We are making embellished bags at a Westcountry Embroidery Dayschool here in Paignton tomorrow.  I've been looking around for ideas and think that being beside the seaside that this could be a good influence.  The colours seen often here are terracotta, turquoise, blue, darkish green and beige.  As it happens (so they say) these colours go very well together, so it's a good starting point.

I've also looked on this website: http://www.interiors-tides.co.uk/.  
They have lots of great ideas: 

beach huts, driftwood, fishing boats, 

sea, lighthouses, sea birds, yachts, sky, fishing ports,

rope, nets, sand, rocks, fish, shells, 

flags, seaweed. 

And there's also red Devon soil here in Torbay.

(looking north from Babbacombe)

The first item I need is some plain cotton fabric - no can do - everything here is either patterned or not cotton.  So will make do, take a few bits along and see which is most suitable.  I have a lovely small bag of beads in interesting blue and turquoise which will have to be incorporated somewhere.

6pm, well I've just got home and had a look at the effort so far today - and it has absolutely nothing to do with the sea.  It's more like cogs in a wheel, and the fabric doesn't even suit the project.  So, into the (fabric) bin and I'm going to start again!