Category Archives: Lucy

Mid October

Hi there! I wanted to get this post written yesterday, but was stuck in bed with a low grade fever and all over feelings of achiness–especially my head and sinuses. You never know these days so… I have a Covid test scheduled for tomorrow and in the meantime am quarantining in a bedroom by myself until the test results come back in a couple of days. Right now my temp is just about normal and the last fever reducer I took was at 2 am, so fingers crossed it will stay down by itself. However, my head is still quite achy as well as my sinuses. (Please forgive me if I write something that doesn’t make sense.)

On Saturday I uploaded part 3 to show you my process when I make a Little Darling dress. This video shows how I hand stitch the bodice lining to the skirt to make a totally finished dress inside. (I find it so enjoyable to dress my dolls when the inside is all finished. Anyone else feel the same?) Also, I show how I sew on snaps to get them lined up perfectly and also how I sew on the decorative buttons. Thank you if you’ve watched and/or commented on my first videos. I really appreciate your support!!!

Anyway, the ensemble is finally complete for the dress I’ve been making in the three videos.

I had the perfect shade of silk ribbon in my stash–a cherry red.

I think the apples in this ensemble are the ‘Pink Lady’ variety–they are reddish pink.

I did some recording of my embroidery process for this sweater, but I am not super happy with it. I may make a quick video from it though–maybe how I embroider one of the apples? Perhaps the next embroidery footage will come out better.

For me embroidering the knitwear is the most difficult step in creating an ensemble. It is touch and go, or I should say, stitch and rip. I think embroidering this cardigan was more ripping than stitching, or it felt like it. The embroidery fairies didn’t show up to help me out–lol. So, after spending two days embroidering this cardigan I can say I am happy with the final result, which is all that really matters, right?

I was so saddened to hear the news of Dianna Effner’s passing. Her dolls have provided me with so much joy. They’ve especially helped me through some hard times these last few years. Those precious faces…! If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile it is probably quite obvious to you that Dianna’s Little Darlings are my favorite doll of all time. My Gina, Lucy, Alice, and I send our most heartfelt condolences to her family. ❤ ❤ ❤

Sending you, my dear readers, virtual hugs. ooo ❤ ❤ ❤

News and WIP

17 Replies

Happy New Week to you! Do you remember that song “Rainy Days and Mondays” by the Carpenters? Yep, that’s us today here in northern Illinois. I am not expecting much sun and warmth this week…

Anyway… in progress over here is a second apple themed dress. I made the bodice last week and recorded the process. Does it sound interesting to come along with me as I make a bodice for a Little Darlings dress? If its something you’d like to see I will edit it into a viewable piece.

Below is a little video clip of the bodice all sewn and being pressed. Even though there will be audio in a full movie, it has been removed here. The regular steam on my iron stopped working, so all you’d hear are the burst of steam. I can make that quieter during editing.

Pressing the bodice’s side seams

This morning I wove in all the ends and sewed up the sleeves on the cardigan. I think Alice likes it so far.

I’ve been practicing again using the iMovie application. On the last day of summer I walked the path around the lake at one of our forest preserves. A couple of trees had started changing, the late summer wildflowers were in full bloom, and I even saw a family of swans. Please have a look and ‘like’ the video, if you do like it that is. It is my first public video on You Tube. If you subscribe to my You Tube channel it will be easier for you to see when I have new videos. I have tons to learn, but I am totally loving working with video and turning video into little movies.

Bye for now. ❤ Thanks so much for visiting!

“Summertime Smiles”

6 Replies

Do you believe it is the end of August???!!! Wow! It’s been a good summer weatherwise in northern Illinois–we’ve had lots of hot and sunny days–lots of beautiful weather to smile about. I hope you’ve had the same.

I recently finished a summery ensemble for the Little Darlings, and I want to share it with you. Lucy (painted by Helen Skinner) is modeling “Summertime Smiles”. We had a relaxing photo shoot in the backyard under the trees on one of those beautiful days.

summertime smiles 712

The creating of this ensemble started with the fabric. I found this summery floral in my stash and wanted to use it immediately. The graphic blossoms are in shades of bright pink, golden yellow, light aqua blue, and kelly green–all favorite summer colors of mine.

Lucy’s dress features tiny tatting lace hand stitched the the hemline. A thin bright pink satin ribbon ties twice around her waistline. Her dress is completely lined with white cotton lawn and all raw edges are enclosed within the lining.

Lucy’s knitwear is knit from hand dyed merino wool in bright pink. Her lace shrug is knit in a simple lace pattern with a crocheted shell edging. The beret is knit with my beret pattern and embroidered with coordinating flowers.

White cotton anklets, a colorful bracelet, and a two-flower bouquet complete the 6-piece ensemble.

summertime smiles 727