Each summer, I find myself longing for the sea. Hours are spent daydreaming of walks on the beach in a white cotton dress, gathering shells in my basket, dancing with the waves.
Yesterday, I gathered some frosted aqua glass bottles, a few shells and my little mermaid and arranged them in a vignette, an ode to my sea longings.
Imagine with me a moment, my dreams of waking on the shore.
The aqua sea under a pale sky streaked with apricot and lavender. Blush pink roses along a white fence around a tiny lavender gray cottage. Pinky beige sand sprinkled with dusky purple shells.
Crashing tumble of water and gentle ripples. Glittering sound of tiny stones and shells as they roll in the water. The keening cry of a gull and the pipping sounds of wading plovers. A symphony of sound and yet the quiet of it.
Feel of warm moist air on the skin, caressing, soothing, wrapping in softness. Downy breaths of cool air.
Take time this summer to enjoy your dreams!
I'm really happy with the button flowers! The embroidery is done in DMC rayon embroidery floss. It isn't my favorite stuff to work with, but I love the shimmery effect it gives! The little bird is carved bone, made nearby on the Navaho reservation from what I was told at the bead shop.
I added another mother of pearl button in the upper right corner along with some Cretan Stitch leaves. Unfortunately, when I removed the embroidery hoop, the fabric puckered. I may rip these leaves out and try something different here.
In the lower left corner, I added work to two patches. Some old pearls and beaded flowers were added to fill in the background of the block with the tatted motif. Then I embroidered some buttonhold stitch hollyhocks on the adjacent block. Unfortunately, the pearl cotton used for the stems and leaves blends into the background fabric more than I thought it would. I'll probably add some lighter thread to highlight them more.
Over all, I'm pretty happy with the way this is coming! Only three more patches to do work in and then it's on to another block! I hope to eventually make 4 of these and put them together as an elegant wall hanging!