shrug | Cindy Rice Designs

I know it will be at least a couple of months before there are any rose gardens in bloom here in northern Illinois, but I know there are places where roses are in bloom. BTW, I am so jealous.

While creating Gracie’s new ensemble I let my mind wander… imagining rose gardens where picnics, leisurely walks, and garden parties are going on underneath the blue spring sky. Doesn’t that sound lovely?

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Before I had Kaye Wiggs Gracie and Talyssa dolls, I would have had to pass on this fabric because the scale seemed too big for the smaller dolls. I find the most colorful prints are usually too large for the Little Darling sized dolls. This fabric reminds me of a vintage pillowcase; it is so soft and colorful, in a pastel kind of way. I wanted to make use of all of the pretty pastels, not just the pink, so I picked out the mint green, yellow, and blue by adding ribbon, charms to the bracelet, and a selection of blossoms for a bouquet to this ensemble.

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Shrugs, by design, are nice because they allow the entire dress to remain the focal point. Gracie is wearing my “fun to knit” lace shrug. I’ve made this shrug often enough to have memorized the lace pattern and notice when I forget a yarn over or to make a PSSO, so now I can say it is fun.

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Gracie’s crocheted hat is perfect for wearing in the garden. The brim can be worn a variety of ways–one side up, one side up and the other one down, etc. I used the dress fabric to make a band around the crown and knit a rose and leaf for further embellishment; I also added a tulle bow.

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I’ve made Gracie a delicate little pendant out of very fine silver-toned chain and a glass pearl drop. She loves her whimsical and fun charm bracelet adorning her delicate wrist.

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Gracie’s “A Party in the Rose Garden” ensemble will be available tonight (March 29, 2016) at 7:00 pm, CST. Go to the “Shop What’s New” page at cindyricedesigns.com.

The abundance of fruit, flowers, and vegetables makes summer the sweetest time of year for our senses. There is always something new to be seen blossoming or something new to be tasted in the garden. And, of course, there are always the wonderful scents filling the air.

I believe that this time, right before the summer season actually starts, is the best time of all. It is all before us, yet to come, and at this point summer seems endless.

I just finished a very summery ensemble for my Little Darling, Gina. The print on the fabric depicts fanciful fruits and little white flowers on a perfectly pink background. I thought that the little fruits could pass for cherries or plums. I couldn’t make up my mind which I liked best.

And… the little lace shrug that I knit last week found its dress!

I loved the tiny daisy-like blossoms, so I repeated this shape for Gina’s hair ties and on her ballet slippers. The magenta pearl centers match the magenta colored fruits very nicely too.

I found beads to mimic the magenta and blue bunches of fruit, so I made a little fruit charm for the bracelet.

Another daisy-like motif is found on the necklace and a bit more magenta is added at the waistline with the help of an organza ribbon.

These Effner girls have the cutest little feet and legs that look so adorable in crocheted ballet slippers, so I couldn’t resist adding a pair to this ensemble.