Project Runway DIY at Toys R Us

[Shomore]

Last night's Project Runway Season 5 Finale is over and done. AndÂ*I, Â*among many others,Â*am looking for my next fashion design fix toÂ*tide me overÂ*until new PR seasons finally start at the show's new network. (Please,Â*please tell me rumors of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.star-telegram.com/entertainment/story/961929.html">delaysÂ*due to legal issues</a>are not based in fact? Noooo!)Â*

So, for those of you who, like me, will be lost without your regular weeklyÂ*dose of Project Runway, here is an unexpected surprise for you.

While atÂ*Toys R Us this weekend, I encounteredÂ*the followingÂ*line of toys in the educational section(!) that made myÂ*daughtersÂ*and I very excited: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.toysrus.com/search/index.jsp?sr=1&amp;f=Taxonomy%2FTRUS%2F2254197&amp ;kw=project+runway&amp;origkw=project+runway&amp;k wCatId=&amp;view=all">Project Runway design sketchbooks</a> by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fashionangelsenterprises.com/home.php">Fashion Angel Enterprises</a>.Â*

<a href="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/pr-sketchbooks.JPG"><img src="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/pr-sketchbooks.JPG" /></a>

Branded with the official Project Runway logo, these are a variety of sketchbooks and 'challenges' of various types and are appropriate for a parent-assisted child or enthusiastic adult (sewing) amateur.

Available items are:

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.toysrus.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&amp;kw=project%20runway%20postc ard&amp;origkw=project%20runway%20postcard&amp;f=T axonomy/TRUS/2254197&amp;sr=1">Project Runway Fashion Postcards for London, Paris, New York, and Hollywood ($9.99 each)</a>Â*

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3144532">Project Runway Design Projector Kit ($29.99)</a>

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3195444">Project Runway Fashion Design and Illustration Studio ($29.99)</a>

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3144534">Project Runway Fashion and Figure Drawing Set ($29.99)</a>

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3144536">Project Runway Patch-making Kit ($9.99)</a> or <a target="_blank" href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3144533">Project Runway Graphic T-shirt Design Studio Set ($24.99)</a>

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3195446">Project Runway Fashion Design Challenge Sketchbook ($24.99), includes spinner to randomly decide challenge</a>

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3144528">Project Runway Accessories Design Challenge Sketchbook ($24.99), spinner included.</a>

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.toysrus.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&amp;kw=project%20runway%20desig n%20sketchbook&amp;origkw=Project%20Runway%20Desig n%20Sketchbook&amp;f=Taxonomy/TRUS/2254197&amp;sr=1">And, four Project Runway 'Design Sketchbooks' specifically for: Fashion, Costume, Handbag, and of course, Shoes.</a>

Understanding that most folks areÂ*amateurs at fashion illustration,Â*the majority ofÂ*these sets feature paper pads with a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00147.asp">Croquis</a>Â*(a pre-sketched form on which to draw fashion designs) to use as a starting point for your ideas. They also include a 'Design Guide' booklet that gives a little bit ofÂ*a helpfulÂ*nudge in regard to possible styles, materials and illustration techniques.

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<a href="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/pr-sketchbooks-guide.JPG"><img src="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/pr-sketchbooks-guide.JPG" /></a>

I don't know if you are like me at all and have ever hadÂ*the crystal-clear imageÂ*of a new shoe float up into your brain just as you fell asleep. But, since I have had that particular experience, I thought this would be a fun way to try out this product and share the results here.

I have had exactly two of these shoe 'visions'.

This firstÂ*drawingÂ*is from one of the blank sketchbooks that I keep around the house to record fashion ideas when they come to me (I've learned the hard way that if I wait until I find some paper that I may forget the idea; apologies for the blurry photo):

<a href="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/bw-woven.jpg"><img src="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/bw-woven.jpg" /></a>

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Next, is a drawing I did yesterday using the High-fashion/high-heel croquis from the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3195443">PR Sketch-a-Footwear-Collection Drawing Kit</a>. I sketched the basic design and then enlarged it on my copy machine and colored it with the colored pencils included in the kit.Â*

<a href="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/bw-briar-rose-bw-sketch-2008.jpg"><img src="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/bw-briar-rose-bw-sketch-2008.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/bw-briar-rose-shoe-2008.jpg"><img src="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/bw-briar-rose-shoe-2008.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/bw-briar-rose-shoe2-2008.jpg"><img src="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/bw-briar-rose-shoe2-2008.jpg" /></a>

These last 2 designs are by my 6-year old:

<a href="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/isabel-boot.jpg"><img src="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/isabel-boot.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/isabel-shoe.jpg"><img src="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/isabel-shoe.jpg" /></a>

Now, I may or may not regularly use this myself as aÂ*design tool or as light entertainment.Â* However, I do have to say that my young, design-obsessed daughters are completely won over. They would love to use this everyday; which does bring me to the biggest flaw of these kits: There do not appear to be any paper re-fills available for the sketch pads. So, you might want to make some master copies of the various croquis in each kit before starting, just in case the manufacturers never correct this particular oversight.

Happy Designing!