Gone To The Beach

Sunday, July 15, 2012

"Summer Afternoon....ah, summer afternoon....''

Hi! Today we finally had a break from the oppressive heat and humidity.

I was able to emerge from my airconditioned cocoon and I took my sewing and beach chair down to the shore for a lovely bit of relaxing sewing time.

It's been a few days! All my walks, these hot days have been at dusk....

I had to check up on my seagull friends.

Here's a handsome little lady! [I always forget what these smallest pretty gulls are called, I'll look it up and tell you.... They are very sweet, friendly but not agressive.]

And a typical two parents with their [sorry] ugly, cranky teenager!

hering gull family

I walked for awhile before settling down to work...

My friend Mel had mentioned fearing cut feet if she walked in the surf barefoot...

So I had to take pix of the very clear warm water, almost 80*!---and very smooth sand...

...and a little video of seaglass hunting in the rare-in-summer outwash spots.....

The beach has some unraked seaweed which is not so nice, but shells and treasures are few.

It was hard to round up a handful of white clam shells to anchor my sewing and take pictures.

a chalk white pretty quahog

Here is the Heart and Hand block for the Porch quilt. I am enjoying the project so much I 've snuck a few extra blocks in work while I have time and focus and good sewing light.
LOL, note the very crooked pointer finger? Sometimes it's a bit hard to get shapes just right when the wind [but so lovely sea breeze!] is 15-20 mph. That's a little redo there, I think.

And here is that French fabric, plus flour sack quilt scraps, made into hearts for lavender sachets.

I'll fill them tomorrow and enjoy the day since the heatwave is expected back on Monday, sigh.
We ended the wonderful day with grilled Mexican salads and Mason jar margaritas on the deck...candles, sunset, scent of the potted stargazer lilies...and fireworks over the ocean, from the next town to the west....

That's how summer is supposed to be! Just...perfect!

Hope you're all staying cool!

love

lizzy

................gone to the beach

self-portrait in summer

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Hot So Hot!

Hi! Oh, we need a good big storm , the summer doldrums have arrived and it's just too hot to do anything!

You know how it feels, right?

I set out the jug of sun tea early and oh it brews so fast! Today's flavor is peach black tea, yesterday was mango mint green tea. The secret is not to let it get too strong, you want light and refreshing these hot days.

Then I worked on my deck for awhile instead of making the long Sahara-like trek to the beach. I'll walk at sunset instead.

Isn't this lovely! My deck project...any mess from stripping the stalks can just be swept away.
It's a lavender-hydrangea potpourri I just made with the flowers from my friend's yard. They dried very well...and just look at this color! Maybe too pretty for sachets? I think I'll store it in a clear Mason jar instead and just admire the shades of blue.

The fabrics behind the bowl are vintage French floral cottons, recycled treasures. From France! Via etsy.

I loved the idea of the assorted squares, planned to use the vintage fabrics for my lavender hearts...but maybe they are too pretty to cut up?

This one, below, is maybe my favorite, I know it's not going to get chopped up anytime soon!

If you look closely you can see just the faintestet remainders of the original pink candy stripe ground.

And while this pattern is not at all my usual taste, below, I love the birds, and the detailed but not-quite-recognizable botanic flower renderings. (Are these larkspur? Very vigorous upright sweet peas? Or what?)

Maybe the blue shades could be a very simple "shabby chic'' beach cottage quilt?

Not too big, just to use for summer naps or picnics...or to snuggle under if our storm ever arrives and cools things off.

I have that wonderful thrifted pansy sheet for a backing but I'll either need more blue flowered fabric or a spacer fabric: I am thinking blue and white gingham perhaps?

Etsy has some good finds, always fun to search their Vintage section when it's too hot for the flea market. This one's a very good buy and I like the assorted sizes. Five yards for $11.00! Or this classic tiny, palest blue check?

Here are a couple of my favorite French vintage shops: Minouc and Ma Maison Francaise

The vintage gingham aprons that turn up in a search for ''blue gingham'' make me wish I'd been able to save the ones my mom collected and used. She didn't have many, and what she had she wore in the summer over her khaki shorts and tank tops...cooking corn and lobster up on the Cape.....
Something to look for at the fleas this fall! For now I am taking my Porch quilt sewing out to the pool and I'll cut and sew some French pink hearts later when it's cooler...

What are you up to on these hot Dog Days? Lemonade? Sun tea? And lots of ice!

love

lizzy

gone to the beach....