{thoughts of a beachy nature}

We're now back from our three weeks in Norwich -- three lovely weeks of seeing my family, wearing lots of scarves, and weekly trips to the sea. Partly because it's one of my favourite places, partly because this was one of the only days I brought my camera with me, here's a little taste of what goes on at the British seaside.

Yes, that's hot chocolate and sheepskin-lined shoes for a day at the beach.

 

And here we have a bit of a family tradition -- collecting a few favourite stones, and then lugging them all the way across the world in our suitcases. (Yes, baggage-handlers, you can thank us for those almost-but-not-quite-unliftable bags. Sorry.)

I took a lot more photos on the trip, but mostly on my phone, the best of which ended up on Instagram (@redredastrid). 

{beside the seaside}

You might remember getting a few close-up glimpses of patchwork a few weeks ago? The mini quilt was made as a housewarming present for my parents, who recently moved back to England after nine years in China. As I was able to deliver it to them earlier this week, I can now show you the whole thing, without spoiling the surprise!

Their new home is just a short drive from Southwold, a little seaside town with rows of brightly-coloured beach houses along the shore -- and that was the inspiration for this quilt. Three little linen beach houses sit along the striped promenade, looking out to sea.

The sea, as I might have mentioned, is a patchwork of squares cut from the vintage linen tea towels that Justin's grandma gave me, mixed with other cotton prints (including one that became Tilly's second homemade dress!) After a little mix-up with the pinning, my carefully-planned order of squares ended up totally random -- but luckily the bird still ended up above the boat, and the boat above the fish, so there was some semblance of logic. 

At present, it serves as more of a mini runner or mat, but I sewed up two loops in one of the fabrics, so that it can hang at some point -- possibly from a nice piece of driftwood found on the beach!

I was also able to give Alice the giant knitted blanket I made back in March, which will accompany her to university this autumn. Ever the fashionista, she found she could wind it around her neck as the world's chunkiest scarf. It's lovely to know that it'll be keeping her warm, at home or on the town!