Anyone taking a beach vacation this year? We have been to the beach a few times both in California and we went to Maui earlier this year and now we are finishing summer up with a trip to Florida. When we were in Maui, I saw some really cute sand ornaments but they were so expensive!
I just kept thinking I could totally make that and save myself $34.99.
So I did! And I think this is a fun way to preserve a memory of your vacation that is so simple. When we go to the beach my girls will spend endless hours hunting down pretty rocks and shells.
The things they collect are so special to them, I think this is a fun way to honor their little treasures too without adding any clutter to your home.
You can do this in many different ways to suit your special trip but here is what I did.
I used a pull apart picture frame ornament. This was leftover from Christmas but not to worry because the craft stores already have Christmas items out in August so you should be able to find one. The picture ornaments allow you to put larger shells inside the ornament but if you can’t find one, don’t worry you can use a standard clear glass ornament too.
Add some of your sand to the ornament (either that you collected on your trip or that you purchase from the craft store.) If you are using a standard glass ornament, you can pop the top off and put some sand on a piece of paper. Use the paper as a funnel to gently pour the sand in.
Now just add your collection of shells, sea glass, stones and so on. Some of the ornaments in Maui had little palm trees and flip flops and such inside- you can check the miniatures section of your craft store or maybe the fish tank section of a pet store for fun things. Again if you have a standard ornament be mindful of what will fit through the top.
I had a little baggy of shells and such my girls collected in Hawaii so I just generously filled the ornament up with those.
I added a small dab of hot glue to either side of my ornament to be sure it doesn’t unscrew. The hot glue is noticeable though so just a tiny bit and on the underside of the ornament is the best bet.
Next I used a dab of hot glue to secure some baker’s twine wrapped around the top of the ornament and I tied it in a knot to create a loop to hang off the Christmas tree.
The final step was to cut Maui 2015 out on my Silhouette Cameo and also a little palm tree. And that was it!
Seriously the fastest project and I think it turned out pretty cute! If you don’t have a Silhouette, not to worry. You can use a little tag and either type or stamp out your location and year. That would be cute inserted inside the ornament like a message in a bottle or tied around the outside.
My girls loved this ornament and now each time we pill out the Christmas tree we will have the memory of our fun vacation and watching my children collect those seashells on the gorgeous beaches.
And here are a few other ideas you might also enjoy:
Stephanie Henson says
Love it, we went to Maui in May this year and I brought home some black sand, shells and lava rock. I was going to make a picture frame but didn’t have enough sand, this will work perfect. Now to find someone to make a decal….will you sell me one? I live close in Roseville, CA..