Category Archives: Gracie

Studio and Early Summer Tidbits

In my studio today I spent the day finishing the embroidery on Gracie’s sweater, putting the finishing touches on her crocheted cap, and thinking about the little accessories that will accompany this ensemble.

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I’m not sure if I like this wig on Gracie.  She has always worn the darker blonde wig and looked cute in it.  Although I think she looks more carefree and summery with the light blonde curls, I’m still not sure.  What do you think?

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A few posts ago, I promised to take some photos to show you what is in my studio display cabinet.  I have this little collection (my daughter’s) of blown glass animals (and a lone heart) that I keep in here.  A couple pieces are ornaments and some pieces we found at a resale shop.  The little vintage poodle is one of the three items I have that belonged to my grandmother (my dad’s mother) who passed away before I was born.  I don’t have any memories of her, but I remember these types of things being around my grandpa’s house when I was young.  This poodle most likely was part of this set that I pinned on Pinterest.  I think I mentioned the potted tulips before; my husband brought them back from Holland.

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pink poodle 184

I found this needlework that I had made for my grandparents at my parent’s house.  At first, I didn’t remember it, but then the memories of  it started coming back to me.  I must have embroidered it in grade school as it is a bit . . . hmm, messy?  Look how my grandfather framed it; now scroll down and look at the back!  He was a very frugal man, and used what he had on hand.  I love that about him.

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needlework back 177

Outside things are looking very, very lush, and green.  When we returned from Florida we had some cute clover patches growing in our lawn.  I kiddingly mentioned to my husband that we should leave them for the bees.  Well, he did just that!  (I can only imagine how nutty our neighbors think we are.)  When I am out walking I see a couple of hives set up, so I am sure the bees appreciate us growing the clover for them; they need all the help they can get these days.  Not sure how long we should let it get though.

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Our easy peasy rosebushes are blooming, as are the violas.

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violas 190

These teen tiny biennials were here when we moved into our house 8 years ago.  They keep reseeding, and will bloom during their second season.  I don’t know what kind of flower they are, but they smell like carnations or pinks.

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Our lavender blossomed hostas are getting ready to bloom.

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I’ve never noticed acorns at this early stage before.  Aren’t they tiny!

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And last, but not least, a few apples growing on our apple tree.  They are about the size of  small limes.

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We had a rare low humidity day today, just wonderful; I kept the windows open all day long.  Tomorrow, however, a change is coming—storms followed by a cold front.  The weather is never boring here in northern Illinois.

I hope you all had an equally beautiful day.  Thanks for visiting.  Bye for now.

“Beauty in Blue”

Today, it’s Gracie’s turn to model a new ensemble for you.

Gosh, I just love looking at this beautiful doll!  I think she is my favorite sculpt of all of Kaye’s dolls.

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Gracie looks very delicate in blue, don’t you think?  Really, though, I don’t think that there is a color that she wouldn’t look beautiful wearing.

Gracie’s sweater is hand knit with a merino/bamboo yarn blend.  The winter white sweater is soft and has some body to it.  The blue rose motifs are embroidered to work singly as little bouquets and to also work together to form a well balanced asymmetrical composition on the sweater.  I chose natural wood beads as buttons to help pick up the natural colors in the dress’s background.

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Waistline darts help to fit Gracie dress at her waistline.  A hand dyed light blue silk ribbon ties around the waist.

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Gracie has picked a simple little bouquet of blue blossoms for you.  Her bracelet is made with mother-of-pearl beads and seed beads.  A cobalt butterfly and heart dangle from the bracelet.

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Isn’t Gracie a beautiful doll!  Do you have a favorite Kaye Wiggs sculpt?

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Gracie’s “Beauty in Blue” ensemble will be available tonight (May 17, 2016) at 7:00 pm, CST.  View the “Shop What’s New” page at cindyricedesigns.com at 7:00 for more information on this set.

“A Party in the Rose Garden”

I know it will be at least a couple of months before there are any rose gardens in bloom here in northern Illinois, but I know there are places where roses are in bloom.  BTW, I am so jealous.

While creating Gracie’s new ensemble I let my mind wander… imagining rose gardens where picnics, leisurely walks, and garden parties are going on underneath the blue spring sky.  Doesn’t that sound lovely?

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Before I had Kaye Wiggs Gracie and Talyssa dolls, I would have had to pass on this fabric because the scale seemed too big for the smaller dolls.  I find the most colorful prints are usually too large for the Little Darling sized dolls.  This fabric reminds me of a vintage pillowcase; it is so soft and colorful, in a pastel kind of way.  I wanted to make use of all of the pretty pastels, not just the pink, so  I picked out the mint green, yellow, and blue by adding ribbon, charms to the bracelet, and a selection of blossoms for a bouquet to this ensemble.

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Shrugs, by design, are nice because they allow the entire dress to remain the focal point.  Gracie is wearing my “fun to knit” lace shrug.  I’ve made this shrug often enough to have memorized the lace pattern and notice when I forget a yarn over or to make a PSSO, so now I can say it is fun.

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Gracie’s crocheted hat is perfect for wearing in the garden.  The brim can be worn a variety of ways–one side up, one side up and the other one down, etc.  I used the dress fabric to make a band around the crown and knit a rose and leaf for further embellishment; I also added a tulle bow.

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I’ve made Gracie a delicate little pendant out of very fine silver-toned chain and a glass pearl drop.  She loves her whimsical and fun charm bracelet adorning her delicate wrist.

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Gracie’s “A Party in the Rose Garden” ensemble will be available tonight (March 29, 2016) at 7:00 pm, CST.  Go to the “Shop What’s New” page at cindyricedesigns.com.