Saturday 14 January 2012

beach junk

I'm not quite ready to start my 'impossible' challenge yet (see post before this) but I have been
playing with some stuff I found on the beach.

 Worthing Beach, West Sussex - last week !
I have collected shells in the past, but recently I have been picking up all sorts of things.
This is my haul so far.


 I really like finding things now, and can't stop looking (even if my little dog would
sometimes rather go to the park !).
I love the simplicity of these things, and the unique way that time
and the sea has aged and softened them. 

First, I took the rusty wire mesh from above, and a pine frame I bought last year for £3.


I painted the frame white, because I want it to stand out against my stencilled walls,
 ( see here )
and distressed it. Took out the glass etc. and stapled the mesh in the back.
And voila -


This is a photo of my brother and I when we were 6 and 4 !!!
I love the contrast of the rust and distressed frame against my walls.


A valentine selection. The gorgeous little metal tag came on a Christmas present.


Next I took a box frame, which cost about £3.50
 (I have been storing stuff for a few months),
and added some brown paper, a fabric sample, some shells, and a little organza ribbon.


I painted the frame with one of the colours from the stencilled wall, because this will
probably end up on the opposite 'white' wall, in a group of pictures.




I have a plan for the large pieces of driftwood, that I am really excited about.
The box frame turned out so well that in the future I will frame some more of my haul.
But the best thing about this project - I didn't go out and buy anything, just used what I had !

Well folks, I must get on, it's Saturday morning and the poor dog is making sad little
whining noises, because I haven't said the 'W' word yet.

linking up with
Saturday Nite Special @ funky junk interiors
Pot Pourri Friday @ 2805
Inspiration Friday @ at the picket fence
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ common ground
Whatcha Got Weekend @ lolly jane boutique
Debbiedoos Newbie Party @ Debbiedoos
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays @ Coastal Charm
Primp your stuff Wednesdays @ {primp}

27 comments:

  1. What a great idea. I love your framed shells and pieces of the sea. Also the wire behind the frame is perfect.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  2. How cute!! You are so creative and lucky! I miss the beach, i haven't seen it in about 6 years! I'll have to look for some lake junk this summer, great ideas!!

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    1. Thanks Stacey, yes, I believe I am lucky too, I would seriously miss the beach if I moved away. I didn't grow up near the sea, so going there was such a treat, and I guess that feeling has never left me !

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    2. 6 years with no beach? I couldn't imagine that! Well maybe you should consider holidays in Greece some time! LOL! I could show you around!

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  3. Fiona, they turned out so nice! And the old photo fits perfectly! Can't wait to see what you're planning with the driftwood!

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  4. OK, so that little frame is adorable. I can do that! I love when people post projects that I am not overwhelmed by. I happen to have a pile of ugly colored frames that just last week (while dusting to take my blog photos) I decided were dated and added too much clutter. Was gonna toss 'em. Now I'll keep 'em!

    ~Bliss~

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  5. love your ideas - brilliant! had to pin it :)

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  6. That mesh is gorgeous!! great finds.

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  7. It's great to find treasures on the beach! I do it on vacation, but don't live near water. I love what you did with your frame, and your collages are wonderful! Can't wait to see what you do with the other stuff. :)
    -Revi

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  8. Fiona - talk about making treasures out of sea junk - they are beautiful! I never would have thought of putting the mesh behind the frame! Lovely!
    Peggy

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  9. These are beautiful Fiona, I love this, can't wait to see what you do next!

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  10. I really love the valentine frame just gorgeous.
    Ann

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  11. I always pull stuff out of the river that runs behind my house. You given me some great ideas of what to do with some of it. Thanks! ~ Maureen

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  12. That looks awesome. Love the wire frame. I can't wait to see the driftwood :-)

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  13. LOVE the frame!!! And of course jealous that you are by the beach! We have snow right now!! Thanks for stopping by Harrison Home :)

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  14. I love all your treasures and the things you did with them. I especially like the wire mesh in the frame. Very good idea. I found your blog on Debbiedoos Newbie party. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

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  15. I love it! and I love a good treasure hunt to whether it be in a thrift store or on the beach or in the woods! Great project!!

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  16. Hi Fiona - im your newest follower. Love your blog!!!!! Im also a newbie, also love white and the beach and coastal decor. Please pop over and visit when you get a chance. Take care Nat
    http://northshoredays.blogspot.com/

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  17. Now, they really look like treasures! They look wonderful with that frame.
    I love picking up stuff from everywhere too!!

    www.tatianadoria.blogspot.com

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  18. These are all beautiful, you've inspired me to try something different.

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  19. These turned out so cute! Love them both!

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  20. That turned out so cute. Thanks for sharing with my newbie party.

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  21. These are so great! I love finding treasures on the beach and your artwork looks so beautiful. Love it! Thanks also for the lovely comment you left on Silver Pennies.

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  22. Great ideas! You've made me really want to go to the beach! (it is 30 degrees here)!!

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  23. I do so love the beach. There's something nostalgic about it all that harkens back to being a child. I love what you did with these bits and pieces, proving once again that what one person would walk past without a second thought, someone else can turn into a treasure. :)

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It's always a pleasure to receive your comments. I really enjoy reading them, and a huge thank you if you are following as well !