Strawberry picking is so much fun even though it is a lot of work filling those baskets to the top. But maybe that’s because too many strawberries get eaten before making it into the baskets.
I haven’t been strawberry (or blueberry, or raspberry, or apple) picking for years and years and years. It was always something that I enjoyed doing when my daughter was young. For sure, it is an educational experience for the little ones. They get to see how the berry needs to be a blossom first, and then with the help of bees, will start to become a strawberry. They see the color changes it goes through before it is ready to be picked and eaten. And, if they eat one before it is ripe, they can taste the changes too. So very interesting…
Here in northern Illinois/southern Wisconsin the strawberries aren’t ready for picking . They are just about ready, but not quite yet. Maybe we’ll get out to pick a few this year. This is where we go to pick our strawberries.
I got a bit nostalgic while creating this outfit for Talyssa, so I retreated to our photo albums to find when we last went strawberry picking; it was 2003! My daughter was dressed in her strawberry top and pink shorts from Gymboree. I don’t remember being so “event coordinated,” if you know what I mean. Oh, and I had on a top that perfectly matched her shorts. Sheesh! At least my husband wasn’t wearing pink.
This brand-spanking-new strawberry print (I couldn’t wait to use it!) came in pink gingham and aqua gingham too. The sunny yellow gingham appealed to me the most, so I chose the yellow.
It was fun creating the little accessories to go with this set. The little strawberry is a mini stuffy with beads and a crocheted top. Talyssa can hold the berry by the loop. The crocheted basket will hold the strawberry too. I had the strawberry charm in my bead drawer waiting for the perfect fabric. Those little aqua bead blossoms matched the blossoms on the fabric oh, so nicely.
The tiny berries worked perfectly in bullion stitch embroidery on the sweater. I embroidered them in pink and red to match the dress.
For more information on Talyssa’s “Strawberry Picking” ensemble, please visit my “Available for Sale” page at cindyricedesigns.com .
Cindy Rice Designs 
What a beautiful set! I love the accessories too!
We have a lot of raspberries! My daughter was born on June 2, when raspberries are just good to eat! I didn’t have time to pick them that she and her friends had already eaten the first harvest! Good memories!
Have a beautiful sunday!
Warm regards.
Hi Catherine. You must live in a warmer climate than I do. Our raspberries aren’t ready for picking until mid July. The very first strawberries will be ready soon. I don’t know what it is, but kids love picking fruit, don’t they? It is so cute.
Thank you for your comment. Hope your weekend is going well.
Hi Cindy, Late to the party again but had to comment! What a beautiful little set on Talyssa this time. I love everything about it! Her little strawberry and basket is just the sweetest thing. You always have so many details in your sets…I love to look for them all. Very nicely done Cindy. My sister, Cindy got in tonight from PA. We are going to paint my big cabinet over the next few days!
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne. Better late than never is my motto. I know you are very busy and it is always a treat to read your comments no matter when they happen. We had a busy week last week too. Hopefully this one will be a bit more relaxed. I saw cabinets at our sale, but in no way am as ambitious as you are with furniture. Is your sister, Cindy, the sister who’s daughter got married? It will be fun working with her on a project as you chit chat away.