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.

Happy Thanksgiving

3 Replies

A happy Thanksgiving to one and all. Wishing you all a peaceful holiday filled with love, family, friends, and of course, lots of good food.

Looking through my photo archives I found this picture from 2005. Riley (by Helen Kish) is very thankful for a long list of things. Let’s let her remind us of all we are thankful for too.

Patience and Izzy are Getting in the Spirit of the Season

9 Replies

Patience & Izzy (both dolls are from Wilde Imagination, Izzy is Amelia Thimble’s friend) are starting to feel the holiday spirit. Well, who couldn’t feel the spirit dressed in such festive ensembles?

Izzy arrived last week and immediately fit into the family. She feels so special to share Patience’s hair color and style. Izzy says they are like real sisters. Now to keep Amelia from getting jealous…

We even had a little snow yesterday for the photo shoot.

I took these photos through one of our tall windows which is right next to the fireplace so even though it looks so cold outside we are warm inside with a fire going.

For more information on these one-of-a-kind outfits, please visit cindyricedesigns.com

Some New Things for Amelia Thimble

4 Replies

Lately I have been very busy knitting and embroidering for tiny Amelia Thimble. She has had quite a busy year modeling for me. Too busy, in fact. Poor Amelia is quite exhausted. I had to do something for her. Last week I hired another model, Izzy, to help out Amelia. Soon you will see Izzy modeling my little dresses too. Not only is Amelia happy to have help with modeling, she is thrilled to have a new friend who is just like her.