Category Archives: Sewing

Blue Roses for a Blue Lady

For some reason the words to the song “Red Roses for a Blue Lady” kept going through my mind as I worked on this ensemble; only I had the title wrong. I thought it was “Blue Roses for a Blue Lady”. Funny, huh?

I wasn’t even born when this song was first released in 1948, and when it became popular again in 1965, I was very young. I do remember hearing it, although, I have no idea who the vocalist was when it was being played on the radio. For some reason, the song’s melody and the (wrong) words have stuck with me all these years.

Although blue roses are not found in nature, they would be so beautiful if they were. In 2004, a white rose was genetically engineered to make a blue rose, but it is more of a mauve color than a blue color. Roses that look like blue roses are actually made by dyeing white roses.

My Little Darling Gina loves her new spring ensemble featuring a print of sky blue roses. Yes, they don’t exist in nature, but who cares. This fabric print is so adorable in blue. I know my grandmother had pillowcases with blue roses. I might even have a couple of her’s in my linen closet.

There was just a hint of red violet in this print to pick it out and add some extra color to this springtime ensemble for the Little Darlings.

I found this tiny glass bunny bead that has a red violet nose in my drawer of charms. I thought that it’s the perfect finishing touch to Gina’s new ensemble.

After I wrote this post, I went looking to see if I indeed had a blue rose pillowcase from Grandma. Look what I found!

For more information on “Blue Roses for a Sweet Li’l Lady”, please visit the “Available for Sale” page on cindyricedesigns.com .

Some Hugs

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…from dear, sweet, Patience.

It’s been a while since my Patience has been featured in a post and I was starting to feel bad. Am I a bad doll mom? Maybe…ugh…okay, okay, no more guilt.

Here she is…

…in all of her whimsical cuteness!

I think this ensemble matches Patience’s personality perfectly, don’t you? The sunny and warm cotton print features lots and lots of different heart motifs and little lovey dovey birdies, such fun to look at, if you can take your eyes off of her cute face, that is.

Patience’s dress looks pretty without the cardigan too.

You won’t see too many of my crocheted pieces with embroidery. For me, embroidering on crochet is touch and go because the crocheted fabric is “bumpy” and it’s hard to get the stitches to lay on top of the fabric. However, when the pieces work out, like this headband, I really like the look.

For more information on Patience’s outfit, please visit the “Available for Sale” page on Cindy Rice Designs.

“Autumn Leaves in Color” for the Little Darlings

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Gina is here to show off another autumn ensemble (this is my last for the Little Darlings) that I have made for her. I fell in love with this tiny oak leaf cotton print and just had to buy it to make a fall dress for a certain sweetie. The colors of the leaves in pumpkin, warm red, greens, and greys are so pretty.

This vintage styled headband (hat) design was floating around in my head and seemed to work nicely with the ensemble. I designed the sweater with sleeves wide enough to go over the dress and a tad bit shorter to let the dress’s sleeves peek out a bit.

Wool felt leaf appliques are hand cut and embroidered onto the sweater and headband. Do you like my tiny acorns? They are bronze Czech glass crystals with a curved bullion stitch at the top.

At the top of the lace are alternating hand sewn 14k gold filled beads and topaz colored seed beads.

I have been trying on and off to make a sleeved dress pattern where I can neatly hide those raw edges and not drive myself crazy in the process. Finally…I did it. The armhole sleeve seam allowances are tucked underneath the lining which is hand stitched and the sleeve’s hems and underarm seams are doubled over and hand stitched. The result is an inside with no seam allowances or raw edges showing. I know, you’re probably thinking I’m crazy, right? These little things make me happy, sorry.