Category Archives: Ann Estelle & Sophie

September

Hello, September!  And hello, my friends!  How are you?

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It was a stormy day yesterday, Saturday, and a thunderstorm-y rumbly Saturday night/Sunday morning.  At times the rain came down so hard that I wondered where it would go (yes, the storms woke me up).  I was up very early Saturday morning and caught this fleeting yet beautiful sunrise before it got dark and then rainy.  Aren’t the colors gorgeous?

Yesterday I finished up Ann Estelle’s ensemble, “Tiny Dancer”.  Well, almost, I just need to make her a pair of tights.  Here’s a quick photo I took of her.  I think she loves it judging by her happy expression.  Little girls love pink and lilac—big girls too.  These two colors were my grandmother’s favorites.

Ann’s cardigan was knit from my “Light Cardigan” pattern for Patsy and Ann.  I used Knit Picks Aloft in Pennyroyal.  For embellishment, I added some delicate beadwork to the cardigan.  Ann’s dress was made with the teensiest ballerinas that I’ve ever seen.  It’s part of Lecien’s Minny Muu collection.  Ann wears a beaded crocheted headband and holds a tiny crocheted drawstring bag.

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I told you about the dyeing I did last weekend.  This past week I started knitting a Simple Yet Effective Cowl designed by Tin Can Knits.  I like long cowls and needed two skeins of DK for this one, so am combining the two blue skeins I dyed.  I am alternating between the two skeins every three rows for a sort of stripey look.  I’m not sure if I’ll like it; it looks very masculine to me, but I will finish it; it just may make a nice basic when the cold weather is here.

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Here’s the yarn before I started knitting with it.  It looks so much more colorful.  Something I’ve learned after dyeing a number of skeins is that knitting blends the yarn together so that it looks more muted.  I’ve seen this happen every time.

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These are the other three skeins I dyed last week to make the Jodi Shawl by Joji Locatelli.  I want the border to be considerably brighter than the rest, however, I’m thinking this peach won’t be bright enough.  Maybe it will go back in the dye pot for some pink and warm red speckles or splotches.

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Oh, and I mentioned trying out avocado pit dyeing.  The tank top sat in the pot for a short time and most of the dye washed right out.  I did want it pastel though.  I’m curious as to how it will wash.  I saved the dye to use again; the shade of pink is a favorite of mine.

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Well, that’s all the goings on from around here.  I’d love to hear what you’ve been up to this past week. ❤

 

This and That

Hello to you all, my friends.  How are you?  I’m doing great, staying busy.

Today I spent the day doing something I’ve been wanting to do, but yet, kept putting off because I couldn’t decide on colors.  What I did today was dye yarn, and I decided to simply start and let the colors speak for themselves, which they seemed to do just fine.  I dyed 5 skeins and was so into what I was doing that I forgot to take pictures.

I’ve also been saving avocado pits for dyeing, so I also dyed a cotton tank.  It ended up being the palest shade of mauve-y rose.  I think it will make a nice neutral layering piece.  Once again, I forgot to take photos, sorry.  I will share later, I promise.

Last weekend my husband and I brought our daughter back to school.  Gosh, it feels like weeks have already gone by since she’s been home, not a week.  How does that happen?  Anyway, she is all moved in and has even started classes.  Her apartment is very nice this year.  The cluster of 3-story buildings are only about 6 years old.  Each apartment has a washer/dryer, two bathrooms, high ceilings, nice kitchen and living room.  She loves it, however, she is trying to adjust to the noise.  She is on the first floor and her window has gotten banged on early in the morning and she hears people outside on the sidewalk.  I suggested ear plugs. 🙂

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Here is a photo of her cute bed.  She made the two pillows in the front, and the braided garland and tassel garland hanging on the wall.  The doily on the front pillow was crocheted by her great great grandmother and the rosebud cross stitch picture is by me.  She brought another rosebud which wasn’t hung at the time this photo was taken.  I think it’s really nice how she has things at school made by her family.

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I also wanted to make something for my daughter as she started school this year.  This was my first pair of socks made with self striping yarn.  Even though I started each sock with yarn from the center of the skein the stripes are reversed.  Live and learn!  Luckily, the quirkiness of the pair is being embraced.  The yarn is Knit Picks Felici sock in the Golden Hour colorway.

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One evening while knitting these socks, as the golden hour was happening the sky actually looked golden and seemed to be lit from within.  It was magical.

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Good news!  I finished all of the dresses for my 2018 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.  There are 23 in all.  I’m a bit burned out, so this will be the extent of dress sewing for a little bit.  However, I love looking at my little dress shop when I am working in my sewing room.  They’ll be here until mid November.

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This past week I started an ensemble for Ann Estelle.  The fabric is a teeny tiny Japanese ballerina print.  Isn’t it adorable?  I am knitting a lilac mohair cardigan to accompany the dress and possibly a pearl headband.  After being away from doll sewing for about 6 months it is good to be back.  I’ve missed it.

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I’ll be back soon.  I hope you all have had a great ‘end of August’ weekend.  Wishing you a wonderful week ahead. ❤

 

“Blossoms for my Love-ly”

Hello everyone!  I had a busy day yesterday.  Patsy’s new ensemble got finished, photographed, and (almost) ready to make its debut tonight!  Yay!

And, it’s PINK!

Yes, more “creating with pink” is coming from my studio.  This time my pink creation is for Patsy and Ann Estelle, lucky girls.

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Patsy is wearing a dress with rosy colored roses scattered on a warm white ground.  Her “light as a feather” cardigan is knit with pink lace weight mohair/silk yarn.  A pair of mirrored image embroidered rose motifs pick up the deep rosy color in the dress.  Ribbon, pearls, and English cotton Cluny lace further embellish this new ensemble.

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“Blossoms for my Love-ly” will be available tonight (January 19, 2017) at 7:00 pm CST, cindyricedesigns.com.

Have, or hope you are having, a great day everyone! ❤