Category Archives: Doll Toys

Trying to Get That Fall Feeling & Some Thanks

After a week of 90+ temperatures here in northern Illinois, it feels cool this morning, and now finally, those cozy fall feelings can kick in.

Such strange weather we have had.  It’s been hotter in mid September than it had been during the entire summer!  And oh my, is it ever crispy out there.  I’m afraid the leaves won’t turn color; they will simply shrivel up and fall to the ground.

I received the sweetest gift for my girls, and want to tell you about it.  A couple of weeks ago, out of the blue, Carolyn sent me a Facebook message.  She asked if she could send me something she made for me.  Surprised?  Tickled pink?  Disbelief?  Yes, yes, and yes.  I felt all those things.

I really had no idea what the surprise was going to be.  Since I shared some yarn dying information with Carolyn, I thought maybe she was sending me a bit of yarn she had dyed.

When the box arrived, and I saw her return label and sticker, I thought “not possible”, but I must admit I got a LOT more excited to get the box opened.  It was packed with such care and included so many lovely touches:  little cards, a hand written note, bookmark, and even tea.  Finally, I opened the organza drawstring bag, and I think I gasped.  Carolyn sent me one of her hand made mohair bears!  She is perfectly sized for my dolls, and her name is Ivy.  That wasn’t all either, nestled in tissue paper was a peach velvet pumpkin which looked like Cinderella’s to me.  Well, yes, I think I felt like Cinderella too!

Carolyn’s gift was truly a surprise; I didn’t know Carolyn made bears.  What a generous gift, and I will treasure my little Ivy, and her story, always.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, thank you, Carolyn! ❤

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Amelia Thimble had the honor of meeting Ivy before anyone else.

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Looking into Ivy’s eyes I can tell she has an old soul and a gentle temperament.  Whenever one of my girls needs extra love, Ivy will be there for them, I am sure of it.

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Alice was second to make Ivy’s acquaintance.

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Then, it was Patience’s turn.  The others are still waiting for their big day when they can hold and hug Ivy.  Soon, my dears!

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If you’d like to visit Carolyn’s beautiful website and see her other bears, here is the link.  BTW, she has a nice selection awaiting adoption.  Won’t you give one of Carolyn’s bears a loving home?  I think your girls would be “over the moon” with a new teddy to call their own.

Have a nice day, my friends.

From my girls, Ivy, and myself, sending you all some warm fuzzies.

❤ ❤ ❤

 

 

“Do You Want to Color?”

Hello to you all!  Now that it is mid September all school children should be back in the classroom.  I know a lot has changed since I’ve been in grade school, but children still spend time coloring, right?  They must, if a box of crayons being on the school supply list is any indication.  By the way, I think that new box of crayons is the most exciting school supply!

I have quite a few memories of coloring in school, especially in first grade.  Coloring is actually one of my only memories of first grade.  My teacher would line up piles of mimeographed (remember those?) coloring pages on top of the heater.  We were to start by coloring a page from the first pile, turn that in when finished, and then go on to the second pile, etc.  I’m sure we actually learned something in first grade, hope so anyway.  Since I LOVED to color when I was young, that is probably why I remember coloring and not the math or science lessons.

My Little Darling, Lucy, has a new coloring book and crayons, and a brand new fall outfit to show you.  I showed you a peek at this ensemble last time.  In case you didn’t see that post, you can go back and read it here.

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Lucy’s coloring book contains pictures of things from her backyard.  Those butterflies, snails, bumblebees, birds, feathers, and flowers are also pictured on her blouse.  Her “beeswax” crayons coordinate with her ensemble and have their own crayon box.  (The coloring book and box of crayons are hand made by me.)

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Lucy’s pinafore jumper is hand knit and made to look like a vintage jumper (probably) from the 1970s.  You can see that one here on my Pinterest board.  Lucy’s is made with a slightly muted sky blue (wool, nylon, Donegal) tweed yarn.  Two bullion stitched and beaded butterflies flutter on the skirt.

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Her blouse bodice is lined with hand stitching; the sleeve seam allowances have been double turned and hand hemmed to produce an inside garment completely free of raw or serged edges.

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Lucy also has a pretty blue rayon ribbon for her hair, cozy tan/white striped cotton tights, and a butterfly charm bracelet.

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“Do You Want to Color?” will be available tonight (September 11, 2017) at 7:00 pm CST, cindyricedesigns.com.

Here’s a question to ponder, what was your favorite school supply?

Wishing you all, my friends, a peaceful and beautiful day.

 

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“The Gift of Learning”

Wasn’t it fun learning, or even teaching the ABC’s?  I don’t remember learning them, but I remember teaching them to my daughter.  We got lots and lots and lots of fun books from the library.  Yes, fond memories.

Gina says she already knows them, but there are some students in her class that are still learning them.  “G is for gift, and g is for Gina”, says Gina.

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Gina’s jumper is knit with navy heathered Peruvian Highland wool.  There are flecks of hot pink and green in this yarn.  The slightly flared skirt has decorative decreases to form soft folds before the fitted ribbed area.  The wide shoulder straps button and unbutton, but do not need to be undone for dressing.  The floral embroidery at the hemline is mirrored on the right and left side.

Polka dotted and striped bows in rose, blue, and yellow are sprinkled on this Japanese cotton fabric used for the blouse.  Gina’s school blouse’s bodice is lined, double turned seam allowances/hems on the sleeves, and hand stitched facings are what you see on the inside of the blouse, no raw edges at all.  It is finished like my dresses.

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The felt bag is hand made by me to hold Gina’s classroom gift to her teacher.  Gina has been asking me to teach her embroidery, so the embroidery on this bag was her first project.  Not bad, eh?  The flash cards were found at ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com.  I resized them to be the proper scale for Gina.  They include every letter of the alphabet, and are printed on card stock, and carefully cut out.

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Gina’s other accessories include a bow pendant, Made with Love bracelet, hair bow, and cotton tights.

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“The Gift of Learning” will be available tonight (August 27, 2017) at 7:00 pm CST, cindyricedesigns.com.

Thank you for visiting with me today, my friends.