Shadow Box Project

Hey guys, I know it's been a while since I've posted but the weather has been so nice lately (and apparently will continue to be for a few days) so we have been enjoying the sun and such.

I was thinking on my 'days off' what i would do for my next post and I thought of some cool ideas, but this is one of my favourite things to make, and cool idea as a gift for people from the east coast who live out west to remind them of home!

Basically this project involves beach combing and using things you have collected from outdoors and putting them in a shadow box to show them off!

How to make a shadow box

What you will need:

• a Shadow Box (or boxes if you want to make a cluster of wall hangings - I like to use groups of odd numbers). You can purchase these at most dollar stores (i got mine at dollarama)


• white tole paint (or any paint that works on wood)


• a paint brush


• a rag or paper towel


• glue gun or very strong glue


• shells, rocks, seaglass, starfish, flowers (pressed or dried) or anything else you would like to display in your shadow box - if you really are pressed for time and lack the ability to collect your own stuff - dollarstores work great too, they usually have small bags of pebbles and seashells, but the real deal looks so much more authentic!

First, apply a white wash to the shadow box by painting on a thin layer of paint and wiping it off with rag or paper towel.

Let it try (shouldn't take long as it is a very small amount of paint).

Take your shells, rocks, etc and lay them in place inside the shadow box.

I like to arrange them first before gluing them so I can try different arrangements - then glue them in place..
A great tip is to always keep it simple - don't over do it. Starfish work great on their own, or with a few shells. Flowers look great with larger, lush leaves.

I will make one later on tonight so I can post some pictures - the last one I made as a shower gift for a friend getting married and living in Alberta...

They look great in a bathroom with a candleholder filled to the top with pebbles and shells..

Thanks and I hope you guys really enjoy this project as much as I do !

Remember, if you have any ideas - let me know I'm up for new things :)

*note: the starfish in the shadow box pictured above was brought to me by my boyfriend Chuck. He dried it on top of the boat he lobster fishes in... They should be easier to find near wharves and boats!

How To Make A Banana Yogurt Face Mask

Good Morning,
It's kind of a gloomy looking day outside and I think it's going to rain later. Oh well, enjoy a rainy day inside and treat yourself to an all natural facial :)

Banana Yogurt Face Mask

This face mask can be chunky or smooth depending on how you think you will like it.

To make it you will need:

• 1 banana (or half, depends on how much banana you want in it)
• plain yogurt (not vanilla, plain)
• honey
• an orange or lemon
  
  

1. puree banana or mash to desired texture

2. add yogurt until a creamy texture

3. add small amount of honey (mostly for scent and colour)

4. add squeeze of orange or lemon

5. combine mixture and apply to face

6. let sit for 10-15 minutes

7. rinse with a cool or steaming warm face cloth

I hope you enjoy this face mask, it's one of my favourites.

xoxo

Cait

* DIY All Natural Honey Sugar Lip Scrub *

to make your own all natural, exfoliating honey-sugar lip scrub you will need:

a small bowl
regular table sugar
honey
Olive Oil

*mix all ingredients until they form a gritty paste,

*apply small amount of the scrub to your finger - or if you want, a toothbrush (make sure it's not your everyday toothbrush, ew!)

*scrub onto your lips (not too hard as it can damage your lips)

* you can either let it sit for 2 minutes, or rinse off with warm water !

* apply moisturizing lip gloss !

as another option you can use brown sugar, this works best for lightly conditioning lips (aka - wont work as well as regular white sugar, but if you have sensitive lips or whatever, it should be great)

Honey has many other benefits for skin and hair and all around health, and it tastes good too :)

It can be used for sore throats, as an energy booster, even as a hangover remedy! For more

information on the natural uses and benefits of honey, click here

xoxo
cait

Ps: sorry for the use of a random google photo, I hope to get some of my own photos up as I make the products :)

First Post ! :)

Hey guys, this is my first post - hopefully there will be lots more...

I'm recently addicted to DIY projects, so I'll share some of my favourites here with you.
I'll be focusing mostly on beauty products but there will also be some home crafts and other stuff I just kind of figure out along the way. I like to work with all natural things from the beach and the garden so it will kind of "all natural" beauty products and projects, I hope!

I'm also a fan of the dollarstore for craft items so I'll make sure most of my stuff is for those who are on the cheap and with budgets in mind, I'll try and also stick with stuff you can find around the house, beach, yard, garden, etc :)

So I hope you enjoy my stuff, and leave any comments or feedback please - i love inspiration and ideas! If you have any requests let me know and I will try my best to get back to you :)

This would be my daughter, Anna at the beach in Boisdale.

She is just as enthusiastic about beach combing as her mama :)