School is out. And that means it's beach season. Except, it's beach season all year for my family. But, I guess to make summer beach season feel more special, I decided to make a new beach blanket and beach bag. I figure this is my equivalent to buying new patio furniture (which we won't be doing this year). But really, the beach is I where I do a lot of my summer time entertaining, and I can enjoy a good friend and a cool drink on my new beach blanket as easily as I could on new patio furniture.

The bag is white and orange-y patchwork. Extra roomy, with padded straps and lining for durability and comfort. I also put in some large zipper pockets for the essentials: sunscreen, hair ties, surf wax.

This last year when I taught embroidery lessons to a sweet group of girls, my girls and I had some pretty little embroidery pieces that needed homes. I decided to put them here and there on the beach bag.

Ginger mastered the chain stitch and lazy daisy stitch. How could I not want to look at that all summer?

I made the blanket and the bag a sort of a set. The blanket is a white, aqua, and orange patchwork, with some pieces of my old beach blanket and the awesome vintage trim from my old beach blanket. I couldn't say good bye to that.

What makes summer special for you?