Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Wacky Wednesday #67—Strawberries

 


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?




13 comments:

  1. Berry cute����

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  2. Super cute, Sarah! As usual, you have brightened many a day - including mine ( :
    Did you know strawberries are also the only fruit with their seeds on the outside? Have a great day, Juliet

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    1. 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...

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  3. I 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

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    1. Thanks, Aunt Eileen! I think most people like them, and I'm glad you liked this costume...

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  4. Along 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. :)

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    1. Thanks, Mary! I love your description. Such a way with words...I know you're having a super trip...

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  5. I can smell the strawberry shortcake doll right now! Very creative. I love how you see the potential in just about anything!

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    1. Adri, wow--that is a huge compliment. Thank you! "Yep--that's wearable" is my usual reaction...

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  6. Ooh 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) 💗

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    1. It's true--I do love strawberry flavor. Even the background to this blog is strawberry-colored!

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