By the Sea, By the Sea, By the Beautiful Sea (Sea Themed Projects)

"The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination, and brings eternal joy to the soul"

My most favorite place in the world (aside from being next to my sweet husband), is being at the ocean... ahhh, for me, this is bliss! 

"Miss Kopy Kat" shares an amazing tutorial for these incredible Do It Yourself Coral Collections. The photo's and the tutorial are on two different pages of her website, find the full tutorial here: Do It Yourself Coral

Amanda from House Revivals has a great tutorial on How to Make Faux Coral with a paper mache method

Aimee from Twigg Studios has a wonderful tutorial on how to make DIY Faux Starfish from clay

Paging Fun Mums shares a tutorial for making Sand Footprint Keepsakes

Jenn of My Fabuless Life, guest blogs on I Heart Naptime this fabulous idea for Sand Bottles Decor. Collect sand from each beach or vacation spot you visit and save in old jars and bottles. Be sure to label with each location and date... I so wish I would've thought of this YEARS ago!

Angie at Echoes of Laughter shares how she put together this lovely Vacation Memory Jar

Donna from Dream and Play created this beautiful little sea themed altered bottle

The original source of this photo is unknown but I love the concept of using an old vintage case and fill with shells and beach finds and attaching favorite ocean photographs.  

Craftideas.info shares how to make this Seashell Picture Frame

This gorgeous painting created on reclaimed wood is no longer available, but I love the old vintage look of it

I love this seahorse picture reprinted on wood from an artwork by Suzanne Nicoll

This Shabby Chic Beach Window was created by Beach Designs by Caroline on Etsy. It's no longer available but I adore the beachy design on an old reclaimed picture window.

Beautiful Butterflies

"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly"

I am enchanted by these graceful little creatures, below are some of my favorite projects featuring the beautiful butterfly...

There is something so alluring about these butterflies in jars

  

OC Cottage shares a lovely tutorial for this butterfly wreath

Mel Stampz shares how she made these captivating butterflies on a branch

This enchanting Art on Wings canvas was made by Two Peas in a Bucket. Unfortunately the website is now closed but I had to share!

Gayle from Stampingville shows us her handmade creation of Framed Beautiful Butterflies

Full of Great Ideas shares a tutorial for Handmade 3-D Butterfly Art, it was made with a cutting machine but can also be made using an Exacto knife

Kim from Riverfront Stampin created this beautiful scrapbooking canvas project  

Julie from Inkredible Stamping shares how she made this charming little butterfly ribbon bookmark

Word Garden on Etsy has these fabulous Butterfly on French Script pillows available in her shop

Better Homes and Gardens shares how to make this Pretty Felt Butterfly Pillow

Linda Peterson from Cool2Craft shares a video tutorial on how to make this delightful Wings to Fly Butterfly Pendant

Birds of a Feather (Bird Related Projects and Decor)

A little bird told me you would adore these projects as much as I do...

These lovely bird's nest planters were created and hand-painted by one of my favorite artists, Christie Repassy. I just love all of her work and these sweet planters would make perfect vintage garden decor.

Yvonne at Stone Gable shares a tutorial on how to make a Spring Bird Nest and 10 Gorgeous Ways to Decorate with Nests

This charming little Bird's Nest in a Glass Jar was made by the Moths and Rust Shop on Etsy. It is no longer available but I just love the rustic vintage look of it.

Vicki of This Art That Makes Me Happy shows us her little bird nests in teacups project

The photo below is from an unknown source but I just love the idea of using an old teacup as a bird feeder. Just glue a teacup on its side with a waterproof glue (like E-6000), when dry, just hang with a ribbon, string, or hang from a shepherds hook. For more tips on how to upcycle teacups into birdfeeders, visit this site: http://jerzimom.hubpages.com/hub/how-to-upcycle-tea-cups-into-bird-feeders# 

Vanessa at Tried & True shares a wonderful tutorial on how to make these stenciled Chalkboard Planters

Stephanie Lynn shared a tutorial for this adorable book page ornament. I made one myself but instead of hanging him as an ornament, I  attached a magnet to the back and he now adorns my refrigerator.

I love this book page bird garland (original source no longer available) and The Flight of Swallows from A Heart in Provence. Using these for inspiration, you can make your own flights of fancy by Googling bird silhouettes and tracing them on book pages or sheet music. Cut out and hang by ribbon or string. 

Beth of Home Stories A-Z shares how she made this sweet bird pillow using a Silhouette cutting machine and a heat transfer. (If you don't have a cutting machine, you could also use her same idea just by Googling a bird silhouette and trace the outline onto the paper backing of your iron on adhesive after you iron your fabric to the adhesive side, cut around outline before peeling).  

Joy at Thrifty Parsonage Living shares her tutorial on how to make these adorable Pottery Barn inspired pillows

Ephemera's Vintage Garden shares a free vintage bird bookmark printable... gotta love freebies!!!

These cute little 'Page Perchers' used to be available on Etsy, unfortunately they are no longer available but they were so cute I had to share them.

Sarah Ortega shows us how to make our own bird nest necklace, and Cathe of Just Something I Made shows us her version of how to make a little wire bird nest for any project. 

And take a look at this lovely bird necklace made by Holly Ross on Craftsy 

Last but certainly not least, I had to share the most adorable birdhouse fence created by my neighbor. She built this fence with custom birdhouses built onto the pickets. 

Each birdhouse is different and some even have little miniatures added. Sooooo cute!!!