Today I’m wearing placemats. And why not? That’s what Wacky
Wednesday is all about: crazy FUN!
Today’s creation started taking shape when I found some
strawberry placemats at a thrift store and decided that they had Wacky
Wednesday appeal. I love that these berry placemats are many times bigger than
actual strawberries. A change in scale always sets the tone for fun.
I love strawberries—one of my favorite flavors—so this is a
happy association for me, more appealing than if I’d found cabbage-themed
placemats. Oh sure, cabbage is good for you, but it’s not in my top ten
favorite vegetables. Strawberries? A different matter. They are colorful,
delicious, and good for us—a source of fiber, Vitamin C and antioxidants (but
hey, this is just a bonus—really, they’re just yummy).
One appealing aspect of wearing giant strawberries is that
their shape is identifiable from quite a distance. You don’t have to be inches
away from me to understand these shapes. For me, red is a happy color, a
celebration. It energizes, and is full of life. And since I don’t live near any
bulls, I won’t be charged by any horned beasts who see my red outfit.
(Fun fact: I just learned that when bulls charge at a red
cape it has nothing to do with the color red. They are colorblind to red. It is
the waving of the cape that leads them to charge.)
Anyway, when I saw these placemats for sale at Goodwill, I
knew they could become a costume. Fun to wear. Fun to see. Good all around.
Total spent for today’s costume:
5 placemats
from Goodwill $
1.99
Red fabric
for hat (already had) $ 0
Fabric for
earrings (already had) $ 0
Hot glue
sticks $ .30
Red skirt
and tank top (already had) $ 0
_________________________________________
Grand total $
2.29
More fun facts: strawberries aren’t true berries. They are a
member of the rose family. SAY WHAT?
Final
fun fact: the ancient Romans believed that strawberries were medicinal. They used the berries to help with
depression, fever, fainting, bad breath, kidney stones, and sore throats.
As I child in the 80s I had a Strawberry Shortcake doll,
like the one below. My sister had a Blueberry Muffin doll--similar, but with
blue hair. Both dolls’ hair smelled sweet.
It’s funny—today’s costume took less time to make than other
costumes because I didn’t paint or create these big berries myself. But several
people told me that this was one of their favorites among the costumes I’ve made.
Red is cheerful, yes. And maybe strawberries remind people of summer, a season
most of us love. Who knows? Either way, I’m glad that people liked this costume….
Well, it’s been fun talking berries with you, but the bees
are swarming around my outfit, so it’s time to take off the strawberries and
set the table for dinner. Berry placemats, anyone?
Berry cute����
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jen!
DeleteSuper cute, Sarah! As usual, you have brightened many a day - including mine ( :
ReplyDeleteDid you know strawberries are also the only fruit with their seeds on the outside? Have a great day, Juliet
Juliet, I just learned that fact about the seeds. No wonder I am drawn to the cheery red fruit that does things it's own way...
DeleteSuper cute, Sar!
ReplyDeleteI love your costume- the earrings and headpiece are especially cute. I just bought some strawberries at the supermarket, today, and have come to your blog, seeing this. We must be on the same strawberry frequency, or something. Strawberries are sweet, juicy, and full of vitamin c. And they are so good in stawberry shortcake! Good choice for your subject, today! Love, Aunt Eileen
ReplyDeleteThanks, Aunt Eileen! I think most people like them, and I'm glad you liked this costume...
DeleteAlong the same lines as your aunt, I spontaneously chose fragola flavored gelato last night after dinner. It wasn't until I saw the Strawberry Shortcake doll that I realized that it tasted like a combo of strawberry pez and that doll scent. It sounds horrific but it was quite interesting, like they'd candied the strawberries before making the ice cream....moving on, I love how the fabric of your headband adds seed texture to your berry. As well as learning what the Romans used them for. Strawberries do make me happy, so maybe they are medicinal. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary! I love your description. Such a way with words...I know you're having a super trip...
DeleteI can smell the strawberry shortcake doll right now! Very creative. I love how you see the potential in just about anything!
ReplyDeleteAdri, wow--that is a huge compliment. Thank you! "Yep--that's wearable" is my usual reaction...
DeleteOoh I love it! I loved that strawberry shortcake doll... and my blueberry muffin doll. They smelled great! And I remember that S trawberry ice cream was your favorite when we'd walk down to Baskin Robbins (Either strawberry, 94 chocolate-and-peanut butter) 💗
ReplyDeleteIt's true--I do love strawberry flavor. Even the background to this blog is strawberry-colored!
Delete