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.

Roses First Bloom

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When I had a rose garden the first bloom cycle in the spring was the most abundant and beautiful. It seemed like every rose bush was in bloom at the same time. This year I would love to catch this first bloom at one (or all) of the rose garden I often visit. I’ll admit that right now with snow on the ground and frigid air whipping up the snow outside roses blooming in a garden seem like a very distant happening.

It is so rewarding that I can make roses bloom in my studio whenever I wish. This past week I made Kaye Wiggs Millie this very rosy ensemble. Not only is Millie a smaller BJD she is also petite so this small rose print worked perfectly for her. Her cardigan is wooly and warm, but is also colorful, and sure to brighten up your world.

For more information on “Springtime Brings Roses” please visit my “Available for Sale” page on cindyricedesigns.com .

Blue Roses for a Blue Lady

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For some reason the words to the song “Red Roses for a Blue Lady” kept going through my mind as I worked on this ensemble; only I had the title wrong. I thought it was “Blue Roses for a Blue Lady”. Funny, huh?

I wasn’t even born when this song was first released in 1948, and when it became popular again in 1965, I was very young. I do remember hearing it, although, I have no idea who the vocalist was when it was being played on the radio. For some reason, the song’s melody and the (wrong) words have stuck with me all these years.

Although blue roses are not found in nature, they would be so beautiful if they were. In 2004, a white rose was genetically engineered to make a blue rose, but it is more of a mauve color than a blue color. Roses that look like blue roses are actually made by dyeing white roses.

My Little Darling Gina loves her new spring ensemble featuring a print of sky blue roses. Yes, they don’t exist in nature, but who cares. This fabric print is so adorable in blue. I know my grandmother had pillowcases with blue roses. I might even have a couple of her’s in my linen closet.

There was just a hint of red violet in this print to pick it out and add some extra color to this springtime ensemble for the Little Darlings.

I found this tiny glass bunny bead that has a red violet nose in my drawer of charms. I thought that it’s the perfect finishing touch to Gina’s new ensemble.

After I wrote this post, I went looking to see if I indeed had a blue rose pillowcase from Grandma. Look what I found!

For more information on “Blue Roses for a Sweet Li’l Lady”, please visit the “Available for Sale” page on cindyricedesigns.com .

Busy-ness in the Studio

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Yesterday was a typically busy day in my studio. The pretty snowfall prompted me to start taking a few pictures and I found myself picking up my camera on and off all day long. Thought I’d share with you a few pictures from my day yesterday.

The early morning snowfall didn’t amount to anything, but was it was so peaceful to watch the snow float down to the ground.

Later on the sun came out and cast some shadows onto my newly knitted Little Darling sweater drying on the blocking board.

I finished up a little dress for Kaye Wiggs Millie and enjoyed a mid morning “cappuccino” in one of my favorite mugs.

Another sweater made it to my blocking board today.

My cluttered desk got cleaned up in the evening.

I had a most productive and typical day yesterday. Today, I plan on embroidering sweaters, or starting to anyway. I don’t think they will get finished today, but I will try.

Wishing you all a productive day!