Etceteras: sea fan prints

Shells, coral, starfish and other pretty things from the sea are popping up everywhere.

I love the way these creatures from exotic waters can add a decorative touch to a home. But often times they’re very expensive. You can buy a preserved sea fan on a matte board at Restoration Hardware for $550.00.

 

Or, you can make your own print of a sea fan.

Even if you don’t paint, this is an easy project. All you need is a kitchen sponge, water color paints and a small paint brush.

• Cut your sponge into a small oval shape.
• Mix your water color to a desired color and dip you sponge into the paint.
• Stamp your sponge onto a piece of paper until you have a sea fan shape.
• With your paint brush, add a stem and some veins.

Once you’re done with your print, you can frame it and hang it up.

 

If you want a collage of sea fans, scan in your print and make a photo collage. I used the same sea fan painting but changed the tint to create four images for this collage.

Or, print out your tinted images and frame them. A fun, easy alternative to buying the real thing.

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Good Taste: shrimp salsa

I haven’t posted a recipe in awhile. It’s not that I don’t cook or bake. I do…a lot!

It’s just that we usually eat the food before I can take any pictures. But I remembered to take pictures when I made this shrimp salsa for the Fourth of July. It’s easy to make and a great summer party dish.

I don’t have exact amounts for the ingredients but this is approximately what I used. And if you grow your own tomatoes or know somebody who will share their harvest, well, everything just tastes so much better.

6 tomatoes

1 cup shrimp

½ onion

1 carrot

2 Tbsp cilantro

1 garlic clove

Chop up the above ingredients into small pieces.

Add:

1 Tbsp lemon juice

A pinch of cayenne pepper or splash of hot sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

You can find a printable copy of the recipe
under the Goodie Bag tab.

Break out the chips and enjoy!

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This project is linked at the following:

     

And other link parties here.

The Inspiration Board: link party

Welcome to The Inspiration Board link party. I’m so excited to see what everyone has been making.

A few rules:

• Link up your own projects – something you created.
• Link to a specific post, not your blog home page (No Etsy shops or giveaways).
• Grab a “homework” button and include it somewhere on the post you’re linking, on your home page or a page of link parties. Or, if you prefer, add a text link.
• Follow homework. You’ll find the “Follow via Google Friend Connect” gadget on the right sidebar.

Stay awhile and check out some of the wonderful projects. Thanks for stopping by.

<a href=" http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="homework" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjSbbA0SOqesA5DHID0I2xl7oOAjtbIFcAeh3DMql6FzRborOFgbaGtPfC36n4P2XimbCewe-uE_YrJzA0JxCjQ_6ifYvJlKf9fw8nFunAdoeuAn-d1hP8_XVPE4ohV3whBUTItFY8TJy/s1600/Homework+Blog+Logo+Square+outline+2-1.jpg" height="125" width="125"/></a>

Inkling: lotus blossom pomander ball

I made this pomander ball out of wax paper. It reminds me of a lotus blossom.

I love the way the paper is slightly translucent and catches the light.

To make a pomander ball like this, you’ll need:

• A Styrofoam ball – I used a 2.5” ball.
• String or thread
• Wax paper
• Glue – I used Aleene’s Tacky Glue

• Start by poking a small hole through your ball. You can use a long needle or a barbeque skewer.
• Thread your string through the hole and secure with either a bead at the bottom or glue.
• Cut out your petals. Fold up the wax paper to cut several at a time. Make your petals different sizes.
• Starting at the bottom, glue the smaller petals and work your way around and up until you reach the top using the larger petals.

Tip: I put my Styrofoam ball in the top of a small vase so I wouldn’t have to hold it as I glued the petals.

Planning a wedding? Use larger balls and make several for pretty but inexpensive impact.

Come back tomorrow for The Inspiration Board Link Party!

I'd love to see what you've been creating.

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Thank you for visiting. Please consider voting for me at

Babble's Top 50 Mom Craft Blogs.

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This project is linked at the following:

        
I {Heart} Naptime

And other link parties here.

The Inspiration Board: link party spotlight

Another great week of creative sharing on Tuesday’s Inspiration Board. Thank you to everyone who linked up a project and to everyone else who visited. Here are just a few of the many, many wonderful projects.

You’ll never guess what this Faux Mirror Mosaic Vase is made out of. Meijos Joy used a biscuit wrapper and a correction fluid pen. I love faux crafting and this one is wonderful.
Inspiration: resourceful crafting

 

(Left) These doily cupcake wrappers from A Law Student’s Journey are so pretty. They’re easy to make and have big impact against the chocolate cupcake.

(Right) A beautiful ring pillow from One Perfect Day. I'm sure the bride who uses this pillow will have a one perfect day.

Inspiration: delicate touches



  

(Left) An amazing playhouse from Creative Raisins. I think this is every kid’s dream. It has a grocery store, play area, storage room. Just adorable.

(Right) I have a weakness for teeny tiny things and these teddy bears from Red Ted Art are just too cute.

Inspiration:  Big and little fun

 

(Left) A beautiful recycled packaging card from Sandy’s Space. So many layers of beautiful paper.
(Right)  I love the retro look of this kitchen card set from Paper Vine. You have to see the full post to see all of the card set details. Little notebooks, cards and super cute utensils complete the package.
Inspiration: paper details

 

I’ve seen other book projects but I’ve never seen them made into birdhouses. I love these book birdhouses from Red Hen Home.
Inspiration: crafty reading

(Left) Refreshing lemon lime ice cream shots from The Saturday Evening Pot. A perfect summer dessert.

(Right) Homemade Ginger Ale Syrup from Nifty Thrifty Things. Make the syrup and then pour it over ice and club soda. I bet it’s so much better than anything you can buy at the market.
Inspiration: cool and refreshing

 

(Left) A cute summer cardigan by Grey Luster Girl. Perfect for summer, the pattern was traced from an existing cardigan and modified with short sleeves.

(Right) Love the fabric and pom poms on this pillow from Shannon Sews. The fabric is sophisticated but the color makes it so fun and cheery.

Inspiration: cheery yellow

A tisket a tasket bike basket liner from The Logan’s Landing. The pop of color is just so summery and inviting it makes me want to take a bike ride.
Inspiration: crafting + fitness

If you were in the spotlight, please feel free to grab a button.

(Or, if you're having trouble with my previous button, grab a new one here)

<a href=" http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="homework" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXKM4yQr9oUN7GwFux5BITknFYg1so-bdRvyvaBjWBTFrjlH943I7g401-x4gi3eWzlMzyZJjiZUszNBy3GpPcUkBQg_zNqqFY7fpE7ASpwP3nnNI250E6lTch-PcLFuJQzEqyDRYK4Yg/s1600/Featured+Button.jpg" height="125" width="125"/></a>

Thank you again to everyone who linked up. I loved looking at all the projects and visiting your sites.

Please come back next week for another link party. Link parties will be held every Tuesday.