Category Archives: Effner Dolls

“Pretty for Fall” or Anytime

My latest ensemble for Gina can be worn anytime, I think. The color palette is slightly muted and it includes a beret which are fall-ish elements, but you can replace the beret with a hair ribbon and the boots with a pair of shoes and this ensemble could be worn in the spring, couldn’t it?

The sweater and hat set are knit with lace weight natural colored merino wool yarn. I added white glass pearls for the buttons which tie in nicely with the warm white lace. The lace is a fine cotton Cluny lace that was made in England. The ribbons are rayon and were hand dyed along with the tights.

I used four shades of rosy salmon colored embroidery thread for the roses with a touch of muted aqua-y blue to embroider the colonial knots.

I realized after the photo shoot was over Gina’s pretty pink tights were hidden because of her boots and the angle of my shots. You can see a bit of them in the above photo.

Gina looks so sweet looking up at me.

For more information on Gina’s “Pretty for Fall” ensemble, please visit the “Available for Sale” page at cindyricedesigns.com .

Do You Like “Pink ‘n Plum”?

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So, how do you feel about this color combination for fall? I personally love pink and plum together. I can appreciate the usual muted (or less intense) fall colors of russet, gold, brown, and pumpkin, but I sure do miss pinks and purples that are hard to find this time of year. Since plum is a muted color, I think it works rather nicely for this season.

At the end of July I pulled together some early fall-ish feeling fabrics and the color plum is present in a lot of them. Yay! I can get inspired here.

Since I pulled out these fabrics I have been moving right along with my early fall ensembles. Patience’s last ensemble, “Lovely in Lavender” came from the fabric that is third from the right and Gina’s new “Pink ‘n Plum” ensemble is made from the fabric that is first on the right. I am also currently making something for Millie with the tiny purple rose print that is third from the left.

Here is my little princess, Gina modeling “Pink ‘n Plum” for you.

Gina’s hand knit cardigan is made with lace weight mohair/silk yarn to produce a sweater that is oh, so soft and light as a feather. The bullion stitched rose bouquet motifs are mirrored which gives a more formal feel to this tiny piece.

Hand dyed rayon ribbon and fine English cotton Cluny lace add decorative touches to this simple dress.

For more information on my Little Darling, Gina’s, “Pink ‘n Plum” ensemble please visit my “Available for Sale” page at cindyricedesigns.com .

“Apple Season” is Fast Approaching

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I DO love fall (even though it means winter is not too far off). I think that the flavors of autumn are like no other season and apples are a huge part of fall’s yumminess.

When my daughter was young we would visit apple orchards and pick a bag of apples to enjoy at home. This was the orchard we went to that I remember the most. By the looks of their website it has grown a lot since we were there. It was always fun to walk down the rows of apple trees and see how each variety of fruit was slightly different in shape and color.

A highlight of our apple orchard visit was getting those “still warm” apple cider donuts with cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on them. Yum, yum, yum! Is one ever enough? No, no, no!

Sometimes we would bring home apple cider too. I love to drink it warm, do you?

My Little Darling, Gina, is the lucky recipient of the perfect apple season ensemble. Here she is to show it off to you.

It was fun creating her little apple slice crocheted purse. She can slip little found treasures inside too. I was thrilled to find a little bead in my stash that matched the blossoms on the dress’s print!

Gina’s little cardigan is knit with lace weight mohair/silk yarn. Tiny apples hanging from branches and apples lying in the grass amongst coordinating colored colonial knot blossoms are embroidered in a fun and cute composition on the sweater. I even put a tiny apple motif on the back.