March | 2022 | Cindy Rice Designs

Hi there! I have to laugh at the title of this post because I haven’t made too much. My goal is to make two ensembles each month and I haven’t even finished one for March. ugh…

For the last 3+ weeks I have had tooth pain. Dealing with that consumed a hugechunk of brain power. After a lengthy time of figuring out which tooth was causing the pain I am finally pain free and am ready to get back into my sewing room. BTW, I’ve had two root canals this month–both needed, but only one causing the current pain!

My other monthly goal which I feel is more important than things for my dolls are the dresses I make for real little girls that I add to my Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. I make two dresses a month. Yesterday I almost finished both; I will finish up the second one today. In case you’ve missed photos of these dresses here is what I completed last year.

Now on to what I’ve made for my dolls…

March is the perfect time for pretty greens. My Ruby Red Fashion Friend Holly, originally 2020 Holiday Stella, will be modeling this cardigan very soon. It is knit with sage green bamboo crochet thread (#10), which is sadly discontinued. The colorful embroidery coordinates with the fabric I made the dress out of. It is a happy and colorful print made.

To complete this set for Holly I must decide on either a hair ribbon or sun hat, tights or anklets, bouquet or bag, and beads for a bracelet. Then, happy little Holly will be ready to jump into her new spring ensemble and show you what I’ve made for her! Fingers crossed it is very soon.

The daffodils have started to grow here in northern Illinois. They come up along the roadside and profusely in a neighborhood park. I have a few in my yard too. No daffodil blooms yet, but very soon I am sure. What is blooming by you?

Wishing you a perfect end to March and a beautiful beginning to April. 🤗❤️ Take care, my friends.

Hello! I hope you are doing okay even though… well, you know. Things going on in the world are very sad right now. Every day I pray for peace… I keep in my heart all those who need comfort and courage right now. ❤️

I want to show you what I finished for Rose in February. Rose is a 10″ Boneka Monday’s Child doll sculpted by Dianna Effner.

Rose loves her new springtime ensemble. I chose a beautiful pink/lilac tiny floral print for her dress. The full skirt is edged with white cotton lace; a bright pink grosgrain ribbon ties around the waist. Her hand knit cardigan is knit with a lilac tonal hand dyed merino yarn. It is embroidered with random rose/floral motifs in coordinating colors. Her spring hat is crocheted with cotton and bamboo threads. The hat band is made with matching dress fabric and ribbon. In my stash I found Rose a white teddy bear and embellished the foot pads with embroidery, made a matching bow, and gave Theodora a lilac colored blossom.

Rose is very happy with her new ensemble, but a wee bit sad as we’ve had cold weather return again here in northern Illinois. (I know it’s early March but in my mind feels like it should be April!) She is wishing the warm weather from last week would return so that she can stroll through the gardens and see what is starting to grow. Who can blame her! I am ready for spring too!

I whispered in her ear that next week is looking to be warm again; that seemed to put a little smile on her face. For now Rose has a teddy bear to cuddle and stay warm with.

Here are my ‘lilac ladies’ all eagerly awaiting springtime: Rose, Alice, Sophie, Gina, and Lucy. The taller ladies are my Little Darlings. The little red haired girl is Ann Estelle’s friend Sophie (Tonner’s Mary Engelbreit dolls). And you know about Rose. The other ensembles were previously made for past spring times and are being worn with love once again.