My little Riley Kish is wishing and wishing and wishing for a white Christmas. It was looking promising on Halloween, but that snow has melted now. We had another little snowstorm last weekend, and since it was a cold week it stuck around for a few days. But now, it has warmed up, so little Riley is forlornly looking out the window and only seeing rain. I told her that there are still weeks left before Christmas, so to not lose hope. I maybe saw the tiniest little smile on her face after that. She’s trying to be optimistic…
In the meantime, while Riley is waiting for Christmas (and snow) to arrive she is being as festive as possible. For her, that means jingling her tiny jingle bells and decorating the tree. Holiday festiveness and snow go perfectly together. At least here in northern Illinois that is the way things go. I believe she thinks that she is calling on the snow to fall by being the most festive little one possible.
So, while you are here visiting with us Riley would like to show you her new Christmas ensemble. She loves how cozy her merino sweater dress is, and how her Santa hat makes her eyes shine. She is one festive little girl, isn’t she? “Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells…” she sings🎶 in her sweet voice. I wish you could hear her…
Will you help Riley wish for Christmas snow? The poor thing will be quite disappointed if we don’t have a white Christmas. Thank you for your help!
Bye for now! Enjoy the week ahead. Hugs from Riley!🤗
It is early morning here, and oh how the mornings are getting cool and dark in northern Illinois. I can sense autumn is fast approaching. Even though this is true I tell myself it is still summer here in the northern hemisphere. I intend to enjoy these last days of what I call the golden season to their fullest.
Hello there! How are you? It has been a little while since I’ve said hello. Well, pretty much the whole summer season. I haven’t been in my sewing studio much at all, so not much to share with you dolly-wise.
The reason for the absence from my sewing studio is that our new gardens have taken up much of my attention. In case you don’t know I love flowers, meandering in gardens and the forest preserves! My daughter has been educating me on the beauty and necessity of native plants. And so, our gardens, being a clean slate this year, have gotten lots of attention–lots of native plants (as well as favorites of mine that I snuck in amongst the natives)😉. Oh, it has been fun!!!
This ensemble I am about to show you is being modeled by my Holly who is a Ruby Red Fashion Friend. It took me the entire summer to complete, so I can bet that all the happiness of my summer runs through each and every stitch!
Holly’s mohair/silk sweater is hand knit and features hand embroidered floral motifs: golden yellow roses, greenery and flower buds. It can be buttoned with mother-of-pearl beads, or left unbuttoned.
Holly’s golden yellow rose print dress is fully lined with cotton lawn, no exposed raw edges. Spring green organza ribbon is tied around the waistline, and held in place with ‘belt loops’. Tiny green buttons for show are on the back bodice. Fine English cotton Cluny lace is tucked up underneath a tuck on the skirt near the hemline.
The crocheted sun hat is a mix of yellow and white cotton threads with the golden yellow mohair/silk yarn used for the scalloped edging. The hat’s band is made out of the same fabric as the dress, and the bow at back center is the same as the waistline ribbon. The brim can be turned up or left flat.
I love the bouquet that Holly picked for all of us to enjoy. It is a mixture of color coordinated flowers which are carefully tied together with matching embroidery thread and then secured. A clear elastic band wrapped around her hand helps to keep it in place.
Holly’s bracelet is made with genuine peridot and freshwater pearl beads, as well as a mother-of-pearl heart dangle. It easily slips on as it is made with stretchy jewelry cord.
To complete the ensemble are a pair of white cotton Lycra anklets.
I plan on offering this ensemble for sale, so keep a lookout as to when that will happen–hoping sometime in the following week. I will add a post to my Facebook page to announce the date and time. As always, and I am sorry, but I only ship within the U.S. due to the high shipping costs and the loss risks.
Wishing you all a beautiful weekend…wherever you live. Please enjoy these last days of the summer (or winter) season. Thank you so much for visiting with me today, please say hello, and let me know what you’ve been up to if you are so inclined. I love hearing from you!❤️ Take care–sending dolly hugs. 🤗
P.S. I promised to share my crocheted sun hat recipe, or procedure with you. I haven’t forgotten. Thank you for your patience.
Hello from smoky Illinois. Yep, that’s right. The wind is blowing just so, and now it is our turn to have the smoky air from the Canadian wildfires. My condolences to all of you who are even closer to it. It really is hard to be outside today. Right now I am holed up in the bedroom with the air purifier on high. It helps immensely.
It is supposed to be sunny today, so Holly has on her new sun hat. I made it especially for her “My Delicate Rose” ensemble. It is very simple, but frames her face perfectly. She picked a few more blossoms and tucked them underneath the pink bow at the back of her hat so that she looks as pretty leaving as she does arriving. Please indulge her; she wanted to show you.
Other things I have been working on in the studio… I have a sweater blocking for “Red, White, and Blue-tiful” and then I will do a little embroidery on it. (Bella changed her mind–she really does want a summer sweater with her new ensemble.) I also have a pink and golden yellow sweater (like the lilac one above) all knit up and ready for the rest of the ensembles to be made. I think I have the fabric picked out for the yellow, but not the pink one yet.
Take good care of yourselves, my friends. ❤️ Enjoy the rest of the week. Sending you lots of hugs from my girls and I. 🤗
Cindy Rice Designs 