Wahoo!  Beach season is upon us!  …not that I enjoy being in a swimming suit…or have anyone see me in one.  Nevertheless, I LOVE going to the beach!  I’m talkin’ love!  Have I used enough exclamations yet?

One of my very favorite things about going to the beach is collecting shells.  I quickly realized that there are “dream” shells and “reality” shells.  “Dream” shells are the ones that you read about in fantasy books and home decor magazines.  “Reality” shells are what you get when you are on the beach using your kids’ sand sifter and shovel.

Since I gave up on my dream of finding huge shells, I make it a goal to find the tiniest one I can.  …like smaller than a grain of rice…  I collect shells all week.  I’m like a maniac!  I can’t have too many and because they are so tiny, I don’t feel bad about picking up like 9000 of them at once.  Okay…not that many but close:)

Here’s what I did with the shells from our last trip to Orange Beach, AL.  It sits on my desk at work and mocks me while I slave away.

Materials:

• Small container with see through lid
• Photo from your trip (wallet size)
• Sand
• Shells
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Glue sticks

Step 1

Place your container directly over the part of the picture that you would like to use as a background.  Use your pencil and trace around the container. Cut out the circle and glue it to the back of the container.

Step 2

Add sand and shells. Replace the lid.  Voila!

Step 3

Place it on your desk at work so it can mock you like mine does every single day.

Enjoy!

That Book Mama