Category Archives: Embroidery

“Glorious Autumn”

The air is cool and crisp—trees are sparse with golden, bronze, and orange leaves—a smokiness fills the air. It could only be mid autumn!

Our slow and glorious autumn continues here in the midwest. There are still two red rosebuds on my rosebushes and the lobelias are still blooming in blue. The few light frosts we’ve had so far didn’t reach these.

I made four sample dresses while putting together my last knitting pattern for Amelia Thimble’s sweater dress. I wasn’t planning on embroidering these four dresses yet, but dear Amelia had other plans. “Pretty please, just one!”, she said. So yes, I gave in and completed one for her. I must say I am glad I did as her sweet face makes me happy.

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And, because it gave me a reason to get outside on this glorious fall day, even if only for a little bit.

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Our magnolia tree provided the most beautiful golden back drop of color.

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Amelia Thimble’s “Glorious Autumn” dress/headband ensemble will be available tonight (November 9, 2016) at 7:00 pm CST, cindyricedesigns.com.

Ringing in November with “Trimming the Tree”

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My Kaye Wiggs MSD, Gracie, is here again with a new ensemble to show you. This time she has the tree trimming decorations unwrapped and is ready to begin this long awaited Christmas tradition.

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As usual, this ensemble started with me falling in love with the fabric. I could not resist all of the colorful ornaments on this Japanese fabric designed by Lecien—pink and blue for Christmas? Most definitely, yes! If you love a colorful Christmas, this ones for you!

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I decided to highlight the red with the secondary color being the green to keep this ensemble as festive as possible! Gracie’s wooly red sweater will keep her warm while she’s busy with the tree. I added embroidered branches which are already decorated with coordinating colors of seed and bugle beads at the neckline. The sweater closes with green glass bead buttons.

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Gracie’ striped stocking hat is knit with four different colored stripes in a slightly finer weight of wool yarn. Bright red, kelly green, blue, and yellow alternate with a wide fuzzy mohair/silk “Santa” brim. The hand made pom pom matches the yarn used for the brim.

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Additional red accents are Gracie’s chunky red ribbed cotton tights and a red hand dyed nylon lace (fine English Cluny) sash. Gracie’s tree trimming accessories are ornament miniatures which I added gold-toned jewelry rings and ribbon. A crocheted string of lights—also works as a fun scarf, and a length of gold-toned bead garland are ready for the tree. Her “made with love” heart has been turned into another ornament for the tree.

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“Trimming the Tree” for Kaye’s MSD sized dolls will be available tonight (November 1, 2016) at 7:00 pm CST, cindyricedesigns.com.

Happy November 1st! Thanks for visiting today!

“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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