I have been planning this session for a couple of months and it was so awesome to finally make it happen! I've been wanting to do a mermaid session for my daughter, and though I could have done it here (and I may do another session near the waterfall in Elgin) I really wanted to do it at the lake where we vacation in Minnesota.

I ordered the tail first (from Fin Fun Mermaid). She was a little afraid of it and it took a lot of convincing to get her to try it on the first time. She was fine after that :) Here and there I picked up other things I wanted to use - a net, a starfish, a bottle and some scrapbook paper to make a "map". I knew I wanted to make her a crown and top, and I had a bag of shells given to me by a friend that I've been saving for the right project. I couldn't decide how to make the top. I considered by a child size bikini top and embellishing it, but I never found one I liked. While browsing at Hobby Lobby I came across a pretty teal infinity scarf that was 80% off. I snatched it up and the ideas started flowing. I found two large white scallop shells and a pretty flower hair clip (also Hobby Lobby) to use as a centerpiece. I had everything else I needed at home. I cut the scarf down to fit around her chest without hanging too long, and glued everything on in layers. The headpiece started as a piece of felt I cut into an oval, and then I just kept adding layers of shells, fake flowers, and pearls. I ended up making her a pair of earrings using the same pearls. Everything worked out better than I could have hoped :D

I knew I wanted her to sit on something in the water, but our car was so full (we pack for a week's stay) that nothing large would fit. I wanted to hit an antique store once we were in Minnesota and find something that I could use and then get rid of. I was worried I wouldn't find anything so I brought a stool along, but thankfully I ended up not needing it :) I found this amazing old trunk at an antique store for only $10! It was falling apart and on clearance - exactly what I wanted! The plan was to toss it on the fire one night, but my aunt ended up telling me she could bring it home in their truck :) Looks like more mermaid sessions are in my future!