Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Another Step Closer ... plus Beachy Keen!

Somehow I missed taking pictures after getting the little charmies painted black ... ah well. Once black I felt like they were missing something ...
POLKA DOTS!


yep, that's right ... first I tried using ye ole standard tiny round paint brush, but it was rough going, so I flipped it around and used the butt of the brush ... mucho betterer. Here's a close up of the front and back:


Next step ... gloss. High gloss. I think that'll do the trick.

Next up ... photo's from Monday's treck out to the beach. I thought there would be neat things due to the recent storms & only wish I had planned tide timing better ... I thought I was going at low tide, but it seemed pretty high to me ... then again, that could be due to Ike.

--- click on the below pictures (any picture for that matter) to see a larger version ---

this crab carcass looked like it had been planted there and posed like that ... I just really like the way it's splayed and its colors against the color of the sand and shells ... take a closer look at the postion of the front claws ... what does it look like to you?


then I came across this bit of ocean vegetation ... the color of it was amazingly rich and deep. Plus, the little hitch-hiker was pretty cool, too.




The most surprising find was a handful of urchins scattered here and there. I have never seen any urchins on my beach visits, so this was a rare treat ... I couldn't help but snap a few shots and take a closer look:


and then I thought to roll it over (with a shell, of course) and discovered this little critter was still alive ... I don't know the proper thing to do when you come across a beached urchin ... are you supposed to leave them there to get eaten by birds or dried out? or put them back in the ocean? since I didn't have a naturalist handy, I did what felt right & returned him to the gulf (along with three of the four others I came across - the fourth was unquestionably lifeless, so I brought it home with me ...).



It was a gorgeous day and there weren't many people out, which is always a bonus.


What kind of fun things have you been up to?

22 comments:

Pam Mattick Art and Stuff said...

Oh, what wonderful pictures. Where are these beach photos. Cute dots too:)
Pam

Kate Tracton said...

I like what you've done with the charms!

You asked about the critter picture on my latest post: It's a baby lemur. Freaky, huh?

I do so enjoy your beach visit pictures. I miss going myself, so it's a treat to see it through your eyes.

Kate

Cindy said...

Definetly love the black! And the polka dots are a bit of fun are'nt they? Love the completed version.

Pretty beach pics.

c

Jessi Nagy said...

hey there sweets.
i love the polka dits. yummy,.
oxoxox
jessi

Unknown said...

Yes! Polka dots. They turned out great!

Anonymous said...

oh yes.. you have nailed the charms.. well done on hearing what they wanted.. they look delicious now.

Marilyn said...

Your charms just keep gettin' better! I love the polka dots and black and white:)
GREAT beach pics--looks like it was a fun day to be there.
hugs, Marilyn:)

Cat said...

Polka Dots - YES! They add just the right tough! They came out wonderful!

Great closeups of the beach-life! To me the crab looks like he's blowing kisses.

You've made me very hungry for the ocean, it's been over 3 years since I've been to the coast!

Glad you enjoyed! Cat

ArtPropelled said...

A perfect finish to your charms. I love white dots on black. Your beautiful beach photographs make me realize just how much I need to get to the sea again.

MARLOU B. said...

Your charms are wonderful!!

I also love to get out and take pictures of ocean vegetation.
Cheers

Doe Grozs Art said...

Hey, thanks for hanging out at my blog and those wonderful comments. I just love this blogging world :-)
Your charms are great, and nice touch with the polka dots.
I too love going to the beach in off season to photograph "treasures"...
I'll be back :-)
Doreen
oh,and trades are a possibility :-)

Marina Capano said...

Hi!!!!what wonderful pictures! so cute!

visit me anytime...

Marina

Unknown said...

Where do you live again? I am jealous that you live close to a beach..sigh! Love the dot charms too!!!!

Sand

girlgonethreadwild said...

oo oo babee you youuuuu go on with yur baad self!

THESE ARE so so AWSUM!

MJ said...

I like the black frames on the charms! They really make the interior of the charms pop!

Unknown said...

The charms are wonderful! I am playing too! Melinda

Kathryn Costa said...

Your charms are gorgeous. I do so love them! Your beachy pictures bring me to such a happy place. The color of the urchin is lovely. I like the texture too. I think this may make for a good element in a future journal page. Thanks for the inspiration!

couragetocreatewriteandlove said...

I love your charms! I think the heart and the high heel are my favorites, what fun things i have done oh my!!! i have been playing a lot with my muse, LOL

dkuroiwa said...

I love those charms!! The polka dots were THE perfect touch...a little extra whimsy! My favorites are the hearts...very cool!!

and yeah...nice beach pictures...can't get enough of those!!

Michelle said...

Hi Michelle ~ I was fortunate to receive one of your gorgeous Think Pink charms. It's wonderful - thank you very much!! I'm enjoying your blog and will return often. Your b&w charms are fantastic! Cheers ~ Michelle

Cathie said...

Stunning little black and whites AND spectacular photographS!! As usual -- a total feast for the eyes.
P.S. Polka Dots ROCK!! Love 'em.

Chris said...

Polka Dots!!
really awesome! Really cool. I'm glad I checked out your blog. Really nice pieces.