Category Archives: Effner Dolls

“Holiday Ready”

As I sit here on this dark December morning there is a bit of anticipation in the air. We are awaiting snow, and it is almost here! I’m not sure how much we’ll get, it’s barely freezing, but it’ll be a treat watching it fall.

How are your holiday preparations coming along? We are moving along nicely here. Most of our indoor decorating is finished, and we are enjoying our cozy holiday lights, Christmas tree(s), and the many holiday decorations. It was extra special (and a little sad) this year as I got to unwrap (for the first time) Christmas decorations and ornaments from my parents. I think that we will maybe (hopefully) get some lights outside . . . or a wreath . . . or something.

My Little Darling, Alice, is very holiday ready in her new ensemble. I had an impossible time passing up (so, what’s new!) this snowman print by Lori Holt for Riley Blake Designs. It came in a few different colorways, but I decided on yellow because it reminded me of those super sunshiny days after a snowstorm . . . and it is such a happy color.

I wanted to make Alice’s set as Christmasy as possible so I picked the red and green from the snowmen’s scarves to include in the ensemble.

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The snowy white fuzzy mohair sweater is embroidered with more festivity—holly and evergreen motifs. Sparkly bright red crystal beads are used for the buttons. Alice’s beret is hand knit with hand dyed wool which is in matching bright red. Her snowball pom pom matches the sweater’s yarn. A pop of green was needed at the neckline so a skinny green scarf with red/white fringe does the job.

holiday-ready-146 Delicate white lace tights, a snowman miniature ornament, and sparkly bracelet (with snowflake charm) complete Alice’s festive look.

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“Holiday Ready” for the Little Darlings will be available tonight (December 4, 2016) at 7:00 pm CST, cindyricedesigns.com.

“A Most Magical Season”

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Do you believe the Christmas season is upon us? Seriously, I can’t believe it! November flew by at 100 mph. I think I am going to have to accept that I will only get a fraction of the holiday ensembles completed that I had wanted to. There simply won’t be enough time, even if I worked around the clock. So . . . that’s the way it will play out this year.

I do have something to show you right now though! 🙂

It is an ensemble for the Little Darlings. I finished this one about a week ago, but wanted to wait until we got our Christmas tree, so I could use it as a back drop. In front of the tree is one of my favorite places for taking photos. There’s something magical about the sparkly lights and ornaments.

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This is another Japanese cotton print that was impossible for me to resist—all those toys, candy canes, and cutie pie Santa! The illustrations have a vintage feel which I love.

The knits I made for this ensemble have a vintage feel too. The forest green wool cape is embellished with red seed beads and green embroidery. A little motif is on every one of the panels which are separated by lace eyelets. I found some old knitting patterns from the 1950s and they called this type of hat a cuddle cap. It is different from the headband hats that I’ve been making in that the cuddle cap sits back on the head and is slightly shaped. To complete her knitwear set, Gina wanted a striped scarf, so I made her a micro striped green/natural colored one with colorful fringe.

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This is my first ever hand knit Christmas stocking! I used a free pattern from Julie at Little Cotton Rabbits. Gina is thrilled with all of the tiny gifts it can hold. Her little Christmas tree is embellished with a star and ornament beads. She also has a gingerbread man, lollipop, candy cane, silver ornament, and a red berry/ribbon decoration tucked inside. I attached wooden skewers to the goodies, (except the tree) so they can be rearranged and easily peek out of the stocking. I added a tiny hand made tassel to the toe of the stocking too.

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Of course the doll motif had to be on the front of the dress bodice! Gina is also wearing a candy cane bracelet. I don’t think she can get any more festive, do you? She wishes you all a “Very Merry Holiday Season”!

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“A Most Magical Season” will be available tonight (November 30, 2016) at 7:00 pm CST, cindyricedesigns.com.

“Christmas Caroler” for the Little Darlings

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If you can’t beat them (the weather), join them (it). Not an option today! It’s very chilly, windy, and pouring rain. I REALLY had my heart set on getting Alice’s photos taken today, so I got lucky and figured out how to use the weather to my advantage and get her photos taken.

I put Alice in the kitchen bay window, and because it’s not bright (at all) the photos came out fine. I turned on all the warm kitchen lights, used a tripod, and used a board to block the glare on top of her head. They’re a little darker than usual, but I think they’re cozy looking.

Alice, my Little Darling painted by Nelly Valentino, is thrilled to be able to show you her first Christmas ensemble, Christmas Caroler. It’s a very traditional ensemble—even a little bit old-fashioned looking, which is a look I am in love with on her.

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Alice’s elbow length sleeved dress is made with a tiny holly print in deep red, greens, and bits of metallic gold. A deep red taffeta ribbon (with a brighter red edge) ties around the waist of the dress. Tiny ecru English cotton Cluny lace peeks out at the hemline.

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The natural colored lace cape is knit with lace weight baby alpaca/silk yarn for an extremely delicate piece. It closes at the center front with a gold-filled bead and loop. There are six full size panels on the cape; the right three panels each have a slightly different embroidery motif with the left three panels each mirroring its corresponding right panel

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The vintage-styled headband hat is knit with a slightly heavier weight natural colored yarn (wool/angora). The embroidered motifs at each end mirror each other. The headband ties under the chin on the right hand side. The ties are different lengths so that when tied the tails are equal.

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Alice’s accessories include a pair of red scarves in a deep red and a brighter red wool. They have fringed ends. The little sheet music is vintage looking with four different carols and a bookmark tied over the center fold. A little gold glass ornament is tied with a matching embroidery thread loop. The bracelet is made with garnet beads and 14k gold-filled beads. A red shell heart charm dangles from the bracelet. And underneath it all is a pair of red rayon Lycra® tights.

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