Tag Archives: winter

Winter Beauty–Moody & Something Bright

Hello! I hope you have had a wonderful January, and that it has progressed at the pace most suitable for you. I used to wish January away as quickly as possible, or better yet, I wished to skip it altogether. However, this year (surprise, surprise!) I have thoroughly embraced winter’s dark and moody days.

January is coming to a close with peaceful snowfalls here in northern Illinois. They are so beautiful!!! We don’t have a lot of snow, but it has been snowing lightly on and off for the past couple of days.

We are very lucky to have forest preserves around us. Last Sunday we had the first 2023 daytime snowfall where the conditions were perfect for a walk. My husband and I, along with quite a few others who had the same idea, had a wonderful walk around Hastings Lake. We made these tiny snowmen on the railing of one of the bridges. The snow was packable, but not pliable, so this was the best we could do. Anyway, I thought these doll sized snowmen were cute. ⛄️⛄️

Now for something bright which, by the way, I had to create myself. The sun, it seems, is hibernating for the winter 😴. My Ruby Red Fashion Friend, Holly, hopes to brighten up your day with the first ensemble for 2023.

Holly is dressed as sunnily as you can get. The fabric I used to sew her dress looks like a 1930s reproductions print. I’ve had this fabric since 2016, so it is now hard to find. However, an Etsy seller in Australia has some yardage. The fabric is called Bread n Butter Yellow Pansies by American Jane (Moda Fabrics).

Holly’s longer a-line cardigan is knit with off white merino wool yarn and is embroidered all along the neckline with matching green leaves, deep peach blossoms, and tiny vintage red beads. The cardigan buttons with matching deep peach bead buttons.

Holly’s hair ribbon and sash are sunshine yellow grosgrain ribbons. Her ivory tights are in a warm cotton/lycra ribbed fabric. Her bracelet is made with porcelain green beads which match perfectly in style and color, ivory pearls, and yellow seed beads. A peach/clear glass heart dangles from the bracelet. I’ve embellished Holly’s teddy with a bow made from the dress fabric.

I think that both Holly and her teddy are ready for a cozy day playing inside while the snow falls outside. She’d like to invite you over too.

How has January been for you? Has it gone by quickly or sluggishly? Sending you hugs from the dolls and I.🤗 We thank you so much for stopping by to visit with us today.❤️ Bye for now. 👋

Gracie is Feeling Some “Snowflake Magic”

Ah, the magic of the first snowflakes of the season. In my opinion there is nothing quite like them. Those beautiful bits of white fluff dancing in the air and then floating to the ground. We’ve had a few instances of snow–although nothing that stuck, but the beauty of those first flakes gave me a feeling of peace and hope.

My Kaye Wiggs Gracie is loving this time of year too. She is dressed for the season in a cozy winter ensemble. Her Nordic inspired dress print features lots of delicate snowflakes on a festive red background with a crystal looking waist sash. Her pine green cardigan is knit out of merino/silk yarn. It is decorated with snowflakes and matte gold sequins and crystal beads. The buttons are matte gold Czech crystals. Her beret is made with the same type of yarn, but in its natural color. A red/green pom pom sits at the top. She wears ribbed tights to keep her legs toasty warm.

The contrast of rustic matte gold mixed with icy and sparkly decorations appealed to me when designing this ensemble. Gracie’s bracelet features a bit of gold with crystal Delica beads and a crystal snowflake charm. She is carrying a crystal snowflake ornament with matte golden bells. I wonder which tree she will add this ornament to…

I’d say that fall is slipping away here in northern Illinois. The trees are mostly bear and many days are hovering right around freezing. Today we are having fall clean up done for us which is so nice. We have so many leaves that collected in piles around our house and in the ground cover and bushes. 🍁 They are being blown out and mulched into the lawn or picked up. I am thankful for the help!

What are you up to this weekend? Shopping? Getting ready for Christmas?

Sending you all happy late fall (or spring 🌷) wishes! Enjoy! 🤗❤️

New Year–New ???

Hello, hello, hello!  I have been waiting to write a blog post for you for when I had some doll clothes making progress to show you.  And it’s not happening…  I am going to blame it on…

Our new puppy!!!

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Two weeks ago we drove 4-1/2 hours south to meet this 5 month-old chihuahua puppy and, well, we decided to make him a part of our family.  He has a wonderful temperament–is as sweet as can be and loves to cuddle.  Our 10 year-old chi does a lot of grumbling at this little guy, but he tries his hardest to put up with him and his crazy energy level (when he isn’t sleeping that is).

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My lap is full of chihuahua loves!

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I cannot believe Christmas has come and gone along with New Year’s, and now we are over the halfway point in January!

Christmas Day here in northern Illinois was sunny with a blue sky and 55ºF!  We enjoyed a walk wearing light coats or no coat at all.  So, Halloween felt like Christmas, as it was snowing all day, and Christmas felt like an ideal Halloween!

Even though we never did get to the tree farm to find a real tree we made our little artificial tree look sparkly and festive.  On Christmas Day we all took part in making dinner: baked salmon, green beans with mushroom gravy, mashed sweet potatoes, and cookies for dessert–simple and yummy.

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We visited the Volo Antique Mall during the holiday break.  My daughter saw these Ideal Love Mate cards; I thought they were a hoot–my how things have changed, thank goodness.  The copyright on them is 1941.  I wanted to know more about these.  I found the original machine they came in on eBay.

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New Year’s Day morning found me starting my new planner and knitting on a pair of socks which I completed this past week.

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The colors are kind of wild, but they kept my feet warm while shoveling the snow this afternoon.

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Since I finished one pair of socks I started another!  These will be for my daughter.

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Cannot forget about the birds and how they get so hungry when the snow is falling.  Yesterday afternoon I layered sunflower seeds with a basic bird mix and headed out to the feeder which had been recently cleaned out by the squirrels.

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Last night was all blustery and snowy and cozy.  It was nice being indoors!

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It’s been an easy winter so far.  Even the snowfall last night, the first since early November wasn’t much, although if you ask Morris he would disagree.

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We all helped shovel today.  Thanks to physical therapy my back is so much better; I am very thankful that I can help out!  Notice the little chihuahua potty patch we shoveled.  Ha ha.

Our older chihuahua loves loves loves soft blankets!  This pure white blanket is as soft as can be.  Whoever manufactured it though failed to close up the hole that was used to turn it right side out.  Look who found it… and got in it!  He’s a funny dog.

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I thought I’d show you the list of puppy names we came up with for our new addition.  Can you guess which name we chose?  Naming this guy took days for us all to decide.

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And one last photo–this gorgeous sunset during the first week of January 2020!

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Our new puppy’s name is Pebbles!

Sending you all the warmest wishes for a happy and healthy 2020!

BTW, maybe if you all put thoughts out in the universe of me creating things for my dolls it will happen!  I am really missing it, but cannot seem to get down to my studio. *sigh*