Beside the Seaside

"Oh we do like to be beside the seaside".... come on - sing up, I can't hear you!

(Not much chance of being on the beach today - it's drizzle as usual in Cornwall this morning)

A Cajame original.

Today I'm sharing this fun wall-hanging with you. It was a moving-in present for friends who had managed to find the most wonderful location to live - a stone-throw from mile-after-mile of fine golden sand, with glorious views of the sea. (jealous.... moi? Yes, I blooming well am).

I was stuck for ideas for a present... I mean - just what do you get for a married couple who have everything? Then, whilst twirling a piece of Tilda skin coloured fabric around in my hand - it came to me! My friends love nothing better than to sunbathe naked. Once this idea popped into my head, this was finished in no time.

Jazzy beach towels, even snazzier beach bag and a radio for passing countless hours tucked away in the sand-dunes. The characters are surprisingly realistic - though I did receive narked complaints that I did the bums too big.

The finished size of this creation is roughly that of an A3 piece of paper. In cotton, with wool felt batting. All the applique has been done by machine, with the wording worked in backstitch by hand.

For the backing and binding, my husband donated a pair of his old jeans for the up-cycling cause. (He still doesn't know about this). I wanted to continue the summery feel, and thought this would evoke memories of cut-off jeans. A quick whip-around with the machine and snip, snip, snip. The finishing touch was to add hangers at the top - I used the belt-loops from the jeans. A piece of driftwood from the beach has been threaded through the loops to display on the wall.

"Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside

I do like to be beside the sea!
I do like to stroll upon the Prom, Prom, Prom!
Where the brass bands play:
"Tiddely-om-pom-pom!"
So just let me be beside the seaside
I'll be beside myself with glee
And there's lots of girls beside,
I should like to be beside
Beside the seaside!
Beside the sea!"

I love to think up themes for fabric pictures, and would be delighted to create one for someone - I'm rarely short of ideas.

Comments

Katy Bag

Today my latest bag design is going to my friend Kate for her birthday - hence the name. I hope she likes it! This is a nice roomy bag, with long comfortable handles - ideal for slinging over your shoulder. For the front pocket I've slightly gathered the fabric and channelled elastic through before sewing in place. To make the bag I used two half yards for the outside and lining, and a fat quarter for the pockets. To inter-line I used fabric cut from a bargain Ikea fleece blanket.... there really is no cheaper way to buy fleece - more than a metre of lovely fine material for just over £1! Of course, I've added my "designer" buttons. I'm still very much in love with them. For detail I've added a fob on one side, with a long fabric tie in a bow. With several darts across the upper third of the bag, the finished effect is slightly puffy. The inter-lining gives the bag good form and structure. The lining is a lovely contrast. I...

Shabby Chic? Definitely Shabby!

I did say I'd share my DIY disaster with you...... Brace yourselves - you may need sunglasses: Snort! When I started the makeover I can assure you this wasn't my intention. I had a 70's dressing table that was a nice shape, but a vile wood. I thought I would transform it by painting it fuchsia to match my bedroom. 10 hours later (2 coats undercoat, 3 topcoat) it was looking good. Until the top coat starting to flake off before my eyes. I could have cried - indeed I think I did. Since then it's been sitting in the bedroom annoying me. It's too heavy to lift out on my own, and anyways I've nothing else to replace it with. The thought of starting to paint it again doesn't bear thinking about. So in a DIY frenzy, I attacked it with wire wool. I think I got a bit carried away! The result is something that gives a whole new meaning to shabby chic. However, at least it looks intentional and boldly scruffy. An...

It just fell in..........

to my Amazon Shopping Basket - honest it did! Feeling the urge? ...... Click HERE to "pop" to Amazon UK's pre-order page You know what it's like....... see a tweet, catch a Facebook post in the corner of your eye. Within seconds, you've "liked" it - and popped over to Amazon for a quick shufty (as you do). And.... before you know it - you've added it to your basket and pressed the "1-click" (oh boy - but is that the best bit of marketing genius EVER). Hey presto - you've bought another book on auto-pilot. Seriously though - I can't wait for this one! Despite now being a fully paid up member of the Sis Boom "Happy Home" Society (now there's an idea Jennifer!) - I now have to sit and wait patiently for it to arrive, as it's not due out for a wee while. "HURRY UP AND PRINT - DARN YOU" I absolutely adore Jennifer's prints and designs - and I just know this will be a "happy...

Jan May

Search This Blog