That Special Touch. Whether for your lakeplace or as a gift, here's a perfect and affordable idea. You can order a coaster, glassware, journals, or playing cards with the outline of your lake on it. Creek's Edge in Rock Creek, MN. (Tele: 320.629.3680) carries a line of these items in the store but also offers them by mail order. The store carries some of these items in the store with certain area lakes already etched onto them. If they don't have your lake yet, you can order it for an additional set-up fee.
While living by the lake side, you no doubt have many items that remind you of cherished moments spent with family and friends. If you are looking for a way to use these mementos in your cabin, try some of the following suggestions.
Photos are treasures that can be used in many different ways. Photo scrapbooks are an obvious choice, and there are retail stores, websites, books, and magazines dedicated to the craft. If you want to create scrapbooks for yourself or as a gift, start by finding a local store that sells supplies and how-to books. Then, set aside a little time to work. Even better, invite friends to bring over their photos and supplies, and make a day of it!
Another craft that uses photos is to make a canvas collage. Get a stretched canvas from your local hobby store, and lay it on a table. Coat the canvas in your desired shade of paint, and let dry. Begin creating a background by using found objects such as leaves, pinecones, rocks, or seashells dipped in paint to “stamp” the canvas. Really use your imagination- this is a great craft for kids to get involved in too! Cover the background with randomly stamped patterns, or you can create a more intricate design. Once the paint dries, and then move on to your photos. Use mod-podge or a similar product to adhere photos to the canvas. Be sure to use duplicate or copied photos for this project as you won’t be able to remove them. For the finishing touch, use mod-podge to adhere natural materials like sticks, acorns, pinecones, rocks, or seashells along the edge of the canvas. Once it has dried, hang your creation on the wall for all to admire!
If your cabin sits near a body of water where shells are found, chances are you have a large collection of shells and other ocean treasures. Shells are beautiful and can be used for a number of different projects. One idea is to create an oil lamp containing shells and sand from the beach. Look for a glass oil lamp in your local craft store. Some look just like a vase with a reservoir that sits on top. Fill the bottom with sand from the beach, and then arrange shells in a pleasing pattern in the sand. You can choose to leave open space to allow individual shells to be admired, but you can also fill the lamp with your treasures. This idea can also be used to create an electric lamp, just look for supplies at your hobby store, and don’t forget to decorate the shade!
Small children find beauty in objects that adults often miss, and kids who spend time outside often have a rock collection that takes up space in your home and looks to others like, well, a pile of rocks. Save a few egg cartons and let your kids turn their collection into a real showpiece. Allow the kids to decorate the cartons with crayons, markers, or paint. Then, put a cotton ball in the bottom of each egg cup. Place one or two rocks in each egg cup, and allow your kids to show off their collection.
Another beautiful way to display found objects is to create a printer’s box tray. Look in local hobby or antique shops for a printer’s tray- a wooden box with many small compartments, sometimes in varying sizes. Purchase two drawer pulls, and affix them to the ends of the tray. Then, place an interesting item in each compartment, or trim photos to fit. You can even layer objects by placing some sand and a shell in one compartment, or a photo and a dried flower in another. Once you have filled and arranged the compartments to your liking, have a piece of plexi-glass cut at the hardware store to fit the box. Affix it by using silicon caulking and let dry overnight. When the tray is dry, you can use it to carry drinks or snacks, on your vanity or dressing table, or just place it where it can bring fond memories back to your family.
Even sticks or dried cattails can make a great conversation piece! Gather dried sticks or cut cattails and hang them upside down to dry. When they are dry, gather a large group into a bundle, and tie with a ribbon. You can include cinnamon sticks in the bunch to create a delicious smelling arrangement. The final product can be displayed anywhere inside or outside of your home.
Finding creative ways to use objects found near your lake house is a great way to personalize your cabin. It’s also an environmentally friendly thing to do! Each time you look at the items you have created with these objects, you will instantly remember the fond memories you have of collecting them. Many of these items make great gifts as well! Using these ideas, you can gather friends for a crafting party and make even more great memories.
Because everyone’s place on the lake is a different type of structure. A "lakeplace" can range from a small, simple cabin, that offers no more than a roof and a few amenities, to an elaborate fully-functioning second home.
At Lakeplaceliving.com the structure is not the focus; the living we do there is the focus. Lakeplace is the destination you have that holds a special place in your heart because you relax when you are there --taking in the warmth of surrounding family and friends, as well as, the water, sun and trees. Your lakeplace lets you pause the treadmill of life for a bit. Lakeplaceliving.com tells you about products and services you need at your lakeplace.