A Sea Shell Fairy Controversy and some disappointing shell searches

Over the years I've developed some vacation traditions. One is that I wear this necklace with charms and a moonstone from my sisses every time I go to Florida. (I also wear it when I'm feeling homesick for family too)

Another is making a sea shell fairy for every beach I visit.  This trip was bi-coastal with a tour of Clearwater before driving to spend the night in St. Augustine, driving up to Jacksonville for guncle time then a trek up to Charleston for a mini family reunion on Sullivan Island.

It was also a quick trip.  We arrived from the airport in time for lunch with a view of the sea, but then didn't get to the hotel til after dark, because my husband had some visits to make.  After breakfast the next morning, we quickly strolled along the beach at Clearwater, but didn't have enough time to gather shells.  I wish now that I'd made the time, because that was the most perfect weather I'd had that week.

And there was a plethora of shells to be found. 

I shoulda, coulda, woulda stopped and snagged some if I'd known how the next few beaches would go….

Jax proved to be barren of shells for the day, and it was COLD.  Too cold to try to get enough together to make a sprite, because it might have taken hours to find what I needed. And for some silly reason, I'd packed sandals and Ugg boots only. No shoes to wear, so my tootsies weren't happy with a beach stroll.  

(yep, my eyes are closed)

There was time before breakfast to make a shell fairy on St. Augustine Beach, and I was soooo happy to  be playing in the sand and day dreaming about happy little fairies. Till I posted the picture online of the little gal that I'd created, that is.

Soon, I got messages saying that my fairy looked a little "too happy."

When I realized what they were seeing, I deleted the Facebook and Instagram pics.  Ooops!  I showed it to a few more people and they agreed.  Do you see the problem? If not, I won't mention it.

By the way, THAT IS AN ARM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh well, I had a chance of vindication at Charleston, right? Nope! It was beyond cold there.  Too cold to even stand on the balcony and look at the beach, let alone walk down to it.

Well durn- 4 beaches, 1 fairy.

One that was accidentally R rated.

Luckily, I did have a picture on my camera of this version of my little fae.

And here is an edited version that I hope takes away the optical illusion?? 

Or should I just write her (him?) off and delete all the photos?  It all made me feel sad, I adore making little sea shell girls and this time it just didn't go well.  Although, everyone I showed the photos too, got a huge laugh out of it.

Sugarwings earns tickets for good behavior in her class and can use them for purchases at the end of the day.  She'd over heard me saying that I was sad about the shell fairy that I'd made and that I couldn't make another one. 

So, she used her tickets to buy some  shells for me, and we made these three in the dining room at breakfast.  There wasn't a shell for the wings, so I cut up the tissue paper they came wrapped in.

I've made quite a few water sprites over the last few years, but none that were as sweet as the ones that I made with real life, grand fairy.