Tag Archives: apples

Happy Fall!

I cannot believe it! Autumn has begun in the northern hemisphere. (And if you live in the southern hemisphere I am quite envious as spring is my favorite season.) Is it feeling like autumn (or spring) yet, where you are?

There is a burnishing and golden glow to the greenery to let me know that it is time for everything to start winding down for the year, but there is still a warm and humid feeling to the outside air. It is impossible to think that we will have a frost in a few weeks. That is typically when we do, and then all growth in the garden comes to a definitive end. Yep, I don’t believe it… It has been so warm.

Trying to get into the autumn spirit got me looking through some of my ensemble photos from previous autumns and found this one of Gina from 8 years ago. I thought I’d share it with you again, since she is a favorite. Sweet isn’t she?

So what are you up to on the first day of this new season? So far I’ve cleaned out a few pots of plants. Slowly but surely is how the garden gets cleaned up around here. Maybe I’ll now be able to get into my sewing room… for a little sewing.

I hope you enjoy the weekend! Sending you lots of dolly hugs from my girls.🤗

Mid October

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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 ❤ ❤ ❤

“Teddy ‘n Me and the Apple Tree”

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Hello everyone! Oh my, I’ve been absent for a while, haven’t I? Sorry I haven’t been around to chat with you all. My excuse is that I got on a Craftsy kick again. I purchased a few knitting related classes, so I’ve been preoccupied with learning some new skills and practicing them. If I could only do one craft I think it’d be knitting. I could give up sewing, embroidering, crocheting, but not knitting.

After my Little Darling, Gina, saw Lucy and Alice dressed up in their apple themed ensembles she got really sad until I made her one too. I cannot stand these tiny beauties sad! Good things come to those who wait though; the teddy bear was an afterthought, but made Gina extra happy! Doesn’t his golden color work perfectly with this set?

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I customized Gina’s teddy bear with a little bow, a crocheted scarf, and an apple button. While we’re on the subject of accessories, Gina’s red delicious apple is kept safe in her crocheted apple cozy.

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Gina’s light as a feather knit cardi is made with baby alpaca/silk lace weight yarn in a beautiful golden yellow. Little red bullion stitched embroidered apples decorate the front and wooden beads are used for buttons.

Gina’s beret is knit with a slightly heavier red wool. It is knit in the round without seams. The golden yellow rayon ribbon and English cotton Cluny lace were hand dyed to match this set.

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Do you recognize this fabric? It is the same print (by Elea Lutz) I used for ” ‘Tis Apple Picking Season”, but in the white colorway. When they’re this cute who can buy just one!

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