Nautical Decor

Six fun and easy nautical decor projects that are perfect for summer!

Posted by Ghosts are Green

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Find out how to make a whale in a bottle, decorated driftwood, decorative rope balls, clay starfish, a flag garland, and anchor flags.
I found the whale I used here: http://katescreativespace.com/2013/04/12/whale-tales/ (or you can download him from the attachment I posted here)

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You Will Need (15 things)

  • Clay I used air dry clay, but sculpey would work well too.
  • 1 Two Pieces Of Fabric (Different Patterns)
  • Hot Glue Gun And Glue Sticks
  • Wire (choose a type that's really thin)
  • 2 Styrofoam Ball
  • Driftwood
  • Wooden Dowels
  • 4 Clothesline Rope
  • Cardstock (and access to a printer)
  • Paint Brushes
  • Toothpick
  • Bottle Clear, make sure it has a cork.
  • Muslin
  • Twine white, red, indigo
  • Paint white, black, aqua, indigo, and red

Steps (6 steps, 360 minutes)

  1. 1

    -Whale in a Bottle-
    1. Print the whale clipart (or whatever clipart you want. dolphins, ships, and or seamonsters would also look really fun)on white cardstock. Make sure you print your whale the right size so it will fit in the bottle. When it's done printing, cut the whale out.
    2. Cut a piece of your wire that is long enough to go from the cork all the way to where you want your whale to end up. Tape the wire to the back of your whale and stick the other end of the wire into the cork.
    3. Roll up your whale and stick it into the bottle. once your whale is all the way in the bottle, smooth it out using a craft stick.
    4. Put the cork back in your bottle and you're done!

  2. 2

    -Decorated Driftwood-
    1. Using your aqua and red paint, paint stripes on your driftwood and let dry.
    2. Wrap indigo and white twine around your drift wood and tie.

  3. 3

    -Decorative Rope Balls-
    1. Glue one end of your clothesline rope to the top of a styrofoam ball. Working in a spiral shape, wrap the rope around the ball gluing as you go. When you reach the bottom of the ball cut your rope off and glue the end to the ball.

  4. 4

    -Clay Starfish-
    1. Make five "snakes" with your clay and join them together in a star shape by smoothing the clay together with your fingers.
    2. Use a toothpick to poke small holes all over your starfish to make it look more natural.
    -optional: If your clay already white, paint it after it is done drying (or baking, depending on what kind of clay you used.)

  5. 5

    -Flag Garland-
    1. Cut you clothesline rope to the length you want your garland to be.
    2. Cut seven small flags. I cut four out of muslin, two out of red polka-dot, and one out of grey anchor.
    3. Put some hot glue on the top of your flag and fold it over to make a pocket for your rope to go through. Repeat with the remaining flags, making sure to keep all of them the same length.
    4. Tie a knot in one end of your rope and begin sliding on the flags in the pattern you chose. When you're done putting on the flags, tie a knot in the other end of your rope.

  6. 6

    -Anchor Flag-
    1. Cut a piece of muslin in whatever size you want.
    2. Cut the bottom of your fabric into a point.
    3. Like you did with the flags on the garland, glue the top of your flag and fold it over to make pocket for the dowel to go through.
    4. Slide your flag onto the dowel and cut a piece of red twine to hang your flag. Wrap the twine around the dowel and tie it. Repeat on the other side.
    5. Use some black paint to paint and anchor on your flag.