Castaway Colors

Last Thanksgiving we visited Castaway Cay -- the island privately owned by Disney.

Disney uses it as a port-of-call for their cruise ships and, we arrived on a such a windy day, that our ship wasn't able to dock until the afternoon.

That meant that they canceled most of the excursions and activities for the day. When we disembarked, Jim and I headed to the far side of the island for some treasure hunting on the "adult" beach, far away from many of the "attractions" and people...

Along the beach, there were piles and piles of "seaweed"...

On closer inspection, I saw all kinds of flora that looked to me like it belonged in an underwater garden. And I longed to see what it looked like under the sea...

The colors (or lack thereof) struck me the most. From far away, it looks like piles and piles of brown stuff...

But up-close I could see the variation and shades of color...

And I was surprised that so many of the plants were ochre and yellow-greens and yellow-browns...

Why these colors? Because the plants are dead? Or do they naturally occur like that under the sea?

Is there a garden encyclopedia for underwater flora? hmmm...

And why do these plants have "bubbles"? Or are they underwater versions of berries and fruit? And which animals are fond of which ones?

I don't know the answer to any of these questions, but I am itching to stitch all of these plants on a crazy quilt block.

So this morning, I played around with the pictures and created this starting palette to begin.

Interestingly enough, I don't believe I have many threads in these embellishment colors. I'm starting a collection box for this project which will give me a place to compile the supplies I'll need to get started.

And I think I'll plan to stitch it in January when the snow is on the ground.

Can't you just see the Tahitian gray pearls that will become this fruit de la mer?

And you probably thought I was water-skiing with Mickey Mouse?

Ha! I do have my priorities...