Beach Bag Bingo

As our holiday rapidly approaches, last night I contemplated the sorry state of affairs of our 'beach bag'. As someone who likes to make pretty things it begs the question - why on earth I have been using the same icky Tesco bag at the beach for years?

It was time to amend the situation. So I set to the task last night. The girls had a friend here for a sleepover so the sitting room was out of bounds anyway. The sewing machine provided ample company and entertainment.

A few weeks ago the lovely Ange gave me some black Essex linen and I chose to use this in the beach bag. I dithered for ages about what to do to add a little 'interest', and eventually let the lining fabric lead the way. I have a stash of lots of small bits of fabric, but not so many big ones, so deciding on the lining fabric was easier due to the more limited choice.

This is what I ended up with -

I cut the panels at 18" square. As stated, the outside is Essex linen. The lining is It's a Hoot. I used scraps of green corduroy and Stof pink linen to make an outside pocket. It's all stitched together with Aurifil 50w in charcoal. I made up the pattern as I went along, as I am known to do.

There is loads of room inside. I fit in two beach towels, swimsuits, googles, etc. and there was still more than ample room to add more stuff. The outside pocket is about 10" deep - I actually stuffed some swimsuits under the sunscreen and sunglasses case so that they could appear in the photo shoot. Things shouldn't not fall out of there too easily.

I am chuffed to bits with this quick make. And I will feel much smarter on the beach too. I am that little bit more prepared for our holidays. All we need is sunshine while we are away so we actually get the weather to take this to the beach. Fingers crossed.

Susan

K.I.S.S.

Keeping it simple here, because stupid (aka Me) realised after dinner last night that the child coming for a sleepover today had a birthday recently. Said child is Helen's oldest friend. They have been playing together since long before they could actually walk or talk. Forgetting her birthday would be neither big nor clever.

Obviously my sewing time was rather limited. Therefore I needed to come up with a gift with a simple but effective design. I quickly pulled some of my most favourite fabrics and made a simple 12.5" block. Sashed it with white and got the perle out.

I backed the cushion with more of my precious MoMo and found yet another of my bottomless pit of long aqua zips, (Best thing I ever bought!) and got on with finishing it this morning.

With one hour to spare it is done. Helen is making the birthday card. We are in control - sort of, maybe.

Guess I might as well go clean the loos too, since I have time to spare. Oh the glamour of my life!

Susan

Needs Must

This needs to be a cushion tomorrow.

I'm sewing as fast as I can here.

Susan

Slow Sewing

My brain has slowed down into holiday mode, and consequently so has my sewing. Today I did the stuff that I had to do (feed them) and needed doing (laundry). Then I went outside and pruned, and weeded, and generally felt that the garden - such that it is - was winning. So I finally gave up and sat on my freshly mown lawn and embroidered instead. Much more satisfying!

I took out my hedgehog that I started at the retreat...

... and I finished her. I am rather pleased with my satin stitch. So often mine looks like it was done by a three year old with really raggedy edges.

That finished I picked up another pattern I had ironed onto my fabric last weekend. Only this transfer clung to the iron with static electricity and moved on the fabric so the pattern is rather blurry/double in places. Those of you in the know - will this come out if I give it a good soak after I finish the embroidery or should I just accept that it will always be less than perfect?

Purple is the traditional colour of yaks, is it not?

On a different note, last night the girls had a bit of a sit in protest in our sitting room. Seems they didn't really agree with our decision that they didn't get uninterrupted telly time through the entire holidays. At least they approached their dissent with humour.

I am learning the art of compromise though. Emily earned extra iPad time to play Minecraft by pruning the big old bush that grows like a weed at the front of the house. This allowed for more embroidery time for me. Can't be wrong!

Susan

The Holidays Have Officially Begun

Finally, both girls are finished with school for the summer. And I no longer have children of primary school age. Emily established a family tradition - albeit a short lived one since there is just the two of them - as she got the same cup that Helen got last year, the Art and Creative Design Cup. And she emerged at the end of her final day of primary school with her shirt suitably covered in grafity, as is tradition when you change schools here. It is the end of an era.

The very next day I needed to return to London, so off the three of us went so I could take care of some business that I tried and failed to get an appointment for while I was actually in London. No complaining though, as it allowed me and the girls to pop into the V&A for a little while where I pressed my nose up against the display glass to see the tiniest of tiny stitches in the some of the dresses.

Business was then sorted and we went off to meet Marg, Emma and Shevvy. Shevvy took us to the loveliest hotel where they did an amazing afternoon tea. We got our own area on the outdoor deck and sat there for hours talking and eating. It was a fine way to spend a sunny afternoon in London. The food you see below is just the tip of the iceberg really, as one whole tiered plate stand is missing and the scones had not appeared yet either.

My girls were completely taken by the concept, bandied about the word 'posh' a lot and liked that there was a doorman to let them in and out of the hotel.

So there has been a lot going on round here, just not things of the sewing variety. But do not despair. A package popped through the post box for me yesterday. My Briar Rose yardage so that I can finish my HR Fan Club quilt. All I need now is some wadding. Almost there!

Susan