Summer is just around the corner and chances are you may find yourselves on a beach somewhere on your next vacation. So I thought it might be nice to throw out something fun to do while on the beach.
If you are anything like me, once every one is moved in and settled you will want to go for a walk on the beach. I have been doing this since I was a small child. Some of my best memories are walking the beach picking up shells with my, Mom and Grand mom. All of us loved to go shelling. Shelling is relaxing and educational all at the same time. It is a wonderful way to share your knowledge of sea creatures with your children or learn about them together.
Once you have gathered all of your treasures from the sea, what do you do with them? Why not make a Shell Box? It could be your vacation souvenir. Some call these boxes sailor's valentines.
It has been said that sailors would make beautiful boxes for their Valentine's while they were out to sea. When the sailors would return home they would present these lovely valentines to their sweethearts. You could make a shell box and take it home as a reminder of your wonderful vacation.
This activity is wide ranging anyone from toddler to adult can do this craft. Its a fun way to relax by yourself or bod with your children or vacation buddies. (your not going to want young children to use the E600 but they can help with the finding and placing of the shells as will as helping with the inside of the box.)
This activity is wide ranging anyone from toddler to adult can do this craft. Its a fun way to relax by yourself or bod with your children or vacation buddies. (your not going to want young children to use the E600 but they can help with the finding and placing of the shells as will as helping with the inside of the box.)
To start all you will need is a box (it can be any box, any size or shape) that you can lift the top off of. I used a small cheese box, a candy box would work well too. Use what you have. You will also need painters tape, E600, a glue stick, small scissors and shells. You may want to bring the tape, E600, glue stick and scissors with you on your trip. That way you will not have the stress of finding supplies while trying to have a relaxing vacation. The good thing is, these supplies are small and will not take up much room in your travel bag.
Are you ready to make your vacation souvenir?
Start by gluing your shells onto the outside rim of your box lid.
Start by gluing your shells onto the outside rim of your box lid.
Tear off several pieces of painter's tape and stick them to the edge of your table. This way they will be handy for you to grab when needed. Once you placed a shell on your box put a piece of tape around it so that it will not move while it is drying.
Do this all the way around the box.
Back to why this could be a great vacation idea. So, you want to take home a souvenir.
While the shells are drying on the sides of your box lid start gathering up the brochures or a real estate ad book of your vacation spot.
Grab the kids and start cutting pictures and words out of the material that remind you of your trip. This project does not have to be done in a day. Maybe it's raining and the kids need something to do or you just want to work on this alone while kids are playing outside or napping. Maybe you don't even have children but you would like a project for a rainy or hot day.
Once you have all your pictures cut out start gluing your collection of pictures and words onto the inside of your box top.
You will also want to do the same thing on the inside of your box lid.
Now that you have the insides of your box finished, its time to start working on the outside of your box. Anything goes here. Do what makes you happy. I started with the center shell on the top of my box and then started working out.
I glued more shells around my sharks eye shell (the center shell).
Filling in spaces I continued working on the top of the box.
If you ever feel like your shells will not stay in place just use your painters tape to secure your shells. I used the same small pieces of tape over and over again.
Once you have the top of your box looking the way you want it to, start working on the sides of your box again.
Remember the tape is your friend and you can always stop and take a brake.
Time for ice cream maybe?
This little box was so much fun to make and I will always have a small remembrance of a wonderful trip with my sweet husband.
I hope that you to will find a little joy in creating a special little memento of your vacation.
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