Here’s a quick recap and links to all of the picnic posts and instructions:

• The Idea (including how to prep your picnic basket)
  
• The Picnic Basket (including instructions for the patchwork top)
• The Picnic Basket Liner – removable fabric liner
• Glass Etched Canning Jars and the Embroidery Pattern for the Lid (Free Download)
• The Lace Napkins (inexpensive, but fancy)
• The Napkin Roll w/ pockets for your flatware
• The Picnic Blanket: the finished version and the preview
  
• The Insulated Pouches: Coming tomorrow!

Now, onto the picnic itself…

For food, we stopped at the deli and picked up some éclairs, a fresh baguette, jam, cheese, cold cuts, and berries.  (Honestly, if you want to feel really great about something you’ve made, just put an éclair next to it.)

What I love about these photos is that everything here is handmade.  However, even if you’re not a DIY-er, you could pull together a really unique picnic set with some clever shopping.  For me, the best part was picking a theme and having fun deciding what my perfect picnic would be.

Shall we take a little tour?  Up above is the embroidered jar lid tied with my favorite black/white striped ribbon.

The picnic basket with the patchwork top made a great table.

My favorite part is that the inside of the picnic basket is a chalkboard.  It was perfect for a welcome message.  (I think I’m wondering if I put on enough sunscreen in this photo.)

Here are the cute napkins.

And, of course, the messy, gooey action shots:

My husband is the best sport ever.  Look at him sipping from this teacup.  And yes, there is something  a little strange about setting up the camera to take pictures of yourself while on a picnic — but I just considered it free entertainment for the other people at the park.  It’s possible that the picnic might be a bit too frilly for my husband’s taste.  However, I did offer him the éclair, so I think we’re almost even.

All in all, it was a really nice way to commemorate the end of summer.  I could feel the stress melting away by the time we packed everything up to head home.

So are you ready for Autumn now?  I went shopping this weekend and some of the stores had that cinnamon smell, so Fall is definitely in the air.  I’m off to plan what’s next…

Around this time of year, I always start thinking about grassy meadows, naps under trees, and picnic baskets.  We saw this Coke commercial last night on TV and I almost choked up a little bit; my longing to be on a picnic was so intense.

(Some of you will point out that I live in L.A., so I could go sit outside on a blanket right now.  However, even here, it’s not quite the same until the sun is really warm and you’re wearing something sleeveless.)

Anyway, I thought it would be a good time to start my spring sewing wish list.  I have visions of picnic blankets, summer dresses, and fresh table linens.  I love warm weather sewing, because I can really experiment with patterns and colors and worry less about what my husband will say.  I can just tell him “this is for outside, not the bed,” and he’ll be fine.

My wish list so far:

• a picnic blanket:
  • maybe something that rolls up, like this blanket from soulemama
  • definitely want to add some rock pockets so it doesn’t blow away (via sewmamasew) – Picnic blanket with rock pockets

• some new summer dresses:  I am so glad this dress pattern from Anna Maria Horner is finally out! I don’t know if I could have waited much longer.

• some Spring/Summer bags:  I think I need two.
  • a library bag (a la Posie Gets Cozy)
  • an “adventuring” bag:  I want something casual that can go to the zoo and the garden, maybe even Disneyland and Hawaii.  (It’s good to set goals, right?)  The bag needs to hold a camera, water bottle, keys, wallet, and hand lotion.  There should be room for random scraps of paper since that seems to be most of what ends up in my purse.  I haven’t quite decided on a shape yet.

• And last but not least:  a picnic set.  I have plans to fully deck out a picnic basket with the works – a basket liner, matching napkins, drawstring pouches for the silverware.  Cute little matching tins and containers.  I’m not sure if I’ll get to it this year, but it’s on the list.

Anyone else with picnics on the brain?  I might have forgotten some important accessories. I am torn between wanting spring to arrive and thinking I might need another few months to get my sewing list in order first.  ;-)