Coastal Crafts Book Review

I recently got a copy of Coastal Crafts by Cynthia Shaffer.

It is the first book published featuring coastal crafts.

I have to be honest, it was worth the wait.

Cynthia has written and photographed the book beautifully.

I love how the book is laid out.

Not only does Cynthia include over 20 projects, she also includes some directions in the first chapter for cleaning shells and making your own drift wood.

I am very excited to be able to make my own driftwood.

While I collect shells every chance I get, I have never managed to be places where I could get driftwood.

There is such a great variety of materials and types of projects.

She has everything from these clay disks made into a cute banner to sewing to making a mixed media necklace.

Here are some embroidered towels.

She includes the simple directions and the patterns.

My daughter has earmarked this project as one she wants to do so we will be watching for white vases and vessels.

These sailboats are on my to do list for sure.

All of Cynthia's designs incorporate common materials that you already have at home or can find at any craft store.

You do not have to live close to the beach to complete the projects in the book- Genius!

The glass jar luminary would look awesome on anyone's deck, backyard or balcony.

The knotted coaster set is broken down into simple enough steps that I think I can do them.

I will do a post when I do so you can see how they turn out.

I love the nautical flag project.

Cynthia gives you the flag for each letter so you can spell out your name or a meaningful message of your own.

What a great gift for just about anyone on your gift list.

This white shell wreath is gorgeous and you can follow her easy-to-follow directions to make your own.

I love how these projects feel like a summer day and yet would be welcome in anyone's home year round.

Her starfish note cards are simple and gorgeous.

Not only does she provide directions for the notecards, she provides them to make your own stick pencils as well.

I am so trying those.

And what I have showed you is less than half of what is in the book.

Coastal Crafts is available on Amazon here.

You can find it in many other book stores as well.

It is a great book for anyone who loves the beach, coastal decorating or just a touch of summer for their home.

I plan to make most of the projects in the book and what I don't make for myself, I will be making to give as gifts.

I promise I will show you how my projects look when I get them made.

Thanks for stopping by....

Star Fish Napkin Ring for a Beach Wedding: A Quick DIY Tutorial

Summer always makes me think of weddings.

Today I wanted to show you a very quick and easy beach wedding favor.

You can use this as a napkin ring at the wedding and as a take home favor.

Your guests can use it later lots of ways.

You will need:

Rope

Starfish

Hot Glue Gun

Glue sticks

Paper towel tube

I got my rope at Lowes but you should be able to find it at any hardware or home improvement store.

Decide how big you want the rope ring to be and find something you can use to wrap the rope around.

  I used a paper towel tube.

You could make yours smaller or larger.

Wrap the rope around the tube twice and tie.

Cut your rope, leaving short tails.

Get your starfish ready by turning it upside down.

Add a drop of hot glue to the center of the starfish.

Turn it over and press it onto the knot.

Slide the ring off the paper towel tube and press the rope firmly into the hot glue.

Let it cool.

Use it as a napkin ring that can be taken home as a favor.

I used flour sack towels for napkins.

I bought a large pack of them at Sam's Club.

They are laundered but not pressed.

I like them soft and supple.

 These would look fantastic on your table with a sprinkling of sand, shells and stones.

These can be made in less than 5 minutes each.

It actually took me longer to wait for the glue gun to heat                    than it would take to make one.

If you can't find starfish, you can use seashells instead.

Guests can take them home and use them there as napkin rings.

Or as a tieback for curtains.

It would dress up a bathroom in the summertime on a towel or washcloth.

Slip it over a wine bottle to dress up a gift.

  

Or just use it on a table or shelf to bring in a touch of the beach.

I love the way these turned out.

For other fast and easy wedding crafts, hop over for the Wedding edition of Craft Lightning.

Thanks for stopping by....

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