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.

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