Category Archives: Effner Dolls

Fall?…No… It’s Still Summer!

Fall is right around the corner…!? No, say it isn’t so! I think it was just the Fourth of July yesterday. (thinking about it…) Oh no… that was almost two months ago. Yikes. Where did our summer go?

I do like fall, I really do. Here in Illinois autumn is usually still feeling warm and usually sunny. So, no complaints with fall (autumn). It’s the season that tries to slide in unnoticed right after fall, (and sometimes even before fall has finished up it’s time in the spotlight) now that’s the one that I don’t particularly like and that’s saying it nicely. Anyway… (I’m not even going to think about that bully of a season right now.)

I’ve been creating some things for fall, but not too fall”ish”. Don’t want to dive right in when I can get by with simply dipping my big toe in, right? And, I’m not quite ready to let glorious summertime go.

First up, is a new ensemble for our favorite Effner Little Darlings. It is colorful yet with a muted palette goes beautifully this time of year. Gina’s floral print cotton dress is reminiscent of the 1970’s with it’s folksy feel and the 1980’s with those large cabbage roses. The muted shades of rose, blue, yellow, green, and white are on a ground of chocolate brown. See, a fall palette can be quite colorful. The lace cardigan is hand knit out of fine baby alpaca/silk in a rosy pink tonal colorway. Tiny Delica seed beads knitted into the sweater add sparkle amongst the lace panels. Pink glass pearls button up the sweater, if desired. Gina’s cap is a slightly slouchy style with a hand made tassel. Both the sweater and cap are hand embroidered, with rosebuds on the sweater and a rose on the cap. This fall”ish” ensemble is finished off with rosy hued pastel cotton knit tights, a bracelet with a cloisonne bead and metal heart charm, and a white cotton lacy sash that ties in the back.

Another lace panel is on the center back of sweet Gina’s cardigan.

Next, is a dress/hat set for little Amelia Thimble and Izzy which I call “Tiny Bit for Fall”. Aster colored colonial knot clusters, warm pink bullion rosebuds, and straight stitched fall grass decorate this hand knit oat colored mohair/silk set. The tiniest pink satin ribbon bows are sewn onto the dress and hat for some extra “pink”.

For more information on these new ensembles, please visit my website.

“Summer’s Sweetheart” for the Little Darlings

10 Replies

I was able to complete one more summery sundress outfit for the Little Darlings. I think this is the last one though… 😦

I made the bodice of this dress the focal point so I designed a bolero to show off the lace and silk long tailed bow when it is being worn. The lace is a scalloped rayon that is hand sewn onto the dress with tiny seed beads at the points of the lace and a line of pink embroidery at the top. The bolero is as light as a feather being made out of lace weight mohair/silk and knit on slightly larger needles. The rosebuds are colorful shades of pinks and purples and placed along the neckline and bottom corners. Finely crocheted ballet slipper shoes, rose hair ties, and a bracelet complete the look. Oh, underneath it all is a pair of prettily embroidered panties.

For more information on this set please visit cindyricedesigns.com

“Summery Days” for the Little Darlings

11 Replies

Summer days…wish they could go on forever, don’t you? My Little Darling, Gina, is wearing a new ensemble called “Summery Days”. Bright white cotton and cool blue and violet hues with a touch of pink make this ensemble clean and crisp, perfect for this time of year. And…just in case a cool breeze starts to blow there is a lacy sweater knit up in a tonal baby alpaca/silk blend yarn with tiny pink rosebuds embroidered at the shoulders. A very delicate look for our sweet Little Darling girls.