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Sea Shell Matching Game

Oh so sad that summer is over. If you were fortunate to get some time at the beach, you may have come home with a few dozen of these:

Especially if you have little children who insist on keeping every shell that they find! So, what to do with all those shells? Gather up your little ones and make a sea shell matching game!

This craft couldn’t be easier. You will need an even number of shells that are approximately the same size and color. Plus, stickers that you have at least two of.

Be sure your shells are clean, dry and free of sand. Then peel and stick your stickers inside the shells. Try not to pick shells that look identical or it will make it too easy for your players to make a match. Let’s not make it too easy on the kids. The true goal of this game is to keep your kids occupied for 15 minutes!

You may have to trim a few stickers to help them fit better. See how I trimmed the Buzz sticker:

Then set out your shells sticker side down and let the game begin!

Make sure they play fair and only turn over two shells at a time. If a match is made then they can keep those two shells.

At the end, let them count their pairs. The person with the most matches wins!

Be sure to encourage re-matches! If you want the stickers to hold up to many games and sticky fingers, you may choose to coat the sticker side with Mod Podge.

 

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The Painted Cottage – A Tour of My Favorite Store at the Beach

We just got back from a very relaxing week at the beach. The weather was perfect and our boys really enjoyed playing in the surf. I think we brought back a bit too much of the beach with us (sandy sheets, hair and toes). But, at least we had fun!

My mom and I spent an afternoon shopping at the outlets in Myrtle Beach, but not before stopping at my favorite location in Ocean Isle Beach, NC.

A place where I can look at lots of this:

Admire plenty of this:

And go ga ga for this:

All these and more can be found at The Painted Cottage.

This eclectic shop is an adorable boutique with sherbert colored walls and oodles of antiques, art and shabby chic finds. I could spend hours browsing this store and still not see everything.

Here is just a sampling of what is inside:

Did you see that white oyster shell mirror on the wall?
How about the same mirror with black oyster shells?

Very chic in black, don’t you think?
Precious blue bottles with coral and starfish lids

I just love this summery beach wreath spray painted light blue
and accented with ribbon, coral and shells.

Don’t you just love this red floral wingback chair with the starfish throwpillow?
(Realistically I know it would only last 2 minutes in my house before being plucked off
the pillow by my boys or crushed during wrestling matches.
But, I can dream about it, right?!)

A Trio of Starfish on Burlap

Another unique way to decorate with an old window and wine corks!

Whoa! I just found Daisy’s twin? She looks fab in red.

Hey, another coincidence! A chair with the same P. Kaufmann fabric
as my daisy chair and bench in my guest room (only in a different colorway.)

Let me tell you, The Painted Cottage has the best decorative chairs.
Like this blue rattan chair.

Or this shabby chic floral detailed chair
I’m crazy about this child size rustic chair with the monkey fist knot ball
And just the aqua color of this chair has me hooked
More aqua color on this vanity and clear glass lamp
Catching my breath as I spot this gorgeous aqua armoire!
I’m only pulled away from the armoire by these glass beauties.
Am I part magpie? Why am I so fixated on shiny shinies?
 
 This dresser pulled me out of my aqua fixation.
Beautiful sea foam green.
Will you look at this lampshade?! Fabric flowers sewn to the shade. Heavenly!
I can’t wait for one of you crafty readers to write up a tutorial on this.
or how about this lamp? LOVE IT, right?!
A beautiful hydrangea painting
Upon closer inspection, the flowers are actually cut magazine photos.
How clever!
The store has an abundance of signs with clever sayings.
“Barefoot is Bliss” so true!
“At the Beach we live by the currents and follow the sun”
“Dogs have owners, cats have staff”
That black bench under the throws is another headboard bench.
 This sign just kills me…get it? KILLs me. Okay, sorry, that was corny.
The crab shack
More artwork and accents

So, if you make your way down to the  southernmost beaches of North Carolina’s unique barrier islands, (or even if you are in Myrtle Beach). Take the time to stop by and visit The Painted Cottage at 6692 Beach Drive, Ocean Isle Beach, NC. (Phone ahead for hours and directions: 910-579-5995). Be sure to tell them that I sent you. (I am not paid by the Painted Cottage, I only hope they remember me next year when I go back.)

Best of all, if you haven’t had your fill of eye candy from this post, visit the shop’s website: thepaintedcottageonline.com or blog: thepaintedcottageonline.blogspot.com

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