At the Beach

Monday, April 29, 2013


     Barb and I are renting a beach house for a week in Gulf Shores, AL. We have made this trip every year since 2009 except for one. It's a great way for us to work and plan projects for the year. As Barb works full time and lives 45 miles from me, we don't have much time to plan and brainstorm. Last year we missed this planning time and we really felt it didn't serve us well.
 
     We bring notebooks, sewing machines, rotary tools, linen, floss, my bike....and the list goes on and on. Our one fun "requirement" is to decorate the dining table in the screened-in-porch. (The table inside is covered with fabric and books and is considered our work table.) I brought a old white linen tablecloth and faded chipped dishes. Usually, I choose plates with pink flowers on the rim. I like the center of the plate to be white so the food is the main focus, but when I found these they felt just right. Although the pattern on the dinner plates is really faded and worn it makes the plates even more dear to me.



     I bought a set of 8 small dinner plates and 2 salad plates. The salad plates don't show much wear. Aren't they sweet?



    Barb purchased this vintage crocheted tablecloth and the table runner at an estate sale. They were both white and stained. She dyed these pink to match the dishes. It took 1/2 bottle of pink and 1/2 bottle of tan Rit dye and a cup of salt to get this soft warm shade of pink. They are just beautiful!



     Barb's been working with our Nature's Basket prints. She uses Charm Packs from Moda when planning a quilt. The squares are big enough for her to visualize how the colors will work together, and they are large enough to check how the scale of the print will work in her design too.

Back to work!

Until later,

Alma


Share This Story

Tags:

29 comments

  1. The Inspired StitcherApril 29, 2013 at 11:11 AM

    Wish my workspace included a beach! LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  2. la corona doradaApril 29, 2013 at 12:01 PM

    I very willingly went with you two to work on the beach, eat at the dishes and the tablecloth crochet, please adopt me!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. gracieApril 29, 2013 at 12:05 PM

    It all sounds so wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  4. JuleeApril 29, 2013 at 12:35 PM

    Sounds like good soul therapy and lots of fun. I have your new book on order, now the waiting game.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Natasha April 29, 2013 at 12:42 PM

    Sounds like a wonderful way to relax and brainstorm. I really LOVE that table cloth. So pretty. Have a wonderful time you two

    ReplyDelete
  6. diamondcApril 29, 2013 at 1:28 PM

    Alma: It sound like you had a pleasant time.
    I hope you come back to Spring Fling in Minnesota someday.
    Catherine

    ReplyDelete
  7. MichelleApril 29, 2013 at 1:54 PM

    It sounds heavenly x

    ReplyDelete
  8. KayApril 29, 2013 at 2:08 PM

    I love vintage crockery. Have a wonderful time.

    ReplyDelete
  9. SharrieboberryApril 29, 2013 at 2:11 PM

    How interesting it is that you find your inspiration at the beach! "Beach" is not the first thing I think of when I think of your wonderful designs. :)

    Hope you have a lovely and productive time.

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownApril 29, 2013 at 2:13 PM

    Wow.....a beach, sewing, eating seafood on lovely old dishes(which you have to do if you are so close to fresh seafood) sounds like a slice of heaven!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Gale, Ky quilterApril 29, 2013 at 2:44 PM

    I want to come and play!!!!! Gorgeous and those dishes, my Great-Grandmother Effie had a complete set just like that years and years ago. What wonderful memories they bring back.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Kathy SchmitzApril 29, 2013 at 3:50 PM

    I bet you ladies will have a grand time! See you soon,
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  13. Mama JoanApril 29, 2013 at 4:54 PM

    Alma and Barb,

    Sounds like such fun. I hope you enjoy every minute of it.

    Happy crafting and relaxing:)
    Joan

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousApril 29, 2013 at 5:54 PM

    Thank you for sharing, lovely post and enjoy

    ReplyDelete
  15. mollyApril 29, 2013 at 6:04 PM

    That is one gorgeous tablecloth! Love the dye job... And I love the dishes too, and the beach, and the whole brainstorming with a friend, away fro everyday distractions!

    ReplyDelete
  16. MargaretApril 29, 2013 at 7:03 PM

    I love how you decorate the table on the porch every time. So beautiful, and very inspirational as well. Love those charm fabrics. Sigh.... More temptation, i can tell. Have fun!

    ReplyDelete
  17. SherrillApril 29, 2013 at 10:02 PM

    What a GREAT idea to dye the crocheted pieces! I'll have to remember that next time I see one at a good price that may be a little stained!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. moosecraftApril 30, 2013 at 5:39 AM

    Oh my... I'm relaxed just looking at these pics! Love the crocheted table cloth... and you've managed the perfect pink! Looking forward to seeing the beauty you gals create! And, patiently waiting the new book release too! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  19. NIKYApril 30, 2013 at 2:37 PM

    Enjoy your holyday! miss you a lot. N.

    ReplyDelete
  20. BLTMay 4, 2013 at 3:09 PM

    Enjoyed reading about your creative process. You are artistic masters concerning the color palette. Can't wait for a new book!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Rebecca KingMay 5, 2013 at 8:43 AM

    What pretty plates. What a great trip you have planned.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Bonnie JamesMay 5, 2013 at 8:44 AM

    Love the Charm packs. What a good idea.

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousMay 5, 2013 at 2:05 PM

    What a lovely idea...can't wait to see your new book!

    ReplyDelete
  24. JennyMay 8, 2013 at 6:37 AM

    Love the faded, chipped plates, and the table cloth and runner. How well did the dye cover the stains? I've accumulated several stained items, but never considered dyeing them. Great idea!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alma AllenMay 10, 2013 at 12:14 PM

      Hi Jenny,

      The dye covers the stains really well! The new color makes the coverlets and tablecloths look fresh and new.

      Delete
  25. Cheap flights to EntebbeJune 5, 2013 at 11:47 AM

    Thanks for the nice blog. It Was Very useful for me. Keep Such sharing ideas in the Future as well. Actually This Was What I Was looking for, and I am glad to cam here. Thanks for Sharing the information with us Such.

    ReplyDelete
  26. SimoneJuly 14, 2013 at 6:04 AM

    Hi Barb and Alma,
    I'm a designer from the Netherlands and Pre-ordered your Nature's basket fabrics... I'm planning on a cross stitch design to go with the fabrics, but since I don't have any samples yet, I can't decide which colors to use.
    Can you please help me out with the DMC numbers of the browns and blues of your fabric line???
    I'd hope to hear from you....

    Creative greetings from the Netherlands,
    Simone
    Atelier Soed Idee

    ReplyDelete
  27. voyance gratuite par emailJune 24, 2016 at 9:03 AM

    Super good idea, super nice site !! congratulations :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. voyance par mail rapideMarch 1, 2017 at 4:31 AM

    Really very useful tips are provided here. Thank you so much. Keep up the good works.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.