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.

A “Sweet Princess”

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Dianna Effner’s Little Darling dolls are like tiny little princesses when they’re all dressed up! Lucy is here today to bring a smile to your morning (or afternoon)… I hope so, anyway. Rain or shine, this Little Darling always has a sweet smile waiting for me each and every day.

This is the second ensemble I’ve made using this beautiful rose print from Japan. The first was on an ivory background. You can see it here. This particular colorway has a pastel lilac-y pink background. My cool pink mohair yarn coordinated perfectly with this cool colored background.

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Oh my, what a beautiful and happy little one! I just love her!

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Lucy’s “Sweet Princess” ensemble will be available tonight (March 2, 2016), 7:00 pm, CST on my “Shop What’s New” page at cindyricedesigns.com.

Patience Wants to Show You Something

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Patience wants to show you the new ensemble that I’ve made just for her, “Patience in Peach”. These colors make me yearn for a juicy summer peach, a heaping bowl of peaches with cream or peach ice cream, yum.

Patience looks especially pretty in peachy pinks. They bring out her warm hair and lip color; these are her colors, I’d say.

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Patience’s cropped cardigan is hand knit with lace weight merino wool. I’ve embroidered a pair of mirrored image rose motifs along the center front neckline in peachy pinks, deep warm rose, salmon, and the perfect shade of green to bring it all together. Off white glass pearl bead buttons add the finishing touch.

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I was inspired by the shapes of these Victorian crocheted bags (aren’t they pretty?), so I made a tiny one for Patience. Her little flower bouquet sits perfectly inside.

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These bows are made from rayon ribbon that I hand dyed. I know some of you were wondering about dyeing fabrics, yarn, and ribbon. The next time I do some dyeing I will take more photos for a post.

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Patience’s “Patience in Peach” ensemble will be available for sale on my website’s “Shop What’s New” page tonight (March 1, 2016) at 7:00 pm, CST. Please note that I will not be sending out another blog post tonight at 7:00.

Hope you all are, or will, have a great day!

This Week

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Happy Saturday to you all! I don’t have doll outfits to show you today, sorry. I should have at least three by the end of next week, maybe more.

I do have some photos of works in progress and photos of a few “detours from work”, such as this pile of old cards that I dug out of my memories box. Lately, and due in part to Pinterest, I have developed this nostalgia for vintage illustration. Not only are these cards vintage, but they are from my loved ones, so are even more special. (So glad I kept them!) I even found a signature from my great grandma. I long forgot how she would sign her name. And, many are from my younger siblings before they had their own families; they would give a card together from the three of them, so long ago…

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The sun was coming up so beautifully this morning. I went outside with my camera to see if I could capture the rising sun’s golden glow and long shadows. I found our bird feeder empty and looking a bit ravaged. Raccoons? I think they are the only ones who could knock the tray down. I know that the squirrels are mostly responsible for emptying the feeder. They sit there, sometimes one on each side, for the longest time, and eat and eat.

02-23-16 588 I dyed some rayon ribbon this week. It took a few tries to get the right shade and then I ended up using a previously dyed piece. Oh, well!

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Earlier in the week some of these pieces were in progress. Patience is now dressed in her dress and sweater ensemble. She’s looking very cute, I might add. The pink sweater (for Talyssa and/or Gracie) has been blocked and is waiting for embroidery. The little yellow dress for Pukipuki is also waiting to be embroidered.

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