Tag Archives: embroidered

It’s Been “A Golden Season”, But it is Ending Soon

It is early morning here, and oh how the mornings are getting cool and dark in northern Illinois. I can sense autumn is fast approaching. Even though this is true I tell myself it is still summer here in the northern hemisphere. I intend to enjoy these last days of what I call the golden season to their fullest.

Hello there! How are you? It has been a little while since I’ve said hello. Well, pretty much the whole summer season. I haven’t been in my sewing studio much at all, so not much to share with you dolly-wise.

The reason for the absence from my sewing studio is that our new gardens have taken up much of my attention. In case you don’t know I love flowers, meandering in gardens and the forest preserves! My daughter has been educating me on the beauty and necessity of native plants. And so, our gardens, being a clean slate this year, have gotten lots of attention–lots of native plants (as well as favorites of mine that I snuck in amongst the natives)😉. Oh, it has been fun!!!

This ensemble I am about to show you is being modeled by my Holly who is a Ruby Red Fashion Friend. It took me the entire summer to complete, so I can bet that all the happiness of my summer runs through each and every stitch!

Holly’s mohair/silk sweater is hand knit and features hand embroidered floral motifs: golden yellow roses, greenery and flower buds. It can be buttoned with mother-of-pearl beads, or left unbuttoned.

Holly’s golden yellow rose print dress is fully lined with cotton lawn, no exposed raw edges. Spring green organza ribbon is tied around the waistline, and held in place with ‘belt loops’. Tiny green buttons for show are on the back bodice. Fine English cotton Cluny lace is tucked up underneath a tuck on the skirt near the hemline.

The crocheted sun hat is a mix of yellow and white cotton threads with the golden yellow mohair/silk yarn used for the scalloped edging. The hat’s band is made out of the same fabric as the dress, and the bow at back center is the same as the waistline ribbon. The brim can be turned up or left flat.

I love the bouquet that Holly picked for all of us to enjoy. It is a mixture of color coordinated flowers which are carefully tied together with matching embroidery thread and then secured. A clear elastic band wrapped around her hand helps to keep it in place.

Holly’s bracelet is made with genuine peridot and freshwater pearl beads, as well as a mother-of-pearl heart dangle. It easily slips on as it is made with stretchy jewelry cord.

To complete the ensemble are a pair of white cotton Lycra anklets.

I plan on offering this ensemble for sale, so keep a lookout as to when that will happen–hoping sometime in the following week. I will add a post to my Facebook page to announce the date and time. As always, and I am sorry, but I only ship within the U.S. due to the high shipping costs and the loss risks.

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend…wherever you live. Please enjoy these last days of the summer (or winter) season. Thank you so much for visiting with me today, please say hello, and let me know what you’ve been up to if you are so inclined. I love hearing from you!❤️ Take care–sending dolly hugs. 🤗

P.S. I promised to share my crocheted sun hat recipe, or procedure with you. I haven’t forgotten. Thank you for your patience.

Evianna is “Beautiful in Blue”

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Hello there! It’s a new weekend…already. They come around so quickly for me. Some of you might have the opposite experience, but for me the weeks fly by. It seems winter is over here in northern Illinois…maybe…I hope. I visited the Chicago Botanic Gardens yesterday and the tulips are in full bloom as are the daffodils, trees, and other early bloomers.

Here are a few photos from yesterday.

Would you like to see Evianna in her new ‘blue’ ensemble? Blue is so pretty on her–it matches her eyes. 💙

I had two different wigs on her for this photograph shoot–the long blonde one she arrived in, and a Kemper mohair bob. Each wig really changes her look, doesn’t it? Do you have a preference?

Evianna’s dress is in a delicate cotton floral by Robert Kaufman and completely lined in white cotton lawn. A scalloped border of cotton English Cluny lace embellishes the hemline and an ivory rayon ribbon ties around the waist.

Evianna’s cardigan is knit with mohair/silk lace weight yarn (Knit Picks Aloft). I embroidered three motifs in different blues to coordinate with the dress. I have been enjoying embroidering asymmetrical motifs lately. I find it more interesting to look at, and more enjoyable to execute. Awhile ago I found button beads at a bead store; I purchased them in the crystal AB color. They work perfectly for my tiny sweaters. Unfortunately, I only have this one color though.

Evianna’s wide brimmed hat is crocheted with three strands of cotton thread–two in white and one in blue. The three mixed together make a very pale aqua blue. I edged the brim with one strand of white in a scalloped pattern. Rayon ribbon dyed to coordinate, a crocheted rose in mohair/silk, and wool felt leaves decorate Evianna’s bonnet.

Cotton knit tights, a bouquet, and bracelet complete Evianna’s new spring look.

Evianna and I would both like to wish you a wonderful weekend filled with the kind of days that you most love. Sending you hugs from the studio.🤗 Take care, my friends.

“Rose Gardens and Green”

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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.