Did you know that May is National (U.S.) Strawberry Month?  I just found out from this list at national calendar.com.  Fortunately, I have a strawberry themed ensemble all ready to go for this holiday.  (ha ha)  It is kind of fun to be tuned in to the minor holidays though, planned or not.

Our strawberry season hasn’t kicked in yet.  Here in northern Illinois, mid June is when our berries will be ready to pick.  My Kaye Wiggs Gracie is all ready to go picking, and somehow even found a few early strawberries.  Hmm, wonder how she managed that.

Gracie’s basket of berries is hand made by me.  The fabric berries are stuffed with poly fiberfill, so are very light weight.  The berries are machine sewn; the wool felt berry tops are hand embroidered.  I found white flower beads in my stash that look like strawberry blossoms!  A yellow seed bead for the center completes the strawberry blossom.  The stems are beaded loops so that Gracie can hold them.  The basket is woven with strips of mint green scrapbook paper, and it holds the berries perfectly.  I made a little hand written tag with the name of the ensemble on it; it dangles from the handle.

Even Gracie’s bracelet is berry themed.  White berry blossom beads, yellow seed beads (blossom centers) and green seed beads (stems) are strung on stretchy jewelry cord.  The tiny red heart bead (to show that this set was made with great care and love) even looks like a strawberry!

Gracie’s cotton dress is of the palest cool pink.  The berries and mint green leaves have a hand painted look to them which I find very pretty and delicate, despite being brightly colored.  The white blossoms and doily shapes are subtle, but add to the delicateness of this print.  The white inset cotton English Cluny lace I added to the skirt is the perfect accent.

The hand knit lace shrug is made with bamboo thread.  It has a crocheted ruffle edging.

The wide brimmed hat is embellished with a band made from the dress fabric.  I appliquéd a wool felt strawberry to the hat that coordinates with the handmade berries.

All in all, I think Gracie is looking ready to celebrate National Strawberry Month, don’t you?

“Strawberry Season” will be available tonight at 7:00 pm CST, cindyricedesigns.com.