Wordless Wednesday - Down for the Count

Initial Wall Hanging - Craft #1

I totally want to be a crafter and I am easing my way into it.  I've seen similar things all over the blogosphere, so I can't really credit any one person.  This is my version.

Ok, so this started out as possibly the ugliest item in the thrift store!  I was honestly embarrassed to go to the register and check out.  But, I knew it was exactly what I needed - a chunky, real wood frame that was almost like a shadow box.  I paid the ridiculous price of $2.50!  Awful!

I removed the clock pieces and popped off the back.

Love the thick frame!

Made a trip to Hobby Lobby and bought $1.48 of cute fabric and a wooden letter for $.99!

Seersucker type fabric - love it!

The rest was easy peasy!  I sprayed the frame with leftover white spray paint and covered the backing in the fabric.  Perfection was not the goal - I wanted a little bit of rusticness!  I secured it with hot glue.  My sweet hubby wanted to help, so he attached a small screw through the fabric into the backing.  I like this idea so that I can change out fabric as I please.  I hung the letter onto the screw. 

Voila - all done!

Way cute wall hanging for AnnaLauren's room - all for less than $5.00!

I'm linking to

http://southernhospitalityblog.com/

 

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/

http://www.thethriftyhome.com/

http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/

http://funtocraft.blogspot.com/

http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

What's in a Name Part 1: When I was a Little Girl

Lately, I have had several friends to have new babies.  My first question is always, "What's the name?"  I have always liked names and the reasons behind them.  So, when something has been on my mind, what do I do?  Write a post about it, of course!  In fact, this is going to be a series of several posts about some of the names in my life.

Ok, to completely get this story, you have to know two things.  The first thing is that my given name is Krystal Nicole.  Yes, Krystal, like the little hamburgers!  Second, my mind works in the strangest of ways.

Now on to the story...

When I was a little girl I was enamored with two things - the tv show Dynasty and anything to do with the ocean. 

Random, I know. 

However, the patriarch on Dallas was silver-haired Blake Carrington who was married to the glamorous Krystle (like me!).  Yep, totally 80's!  I absolutely wanted to be Krystle Carrington, so every time I played house, Blake Carrington was my husband.  We had a mansion and a pool and went to all sorts of fabulous parties.  I always wore a fur coat.

I also watched a show called Danger Bay on the Disney Channel.  One day, as I watched the opening credits, I realized that my two favorite cast members had names that were water-related.  The son on the show was Jonah, but his real name was Christopher Crabb.  Jonah like with the whale and Crabb like, well crab.  The daughter on the show was Nicole (like me!), but her real name was Ocean Hellman.  Ocean!  It was like fate.  I had never heard such a beautiful name.  It then became a quest for me to think of the most beautiful water-related name I could.

So, let's put it all together now shall we...

Me - Krystal Carrington (I spelled it like mine)

My Husband - Blake Carrington

and

Our Only Daughter - Ocean Marine Carrington

Warned you, I was a strange little girl.  The sad thing is that my obsession with the name Ocean Marine lasted into middle school where thankfully, I moved on.

At least I'm good for a laugh on Friday.  And, if your name happens to be Ocean or Marine, let me know.  I am still looking for some validation!

Have a great weekend!

Okaloosa Island, Florida June 2010

My family loves Florida! And no, I don't mean just the beach. 

Tommy, Nikki, Noah, Lois (T's mom) and AnnaLauren

Tommy and Noah love the seafood.  Tommy relishes the opportunity to eat raw oysters with every meal and Noah always orders crab legs.  Yes, I know snow crab doesn't come from Florida, but the whole seafood at the seashore idea works for him. 

AnnaLauren loves having a pool right out the back door (hear that, Daddy, she really needs a pool at home) and she loves collecting little bits of shells and rocks in her net.  She also loves the wildlife.  Every morning she would head to the sliding glass door of the condo to look for lizards outside.  Most mornings she was not disappointed.  She also has developed quite a fondness for crabs, starfish and pretty much any other aquatic creature. 

I love the shopping.  I always take one day to ramble around the multitude of thrift, consignment, junk and antique stores that dot the Emerald Coast. 

Our vacation this year took on special meaning as we watched the news every day and prayed that no oil would come our way.   Sadly, the tarballs rolled in after five absolutely fabulous days.  So, we shopped and ate and rested and ate some more!  It was our best family vacation since AnnaLauren was born!

And if you are brave, you can scroll through my bajillion pictures and see all the fun we had. 

AnnaLauren and Me enjoying the emerald green water.

Noah and AnnaLauren on the beach

My pretty girl drying out

AnnaLauren and Grams

Fun at the Crab Trap Beach & Play Area 

Noah on the Lifeguard Tower

Noah is so sweet to play with AnnaLauren

The Gulfarium

This was pretty cool - see the dolphins in mid-air!  Tommy is a much better photographer than me!

AnnaLauren calls this her Minnie Mouse hair, but it keeps her cool

The Sea Lion Show

Holding a starfish in the touch pool

Silly!

More Fun!

For some reason, I this one makes me think of Cousin Eddie from the National Lampoon's movies!

She's ready!

Tommy's vacation - work!  What did we do before the "Crackberry"?

Singing Twinkle, Twinkle on the patio

Our traditional shots of ourselves.  I sure do love him!

Some pretty family beach shots

Starting to get a little warm!

My little southern bathing beauty!

Congratulations or I'm sorry if you are still with me!

This is what was on the beach our last two days.  So sad!  Please keep the entire Gulf Coast region in your prayers!

Sign warning people to stay out of the water

Tarballs!