Seashell Map Frame

I have a blog friend in New Zealand and I hope to meet her someday.  

If you follow my blog, then you already know Natalie from Northshore Days.  She makes the most awesome jewelry and some of my favorite pieces are her beach inspired ones.  I've been thinking about Nat a lot lately for several reasons.  As much as I am experiencing wicked heat and extremely dry conditions, she is having cool weather and an overabundance of rain.  Right now, we would probably gladly trade each other places.  I wanted to make a project to remind me of the cooler, wetter weather she is having as well as something to keep me dreaming of the sea while remembering my far away friend.  I have an old world atlas from the 1950's that has some great colors and old-style shading.  I found the map of New Zealand and cut out a section to fit in this magnetic locker mirror I found for a quarter at the thrift store.

I primed it.

I painted it a beautiful beachy blue.

I glued on a few shells that I spray painted silver, and inserted my map cut-out.  Now I have this beautiful little frame as a reminder of better weather and a  faraway friend.

Thanks Nat for all of the beautiful things you do, including being the driving force behind the Inspiration Cafe. 

Join us every Monday right here.