Tag Archives: dress

“Holiday Ready”

As I sit here on this dark December morning there is a bit of anticipation in the air. We are awaiting snow, and it is almost here! I’m not sure how much we’ll get, it’s barely freezing, but it’ll be a treat watching it fall.

How are your holiday preparations coming along? We are moving along nicely here. Most of our indoor decorating is finished, and we are enjoying our cozy holiday lights, Christmas tree(s), and the many holiday decorations. It was extra special (and a little sad) this year as I got to unwrap (for the first time) Christmas decorations and ornaments from my parents. I think that we will maybe (hopefully) get some lights outside . . . or a wreath . . . or something.

My Little Darling, Alice, is very holiday ready in her new ensemble. I had an impossible time passing up (so, what’s new!) this snowman print by Lori Holt for Riley Blake Designs. It came in a few different colorways, but I decided on yellow because it reminded me of those super sunshiny days after a snowstorm . . . and it is such a happy color.

I wanted to make Alice’s set as Christmasy as possible so I picked the red and green from the snowmen’s scarves to include in the ensemble.

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The snowy white fuzzy mohair sweater is embroidered with more festivity—holly and evergreen motifs. Sparkly bright red crystal beads are used for the buttons. Alice’s beret is hand knit with hand dyed wool which is in matching bright red. Her snowball pom pom matches the sweater’s yarn. A pop of green was needed at the neckline so a skinny green scarf with red/white fringe does the job.

holiday-ready-146 Delicate white lace tights, a snowman miniature ornament, and sparkly bracelet (with snowflake charm) complete Alice’s festive look.

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“Holiday Ready” for the Little Darlings will be available tonight (December 4, 2016) at 7:00 pm CST, cindyricedesigns.com.

“A Most Magical Season”

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Do you believe the Christmas season is upon us? Seriously, I can’t believe it! November flew by at 100 mph. I think I am going to have to accept that I will only get a fraction of the holiday ensembles completed that I had wanted to. There simply won’t be enough time, even if I worked around the clock. So . . . that’s the way it will play out this year.

I do have something to show you right now though! 🙂

It is an ensemble for the Little Darlings. I finished this one about a week ago, but wanted to wait until we got our Christmas tree, so I could use it as a back drop. In front of the tree is one of my favorite places for taking photos. There’s something magical about the sparkly lights and ornaments.

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This is another Japanese cotton print that was impossible for me to resist—all those toys, candy canes, and cutie pie Santa! The illustrations have a vintage feel which I love.

The knits I made for this ensemble have a vintage feel too. The forest green wool cape is embellished with red seed beads and green embroidery. A little motif is on every one of the panels which are separated by lace eyelets. I found some old knitting patterns from the 1950s and they called this type of hat a cuddle cap. It is different from the headband hats that I’ve been making in that the cuddle cap sits back on the head and is slightly shaped. To complete her knitwear set, Gina wanted a striped scarf, so I made her a micro striped green/natural colored one with colorful fringe.

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This is my first ever hand knit Christmas stocking! I used a free pattern from Julie at Little Cotton Rabbits. Gina is thrilled with all of the tiny gifts it can hold. Her little Christmas tree is embellished with a star and ornament beads. She also has a gingerbread man, lollipop, candy cane, silver ornament, and a red berry/ribbon decoration tucked inside. I attached wooden skewers to the goodies, (except the tree) so they can be rearranged and easily peek out of the stocking. I added a tiny hand made tassel to the toe of the stocking too.

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Of course the doll motif had to be on the front of the dress bodice! Gina is also wearing a candy cane bracelet. I don’t think she can get any more festive, do you? She wishes you all a “Very Merry Holiday Season”!

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“A Most Magical Season” will be available tonight (November 30, 2016) at 7:00 pm CST, cindyricedesigns.com.

“Glorious Autumn”

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The air is cool and crisp—trees are sparse with golden, bronze, and orange leaves—a smokiness fills the air. It could only be mid autumn!

Our slow and glorious autumn continues here in the midwest. There are still two red rosebuds on my rosebushes and the lobelias are still blooming in blue. The few light frosts we’ve had so far didn’t reach these.

I made four sample dresses while putting together my last knitting pattern for Amelia Thimble’s sweater dress. I wasn’t planning on embroidering these four dresses yet, but dear Amelia had other plans. “Pretty please, just one!”, she said. So yes, I gave in and completed one for her. I must say I am glad I did as her sweet face makes me happy.

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