While on the topic of Driftwood...

Are you sick of it yet?  You must be saying to yourself, "Really? Who can love driftwood this much?" apparently me.

My star was my project from the cottage this year.  When I started my blog, right after being at the cottage last year, I started with a table display using driftwood.  I then moved the driftwood to a Christmas display. I've said this before but it is one of the reasons I love driftwood, it can cross all kinds of decor lines.  Here are some decorating ideas, crafts and a fundraiser.

A Fall display...

...a Christmas display

a craft...

When I was a little girl my Nana would have me over for dinner and then we would do a craft.  I actually credit her for teaching me to sew and encouraging my crafty spirit.  One project she did with me though included driftwood (maybe that is where my obsession comes from?).  She collected sticks on the beach and then purchased googly craft eyes.  I then got to go through the sticks and decide what type of animal they looked like.  We glued them onto a piece of wood and glued the eyes on to make it more obvious to others.  I loved this.  What a creative idea to bring out the imagination and creativity in your own kids.

...and a fundraiser. 

Finally, while we were walking along the boardwalk at the cottage one afternoon we passed some little girls selling homemade crafts to support the local hospital.  We smiled and continued on our way.  As we continued to walk my sister and I decided we should go back.  Touched by these little girls generosity and entrepreneurship at such a young age, I purchased this "gods eye" for $2.  Can you say future blogger/ etsy shop owners?  I of course chose the driftwood project...low cost, high return for their fundraiser.  I work for a not-for-profit organization that raises money to help woman and families experiencing unplanned pregnancies.  I am passionate about fundraising so these little girls made my day.  My little craft, means so much more to me than the a $2 donation. 

 Thank you little ladies for being an example to adults of selfless giving.

My Star

Today was my first free day since getting back from the beach so I spent sometime crafting.  I really wanted to create this Pottery Barn inspired driftwood star.  I am definitely not the first person to re-create this but this is how I did it.

While at the cottage my three year old nephew and my sister helped me collect my materials.

I then took them home and washed it to get the sand and bugs out.  (Yes, I did convince myself that running it under the tap would get rid of all bugs...hush now, it worked I think?) I then laid it out in the sun to dry, add a round of rain and a second round of sunshine, and my wood was ready to go.

Next, I drew a star and cut it out of cardboard.  I stressed over this for a long time because I didn't know how to make a perfectly symmetrical star...you don't have to worry about this.  The general shape is all you need to use as a guide.  You will then glue on your wood which will shape the star. 

 You want it to be corky!

I placed a few pieces in their spot and then glued them on with a glue gun.  It was kinda like a puzzle, but a really fun puzzle.  (I hate doing puzzles). Once I had the entire thing covered I layered pieces to fill in holes and make it more dimensional.  What do you think?  Not bad?  Best part, it cost ZERO dollars to make!  The only cost is the cardboard, which I had (*cough* diaper box *cough*) and the glue which I also had.  Yeah, I am pretty sure the Pottery Barn version isn't made on a diaper box but I think mine is pretty dang cute!

It is currently displayed in our front entry way, which I am also currently working on sprucing up.  Making small cheap changes to make it more homey.  It is super hard to do though with builders beige on the walls.  Ugh...what a terrible colour.  I dream of owning a home one day and the first thing I will do is paint the entire house!

Linking to:

The 36th Avenue

Sugar and Dots

Someday Crafts

Making Me a Star...

We are back from the cottage and I am making me a star!  I don't know what it is about drift wood that I love so much, but I feel so inspired by it whenever we are at the beach.  My very first post was a display including long driftwood sticks I collected last year at the cottage.  This year I was on a mission for smaller fatter pieces to create my Pottery Barn inspired star.

I loved the look of this star and knew just from picture that it was super easy recreate.  What I love about driftwood is that it crosses many style lines.  This simple star looks nautical and fun in this gorgeous outdoor lounge area.  It would however, look equally adorable and fitting in a Christmas display.  My plan is to put it in our new entryway.  However if it looks awkward I will gladly find somewhere else to put it. 

Stay tuned for the tutorial and where it ended up in my house!