Reusing or recycling items during our craft afternoons is something this group tries for as often as we can.
Many here share my appreciation for driftwood’s natural beauty and uniqueness. Last winter the crafting group agreed it made perfect sense to use the wood for a project, but we needed to wait with the lake frozen and the shoreline under snow.
Living at a lake resort on a damned mountain fed river means driftwood floating downstream occurs every thaw season.
The resort likes to keep the marina and beach debris free so last summer a few of us would go gather pieces to stock pile so they would dry and be ready to be transformed this winter.
Doing a “driftwood” search on Pinterest brings up tons of ideas of what to make. For many of us that was the hardest part of this craft.
Candle holders, wind chimes, sun catchers, wall art, ornaments and even a serving tray were created this day.
Perhaps, I should have zoomed up on the projects for the picture, but the women’s smiles is more what these afternoons are about.
Emotions snuck up on me as I wrote this post which is why “bittersweet” is in the title.
You see, I have a sister and brother-in-law who for years use to come to their cottage here on weekends and holidays. My sister, who also loved to craft, and I would often get up early to paddle our kayak up and down the shorelines and around the island, searching and gathering driftwood. We would load the kayak with as much as it would carry and sometimes the bigger pieces for our yards we would drag behind with a rope.
These were great times, and she would have been in her glory at this craft afternoon, but they sold their cottage a few years ago.
Now, my sister, only 7 years older than me, lives in a world where we can’t visit. She has advanced Alzheimers, and I miss her dearly.
Sorry for that unexpected turn this post took.
Back to crafting. I’m showing a close-up below of a project I made because the fish are a result from a previous craft session. Each one is 33 layers of construction paper completely glued together, dried for a day, the edges beveled and sanded, then finished with a couple layers of clear nail polish. You can make beautiful pendants, fridge magnets, etc. with this simple process also found on Pinterest.
I will share some of our other crafts in future posts.
Have you ever crafted using things from nature, or reusing or recycling?
I’m always looking for suggestions for future craft projects.
Wonderful post–thank you for sharing it. And isn’t Pinterest a great tool during these coronavirus stay-at-home days? I have never tried so many recipes and crafts in my life.
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Thank you, and Pinterest is my favourite place to search for things. Glad you are finding ways to stay busy.
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A beautiful post displaying the joy of connecting with others, and the importance of connecting with and voicing our thoughts, feelings and emotions; never something to apologise for.
Your sister may no longer know you but she is blessed that you don’t forget her. Le grà, Marie
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Thank you for your kind response.
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Nothing but the truth. Xx
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Y’all are a creative bunch. I enjoyed reading some of your posts.
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They don’t think they are creative, but I think they are. Thank you, having readers enjoy my posts is my hope.
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I happen to be a lake lover and a driftwood lover too.
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It’s hard not to love the beauty and peace lakes can have. 😊 Have you ever collected or crafted with driftwood?
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I haven’t crafted with it. Like the natural look though.
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I am sorry about your sister. That’s very sad. But I do love your driftwood piece with the fish! It’s beautiful!
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Thank you regarding both your comments.
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This is a beautiful idea.
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Thanks. 😊
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Even though we live by the ocean, we don’t get driftwood here – I actually had to purchase a piece to display on my shelf. I would love to have a plentiful and free supply like you have. I’m so sorry about your sister. I think just about every family has been touched in some way by the tragedy of Alzheimer’s or dementia.
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You’re lucky to live by the ocean, I’m envious. It is nice to have a supply of driftwood handy. Yes, unfortunately it seems to be a common illness. ☹️
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Very cool about the driftwood, love the fish with it!
So very sorry about your sister! Alzheimer’s is sooo hard! My friend’s Mom has it, and its been devastating to all of them.
Hugs!
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Thank you. I love driftwood creations. I think it’s often harder on families than the person. ☹️
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Yes , sadly its one disease that I believe that is true about where the loved ones suffer more, for the other person is just in their own little world.
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What a nice memory of good times with your sister. Your creation is beautiful and looks great as a centerpiece.
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Her and I did have a lot of fun collecting, even though our husbands often shook their heads at our stashes. Thank you.
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Hi, Kathy – I have not one artistic crafting bone in my body. I so wish that I did. Your driftwood pieces are beautiful.
Warm hugs to you and your sister.
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That’s what a lot of the women in our group say, but it helps when we gather and bounce ideas off each other. Thank you.
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I am so sorry about your sister. A long time ago, I had a beach house in NJ. Collecting stuff was part of the charm. Unusual shells and driftwood. Unfortunately I don’t have any of them now but it was always fun.
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Thank you. Do you miss walking the beach? I often wonder is the actual collecting seashells and stuff the attraction or is it the peace and beauty? Both are what I enjoy.
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It’s the peace and beauty. I only collected stuff when there were others with me. There is something soothing about water.
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It is very soothing, even in the rain. I’ve walked many shorelines in a rain coat or with a umbrella.
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