Memories from the Beach

©Michele Emerson-Roberts  2014

The "By the Sea" gift bag filled with Salt Water Taffy was a great success. My mom has been ill for almost a year and has spent more days in the hospital and nursing home than at home with my dad. Creating small gifts to brighten her day is a pleasure. My sister was present when I gave mom her bag of taffy and this matted sand dollar. What a wonderful afternoon of sharing those memories of our times at the beach.

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
• Mold: CPSand Dollar
• Microwave, heat gun or a sunny window
• Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels, scissors
• QuickGrab™ Adhesive, double sided tape
• Scraps of white paper (think junk mail, etc.)
• Light blue 6 x 6” mat board (with backing) with a 2 ¾”- 3” opening
• Embossing folder with words
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine
• ColorBox™ Chalk Ink pad in Lavender Blue and Stylist handle with white foam tips
• ColorBox™ Metallic Gold Ink pad and Metallic Gold embossing powder

Directions:

1. Emboss the front of the mat with the folder.
2. Edge the outside and opening of the mat with metallic gold ink.
3. Sprinkle with gold embossing powder and heat with the heat tool.
4. Follow the direction for paper making and casting found in any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits or books to caste the sand dollar.
5. Dry in the microwave, with the heat tool or in a sunny window.
6. When the casting is dry use the Stylist and foam tips to add a small amount of Lavender Blue Chalk ink to bring out the texture and design of the sand dollar casting.
7. Line up the casting in the opening of the mat and attach it to the backing with QuickGrab™ adhesive. 
8. Use double sided tape to attach the mat to the backing.