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.

“July’s Favorite Colors”

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Maybe it was because I was a July baby that made me love wearing red, white, and blue so much. When I look back at childhood photos I find so many summer pictures of me in these colors. I remember specifically asking for sailor dresses and red, white, and blue swimsuits. Honestly, I think I was obsessed.

Here are a couple of photos of me on my 2nd birthday and my 8th birthday wearing red, white, and blue sailor dresses. I loved ’em!

While this isn’t a sailor dress it is a red, white, and blue ensemble that my Little Darling, Gina, is modeling for you. I couldn’t pass this fabric up—red, white, and blue in my favorite theme, floral, no surprise there, right?

For more information on Gina’s “July’s Favorite Colors” ensemble, please visit my “Available for Sale” page at cindyricedesigns.com .

“Red, White, & Cherries”

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Patience is showing off her patriotic side in her new ensemble, “Red, White, & Cherries”. Tuesday was a picture perfect kind of day here in northern Illinois so we took to the outdoors for Patience’s photo shoot.

I crafted a fun hair tie to bring to life the cherry motifs on Patience’s dress. I crocheted around lightweight pearl beads so the cherries would hold their shape, added a crocheted leaf, stems with the crochet thread, navy silk bow and a length of fine crochet to use as the tie. Patience seems to be enchanted.

I used pure white bamboo thread to knit Patience’s sweater. Some cobalt blue Czech glass crystal beads from my stash made the perfect buttons. I embroidered tiny red work cherry motifs around the bottom of the sweater.

Patience had the idea to pretend that the apple tree was a cherry tree to further the cherry theme.

It was a bit breezy, but the photo shoot was going smoothly until I turned my back on her for a second…

…and Patience starts to climb the apple tree. “Hey Patience, where are you going?”

I see London. I see France… (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

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

“Summer Sweet” for the Little Darlings

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The abundance of fruit, flowers, and vegetables makes summer the sweetest time of year for our senses. There is always something new to be seen blossoming or something new to be tasted in the garden. And, of course, there are always the wonderful scents filling the air.

I believe that this time, right before the summer season actually starts, is the best time of all. It is all before us, yet to come, and at this point summer seems endless.

I just finished a very summery ensemble for my Little Darling, Gina. The print on the fabric depicts fanciful fruits and little white flowers on a perfectly pink background. I thought that the little fruits could pass for cherries or plums. I couldn’t make up my mind which I liked best.

And… the little lace shrug that I knit last week found its dress!

I loved the tiny daisy-like blossoms, so I repeated this shape for Gina’s hair ties and on her ballet slippers. The magenta pearl centers match the magenta colored fruits very nicely too.

I found beads to mimic the magenta and blue bunches of fruit, so I made a little fruit charm for the bracelet.

Another daisy-like motif is found on the necklace and a bit more magenta is added at the waistline with the help of an organza ribbon.

These Effner girls have the cutest little feet and legs that look so adorable in crocheted ballet slippers, so I couldn’t resist adding a pair to this ensemble.