Category Archives: Fabric

“Strawberry Picking”

Strawberry picking is so much fun even though it is a lot of work filling those baskets to the top. But maybe that’s because too many strawberries get eaten before making it into the baskets.

I haven’t been strawberry (or blueberry, or raspberry, or apple) picking for years and years and years. It was always something that I enjoyed doing when my daughter was young. For sure, it is an educational experience for the little ones. They get to see how the berry needs to be a blossom first, and then with the help of bees, will start to become a strawberry. They see the color changes it goes through before it is ready to be picked and eaten. And, if they eat one before it is ripe, they can taste the changes too. So very interesting…

Here in northern Illinois/southern Wisconsin the strawberries aren’t ready for picking . They are just about ready, but not quite yet. Maybe we’ll get out to pick a few this year. This is where we go to pick our strawberries.

I got a bit nostalgic while creating this outfit for Talyssa, so I retreated to our photo albums to find when we last went strawberry picking; it was 2003! My daughter was dressed in her strawberry top and pink shorts from Gymboree. I don’t remember being so “event coordinated,” if you know what I mean. Oh, and I had on a top that perfectly matched her shorts. Sheesh! At least my husband wasn’t wearing pink.

This brand-spanking-new strawberry print (I couldn’t wait to use it!) came in pink gingham and aqua gingham too. The sunny yellow gingham appealed to me the most, so I chose the yellow.

It was fun creating the little accessories to go with this set. The little strawberry is a mini stuffy with beads and a crocheted top. Talyssa can hold the berry by the loop. The crocheted basket will hold the strawberry too. I had the strawberry charm in my bead drawer waiting for the perfect fabric. Those little aqua bead blossoms matched the blossoms on the fabric oh, so nicely.

The tiny berries worked perfectly in bullion stitch embroidery on the sweater. I embroidered them in pink and red to match the dress.

For more information on Talyssa’s “Strawberry Picking” ensemble, please visit my “Available for Sale” page at cindyricedesigns.com .

“Summer Sweet” for the Little Darlings

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The abundance of fruit, flowers, and vegetables makes summer the sweetest time of year for our senses. There is always something new to be seen blossoming or something new to be tasted in the garden. And, of course, there are always the wonderful scents filling the air.

I believe that this time, right before the summer season actually starts, is the best time of all. It is all before us, yet to come, and at this point summer seems endless.

I just finished a very summery ensemble for my Little Darling, Gina. The print on the fabric depicts fanciful fruits and little white flowers on a perfectly pink background. I thought that the little fruits could pass for cherries or plums. I couldn’t make up my mind which I liked best.

And… the little lace shrug that I knit last week found its dress!

I loved the tiny daisy-like blossoms, so I repeated this shape for Gina’s hair ties and on her ballet slippers. The magenta pearl centers match the magenta colored fruits very nicely too.

I found beads to mimic the magenta and blue bunches of fruit, so I made a little fruit charm for the bracelet.

Another daisy-like motif is found on the necklace and a bit more magenta is added at the waistline with the help of an organza ribbon.

These Effner girls have the cutest little feet and legs that look so adorable in crocheted ballet slippers, so I couldn’t resist adding a pair to this ensemble.

For more information on Gina’s “Summer Sweet” ensemble please visit the “Available for Sale” page on cindyricedesigns.com .

Talyssa’s Got Something New

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And, here she is to show you her new summertime ensemble! I hope you like it.

I have to share with you the name of the collection this print came from; it is called Marmalade by Bonnie and Camille. Isn’t that the cutest name? So, yes, I was thinking of yummy marmalade quite often throughout the making of this ensemble.

I knit Talyssa’s cardigan in natural colored cotton/Modal yarn, so I could use all of the beautiful color in the fabric for the embroidery. Bullion stitched petaled flowers in three shades of coral, colonial knot golden centers, tiny opalescent seed beads, and kiwi green bullion stitched leaves create the artwork for the sweater; mother-of-pearl beads make the perfect buttons.

I used natural colored fine bamboo thread to crochet Talyssa’s cap. Unfortunately I didn’t have crochet cotton that matched or coordinated with the embroidery thread, so I tried something new and crocheted the flower decoration using the actual embroidery thread. It worked beautifully and gave the flower a pretty sheen. I am so happy that it worked.

My one and only skein of kiwi green bamboo thread was the perfect color to crochet Talyssa her very own drawstring purse. (I talked about the demise of my favorite bamboo thread here.) Her purse opens up, so she can add her little treasures. Hanging from the bottom of the purse is a little hand made beaded tassel.