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.

“Perfectly Pink” for My Sweet Little Darling

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I hope you don’t get tired of seeing pink on my Little Darling because it seems to be Gina’s most favorite color in the whole world. Gina is a girly girl through and through and I love that about her.

I decided to call this ensemble “Perfectly Pink” because it is the perfect shade of pink, not too blush-y or violet-y, just pink. When this shade gets paired with yellow, kelly green, and white cotton accents it shouts summer, don’t you think?

Gina’s crocheted hat frames her sweet face perfectly. A matching band decorates the crown and a hand made wool felt flower and crocheted leaf draw your eye to this darling’s face.

Gina’s light and summery sweater is hand knit in white bamboo with a lacy panel running along the center of each sleeve. A pair of mirrored image floral motifs in coordinating colors adorn the center front of the sweater.

This summery ensemble wouldn’t be complete without a pair of crocheted ballet slipper shoes in cotton thread with matching roses on the sides of each shoe. I love the way these tiny slippers show off the Little Darlings delicately shaped feet and ankles.

For more information on “Perfectly Pink” please visit my “Available for Sale” page on cindyricedesigns.com .

“Sunshine & Posies” for Patience

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Patience is all about summer sunshine and flowers, flowers everywhere. Doesn’t she look all bright and happy and ready to make you smile?

Patience saw the shrug that I made for Talyssa and Gina; she suggested that I make her one as well to complete this ensemble. Patience’s lace shrug is in buttercup yellow bamboo. Yes, this is the discontinued yellow bamboo that I have a very limited supply of, but it worked perfectly with this dress.

Here’s a close up of the hand beaded tuck on the hemline. The bright yellow seed beads brought out the tiny bit of yellow in the print nicely.

I love Patience in hats. This one is crocheted with three strands of cotton in two different weights of thread. The brim can be turned up, down, or a bit of both. The band matches the dress. I “free hand” crocheted (no pattern) the flower to coordinate with the shapes on the dress. It is a cup shape and filled with yellow beads for the stamens and has a curly apple green stem.

The elbow length shrug falls just above the ribbon bow in the back.

For more information on Patience’s “Sunshine & Posies” ensemble, please visit my “Available for Sale” page on cindyricedesigns.com .

Happy Fourth of July

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Wishing all of my readers in the U.S.A. a Happy Fourth of July. We still have the fireworks to view when it gets dark, but July 4th, 2015 is just about over. There are swarms of mosquitoes outsides, so we will stay in our cozy car (like a drive-in movie) and watch them that way. No one feels like showering off the bug repellant late at night.

We live in a small town that still has an old-fashioned parade down the main street. It is very quaint and reminiscent of days gone by. This year I took lots of photos to share with you, so you can see what it is like in our town.