Craft A Resin Beach Memory Shell

Let's craft a beach memory shell using resin.

This is a great craft for the older children with adult supervision.

It's a fabulous memento of a day trip or holiday to the beach.

If you don't live near a beach and like this beachy idea, shells are available online and at dollar stores.

I prefer to use the Norski 2 Part Epoxy brand of resin because it produces no fumes.

No chemical fumes means it's safer to use.

You Will Need:

A half large shell, such as a scallop, oyster, or clam.

Sand (optional)

Clear spray varnish.

A crab shell, a smaller fan shell or a small driftwood stick.

You could even use a small plastic crab or a sea horse toy.

(I used an intact small crab casing that I found on a beach walk).

A paint brush and acrylic paint in your choice of colours.

Resin

To Create:

Wet some sand and place on the shell in various places.

Spray a coat of varnish clear over it.

Dry with a hairdryer.

                             Dab paint onto the shell as shown.

Dry with a hairdryer.

Note that paler paint colours will fade at the resin stage, so if you want a bright end result, use brighter coloured paint.

Place your focal item on the shell.

In my project, the little crab.

Wearing gloves, mix the resin as per the instructions on the container.

Mine was a two-part resin-to-one-part hardener mix.

Prop the shell between skewers to level it.

Carefully pour the resin in.

Leave for 24 hours to harden.

DO NOT be tempted to touch the surface of the resin before the hardening time is complete, or you will leave a mark!

These pretty shells make great homemade gifts to give.

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Simple Fluffy Pikelets

Soft, fluffy and delicious!

What more could you want in a pikelet?

Pikelets exist all over the world. 

They are simply called different names in various countries, such as drop scones, Scotch pancakes, silver dollar pancakes, mini hotcakes, or mini pancakes.

This recipe is my firm favourite!

It is a one-bowl mix!

 Dollop with jam of your choice, and a swirl of whipped cream.

Add some berries for added pizazz!     

I LOVE blueberries...
What's your favourite berry? 

Blueberries seem to be the perfect complement to pikelets, jam and cream!

• Fluffy Pikelets
• Ingredients: 
• 1 large egg
• ▢
  2 tablespoons fine white sugar 
• ▢
  3/4 cup of milk
• ▢
• ▢
  1 ½ cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder

▢

¼ teaspoon bicarbonate soda (baking soda) 

• ▢
• ▢
  3 tablespoons melted butter 
• Method:
• Whisk the egg and sugar together.
• Sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, and baking powder over the bowl of egg sugar mixture. Add the milk, and whisk gently together.
• Lastly, add melted butter and stir gently through.
• Grease a frying pan or girdle sparingly and heat over low-medium heat – but don't have too hot.
• Spoon tablespoonfuls of batter onto the frying pan. Turn when bubbles appear and flip to cook on the other side until a light golden colour.
• Yield: 14 pikelets.

1. 

Perfect with tea,

and a sure-fire way to please visitors and family alike.

Find the printable recipe here.

TIPS: 

A Tablespoon drop of batter makes a nice size pikelet. 

The batter should be the consistency of thick honey.

Don't overmix the batter! It will make the pikelets tough.

Have the lightly buttered frypan on a low to medium heat.

Don't flip the pikelets until bubbles appear.

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Lets Create A Bonsai

Bonsai originated in China as the practice of penjing, which involves growing miniature trees and landscapes in containers.

This art form was introduced to Japan in the 6th century, where it was refined and developed into the Japanese Bonsai style, influenced by Zen Buddhism we know today. 

Bonsai is a fascinating and rewarding hobby, even for beginners.

I've been creating bonsai for over 20 years.

And even though I don't delve into the 'Bonsai Masters' techniques too much, I have great success.

There are many books and YouTube videos on the subject to explore. 

I have posted a link at the bottom of the page to one channel that I enjoy.

I simply adore the large-scale bonsai in the larger pots.

These are not technically bonsai, but I consider them to be, as you still need to root-prune and care for them just like the smaller-scale versions.

And the bonsai that bloom seasonally are also a favourite, like Michelia Magnolias and Azaleas.

After they have flowered, I prune and reshape the tree.

I'm going to show you how to make a simple Maple bonsai.

When creating these miniature trees, you'll need a bit of patience!

But it's well worth the wait, as you will see from the photographs.

Visit a garden Centre, and choose your maple tree and bonsai container.

Remove the plant from the pot.

Cut off half the root system.

Place in your container and cover the roots with soil.

I use a good quality potting mix with a layer of gravel underneath to aid drainage.

(You'll find more information about soil types in the video link).

You can pull up some of the lead roots and leave them on the top of the soil.

Prune your tree to a shape you like.

Add a rock for interest.

Water well, and place in a partly shady position for at least two weeks before allowing any full sun on the bonsai.

This helps stop transplant shock.

I actually did this bonsai in the heat of summer. Which is NOT the best time to do it.  But I still succeeded.

The winter months are best for root pruning and repotting.

Five years later, this is the same tree.

This Maple tree has been in this half wine barrel for five years, also.

And finally, my pride and joy, whose been a bonsai for over 20 years!

I hope you are inspired by the photographs of some my bonsai collection.

:)

If you would like to find out more about Bonsai, visit 

Peter Chan on You Tube

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