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.

Puki’s Playtime

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My little Pukipuki and I had a playful and fun photo shoot this week. I love working with this little one. She has never had a tantrum and takes direction very well. Of course, she was all smiles when I brought out the teddy bears and the huggable pillow puppy. And…she always loves sitting on the little twig bench that I bought for the fairies who visit our garden.

Bye for now! Love, Sugar! ❤

For more information on Sugar’s “Puki’s Playtime” set please visit my “Available for Sale” page at cindyricedesigns.com .

Jeanne is a Sweetie

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No, I am not writing about a doll today, but a real live person. I am talking about Jeanne from the blog I Dream of Jeanne Marie. Today she has featured me as a guest blogger. It’s a first for me and very exciting! Thanks so much, Jeanne!

Jeanne is a fellow blogger, doll clothes creator, and I consider her an online friend. We both reside in Illinois, but at opposite ends—Jeanne lives in southwestern Illinois and I live in northeastern Illinois. I visit her blog daily. Yes, she blogs every day, amazing, I know. Jeanne writes not only about her dolls and what she makes for them, but lots more interesting life happenings.

Visiting Jeanne’s blog is a great way to start the day. I encourage you to click on the link above to visit her blog, maybe become a follower, and add a comment now and then. Jeanne’s comments to her readers’ comments are always so positive and friendly that I will even go back later in the day to read those.

So, go ahead and pop on over to visit Jeanne’s blog. Here is the link again.

This Past Week In & Out

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I managed to capture a few highlights of the week in my studio and outside the house.

Spring is progressing quite nicely here in northern Illinois. For the most part the trees are looking leafy green now except for a couple of varieties. Just today our honeysuckle bushes have started blooming. I brought a few branches in the house; their scent is heavenly.

Our lilac bush which has deep red violet blossoms is just starting to bloom as well, but the lilac bushes that we have around the house still have the tiniest beginnings of flower buds on their branches.

The forget-me-nots self sow every year. During the week I picked a few sprigs of phlox and forget-me-nots to put in a tiny vase in the house and they are still looking fresh.

One of the fabrics that I had in my online shopping cart was almost sold out, so I finally placed an order for more, yes more, fabric. Also, Knit Picks was offering a free skein of Lindy Chain and I had been wanting to try it, so I placed an order for yarn too. It’s always a bit like Christmas when a box of yummy supplies is delivered, and this week I had two of them.

I’ve no idea yet what the above panel will be for. I will probably (someday) use it for a quilt throw. It was too cute to pass up.

Lindy Chain is a pima cotton/linen blend yarn. Instead of the plies of yarn being twisted they are chained together. It is a very interesting yarn, but the reviews I read a while back made it sound like it would be hard to work with especially if you need to rip back. Has anyone tried knitting with this yarn?

I also just received my first skein of Diadem. It is so, so, so soft and silky! The fiber content is baby alpaca and mulberry silk, and it is a single ply yarn which I have never tried, so I have another “something new” to work with.