Tag Archives: purse

Bella is “Ready for Roses”

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. ❤️🤗

“Feelin’ Peachy” This (Almost) Spring

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Do you believe we’ll be starting a new season in 11 days? It’ll be springtime here where I live in northern Illinois. If you are starting autumn that is a wonderful season as well. But here it’ll be spring… and, oh spring you are my favorite!

The warmer days after a cold winter are pure bliss, and all the surprises coming up in the garden are well, wonderful surprises. And we’ve already received some of these gifts. We have had a couple of days that have gone over 60° and my crocuses have started blooming. It seems early this year being that it is still early March, but so appreciated after the -24°F windchill on Valentine’s Day. It’s hard to believe that was less than a month ago!

My spring welcome committee continues to grow. Bethany has received the latest spring ensemble. It’s been so long since I’ve made anything new for Bethany. Before I received my first Little Darling (Christmas 2012) Bethany got lots of new things to model.

Here is my blonde Bethany modeling “Feelin’ Peachy” for you.

Bethany’s rose floral dress is a print by Robert Kaufman from the Margeaux collection. I’ve had it in my stash for about four years. Alice received a new ensemble made from this fabric in 2017. You can see her here. Scalloped cotton lace peaks out from the hemline and a rayon ribbon sash tied around the waistline is the perfect color to add some brightness to this pastel ensemble.

Bethany’s soft and warm cardigan sweater is made with hand dyed merino wool. I dyed it in a very pale peachy pink. This yarn has become my favorite to dye and use for doll sweaters. It is Knit Picks Preciosa in fingering weight. It is a one-ply yarn which makes it a little bit fuzzier and cozier than a plied yarn. I embroidered two coordinating rose motifs on the front and added glass pearls for the buttons. I think Bethany loves it!

Bethany’s accessories include a crocheted pearl headband, rayon knit tights, and a crocheted mesh drawstring purse. She carries three little Easter eggs inside. The mother-of-pearl heart dangling from the bottom shows that I made this for her with love! 💖

I have a new YouTube video from the past week showing this ensemble in progress.

Isn’t Bethany a beautiful doll? I think she is just perfect.

How is March shaping up in your area? Did it come in like a lion or a lamb?

Sending you hugs and wishes for beautiful days ahead! 🤗💐 Thank you for stopping by.

Busy With Dogs and Dolls

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Hello! So much time has gone by between my last post and this one… I am sorry.

Our new puppy has taken up much of my time. We’ve had Pebbles, our chihuahua puppy, for two months now. I’ve enjoyed these early days with him very much. He’s gone on lots of socializing adventures to Home Depot and other stores (including a yarn shop), parks and walks in the neighborhood. He is a very sweet boy, but a little scared in new places, so this effort while he is still young should make him a happier adult.

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Pebbles is now 7-months old. Our vet said he is at his adult weight which is about 3-1/2 pounds! I thought our older dog, also a chihuahua was little at 7-8 pounds. This guy is even smaller. So you can get an idea of his size here is a picture of me walking him. Pebbles walks very nicely on a leash and enjoys going for walks. He knows when we’ve turned around and are heading home which is when he will pull ahead and get a little excited.

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I try and include a little bit of dolly related making on my daily to do list. I find that this is the only way for me to get anything accomplished for my dolls. If I wait for everything else to be done… well, it never is. Sometimes I even have some cuddly company while working.

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I recently finished this spring ensemble for my beautiful Kaye Wiggs MSD sized Gracie. I must say I wish I had a cardigan like Gracie’s!

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I have also started another spring ensemble for the Kaye Wiggs girls. Last weekend found me seated at my sewing machine, gathering and sewing the skirt onto the bodice.

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During the week I finished the dress up by hand sewing the bodice lining to the waist seam and adding snaps. The cardigan was knitted and waiting for the dress to be sewn. Hopefully, either this weekend or next week I will find some time for completing the embroidery on the cardigan.

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I am wishing you all a wonderful weekend. It is supposed to get into the 60s tomorrow here in northern Illinois! I hope you are having some beautiful springlike weather also.

Take care–stay healthy, my friends!