Helen Philipps: Seaside

Friday 20 May 2011

Seaside

It's the start of the sailing season where we live, and I love to walk along the prom in the sea breeze and see the white sails against the blue ....most of my life I've lived on the coast, and I missed it when I lived further inland for a few years. The sea side has always been a big influence on my designing....

I've often stitched the words of sea poems into my samplers for books and magazines, and special ones for family and friends too - we know lots of people who love the sea and the seaside as much as us...

I find it hard to resist any seaside fabrics too - like the cushion above from CK - and her gorgeous boats print which I made a bag from last year shown in earlier posts...the red white and blue colourway is one of my favourites...

When I saw Julia Crossland's Harbour print I was immediately smitten and had to buy it at once...It's at the framers now and I'll collect it tomorrow and enjoy it on my wall...I love Julia's style and her paintings, like this seaside one really appeal to me...Julia is bringing out some new cards soon which I can't wait to see...

Seaside bunting...little embroidered beach huts, boats and flying gulls to bring the seaside even closer...

The bunny and the bunting are both from my book Simple Sewn Gifts which has now been translated into French....

My copy of the translated book came this week and I was tres excited to see it too...I read bits out in my schoolgirl French to my daughter on the phone and we both wondered why things sound so much more romantic when translated into French....charmante....merveilleux....lovely words...

This is my seasidey plant this week - at least red geraniums against white wood always make me think of seaside holidays in France and Italy and good old Blighty too....I love geraniums, even though they go in and out of gardening fashion I always like to have a few each summer, on the window sill or brightening up a corner...Thank you for visiting me here and for the wonderful comments you leave..I do enjoy them so much. Have a lovely weekend everyone, sending you lots of sunshine, sea breezes, flowers and happy times..Back soon xxxxxx

32 comments:

Crafts @ Home said...: I really am quite envious of you living close to the sea, as I'm stuck here in the middle of the country. Everything is so beautiful, I particularly love the seaside bunting :) but I do so love bunting :)
Sue X; 20 May 2011 at 15:41
Jane and Lance Hattatt said...: Hello Helen:
Such a seasidey post to go with your seasidey geranium which does, as you say, look wonderful against the white. All the lovely things which you show here today bring back memories of holidays by the sea way back, for us, in the 1950s when, in Britain, it was so often chilly!

We too love the sea and, periodically, escape from our home in landlocked Hungary to spend time in our Brighton 'rooms' which, happily, look straight out onto the Channel.; 20 May 2011 at 15:46
salty pebble said...: lovely, enchanting sea sidey post- i feel your need to be by the sea after growing up in an island and hearing the sea from my bedroom window, despite being in devon to get close to a beach means a mamouth walk/steep hill to get to...or a ferry boat trip...i wish i could just walk out the front door and hear the splashing of the waves...the sea makes me tick- its deep within me ;0)x

i love your creations!!!!
really special keep sakes and fabulous bunting, always a joy to visit you hear- i can almost hear the waves ;0)xxxx; 20 May 2011 at 15:48
mynestofyarnandbuttons said...: Hi Helen, So exciting I had 2 posts to read due to being away. What lovely posts I missed. Your flowers and planting are just gorgeous. So much color and I love the mix of yarns......I love rowan yarns, can't wait to see what will be knit up! The seaside post is fabulous, I also love the sea, shore, beach and sails. Your bunny is so sweet! I envy all his clothing. How exciting to have had your book translated, so happy I have it!! I'm with you on the old fashion geraniums, they are a staple on my deck. I love your style! Have a lovely weekend. xoRobin❤; 20 May 2011 at 15:48
Anonymous said...: I completely share your love for the sea, I don't think I could bear to move away from the coast. Congratulations on the book now being multinational, it's on my wishlist (in english that is!) Have a lovely weekend. Hannah xx; 20 May 2011 at 15:52
Pomona said...: I love the colour combinations, and also the John Masefield poem!

Pomona x; 20 May 2011 at 15:55
Hazel said...: The bunting is amazing! I did not realise it was hand stitched - silly me. Love everything in this post. Aren't Julia's prints utterly gorgeous? I have one but could always use another or two. I was just saying to DH last night wouldn't it be lovely to move near the sea. Maybe one day. x; 20 May 2011 at 15:58
Simone said...: I really enjoyed this nautical themed post! I think Julia's work compliments your work very well Helen. I always like geraniums. I think they suit formal and informal settings too. How marvellous to have your book printed in French! Have a lovely weekend. x; 20 May 2011 at 16:05
Jane said...: I loved the way your bunny had a costume change mid post Helen, what a poppet. I love that hat on him too! Lots of pretty seaside themes and photos, I can almost taste the sea air from here in land locked Surrey! I also enjoy growing geraniums, they are such draught resistant, easy to grow plants and flower their little hearts all season long -the best type of plants in my book.Enjoy the weekend,
Jane x; 20 May 2011 at 16:08
sew said...: Congratulations on your livre en francais!I wonder what Bunny Cuddles is called?(Love his jumper, by the way). My schoolroom French doesn't extend to the word cuddles, so I'll call him Monsieur Lapin d'amour!! I too miss the seaside, but I have a very seaside shower room with bunting and (black & white)pics of me & my family many years ago on our annual holiday in Llandudno - stony beach and all!; 20 May 2011 at 16:13
Pipany said...: Hello Helen and thank you for isabella's birthday wishes. I have been rather lax at blog posting and even worse at commenting - bit busy lately, but hopefully going to have some lovely catch ups now.

As you know, I cannot live without the sea abd so love your seasidey post today. Congratulations on your book in its French version - yes, very romantic! x; 20 May 2011 at 16:22
Thedarkerside73 said...: What beautiful images. Love that sampler and the bunny too cute!

My DH was brought up my the sea as child he moved down south and landlock in his teens. Its a bit of a dream of his to live near the sea again. I agree with him but being brought up near countryside need the green as well as the blue near me! lol

I love the french language it is so beautiful.

MBB x; 20 May 2011 at 16:27
Rubyred said...: Such a gorgeous seasidey post Helen, filled with such pretty things too!I haven't made anything from your gorgeous book yet, but I love to look through it and plan what I am gooing to make when I have a bit of spare time!
I bought some red geraniums at the Farmers Market on Wednesday, they look so striking in a simple terracotta pot don't they!
Have a lovely weekend!
Rachel x; 20 May 2011 at 17:04
debbie @ happy little cottage said...: I spent my early childhood living on an island, and I truly miss the ocean!
I adore the red geraniums, and the embroidered bunting!
Happy weekend!!; 20 May 2011 at 17:41
flowers on my table said...: Helen, your sea-side post is just lovely. We too love to escape to the sea-side whenever we can and collect pebbles and driftwood. I saw your book today, it is delightful, I especially loved the bag with the dog on it and the little bone tag. Unfortuneately I was without funds today, but your book is now firmly on my wish list. My daughter would just love that doggie bag for her p.e. gear. Congratulations to you, in having your book printed in French, how very exciting! Have a great weekend, love Linda x; 20 May 2011 at 17:57
Unknown said...: I can just smell the fresh sea air........it must be wonderful to live close to the sea!!
Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy!
Chris :o); 20 May 2011 at 18:32
Teresa Kasner said...: Dear Helen, I adored this post - I've been sailing for years and we have our 26 foot sailboat, Stargazer, at Portland Yacht Club. I even lived on it for 4 months in the San Juan Islands of Washington USA. I clicked to buy your book, but it's a UK site and the shipping is high. I'm going to buy it on Amazon! :-) Hugs, Teresa :-); 20 May 2011 at 19:10
Vintage Tea Time said...: I too love the seaside, though don't live near it. I get urges from time to time, when I simply have to get to the sea! I love the seaside in all seasons, but I think I prefer it in winter! Abby x; 20 May 2011 at 20:22
Unknown said...: lovely photo's your bunny is so cute love the clothes he is wearing. have a lovely weekend, dee x; 20 May 2011 at 22:39
Naturally Carol said...: The simple red geranium is a huge summer favourite of mine..just it's hardiness and simplicity and cheerfulness is enough to light up any corner. I enjoyed your tribute to seaside craftiness immensely!; 21 May 2011 at 06:22
Astridbears said...: lovely photos, a great seaside!!!
Your blog is soo lovely!!
have a wonderful weekend
Astrid; 21 May 2011 at 07:34
♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...: You have caught the seaside atmosphere so beautfully here Helen. Your work is so inspirational...and I the CK fabric is one of my all time favourites....I first made a book bag and cushions quite a few years ago now using 'Boat' and they still look so bright and fresh today...geraniums can't be beaten....lovely vibrant colours and so sturdy in this unpredictable weather of ours!
Wishing you a weekend full of all good things...
Susan x; 21 May 2011 at 10:02
Teje Karjalainen said...: Dear Helen, thank you for a lovely moment with my coffee brake! Everything looks so nice and I loved that picture, too!
xxx Teje; 21 May 2011 at 10:15
greenrabbitdesigns said...: Lovely seaside post Helen, I can almost smell the salty air. :)
Congratulations on being published in French, I have got quite used to hearing this lovely language lately but I'm afraid it's 'back to porridge' as they say!!
I love geraniums, nothing as pretty as a geranium in an old terracotta pot!
Of course I adore the bunny, how cute does he look in his hat!! :)
Have a great weekend.
Vivienne x; 21 May 2011 at 11:35
flowers on my table said...: Thanks Helen for the visit and lovely comments. Sorry, I don't really plan to do anything with the artichokes except have them in a bowl on the table and hope that they dry!Love Linda x; 21 May 2011 at 21:00
Catherine said...: I love living close to the sea! I grew up inland but have lived beside the sea since I was 18. I couldn't move back now!! Cx; 21 May 2011 at 22:20
driftwood said...: just lovely xxx; 22 May 2011 at 08:43
moonstruckcreations said...: Lovely photos, I would love to live by the sea but in fact live just about as far from it as is possible in the UK!

Perhaps I will get to go to the coast next week if Im lucky.

Meantime, I will have just have to make do by watching the latest Pirates film (in 3D) which wont be too much of a hardship as I love those films!

Enjoy the weekend, Helenxx; 22 May 2011 at 10:21
Anonymous said...: As usual your post is a feast for the eyes. That is the most lovely bunting I have ever seen and the Sea Fever sampler is utterly gorgeous.; 22 May 2011 at 10:59
Julia said...: Hello Helen

What a gorgeous post - can practically feel the sea breezes as I read! I do miss lving by the coast, terribly so some days, and so posts like this are always a tonic - especially at this time of year when the weather is improving and I tend to feel a bit more landlocked than usual!
Your book sounds very glamorous in french, isn't that a romantic language, Id love to learn again someday. Your sampler with the lighthouse is lovely, and your bunting too!! You have such an inspiring blog - and of course it would be rude of me to leave without saying thank you for mentioning my Harbour picture - I'm delighted that you like it and hope it looks nice in its new frame :)

Sending you love,
Julia x; 22 May 2011 at 19:39
Mia said...: Hello Helen,

That print is gorgeous! The white-blue-red's are just perfect together and create beautiful seaside-theme! And your lovely book in French...Happiness!

Have a wonderful week and many happy greetings from sunny Finland!

Yours,
Mia; 23 May 2011 at 06:12
Poppy said...: A gorgeous post as always Helen! I can see why you fell in love with the print. The bunting is sooooooooooooooo lovely! I'm off to catch up on the posts I have missed... HEAVEN! xxx; 23 May 2011 at 09:06