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!

Sculpture Class with Michelle

A couple of years ago, South Devon College 

offered a five-week taster in sculpture, 

which sounded rather intriguing.  

I went along, expecting to make something to
exhibit in the garden:
an enormous structure, 

probably of welded metal,
to find we were given some drawing lessons.  

Then we were let loose on the bamboo, wire and clay to
make something which reflected what we'd drawn.

Our tutor, Michelle, then encouraged us to embellish
this with whatever we thought appropriate.

This was a tiny model (about 10cm) done first as a practice, rather fiddly.
So now to think bigger ...

This was the second model, made of bamboo, 

wire and clay, great fun as it was quite big (about 40cm) to handle.

Scary mouth!

Then came was the third 

and final model, much more fragile:

This was bamboo, wire and should have been
tissue paper and was difficult to keep in shape.

I was rather impatient and took mine home and covered 

bits with newspaper, tissue paper was too fiddly!

Then it was painted - great fun as the paint went everywhere 

and the structure went out of shape when it was wet.  

Eventually I hung it on one of our lights to dry each time, 

much to David's consternation.

After several coats of paint, eventually the desire effect was achieved. 

 Look at the end of this item to see what was the inspiration.  

The inspiration:

A shell from Paignton beach - about 5cm long.

My craft activities with help from Malcolm

Dorothy's new summer bag: 

Green/Beige on one side; Purple-ish shades of the reverse.

Made using crazy patchwork with the lining made from old cushion, complete with zip.

 Dolly: I never did get round to giving her a face - perhaps she's shy.

She's been living up on the window in the attic room and 

unfortunately her turquoise and green boots have faded in the sun.

Special no-sew cushions made by Fi

Tiger loves them

 Vase, with Vicky's frame (made years ago, and treasured) in the background.

 Platter and bowl

 Bowl

 This ended up being part of Canada _unfortunately it's upside down here!

Leaves and lucky insect.

Closeups

Kitchen cannister.

Fun Fish

 'Chicken Shack' bag.

Another favourite bag, unfortunately sold so now gone.

 Silk Purse which again, with it's partner, has now been sold.

 Above and below: some stuff 

Done on a workshop with Westcountry Embroiderers - I don't usually 

finish things so this was quite an achievement.

 Fiona's picture of her bedroom .... and below some of her A level paintings ....

Birch trees in the snow done at a watercolour class.

Wherever I am, there is Malcolm, we do wonder sometimes 

if he's really a faithful dog, rather than a lucky black cat.