Hello! I hope you’ve had a wonderful weekend. Although chilly, the sun has been shining here in northern Illinois this weekend. It is a respite from the many cold, wet, and dreary days during the past week. Spring can be fickle!
Last week I visited the Chicago Botanic Gardens during the best day, and really the only day, fit for a garden stroll. The gardens are just beginning to bloom with snowdrops, snowflakes, miniature iris, miniature daffodils, crocuses, hellebores, squill, and pussywillow. I saw the forsythia just starting to show color–not blossoming yet. So, spring beauty is just beginning…
Now for some dolly news. Holly is all ready to show you her new ensemble, “Beauty and Blossoms”. She is a happy little one. Her sweet personality really shines during her photo shoot.
I decided to crochet her a wide brimmed spring bonnet in natural colors. Tied around the crown is a band of pink mesh tied in a bow. Another pink ribbon bow and mother of pearl buttons and beads help to further embellish this sweet hat.
I talked about Holly’s cardigan in my last post here. The edging on Holly’s bonnet matches the thread I used to knit the cardigan.
Holly’s dress is made out of a Japanese cotton floral print. The colors are happy and somewhat bright. A pink rayon ribbon is wrapped around the waistline twice and tied into a bow at the front. Tiny faux pearl button beads embellish the back. Delicate English cotton Cluny lace edges the hemline.
Holly wears pastel pink cotton anklets. Her bracelet features a mother of pearl heart dangle and pink seed beads.
Sweet little Holly. She has picked a beautiful pink rose blossom for you.
Holly and I are wishing you a beautiful and peaceful week ahead. 💖 Sending hugs 🤗
Cindy Rice Designs 
She looks absolutely like spring! Love what you sew and it is an inspiration to me for sewing for my dolls, love watching the videos on you tube, I have learned so much, Thank you!
Thanks so much, Kathy! I am happy my videos and photos inspire you to create for your own dolls! ❤️
Adorable! Now I need that hat pattern….
Hi, and thank you. I have no experience writing crochet patterns, sorry. The top of the hat is a flat circle then increase more slowly to make the circle turn into a cup shape and continue until the cup is deep enough. Each row when making the cup has less and less increases. Then, the brim row is increased more per row again to create a flat circle. If the circle is rippling then there are too many increases and if it is cupping then there are not enough increases in that row. That’s the pattern in a nutshell.
What a delicious spring outfit. Every detail is perfectly executed. From anklets to the perfect matching hat. Love the crocheted hat and the sweater matching trim is a lovely addition.
Sorry about your weather, but I’m sure it will be more like spring soon. 🙂
Hi, Joy. Thank you! Holly is loving her spring ensemble. She cannot wipe that cute smile off her face. 😁 Yesterday was pretty nice as is today, so yay! Tomorrow will be very stormy–a day to stay home and hunker down. I hope your having a great week so far. ❤️
As always, absolutely adorable all the way around!💛
Thanks so much, Wanda! ❤️🌷
It’s a charming ensemble, Cindy! I always admire your great eye for colour and detail.I really must persuade my fingers to allow me to work a little embroidery on my girls’ cardigans (severe osteoarthritis) as I so enjoy the classic feel of it.
Sending spring-ish hugs back! 🌸🌷
Hazel
Hello, Hazel and thank you! I understand how it can be hard to work so tiny. A couple of my fingers act up after working. Sometimes I work a very little bit at a time and I eventually reach the goal. Thank for visiting. Enjoy the rest of your week. ❤️
Hi Cindy, do you sell the pattern for the short sleeved sweater? Yolanda
Hi, Yolanda. As of right now I do not have any knitting patterns for the Ruby Red Fashion Friends. Thanks for asking. ❤️
Hi Cindy ! It has been chilly and windy here recently. Today is cloudy , and we had some snow showers during the week. I am glad you got to the botanical gardens , and are seeing flowers start to bloom! We are a little behind you! Beauty and blossoms really sum up Holly ! I can see her personality and that sweet smile of hers ! That bonnet is just sooo cute on her ! The cardigan and embroidery are so well done ! The dress is just gorgeous , the pretty floral print is lovely. and the hemming too. Please thank Holly for the beautiful pink rose , so nice of her . Give her some huge hugs from me ! Happy Easter to you all, Terri xo.
Hi, Terri. Thank you!
Sorry about your wintery weather. ugh… it’s spring–why won’t it act like it?!
Holly says thank you for the hug. She loves hugs!
Happy Easter to you and your family! ✟