Category Archives: Doll Berets

My “Calico Cutie”

Usually I cannot remember the names of fabric collections that I use for my outfits. I get asked quite often, and I’m sorry to say that I just don’t remember, especially when it has been in my stash for a while. The name of this fabric, however, stuck with me because it was named after one of my favorite childhood television shows and books, Little House on the Prairie.

I was probably older than the target audience when this show first aired, but still loved the cozy peek into pioneer life. My younger sister, who was really into this show had the book, so I also read that. I’ve been enamored with log cabins lit with cozy fireplaces ever since.

This tiny calico print is filled with shades of purply flowers on a navy ground. You all know I love every single shade of purple, but I don’t work with navy blue too much. When I received this fabric I wasn’t thrilled with it (it seemed too dark to me), but it looked so pretty with this lilac mohair sweater, so I took a chance and made this fabric into a dress. I am glad I used it! It is a different look for Gina. In fact, I love her in this dress set!

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Gina’s light as a feather mohair/silk sweater matches the beret which is knit in a heavier weight of Peruvian wool. I preferred the “less fluffy” fiber for her beret. I am now quite comfortable knitting in the round, so that is how I knit Gina’s beret. A simple white silk ribbon bow and bead decorate the beret.

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I had this ribbon in my stash which was the perfect color to accent the waistline of the dress.

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My newly acquired white tassel styled cotton lace from England looked perfect with this print.

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Of course Gina wanted a little bouquet to give you. She picked deep purple and white blossoms which she tied together with white silk streamers, and a bow made with matching embroidery thread.

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“Calico Cutie” will be available tonight (July 19, 2016) at 7:00 pm CST, cindyricedesigns.com. Check the “Shop What’s New” page at that time for more information on this ensemble.

Rainy Sunday Morning

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Oh, it’s been months since we’ve had a good thunderstorm! When I woke this morning the sky was gray and I could see the approaching dark grey clouds moving in from the west. I checked the radar on Intellicast and saw the band of rain approaching. Yay! We need rain so badly! When you haven’t had rain for sooo long it is a novelty, so I grabbed my camera and went outside. My favorite time is right before the storm starts.

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Look at how dry our yard is! We really need a good soaking.

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It looks cozy and warm in our kitchen . . . and in my studio. Do you see Gina all dressed up in “Calico Cutie”? My dolls usually get a day or so to wear the things that I make. Then they are naked again, and waiting for the next one.

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As I’m writing this post I’m listening to the cozy sounds of rumbling in the sky and watching raindrops hitting the pool. (My studio overlooks the pool and deck.)

Here are some other things that are going on around here. My husband is in the process of power washing the deck. On the recommendation of our tree trimmer we got a heavy duty power washer to clean our VERY dirty deck. Look at the difference!

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Our pool is extremely old, so we don’t want to put a lot of work into the deck, but the power washing helped make the deck feel like new, well almost. My husband got quite a lot cleaned yesterday. I love it! My view from my studio is greatly improved.

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Yesterday morning I spotted this chipmunk right outside my studio window. In the 8 years we have lived here this is the first chipmunk that I have ever seen on our property. I assumed that they stayed away because of all of feral cats roaming around. Isn’t he/she cute!

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Sorry, for the poor photo quality. I took these through the window and cropped them. The chipmunk was pretty close to the house though; I had the wrong lens on my camera. Can you tell I love the little critters?!

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On Friday I was working on a crocheted beret for the Little Darlings. It looks cute on Alice, but I think it is a little small. I will use it for either Millie or Ann Estelle/Patsy. Another day I will crochet another one for the Little Darlings, but make it a little larger.

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I ended up knitting Alice a beret in the same yarn that I used for the sweater; I like it much better. I hope to have that outfit to show you soon.

The sky is already brightening, and I see a bit of blue out west. Hope you have (having) a beautiful Sunday!

Bye for now!

“Peaches and Cream” for Penny

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My Linda Macario’s Penny has a brand new ensemble to show you. This teeny tiny peach rose print on a pastel yellow background looked perfect with Penny’s coloring, so this little 8-1/2″ (22 cm) imp was the lucky recipient of an outfit made with this fabric.

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Penny’s “light as a feather” tiny sweater is hand knit with mohair/silk lace yarn. I dyed it light peach to pick up the pretty peach roses in the dress’s print.

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I thought a little beret would look cute on this little one, and it does. Penny’s beret is hand knit with natural colored merino lace yarn. A peach silk bow, wool felt embroidered leaf, and rose charm add embellishment to the beret.

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