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.

Talyssa’s Got Something New

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And, here she is to show you her new summertime ensemble! I hope you like it.

I have to share with you the name of the collection this print came from; it is called Marmalade by Bonnie and Camille. Isn’t that the cutest name? So, yes, I was thinking of yummy marmalade quite often throughout the making of this ensemble.

I knit Talyssa’s cardigan in natural colored cotton/Modal yarn, so I could use all of the beautiful color in the fabric for the embroidery. Bullion stitched petaled flowers in three shades of coral, colonial knot golden centers, tiny opalescent seed beads, and kiwi green bullion stitched leaves create the artwork for the sweater; mother-of-pearl beads make the perfect buttons.

I used natural colored fine bamboo thread to crochet Talyssa’s cap. Unfortunately I didn’t have crochet cotton that matched or coordinated with the embroidery thread, so I tried something new and crocheted the flower decoration using the actual embroidery thread. It worked beautifully and gave the flower a pretty sheen. I am so happy that it worked.

My one and only skein of kiwi green bamboo thread was the perfect color to crochet Talyssa her very own drawstring purse. (I talked about the demise of my favorite bamboo thread here.) Her purse opens up, so she can add her little treasures. Hanging from the bottom of the purse is a little hand made beaded tassel.

For more information on Talyssa’s “Floral-ly Fun” ensemble, please visit my “Available for Sale” page at cindyricedesigns.com.

“Rosy Soft Spring” for the Little Darlings and My Lilacs

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This new ensemble that I just completed for the Little Darlings was meant to go with this lace shrug that I started last week. Here it is in progess.

And here it is finished. I love it so much. Lace knitting takes a lot of concentration, but the stitches are so pretty. I couldn’t wait to get a dress made to show off this brand new shrug.

Are you wondering why Gina isn’t wearing the shrug with her new dress???

I picked out a simple fabric and spent time embroidering a motif on the bodice and skirt, but when put together I found that the pure white shrug did not go with this fabric that has an off white ground.

Back to the drawing board or knitting needles. *Sigh*.

I reworked my cardigan pattern to make it into a wide open bolero style sweater so that the embroidered bodice would still be front and center and Gina’s shoulders would stay cozy.

Gina always looks pretty in pink.

So, now I will have to find something else to go with the white lace shrug. I have something in mind. I hope it works out this time.

Our second variety of lilacs are finally in bloom. They can be seen from our family room window. These blossoms are very pale lilac in color and the sprays are quite miniature.

However, their scent is not miniature! They perfumed my sewing room all week long. Aren’t they pretty? I finally discovered the way to make cut lilacs last for days in a vase. Here’s what worked for me: shave off the bark that will be in water. (I used a steak knife on these thin stems.) I put very hot tap water in the vase and as soon as the bark was removed I put the stem in the water. I don’t know how many years I have been trying to get lilacs to stay fresh in a vase. I think I tried everything from hammering the stems to recutting the stems under running water, nothing worked except this…finally.

I hope you all had a great week!

For more information on Gina’s “Rosy Soft Spring” ensemble visit my “Available for Sale” page on cindyricedesigns.com .

A Little Bit of “Vintage Flair”

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Patience has a cozy and sweet ensemble to show you today. It is made with a fabric that I HAD to order when I saw it. (Once in a while I find a fabric that I love this much.) Everything about it appealed to me from the way it reminded me of a Liberty of London print with a 1970s vibe to the beautiful pink and blue colors in my favorite shades.

I incorporated the print into a band for the crocheted hat.

I loved embroidering this sweater as I got to use yummy colors.

After Patience and I were finished with the photo shoot Izzy wanted to pose for a couple of pictures with her twin big sis. They are both Wilde Imagination’s girls and they both have long red hair. Aren’t they cute together?