (had to make the mister at least think I was watching) and here they are:

These three new little angels will be added to two I did yesterday...which will make five little angels..hehehe  I had a request for five angels...YEAH!!! I love that someone loves my art so much they ask if they can purchase it. Makes me feel like my therapy isn't a waste. ^_^

This lil Rudolph is the same one...I didn't make two because...well...I need another ink cartridge so I can print off some more of the vintage images. Good reason, eh? He will hang on the tree or stand up to be used in a Christmas scene. Until I can print some more of this image off...the Chazman has claimed this one as his own. If anyone is interested I plan on getting a new cartridge this weekend so I can make some more. He is $4 plus travel fare. (I accept Paypal...just message me if interested in Rudolph or any of my ornies)

Wouldn't this one be just perfect for a couples first Christmas together? I fell in love with the postcard and just had to find a way to use it. Again....once I can print off some things, (not having any colored ink really really stinks) I want to make a paper banner to say "Our First Christmas 2013".

This Santa has been out gathering snow for Mrs Claus. He doesn't mind..he would do anything for Mrs. Claus. Besides, it gives him time to smoke his pipe and enjoy the new fallen snow.

Most of my ornies I'm selling for $4 each. There are a few that will cost a little bit more due to some of the items I'm using with them. In this group it would be this last Santa. He is holding a real glass vial filled with vintage MICA flakes. He is $5.

Now as a gift for anyone that adopts one of my ooaks (one of a kind sculpts) from my Etsy shop, I will give them four of my ornies for free....as a Thank You gift. If you purchase one of my jewelry pieces then I will add one of them as a gift.

Until next time.........Hugs,
Regi

WARNING: Glue gun glue is HOT HOT HOT!!

YOWIE.....glue gun glue lives up to it's name...HOT HOT HOT!!! I think I get more on me than I do the project I'm working on. HEHE and OUCH!!

I worked on cutting out the rest of my vintage Christmas images (yes I found some more I had been hording hiding) yesterday and started putting some together. These are the simplest ornies to make and look so cute hanging on a tree or wreath or swag or whatever. If the Chazman would stand still long enough I might would even hang one off his ears!!

A few I made as pairs...I mean you can't have a snowball fight with just one and some snow people (that's the political way to way snowmen cause all aren't MEN..hehe) just look even better with Santa hanging with em.

Aren't these two just adorable? They are both armed with a big snowball (glass bead) and ready for the next round. I love how the little girl one is eyeing her opponent and he just has no clue that she has her snowball ready to fly!!

Let's all sing along with this one...."There she is.....Miss Snow person queen". ^_^  OK yes, I've probably had my quota of coffee for the week day. I just loved the snow woman wearing the pretty Christmas tree as a crown and thought of a story of she and Santa delivering gifts and trees to all the animals in the forest. Yes, yes...I know you are thinking "Hey Regi...there are already trees in a forest". I mean decorated ones. ^_^

Now every tree, wreath, or swag (giving you ideas of where you could use these sweet vintage ornies) needs an angel or two. I so wish that glitter would show up better in photos. Pooh and bother!!!! Both angels wings glitter so lovely in the light.....they really do!!

Now this Santa didn't want a partner...he felt he could stand alone all on his own. For some reason the song "I'm to sexy for my" just popped into my head. Yes yes wayyyy to much coffee!! For this Santa I made a felt hood and small felt cap. The wagon is one of my vintage images and it too has red and green glitter that isn't showing up in the photo very well but it's there. Honest!!

Now...I'm off to make some more. I'm addicted to making these and now I so remember why I haven't made any in such a long time. It's because once I get started I don't want to STOP!!! I could also make some for Easter.....St Patty's Day....Valentine's and ohhhh so many holidays more!! Muahahahaha!!!

Until next time...........Hugs,
Regi

Sad News today!!

Do you know that feeling when you meet someone and there is an immediate connection? That feeling of being able to "talk" to them and have them "talk" to you like ya'll have known one another for a lifetime?
Robin Ellis was that such of person and I don't think with just me. She was one of those that considered everyone she met to be a friend almost instantly. Robin owned the chic gift shop, Robin's Nest, here in Foley and she is the one that had requested that I make some of my Santa's and have them in her Christmas open house. I spoke with Robin two weeks ago and she was very excited about having some of my ooaks coming to visit with her and was sure she would sell each one. I called her today just to touch base about bring them in next week and received some very shocking news. Robin Ellis passed away yesterday. Perfect health..no sickness...just fell down and collapsed. Robin had an aneurysm and never woke up.  Robin touched many lives and will be sadly missed but her heart and kindness will be long remembered. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this trying time.

Life can be taken away from us in literally a blink of an eye. Make sure to tell those you love that you do indeed love them. Tell them and show them each and every day. YOU my friends are what I consider heartstrings...I want you to know that. Each one is very important to me and I love you and hold you dear to my heart. The past is in the past....the future isn't known and the present is a gift..so cherish it!!!

Until next time.........Hugs,
Regi