Welcome to Part 2 of my Creatures of the Tide series! For this post I’m featuring a cluster of barnacles and sea snails I found on a nearby rock. I love the color contrast between the snails’ shells, and the neutral color of the barnacles. The shells range from a dark grey to purple. One of the best things about this photo? It holds a secret surprise! If you look closely, you’ll find there’s a snail inside the shell of a barnacle. Photos like this not only showcase the variety of sea life, but also the surprises that are in plain sight. Join me next time for Part 3 of this series!
Tag Archives: pictures
Creatures of the Tide: Part 1
While taking a walk at a waterfront city park, I decided to explore a small beach that featured lots of drift wood and rocks along the shore. Looking closer, I found several limpets clinging to the rocks and driftwood. The one pictured below was hiding among some barnacles. Nature is all around us, but sometimes we have to slow down to find it. Small creatures like these are a unique way to bring the outdoors into your home. A collection of similar photos gathered together would make a great collage to update your space for the summer. Stay tuned for more pictures featuring creatures of the tide found along the shoreline!
The Creepy Pond by the Road
Happy Halloween! I thought I’d celebrate by sharing this photograph I took of a creepy-looking pond. The pond is mostly choked with foliage and algae, and one end flows into a narrow, dark tunnel. While this photo is not what you would typically think of for Halloween, I think of it as a piece of decor that could be used in a more formal, grownup way. Decorating this time of year doesn’t always have to be orange, black, or involve pumpkins. Using photos of scenery close to home is a unique way to create a Halloween feel in your own home. No matter what type of picture you choose, you can create a spooky atmosphere that’s sure to please!
The Sunning Sea Lion
As I made my way through the aquarium, I noticed a sea lion exhibit off to my right. When I went to get a better view, I saw a large sea lion (right) sunning itself. Unlike the sea lions in my previous post, this one was able to have a spot all to himself. This gives me the inspiration to create a cluster of similar sea lion pictures! You could take several pictures and create a collage, put them in a scrapbook, or frame the photos and use them to create a focal point on a wall. So what are you waiting for? With a few photos of your favorite animal, you can create a cluster of themed decor that will liven up your space!
Symmetrical Spaces
The picture above is an example of a symmetrical space. While the space pictured is large, it can serve as a great inspiration for your own home. Adding symmetry is a great way to add a classic design element to your space. One place to start is in a bedroom. Center your bed on a wall and add matching tables or night stands on either side of the bed. You can also adorn each table with a lamp, or put up a line of pictures above the bed (I’d suggest an even number of pictures), to create this look. Not looking to re-do an entire room? Start small by using a shelf or dresser. You can use books, accessories, matching picture frames, or a variety of other items to create a symmetrical look. Remember, even the largest of designs can be scaled down to fit any space. All you need is a bit of inspiration and imagination to create a great look!
The Christmas Tree
Each year I choose a different theme when decorating our Christmas tree. This year’s theme? Gold and silver! Every bulb on the tree has either gold or silver on it. In addition to the bulbs, we have other ornaments on display as well. They include new and old favorites, bought both at home and abroad.
Below are close-up pictures of a few ornaments. I also use snowflakes in various colors to fill in any gaps not covered by ornaments or bulbs. The snowflakes can be found at big box and craft stores. I’ve found they’re a great and inexpensive way to add color to a tree. If you’ve already decorated your tree, I suggest loading up at the end of December (they’ll be on clearance) and save them for next year’s tree.
How do you choose your Christmas tree decorations? Whether you have a theme or prefer a more random approach, you’ll have a beautiful tree that reflects the holiday season!
Birds of a Feather
When I walk around my local lake there’s usually a large group of geese that tend to congregate towards the far end of the lake. As I kept walking and got closer to the dock, I was surprised to see a visitor in their group: a duck! I thought it was a cute sight and decided to snap a picture. I love how the duck joined the geese as if it was one of their own. The geese didn’t bother the duck, so I guess it was welcome to hang out on the dock. It’s always interesting to see different types of animals enjoying each other’s company. I think this is nature’s way of showing that we often have more in common with each other than we want to admit. Want to capture a similar sight? You, too, can snap a similar picture to decorate your space! Find a spot that has a variety of animals (usually near a body of water) and then just keep your eyes open. It may take awhile to get the perfect shot, but eventually you’ll capture a photo of animal friends having fun in the great outdoors!
Create Your Own Wreath
Instead of keeping the same pictures on your wall year-round, try replacing them with wreaths. The wreath on the right (I made two) replaced a set of pictures that framed the dining room window. Buy a plain wreath at your local craft store, then decorate it how you want. I used mini-bulbs, snowflakes, reindeer, birds, flowers, and other ornaments. I suggest sticking your ornaments within the branches instead of gluing them. This allows you to re-use the wreath next year (and for other holidays), providing a fun and budget friendly holiday tradition.
Inspiration In A Photo 