Gone To The Beach

Friday, July 8, 2016

Tiny Seashells

Hi guys! I had a friend come to visit for a few days, to help me drive to medical appointments. I couldn't walk on the beach with him, but he took these photos of the many tiny butterfly or coquina shells that wash up on my beach each summer. [you may want to click on any photo to enjoy the full page slideshow version today]

We used to think these tiny shells, smaller than your pinky fingernail , were baby large white eating clams. [but no]They cover the sand att the tideline, and as each wave ebbs, the little guys burrow madly into the sand.

here

Even large washes of the shells are still alive and will wash away at the next high tide. Woe to anyone who fills their sandbucket with these cuties, as the animal is still inside and doesn't smell great if allowed to die and decay! [Though one can immerse n Clorox water if making, say, sailors' Valentine's.]

COQUINA clams

Sailors' Valentines

Here is Mo looking very fine! He sends puggy smooches to you all.

love

lizzy

gone to the beach...

and...a rainbow. Sign of hope for poor lizzy-me?

Sunday, July 3, 2016

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Birthday, America! I love to celebrate this holiday. I have a big collection of little Stars and Stripes, many of which I have found on the beach over the years.

Patriotic quilts.

This weekend's project.

A little Flag quilt, a free pattern from Temecula Quilt Company.

This is a beautiful but damaged blue and white rescue quilt. It is supposed to be one of this summer's projects, if I find a good blue solid and can do the work.

From the deck I can see the white lifeguard stand on the beach. I can picture my family and friends out there, enjoying this beautiful day.

love

lizzy

gone to the beach.....

Friday, July 1, 2016

June Dotty 365

Hi! Oh wow, it's already July! Time to show off the June Dotty 365 circles.

I finished sewing all my Dots this month and am caught up. Yay. June 30 is Dotty 238.

Most of the blocks this month should have been ugly jagged grey/ red/ black, because it has been a difficult time for me, but I tried to find something special about each day.

I still do my written journal too.

Some close ups:
Mo's adoption Day and remembering teaching the kids to ocean swim and surf as toddlers.

A smidge of Ralph Lauren shirting for Father's Day. Red checks for P2 Basket beginning.

Re-connection with a special friend. New flipflops every summer.

Some ugly days, I did want this to authentically represent my life/ year.

Lots of beautiful beach days. Seen from my deck.

A side note: I made the flower circles for P2's Basket block the old fashioned way, with cardboard templates, gathering the seam allowance and starching/ pressing. Maybe it's just me but I don't think these come out any better than the needle-turned Dottys. Though it does maybe make the large ''geraniums'' easier to sew?