It’s been a strange month, or it feels that way, as far as my makings go. I haven’t had one new thing to show you all month, and we are 3/4 of the way through! I’ve not been idle, however. I’ve been working away on Christmas/holiday ensembles. So far, I have two for the Little Darlings completed with another two in the works for them. My 11″ Kaye Wiggs Millie is getting something, and of course, my new 10″ Boneka Rose will get a holiday dress too. After that, I am planning on making something for Patience, Puki Puki, Patsy, and Gracie. Fingers crossed that I don’t run out of time.
Here is my pile of Christmas/holiday fabric and holiday colored yarn. I am NOT! buying any more fabric this year since I bought more than I could use last year.
In progress . . .
I desperately wanted to add these bright foil lined red beads to the white lace; they picked up the bright red edge in the ribbon perfectly. The only problem was that all of the seams on the dress were sewn up, and I didn’t want stitching to show through to the lining. With care, I was able to keep the hand stitching thread between the lace and lining. I am knitting a fuzzy mohair/silk sweater for this dress in pure white.
I finished the hand sewing on Millie’s dress this morning. Do you also feel like you get bonus time when you get up in darkness and get right to work? I got Millie’s dress 100% done early this morning: hand sewing, snaps, buttons, and belt loops. Yay! This dress is made out of a tiny snowman print, and Millie would love one of those needle felted snowmen that I made last year. I actually want to take a day next week and make a “bunch” of them.
My hubby and I celebrated our 25th anniversary on Monday. We spent the day in downtown Chicago at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Any works of art with sewing catches my eye. This painting from around the year 1900 depicts Renoir’s 4-5 year old son sewing. I guess it was the fashion for young boys to have long hair. It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?
Afterwards, we stopped at a restaurant called Cindy’s. The balcony overlooks Millenium Park, Lake Michigan, and parts of the city. You can see “the bean”, entitled Cloud Gate, above my head. (Everyone here calls it “the bean”.) You can also see some of the trees with their leaves changing color. Everything still looks (and feels) pretty summery.
Today is my hubby’s birthday. We’re hoping to include our daughter in “present opening” via FaceTime.
I hope you have a nice weekend! Thanks for visiting with me today.
Cindy Rice Designs 
Happy Birthday 25th. And for your husband, then.
It’s nice to “meet” you 🙂
Thank you so much, Colette. It was a beautiful day for a birthday here in Illinois. He said he couldn’t remember his birthday ever being so warm. ❤
Taking a break from the never ending cleaning of the sewing room, your post has inspired me to push on so that I can get back to creating seasonal outfits for my dolls!! Happy Anniversary to you and your husband and Happy Birthday to him as well!! Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks so much for the anniversary and birthday wishes! It’s been a very nice week of celebrating for us. I am happy to inspire you, and now I think you will inspire me to straighten up my studio–it’s a bit cluttered, to say the least. Have a nice Sunday! ❤
you two look good, Happy Anniversary!
Thank you, Judi. ❤ It was so nice to have the weather on our side this week.
Happy anniversary and happy birthday to your husband. Lovely photos of the two of you 🙂
Thank you so much! ❤ We were blessed with a beautiful week to remember this milestone anniversary by.
Congrats. What a great way to spend a special day.
Thank you, Joy! We don’t get into the city nearly enough, but when we do we have a great time. ❤
What a great day for you both! Happy Anniversary – A day to celebrate and take a fun break 🙂
Thank you, Heather. So hard to believe 25 years have gone by. I still remember little Derek and Brittany–not even two-years old. ❤
Happy Anniversary!
Thank you, Dolly! ❤
My dear Cindy…I loved reading your post this morning and seeing your works in progress, but even more so, it was so wonderful to see the pictures of you and your hubby! My belated wishes for your most special HAPPY 25th ANNIVERSARY and my HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes for your husband! Enjoy the day…and thank you for including us in these special occasions. My love and hugs, Carol
We have felt very blessed to enjoy some of the most beautiful autumn days for our anniversary week and my husband’s birthday. This extended summery weather has been wonderful!
Thank you so much, Carol! ❤ Your wishes brought a couple of happy tears… not sure why, but they were indeed happy ones. Wishing YOU a happy week! ❤
OH HAPPY DAY! My heart felt congrats to you and you husband. I remember our 25TH so vividly, and wish you both 25 more. And yes, a very happy birthday to your husband. For a moment I thought the girl standing with him was your daughter. Honestly, I’m not making this
up.
All the best,
Marian
Oh Marian, you are the sweetest! Rest assured, there are more than enough wrinkles decorating my face. I don’t worry over them much; they are what they are. Thank you for the anniversary wishes, and the wishes for my husband’s birthday. We enjoyed our holiday week very much. I hope we can remember our 25th as vividly as you have remembered yours. ❤
Hi Cindy, I love all the Christmas designs I can’t wait to see them on all the girls! It is great to get up in the Darkness and get ahead of things for the day. Especially when we are hosting Thanksgiving or Christmas. Many congratulations on celebrating your 25th wedding anniversary. We just celebrated our 13th yesterday. I love the painting after boy sewing! If more of them did it nowadays it would keep them out of trouble! Just look at you two! Very cute pictures of you and your husband. Was he pleased with all his birthday gifts? Have a wonderful rest of the day Cindy, hugs Terri 💗
Hi, Terri. Thank you for the anniversary and birthday wishes for my husband. Happy Anniversary to you and yours, too! My sister and her husband share your day, but have a few years on you. Just imagining little boys sewing is crazy, like something that would NEVER happen! Yes, ha ha, it would keep them out of trouble. My husband was pleased with his gifts, but then, he picked all but one of them out. 🙂 Thank you, Terri. I hope you enjoy the rest of your anniversary week.