Author Archives: Cindy Rice

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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.

Tag Sale Time

Hi all!  Do summertime and clearing go hand in hand?  They must for me because every summer I seem to get this need to pare down my stuff.  A few days ago I found (three!!!) binders of Barbie patterns and a milk crate filled with American Girl doll patterns, along with a couple other doll patterns.  Hmm, I don’t sew for Barbie or for American Girl dolls.  What do I need these for?  I was going to donate them, but maybe some of you who do sew for these dolls might like some new patterns.

I made a new page on my website called “Tag Sale”.  It’s the last pink rectangle at the top of my home page.  If you click on it you’ll see my virtual tag sale items.  Sorry, but due to high postage rates, I am only shipping within the United States.

If you do want anything, send me a contact form A.S.A.P. as everything is first come, first served.

I’ll be adding more to this page when I get another urge to clear out more stuff.  I’ve still got cartons full of unopened Barbie, Skipper, Stacie, and Kelly dolls.  I’ve been eyeing my ever growing fabric stash too.

Here are a few photos of what I have available right now, more on my site.  I put them in organized lots and tried to keep the weight down so they can ship first class for $2.  Enjoy shopping!

vogue vintage reprints 241

morrissey for riley 234

simplicity doll collector's club 238

butterick delineator girls patterns 237

simplicity museum collection 1 236

Bye for now!

 

“Bitsy Blossoms” for Patsy

Sweet little Patsy is finally all dressed and ready to show you her new ensemble.  I remember that when I used this fabric to make a dress for my Little Darling, Gina, Patsy was quite smitten with it.  I then made Patsy a promise that I would make her a dress using this fabric too.  It’s hard letting these little girls down, isn’t it?

bitsy blossoms 113

Patsy’s light-as-a feather sweater is hand knit with mohair/silk lace weight yarn.  Pastel bullion stitched roses in pink, blue, and yellow are accented with mint green.

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bitsy blossoms 132

Patsy’s crocheted hat is made with three different colors and two different weights of thread.  The brim is prettied up with a lacy crocheted edging in white bamboo.  A pink dot fabric band accents the crown with a hand made wool felt rose and leaf turning up the brim.

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Patsy has picked a pastel bouquet for you.  It is tied with white silk ribbons.  Light blue silk ribbon also ties around the waistline of the dress.

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Patsy’s “Bitsy Blosssoms” ensemble will be available tonight (June 22, 2016) at 7:00 pm CST at cindyricedesigns.com.  At 7:00 you may visit the “Shop What’s New” page for more details.

Studio and Early Summer Tidbits

In my studio today I spent the day finishing the embroidery on Gracie’s sweater, putting the finishing touches on her crocheted cap, and thinking about the little accessories that will accompany this ensemble.

rose trellis 168

gracie 231

I’m not sure if I like this wig on Gracie.  She has always worn the darker blonde wig and looked cute in it.  Although I think she looks more carefree and summery with the light blonde curls, I’m still not sure.  What do you think?

beauty in blue 609

A few posts ago, I promised to take some photos to show you what is in my studio display cabinet.  I have this little collection (my daughter’s) of blown glass animals (and a lone heart) that I keep in here.  A couple pieces are ornaments and some pieces we found at a resale shop.  The little vintage poodle is one of the three items I have that belonged to my grandmother (my dad’s mother) who passed away before I was born.  I don’t have any memories of her, but I remember these types of things being around my grandpa’s house when I was young.  This poodle most likely was part of this set that I pinned on Pinterest.  I think I mentioned the potted tulips before; my husband brought them back from Holland.

glass animals 179

pink poodle 184

I found this needlework that I had made for my grandparents at my parent’s house.  At first, I didn’t remember it, but then the memories of  it started coming back to me.  I must have embroidered it in grade school as it is a bit . . . hmm, messy?  Look how my grandfather framed it; now scroll down and look at the back!  He was a very frugal man, and used what he had on hand.  I love that about him.

childhood needlework 175

needlework back 177

Outside things are looking very, very lush, and green.  When we returned from Florida we had some cute clover patches growing in our lawn.  I kiddingly mentioned to my husband that we should leave them for the bees.  Well, he did just that!  (I can only imagine how nutty our neighbors think we are.)  When I am out walking I see a couple of hives set up, so I am sure the bees appreciate us growing the clover for them; they need all the help they can get these days.  Not sure how long we should let it get though.

clover patch 206

clover 201

Our easy peasy rosebushes are blooming, as are the violas.

red roses 194

violas 190

These teen tiny biennials were here when we moved into our house 8 years ago.  They keep reseeding, and will bloom during their second season.  I don’t know what kind of flower they are, but they smell like carnations or pinks.

tiny blossoms 217

Our lavender blossomed hostas are getting ready to bloom.

hostas 188

I’ve never noticed acorns at this early stage before.  Aren’t they tiny!

tiny acorns 211

And last, but not least, a few apples growing on our apple tree.  They are about the size of  small limes.

tiny apples 216

We had a rare low humidity day today, just wonderful; I kept the windows open all day long.  Tomorrow, however, a change is coming—storms followed by a cold front.  The weather is never boring here in northern Illinois.

I hope you all had an equally beautiful day.  Thanks for visiting.  Bye for now.