So, I've got a goal in the coming weeks...to catch up on some blogging!
To start...STYLO magazine! Maybe it's against "blog rules" to post about the same project back to back especially when things have been pretty quiet around here...but, eh I'm doing it anyway!This was such a big project for me. First, the fact that Celina and Jessica even asked me! Second, it totally consumed me for a little while...
At first I freaked out because, oh my goodness...STYLO! Then, I freaked because I was being asked to do a DIY! What to make? What to make? I had a long list of fun things that worked well with the "high fructose" theme but I just kept coming back to...A GIANT BOWL OF FRUIT!
My spread is about a third of the way into the magazine (p.103). There you can find detailed instructions, patterns and stencil templates for each of the fruits including blueberries, strawberries, peaches, apples, watermelon, citrus slices and citrus wedges. You can make one or two...or go all in! I've actually had a pink grapefruit slice requested from the kids since this photo shoot, it's cut, but that's about as far as I've gotten so far. I mean, after sewing up EIGHT different kinds of canvas fruits, you need to take a bit of a break!
And, then...what fun is giant fruit without silly kids to play with them? And well, those silly kids had to be wearing something fruity as well, right?
I've had my eye on these sheets from The Land of Nod for such a long time, and they turned out to be the perfect fabrics for this fruit bowl photo shoot!
For Violet, I made a simple skirt out of a pillow case. It ended up a bit on the long side, so we just decided to hike it up higher over her tank top to make it more like a dress. I actually love it that way!
I trimmed the bottom with mini pompoms...which I adore!
And, the mustard Aster from Easter was a happy accident...a last minute addition when it was just a little too breezy for a tank...
For Henry, I was thrilled to have a chance to make yet another Titchy Threads pattern, the new twisted trousers (turned shorts...) and I used a fitted crib sheet for the fabric...
And, with these...we are completely sold on yet another of Laura's wonderful patterns! Henry loves the waistband and I'm a sucker for the details...the pockets, the back yoke...
And, any time I have a chance to add piping...I'm in!
So, while the star of the show here was really the giant fruit...
The photo shoot wouldn't have been nearly as fun without these cool kids!
Speaking of the photo shoot...Imagine, first, that you are surrounded by a growing number of giant fruit in your house. Then, you aren't allowed to touch it or play with it! Yeah, that was tough for the kids...But, it made them all the more excited come the day of the photo shoot!
Next, imagine that you are a procrastinator, ahem...and you have exactly one week to get pictures taken and rain is in the forecast for every day but one!
Um, I was only the tiniest bit stressed!
The day of the photo shoot was the first day of Spring break and it was glorious! We took the pictures at a nearby park that we always go to and it was perfect. The only thing...everyone else in the county was there too! So, there we were amongst hundreds of other families enjoying the weather, carting around a wagon full of giant fruit and then proceeding to "frolic" with it! Ha!
It was really a fun photo shoot though. The kids had a blast! Okay Henry was a bit insane and crazy at times, but that's to be expected! Violet played the part of "art director" and helped to move the fruit around (and her brother) so that everything was just right.
And, they finally got to play with the fruit and giggle and have fun! Looking over these photos makes me so happy because I remember how much fun we all had that day!
Plus, in the end, I had packed a real picnic lunch too...which was a great pay off as far as they were concerned
(the train and carousel rides helped too!)
I'm so thrilled with the way everything turned out, especially since these giant fruits have already been so well loved!
What a treat to have been asked and to have been a part of such an amazing group of talented women! STYLO magazine never lets you down, there is always so much fantastic in each and every issue, but this one...awesome!
Have a great weekend!
