February | 2018 | Cindy Rice Designs

Not quite a blizzard out there, but it’s snowy. It’s not the gently falling, huge flaky kind of snow, but the blowing and swirling around bits of snow. We don’t have much on the ground, but it sure is cold and uninviting outside; I think I’ll stay in.

Today I wanted to show you what I made for my daughter who is away at college. She has opened the package, so no surprises will be ruined. Last week I sent her a handful of knitted heart sachets.

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Some of the yarn I used has special meaning. The largest heart is made from the cabled headband I knit for her, and the tiny burgundy heart is from the first pair of socks I made her. The multi heart is from the yarn I dyed and made into a cowl. The other two are from stash.

I tried to find a heart pattern, but couldn’t find anything that worked for me or that I liked, that is, easy enough. I used the techniques I learned from Susan B. Anderson’s “My First Toe-Up Socks” Craftsy class and came up with my own way. With the exception of the largest heart, (I need some more DPN sizes) I went down a needle size to keep the knitted fabric dense so that the stuffing wouldn’t show through.

I stuffed them with wool roving and lavender buds. I wrapped the roving around the lavender buds and the wool kind of locked them in place. I also added a drop or two of lavender essential oil for extra scent.

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My pattern uses Judy’s Magic Cast On, knitting on DPNs, moving stitches onto waste yarn, grafting for closing up the tops, as well as increases and decreases. They are a bit fiddly but fun and cute all the same.

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With the little knit hearts gone, I was wanting some lavender to smell for myself, so I unpicked the lining on this cross stitch heart sachet I made decade ago. The lavender was so old it had lost its purple color. I filled it in the same way as I did the knit hearts. It’s hanging in my sewing room where I catch the faintest lavender scent as I move around my room. Sorry, these two photos are blurry—didn’t use a tripod and it was kind of dark yesterday.

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Enjoy your day, be it a sunny or snowy, Super Bowl Sunday, my friends. Thanks for stopping by.

❤ ❤ ❤

Hi all! Did you have a nice Groundhog Day? Yep, he saw his shadow—another 6 weeks of winter. I’m betting winter will extend past that 6 week mark, maybe 10 weeks! What do you think?

My husband and I spent yesterday evening watching the movie “Groundhog Day”. It was filmed in a nearby town that we frequently visit. We had fun trying to pick out the filming spots and what is there now. The filming probably took place in 1992, so things have changed. My husband is really good at spotting the areas, not me so much. The bed and breakfast that Bill Murray stayed in was recently sold. In case you are curious as to what it looks like you can see that here. I don’t believe they filmed inside, but definitely outside. I think it operated as a bed and breakfast for a while, but not sure what it is currently being used for.

This little orchid blossom is just opening this very morning! She’s itty bitty, and is one of three buds on a short stem. This is my last remaining phalaenopsis orchid plant. 😦 I must say that that’s a very good reason to visit a somewhat local orchid greenhouse. It’s huge (4 acres!) and makes you feel as if you’re on a tropical vacation.

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My stack of cowls is growing. I just finished the white one. My next cowl will be the Bobble Cowl by Joji Locatelli. It is much longer than these three, so will be on my needles for awhile. I want to dye a skein of fingering weight merino single ply in a very light tonal or barely there gradient. Sorry dollies, I know this skein was meant for you.

As for dolly stuff, I will be embroidering today. See, I’m all set up and ready to go. Once I get started I will be fine—no more procrastinating.

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Oh, one more thing… I didn’t start out collecting doll books, but as you can see it is turning into that. I don’t think I can pass up a book with the word “doll” in the title or a doll illustration on the cover. “House of Dolls” just arrived last week, and is my tiniest book yet. A few of these books have been recommended by some of you. Thank you! I’ve enjoyed them all very much and reread them often. Any more suggestions? 🙂

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