Here is New Jersey, in addition to tomatoes being in season for most of the summer, we also have the good fortune of being able to begin our apple picking as early as the end of August! I actually only became aware of this when we went to our orchard to pick peaches this summer. Although not all varieties of apples are available, many are and I for one was looking foward to getting an early start preparing all of the delicious things that I love to make with apples!
But my little ones would surely be needing something special to pick their apples with... I actually have to give credit for this idea to my son's preschool that he attended for the last two years. Each September, we took the kids on a apple picking trip, and in preparation, each child decorated a paper bag with a halved apple dipped in paint to create a stamp. These bags were then used to carry the apples that they picked at the orchard...
We used a similar technique, however instead of using a paper bag, we used a small canvas bag {found in a craft store} that can be used and enjoyed season after season and in my little ones' daily play. Instead of using paint or a stamp pad, we used fabric paint and an apple cut in half to create an apple stamp on the bags, then just followed the process of allowing the paint to dry, ironing, washing, drying and ironing again. {I suggest making these bags with your little ones the weekend prior to when you plan to use them, which will allow the time necessary fot the paint to process.} We decided to add some extra buttons and ribbons and with a few stitches by mama, our little bags were all set and looked great...all that is missing are the apples! I am really looking foward to putting these little bags to work when we head off to the orchard this weekend!
Have a lovely day!
a.
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