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.
Look what’s blooming in my winter garden! It’s Alisha in her new ensemble. Doesn’t she look sweet? I love these colors on her, rosy mauves and sage/mint green.
I dyed the merino wool for her cardigan in a pale cool mauve. I love the snug 3/4 length sleeves on her–they highlight her graceful arms and hands. Fluttery rosebuds are embroidered on the cardigan. (I started embroidering with fully opened roses and it was too heavy looking.)
I have a new studio vlog video on YouTube. If you like you can watch and see what else I’ve been up to these past days in February.
Wishing you, my friends, a ‘love-ly’ Valentine’s Day weekend! I appreciate all of you! Thank you for reading my blog and watching my videos. 💖
Happy Sunday to you all! How are you? It is SO COLD!!! here in northern Illinois! Our wind chill right now is -20°F (-28°C). Is anyone else this cold, or colder? I am very thankful for my cozy and warm home. 🥰
I mentioned in my last post that I had completed Rose’s ensemble. She is so thrilled with how it turned out! After being neglected for so long Rose is one happy little girl, and has forgiven me. She’s such an angel.
Rose arrived in December of 2017. I made a couple of holiday ensembles that she happily modeled for other little girls to wear, then she went into hibernation. Until now that is! And this one she is keeping for herself. I hope to give her another very soon.
Rose’s dress is made with the fabric that you all voted on. Do you remember? Here is that blog post in case you missed it. This dress really does look sweet on her, and it’s extra special because you all helped with the creation of it. Even if you picked something else–that’s okay, too–you all helped! Thank you! Secretly, I liked all the fabric equally.
Rose is a 10″ Boneka vinyl doll who was sculpted by Dianna Effner. The good news is that these dolls are in stock and available at Happily Ever After, or at Boneka directly. You can change their wigs to give them a different look too. Rose is a Tuesday’s Child. I think they make cute little sisters to the Little Darlings.
Oh, I think I forgot to mention I published a new video on YouTube. It shows my progress on this ensemble and on Didi’s cardigan.
I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. Stay warm… or cool, if you are south. Bye for now, my friends. 🤗💕
Hi there. I hope this post finds you happy and well. I am writing to you from snow covered northern Illinois. We had two storms in the last 1-2 weeks which each dumped 8-9 inches on us, so it is a bit deep out there. My little dogs have a circular area which we shoveled for them and the wall of snow surrounding it is quite high. It is funny to see them in their snow arena. Yes, winter is finally here!
In the last few days I wrapped up two projects: Didi’s cardigan and Rose’s ensemble.
Didi’s cardigan is complete and on its way to Linda Macario. Before I sent it out I took some photos of Bethany wearing it since she is the same size as Didi. I pinned the fabric swatches together to make a skirt so that you can see how the cardigan will look with the dress. Here’s a link to Didi wearing the dress–photos 8 and 10 show the dress.
I am so happy with how it turned out. I hope Didi likes her first sweater. 😉
I’ll save Rose’s new ensemble for my next post. Enjoy your day today! 🤗 to you, my friends.
Cindy Rice Designs 