Monday 15 April 2013

Kings, beach huts and poetry


The Union Jack Block is available via my Etsy store.

I recently spent the weekend in Brighton visiting the seaside palace of King George IV (Royal Pavillion).  I stopped overnight and was lucky enough to have a sea view from my hotel window.
Early the following day as I sat by my window looking out on a cold, grey April morning, I saw a group of hardy swimmers taking to the water. 

 “I gazed---and gazed---but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought...”
  
The sea must’ve been very cold because when they came out of the water their bodies glowed bright red from the cold.  They walked quickly up the pebbled beach towards a beach hut where they had left their clothes and towels.  Instantly I was transported back to sunny, childhood days when friends would make afternoon tea on a primus stove which they kept in their beach hut (along with teapot and crockery). 

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude...

Not so much a couch as a sewing table........  When I returned home I didn’t think much more about it and got back to a sewing project I was working on.  But something was pulling me.  My sewing proceeded as expected but in my mind’s eye I kept returning to Brighton.  So one evening I let my mind sketch. 
That same evening I transferred my sketch to the Word program on my computer and created a draft pattern.  The next morning I still couldn’t concentrate and so I gave in to creation and two hours later, this is the result:

"
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils."

Or in my case –      
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
As fabric captures childhood thrills.
 
(Okay, so I am not Wordsworth ..... but you get the point!)

20 comments:

  1. Maybe not Wordsworth, but definitely Patchworth! This design is pure poetry! I love the way you've directed the stripes in various directions for the huts and even the little flags. You've captured the scene and even brought in the little seagulls! This one is going to the top of my must-make heap.

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  2. What a beautiful read:-) you are so very talented! I was there with you at the seaside.
    Love both new mug rugs :-). I want to make the Union Jack one for my Dh when I put the finishing touches to an old UFO :D. It is perfect for him! Ellyxxx

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    1. The Union Jack looks a lot more complicated than it actually is. You will love it.

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  3. This is just the pattern I have been waiting for! I adore beach huts and would love to own one. I suppose it's like wanting my own little playhouse, but I will make do with my own little mug rug instead and be able to use it everyday. It can sit alongside my computer, together with a beach hut mouse pad I was given for Christmas.

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    1. Your workdesk sounds like a lovely summer oasis - much needed in a damp and miserable April. I am so glad you like it.

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  4. Your delightful Beach Huts design really does create that "I am at the beach and I feel the breeze" feel when we look at it ...
    You captured the colors and fabrics perfectly, too!

    And the Union Jack is awesome! I want to make one to celebrate when that little royal baby arrives over there!

    Susie

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    1. That will be worth celebrating. I can't wait to see if we have a Princess or a Prince. Very exciting.

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  5. Fabulous beach huts, I remember spending hours in one at Felpham, Sussex as a child! Those were the days. Well done a super design.

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  6. That is a sweet poem, love the alternate ending! The beach huts are really cute, totally worth the distraction!

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  7. What a great blogpost! I really love the beach huts!!! so invocative of summer!!!
    Esther
    esthersipatchandquilt AT yahoo DOT com
    ipatchandquilt DOT wordpress DOT com

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  8. Beautiful! I love your mini quilts!

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  9. I just love the beach huts!! So adorable.
    Amanda

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  10. That is such a sweet, cheerful and fun design. Love it!

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  11. I really like all of your mug rugs, all are very nice and so cute. I came here from "better off thread" blog, she had a link to your blog and I'm glad I followed it.. Very nice blog.

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    1. Thank you. I like to think my mug rugs bring a little bit of fun and colour to our busy lives. They are great for gifts too. I've just seen that "Better Off" featured my little pattern - how cool is that?

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  12. So love it :-) What brand is the beach huts and binding material, my local shop doesn't have anything similar and they carry so many lines of fabric?

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    1. Thank you - it is really quick and easy to put together. The beach huts are made from Moda Marmalade fabric (red, green and turquoise stripe) - a charm square of each will be more than enough. I used scraps for the roofs. The binding is Makower Space Stripe (colourway 876/1). Both are widely available so hopefully your shop should stock both. I think the Space Stripe will become a firm favourite for binding - it looks so good.
      I hope you have fun and enjoy the pattern.

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  13. Love that! I've been gathering striped fabrics lately, and I can see them made into little beach huts. :)

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  14. What a fun pattern. Now I want to visit a beach house for two reasons. First, and obviously, I'd be going to the beach. Second, I could take these along to my beach house hosts as adorable thank you gifts.

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