Category Archives: Sweaters

“Strawberry Picking”

Strawberry picking is so much fun even though it is a lot of work filling those baskets to the top. But maybe that’s because too many strawberries get eaten before making it into the baskets.

I haven’t been strawberry (or blueberry, or raspberry, or apple) picking for years and years and years. It was always something that I enjoyed doing when my daughter was young. For sure, it is an educational experience for the little ones. They get to see how the berry needs to be a blossom first, and then with the help of bees, will start to become a strawberry. They see the color changes it goes through before it is ready to be picked and eaten. And, if they eat one before it is ripe, they can taste the changes too. So very interesting…

Here in northern Illinois/southern Wisconsin the strawberries aren’t ready for picking . They are just about ready, but not quite yet. Maybe we’ll get out to pick a few this year. This is where we go to pick our strawberries.

I got a bit nostalgic while creating this outfit for Talyssa, so I retreated to our photo albums to find when we last went strawberry picking; it was 2003! My daughter was dressed in her strawberry top and pink shorts from Gymboree. I don’t remember being so “event coordinated,” if you know what I mean. Oh, and I had on a top that perfectly matched her shorts. Sheesh! At least my husband wasn’t wearing pink.

This brand-spanking-new strawberry print (I couldn’t wait to use it!) came in pink gingham and aqua gingham too. The sunny yellow gingham appealed to me the most, so I chose the yellow.

It was fun creating the little accessories to go with this set. The little strawberry is a mini stuffy with beads and a crocheted top. Talyssa can hold the berry by the loop. The crocheted basket will hold the strawberry too. I had the strawberry charm in my bead drawer waiting for the perfect fabric. Those little aqua bead blossoms matched the blossoms on the fabric oh, so nicely.

The tiny berries worked perfectly in bullion stitch embroidery on the sweater. I embroidered them in pink and red to match the dress.

For more information on Talyssa’s “Strawberry Picking” ensemble, please visit my “Available for Sale” page at cindyricedesigns.com .

Talyssa’s Got Something New

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And, here she is to show you her new summertime ensemble! I hope you like it.

I have to share with you the name of the collection this print came from; it is called Marmalade by Bonnie and Camille. Isn’t that the cutest name? So, yes, I was thinking of yummy marmalade quite often throughout the making of this ensemble.

I knit Talyssa’s cardigan in natural colored cotton/Modal yarn, so I could use all of the beautiful color in the fabric for the embroidery. Bullion stitched petaled flowers in three shades of coral, colonial knot golden centers, tiny opalescent seed beads, and kiwi green bullion stitched leaves create the artwork for the sweater; mother-of-pearl beads make the perfect buttons.

I used natural colored fine bamboo thread to crochet Talyssa’s cap. Unfortunately I didn’t have crochet cotton that matched or coordinated with the embroidery thread, so I tried something new and crocheted the flower decoration using the actual embroidery thread. It worked beautifully and gave the flower a pretty sheen. I am so happy that it worked.

My one and only skein of kiwi green bamboo thread was the perfect color to crochet Talyssa her very own drawstring purse. (I talked about the demise of my favorite bamboo thread here.) Her purse opens up, so she can add her little treasures. Hanging from the bottom of the purse is a little hand made beaded tassel.

For more information on Talyssa’s “Floral-ly Fun” ensemble, please visit my “Available for Sale” page at 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.