Category Archives: little darlings

“Christmas Caroler” for the Little Darlings

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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While out caroling, I’m sure all of the grandmas and moms will be pinching Alice’s cheeks and telling her what an adorable little girl she is.

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Alice’s “Christmas Caroler” ensemble will be available tonight (October 26, 2016) at 7:00 pm, CST at cindyricedesigns.com.

Alice and I thank you for visiting with us today. 🙂 ❤

NEWS! My First Knitting Pattern is Ready!

Who is it for?  Hmm…  okay, I’ll finally tell.  You’ve all waited long enough.  Sorry for the delay.  I think I set a record for the number of edits in a pattern.

I read ALL of my blog, Facebook, and email comments, and the #1 request was for a Little Darlings pattern, so that is who got the first pattern.  It is a very simple sweater pattern which I titled “Classic Cardigan”.  It is knit with fingering weight wool which is not too fine; in fact it’s just right for a wooly fall sweater.  I have included instructions for three sleeve lengths too.

I think this pattern is a good starting point for all of you who know how to knit, but are still new to the craft.  (Those of you who are more advanced probably won’t have any problems skipping over the extra instructions.)  If you know how to knit, I believe you can follow my pattern.  Any stitches that you aren’t familiar with can be found on You Tube.

This pattern is the perfect “canvas” for embroidery and applique.  I included my Ten Tips for Embroidery on Hand Knits along with some photos for inspiration too.

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Pattern is available as a pdf digital pattern; you’ll need a pdf reader application installed on your computer.

This pattern can be purchased on Ravelry.

Bye for now!

Bit of News and “A Peek at Christmas”

I’m wondering if you all have forgotten about my patterns that I promised to start writing!  Definitely not!  My first one is almost ready to be published.  The pattern is written, but this morning I realized my cover photo may be too small pixel-wise, so I want to redo that.  Also, there have been technical things that I needed “husband help” with.  He needed to figure those things out when he wasn’t at work.  New things always take time; it’s getting real close though.  Thanks for being so patient with me!

I’ve been looking at my stack of Christmas fabrics for months now.  I actually felt like starting to make something Christmas-y in August, but I held back.  I didn’t want to skip making fall ensembles.  But now, it is time to dive right into Christmas sewing!

My smiling Little Darling, Lucy, got the first ensemble for Christmas 2016!  Lucky girl!  I call this ensemble “A Peek at Christmas” because it is “just a bit” Christmas-y.

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This fabric is a lively red and green floral on a darker ivory ground.  It is a cozy print, but not drab.  My newest lace from England matched perfectly.  I added it to the hemline for the green tights to peek through.  A couple of red hand made bows at the hemline tie into the red waistline sash.

I felt this ensemble needed green tights, nothing else came close.  For a whole day I worked on mixing and dyeing what I thought was the perfect shade of green.  My fabric stayed in the dye bath for 1 1/2 hours; I stirred it every 15 minutes.  Then, it stayed in the fix bath for another hour; I stirred that every 15 minutes too.  The fabric came out uneven and, really too light.  The next day, I kept my fingers crossed as I headed to the fabric store.  Usually when I am looking for something in particular I don’t find it.  Not only did I find the perfect green, I also found it in a different fabric; it’s a lighter weight Lycra® rayon blend; it has a bit of a sheen to it, so is a little bit dressy.  And a bonus, it sewed up very nicely.  Needless to say, this all made me very happy . . . and feeling lucky.

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For the sweater’s embroidery I used the same style of blossoms as on the fabric; I had tiny pearlized Delica beads that matched, so used those for the center of each blossom.  Two shades of green and some burgundy bud flowers complete the mirrored embroidery.  Mother-of-pearl beads in natural added the perfect touch for the buttons.

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A tinier version as what’s used for the sweater decorates the back of the dress as faux buttons.

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The last item I made to complete this ensemble was the crocheted drawstring bag.  It is crocheted with the finest cotton thread in a color that matches the background of the fabric and the lace.  For fun, I added a colorful and jingly dangle.  Inside Lucy’s bag is her contribution the the Christmas tree, a bright red ornament!

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Lucy’s “A Peek at Christmas” ensemble will be available tonight (October 19, 2016) at 7:00 pm CST, cindyricedesigns.com.

Thank you for visiting with me today!  I hope your day is a beautiful one!

Bye for now!