Category Archives: little darlings

“July’s Favorite Colors”

Maybe it was because I was a July baby that made me love wearing red, white, and blue so much. When I look back at childhood photos I find so many summer pictures of me in these colors. I remember specifically asking for sailor dresses and red, white, and blue swimsuits. Honestly, I think I was obsessed.

Here are a couple of photos of me on my 2nd birthday and my 8th birthday wearing red, white, and blue sailor dresses. I loved ’em!

While this isn’t a sailor dress it is a red, white, and blue ensemble that my Little Darling, Gina, is modeling for you. I couldn’t pass this fabric up—red, white, and blue in my favorite theme, floral, no surprise there, right?

For more information on Gina’s “July’s Favorite Colors” 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 .

“Rosy Soft Spring” for the Little Darlings and My Lilacs

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This new ensemble that I just completed for the Little Darlings was meant to go with this lace shrug that I started last week. Here it is in progess.

And here it is finished. I love it so much. Lace knitting takes a lot of concentration, but the stitches are so pretty. I couldn’t wait to get a dress made to show off this brand new shrug.

Are you wondering why Gina isn’t wearing the shrug with her new dress???

I picked out a simple fabric and spent time embroidering a motif on the bodice and skirt, but when put together I found that the pure white shrug did not go with this fabric that has an off white ground.

Back to the drawing board or knitting needles. *Sigh*.

I reworked my cardigan pattern to make it into a wide open bolero style sweater so that the embroidered bodice would still be front and center and Gina’s shoulders would stay cozy.

Gina always looks pretty in pink.

So, now I will have to find something else to go with the white lace shrug. I have something in mind. I hope it works out this time.

Our second variety of lilacs are finally in bloom. They can be seen from our family room window. These blossoms are very pale lilac in color and the sprays are quite miniature.

However, their scent is not miniature! They perfumed my sewing room all week long. Aren’t they pretty? I finally discovered the way to make cut lilacs last for days in a vase. Here’s what worked for me: shave off the bark that will be in water. (I used a steak knife on these thin stems.) I put very hot tap water in the vase and as soon as the bark was removed I put the stem in the water. I don’t know how many years I have been trying to get lilacs to stay fresh in a vase. I think I tried everything from hammering the stems to recutting the stems under running water, nothing worked except this…finally.