Tag Archives: effner

“Rose Gardens and Green”

Hello, how are you? Spring busted out all over this past week. We went from winter to summer in no time. This past week was that hot! 🌞 After one week the summery weather is through for awhile though. It’s getting cold again, and soon the rain will become snowflakes. It’s so hard to adjust…

Regardless of the temperature variations, everything is greening up, including Lucy’s new cardigan. I am really loving green lately–such a fresh and down-to-earth color.

Here is Lucy’s sweater that I embroidered with pink roses.

And, here is Lucy wearing it with her new spring dress and accessories.

Lucy is my Little Darling, sculpt #3, painted by Helen Skinner. This happy girl reminds me of the smiling Ruby Red Fashion Friends that Dianna Effner sculpted. They never fail to make me feel a bit happier.

I hope you’ve had a wonderful weekend! Wishing you a great week ahead, my friends. Hopefully, your weather will be better than ours. 🤗

Bella is “Ready for Roses”

15 Replies

Ah, and I am ready for the roses to bloom, too! Hello there. How are you?

It is the last week of winter here in the northern hemisphere. Yay!!! We got about 6 inches of snow last week and it just started melting yesterday. When the snow melted off of the garden beds I checked on the little crocuses which were blooming before the snowfall and they still are. I don’t know how those delicate blooms can withstand 6 inches of icy snow weighing down on them for days, but they held up fine. They sure are little troopers.

Last fall my husband and I planted quite a few different varieties of bulbs and we are eagerly awaiting their arrival. The early ones have started showing, but no buds yet.

My Ruby Red Fashion Friend Bella is a bit impatient this year and has skipped right past the start of spring to late spring when the roses will start to bloom. She really cannot wait!

Bella wears a rose print cotton dress with two different styles of cotton lace adorning the skirt. A rosy pink ribbon sash ties around her waist. Faux pearl buttons decorate the bodice’s back.

Bella’s elbow length cardigan sweater is hand knit with merino wool that has been hand dyed and the rosy mauve color custom mixed to coordinate with the dress. I embroidered bullion stitch pink roses at the neckline. The cardigan can be worn open or will close with rosy pink glass pearl bead buttons.

Bella wears a crocheted cap in white bamboo thread. A wool felt blossom and knitted leaf decorate her cap. Her drawstring bag matches the cap in materials and decoration. So that she would have something to put in her bag I made her a tiny hanky in cotton lawn. (This is how I used to fold and iron my grandma’s hankies when I would help her out with her chores.) Bella’s bracelet features a rosebud charm and pearly heart to show that I made this just for her with love.

Bella would like to know if you’re excited for the rose gardens to come into bloom. I cannot believe spring starts next week, can you? Those rose gardens will be glorious in no time!

I hope you enjoy the rest of the week and the upcoming weekend! Thank you for stopping by and visiting with me. ❤️🤗

Gina is “Ready for Fall” — Are You?

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It’s a NO from me!!! The way this year is flying by winter will be here any second now. And it’s no secret that I am NEVER ready for that season. How do you feel about winter? Is it anyone’s favorite season out there? I am in awe of you if it is. It seems to be the longest season, so is a great choice if it is.

Okay, that’s all the talk about winter that I can handle right now. Back to Gina who is prepared for that first crisp day of autumn. Her ensemble colors are in a muted fall palette: peach, blue, yellow green, palest pink.

Gina’s fully lined dress is made out of a moody and warm colored print (Ambleside by Brenda Riddle Designs). The floral shapes remind me of different mums which are just starting to bloom here in northern Illinois. Silk ribbon in peach and blue tie twice around the dress’s waistline. Cotton eyelet decorates the skirt’s hemline.

Gina’s bracelet is made with the tiniest glass pearls and blue seed beads, a stone heart (rose quartz?) and peachy crystal butterfly. It is strung on stretchy jewelry cord which makes it easy to slip on.

Gina’s cardigan and beret are knit out of hand dyed merino wool lace weight yarn. If you’d like to knit a cardigan like Gina’s I have a new pattern for it. The pattern is written with line by line instructions to easily follow along with when you are knitting.

Gina picked out a teddy bear to accessorize her new fall ensemble. I embellished her a tad because Gina wanted her to coordinate. She has a scarf knit in matching yarn, a silk ribbon bow, and a cute heart charm. Isn’t she sweet?

Gina and I hope you love her new fall ensemble. She is the first of my girls to be ready for fall. Do you have any fall preparations started yet?

Wishing you a wonderful holiday weekend if you live here in the U.S. If not, enjoy the weekend wherever you live. Sending hugs 🤗 from my sewing room filled with my tiny girls. They’re all blowing kisses to you right now…😘❤️💕💖