Author Archives: Cindy Rice

About Cindy Rice

My wonderful husband, my beautiful daughter, and I live in northeastern Illinois with our two sweet chihuahua boys. For as long as I can remember I have loved dolls and making things. I got my first Barbie when I was only three years old! My mom sewed for my Barbie dolls and taught me how to use her sewing machine when I was only seven. I cannot believe she let me near that needle, but she did. Not having enough money for my clothes habit in high school and college led me to start sewing all of my own clothes. There were so many fabric stores around back then and fabric was so inexpensive. I would wait for the 99 cent pattern sale and go crazy. Sewing for myself continued well into my 30’s. (I even made my wedding gown and bridesmaid dresses.) Shortly after I got married I left my full time graphic design position and started designing cross stitch patterns. I called my company “The Lilac Studio” and sold my botanical patterns at trade shows, through distributors which sold to retail shops, and mail order. My most popular pattern, “A Bouquet of Pansies” sold 5000 copies and won a J&P Coats Golden Needle Award! I was also featured in various cross stitch magazines and designed special projects for the magazines. When my daughter was born I didn’t have the time needed to cross stitch and design patterns all day long so I let my pattern design business slip away. And then I started discovering dolls again and I now had an excuse to start buying them. The only problem was that they were for my daughter and not for me. I soon discovered all of the adult collectors out there and decided I would be one of them. I started small at first, collecting Mattel Kelly dolls. Soon I collected over 100 Kelly dolls! After Kelly, I discovered Helen Kish’s Riley and Tonner’s Ann Estelle. I have since learned to knit doll sweaters and love an excuse to knit so most of my doll outfits include a sweater and/or hat. I love creating miniature outfits for dolls and enjoy sharing them with others. Currently I create doll ensembles for Ruby Red Fashion Friends, Kish Bethany, Dianna Effner's Little Darlings, Wilde Imagination's teeny tiny Amelia, Kaye Wiggs BJD, Boneka 10", Linda Macario's Penny.

Moving Slow, Moving Along

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Do you remember this photo???

I took this photo before leaving for Florida an entire month ago! Prior to leaving, I spent the week sewing dresses with the hope that I could knit the sweaters while away from my studio, which I did, but the finishing up seems to be taking forever; I am finding that it is hard to get back into the flow and feel of creating.

Today I am finally starting on the completion of the last ensemble. My hope is that when Gina’s ensemble is finished I will be able to get back in the groove.

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Here are the other four finished ensembles (in case you missed them). Alice is modeling the green floral ensemble called “Flower Picking”. Alice arrived days after I returned home. (I actually got notice from Nelly that Alice was complete somewhere on interstate 75 in Georgia.) Lucy graciously let her new sister model this ensemble. This outfit was purchased by Cara’s mom. Cara’s photo is on my Facebook page here.

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Gracie’s ensemble called “Rose Trellis” was just completed late last week.

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Here is Patsy’s “Bitsy Blossoms”. It was purchased for Ann Estelle, but Bitty Bethany snatched it and doesn’t seem to want to take it off. You can see my customer’s photo on my Facebook page here also.

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And, just completed is Millie’s “Cutie in the Garden” ensemble. Millie’s ensemble is still available on my website here.

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This is the progress on Gina’s ensemble so far. I made a quick drawing of the embroidery design; we’ll see how closely I actually stick to the preliminary design. I have the embroidery thread colors all picked out and ready to go, so this is my project for the day.

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I wish you all a lovely day! Bye for now.

“Cutie in the Garden”

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Look who was roaming around the garden yesterday! It’s Millie, my Kaye Wiggs 11″ BJD.

Millie wanted to have her photo shoot in the grass, and surrounded by flowers. I said okay, even though it’s physically harder to take photos “way down there”. I thought I’d give it a shot though; I didn’t want to disappoint my tiny Millie. I found the perfect spot in the shade of our apple tree and gave a small patch of lawn a hair cut, so she wouldn’t get swallowed up by grass. I brought out my yoga mat to lay on, but sitting on the grass was the perfect height. I was actually quite comfortable once I got situated.

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You might recognize this fabric. I used it for an ensemble for the Little Darlings earlier this year. Here is Lucy modeling “Pink Happiness” in case you want to see it again.

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Millie’s little cardigan is knit with blush pink lace weight baby alpaca/silk yarn. It’s super soft! Ivory/pink roses pink up the background ivory of the dress. I added a tiny bit of pastel sky blue embroidery. It’s in the print, but is very light.

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Millie’s headband includes a crocheted ivory rose made with very fine cotton. A hand made bow is tucked underneath the rose for added prettiness.

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I haven’t used my park bench for a photo shoot in a long time. I used to use it all the time when Bethany was getting lots of attention. The seat is a little deep for Millie, but she tried very hard to sit up straight for me.

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Millies is such a feminine little miss, isn’t she?

“Cutie in the Garden” will be available tonight (June 28, 2016), 7:00 pm CST at cindyricedesigns.com. At that time you can go to my “Shop What’s New” page for more information.

“Rose Trellis”

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Coming to you from the garden is Gracie, my Kaye Wiggs MSD, to show you something new!

I love “real” roses in this color, so when I saw this fabric . . . I had to purchase a piece to create an outfit with! The meandering roses on this fabric are in warm red/salmon or warm pink colors and remind me of climbing roses on a trellis. The background is a two-toned kind of mottled tan color. I decided to accent this ensemble with crisp white cotton lace, a white cotton/Modal® sweater, and a white bamboo crocheted cap for a cool and crisp summery vibe.

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I kept the sweater embroidery in mid-tones—not too dark or bright because there is so much movement in the dress print.

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My new vintage looking resin roses were perfectly matched for this ensemble. I used one for the cap and another for the bracelet. I had ribbon, a glass heart, and roses in these warm red/salmon/pink shades. They all look so pretty against pure white.

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Gracie has a rose bouquet just for you! She gives it to you with hugs.

“Rose Trellis” will be available Saturday (June 25, 2016), at 7:00 pm CST. Check the “Shop What’s New” page at cindyricedesigns.com at that time, for more information.