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.

I hope you all had a great week!

For more information on Gina’s “Rosy Soft Spring” ensemble visit my “Available for Sale” page on cindyricedesigns.com .