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.

On a beautiful spring day it is hard to resist Mother Nature. She beckons to us with her warm sun, gentle breezes, and surprises blooming outside. It was a day like this for us in northern Illinois on Friday. As much as I wanted to stay inside and work, work, work, I couldn’t resist. I had a lovely walk soaking up the warm sun and discovering all of the new things growing outside.

Patience loves to get outside on a spring day too. I took her picture in front of our pink magnolia tree that is in bloom. I didn’t plan it, but the ensemble that I just completed for her was perfect for photos.

For more information on Patience’s “A Stroll in the Garden” ensemble please visit my “Available for Sale” page on cindyricedesigns.com .

Here are a couple of shots from inside my studio this past week. My desk photo shows my two projects that I had going on towards the end of the week. Patience’s outfit is finished, but I am still knitting the dress for the Little Darlings; lots of stitches in this one. Amelia Thimble and Izzy have been hanging out with Bella (my Bo Bergemann Dream Doll). She is happy to have the little ones to keep her company.

This weather this past week in northern Illinois was quite perfect. Some days were a bit warmer than others, but all were sunny! Since yesterday felt like summer I had to get out for a nice long walk. I brought along my iPhone to capture spring’s progress out and about.

This weeping willow looked so pretty with its yellow green buds against the blue sky. I found clumps of squill growing along the side of the road; they’re so tiny and blue.

These are our daffodils in full bloom.

Our largest magnolia tree looks snowy when in bloom.

I love our pink magnolia tree, the blossom’s colors are gorgeous. Today I finished Patience’s outfit and thought the tree would be the perfect backdrop for a couple of photos.