Tag Archives: cardigan

“Ivy and Holly”

Last December I wrote a post about my favorite doll books, one of them being The Story of Holly & Ivy. You can find that post here. I LOVE this story, and even now while writing this blog post, this book is open in front of me. The illustrations are so cozy and sweet, and the story is absolutely endearing about a beautiful Christmas doll who finally finds her girl.

After I completed this ensemble for my Little Darling, Gina, my daughter commented on how she was reminded of the doll, Holly, in Holly & Ivy. Even though Gina isn’t dressed the same or even have the same color of hair she does seem like a modern day Holly.

Here is sweet Holly illustrated by Barbara Cooney.

Gina’s sweater is hand knit out of mohair/silk lace yarn. I embroidered two mirrored image Christmas bouquets at each top corner.

The tiny stocking is crocheted with merino/silk lace yarn and can hold the little bouquet or other treasures.

Do you like Gina’s tiny jingle bell bracelet?

For more information on Gina’s “Ivy and Holly” ensemble please visit my “Shop What’s New” page at cindyricedesigns.com .

Christmas Making is Progressing

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I feel that I am finally getting in the Christmas spirit here in the studio. How many weeks has it taken for me to seriously get in the spirit?

Right now I have three dolls in their Christmas ensembles all waiting patiently for photos to be taken. And, speaking of Patience I am working on something for her too.

Here are Gina, Millie, and Sugar all decked out for the holidays. I originally had Gina in a Santa hat, but this ensemble seemed too dressy for it. I like the organza bow in her hair much better. I didn’t have my lighting all set up, so this was taken with the over head florescent lights and a tiny bit of early morning light coming in through the west facing window. You can get an idea anyway. I thought they looked cute all together and wanted to show you.

Maybe I’ll get photos taken today and maybe I’ll get sewing on Patience’s dress, or maybe both!

I hope all of you have, or are having (depending on where you live), a wonderful day!

Bye for now!

My First Holiday (Christmas) Ensemble of the Season

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My first holiday ensemble is all ready to show you! I started my holiday creating by using my favorite fabric first, not saving it for one of the last like I did last year. And, it just so happens that the color palette is a little bit fallish, so it is indeed the perfect one to start with.

Isn’t this fabric cute? There are so many adorable motifs in this primitive looking print, boring it is not. And, even though the colors are muted it is still quite colorful. Yes, it is my most favorite holiday or Christmas fabric that I’ve purchased so far this year.

I had the perfect shade of wool yarn for knitting the sweater and hat. It matches the rosy color beautifully. I picked out the blue and green in the print and added bits of those colors throughout the ensemble for extra “colorfulness”.