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 New Year

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Happy 2021 from snowy northern Illinois! I want to wish you the best for the year ahead. We all need a great year and I hope that this one is it. I’m sending positive and happy thoughts out into the universe.

Today we are enjoying a beautiful snowfall. Our first real snow had happened during the week, but it was at night, so we couldn’t enjoy the beauty. This one is all day long and I am loving it. It’s cozy and warm inside.

I just blocked Penny’s cardigan, and since I finished it in our dim living room while watching a movie, I was a little surprised when I started flattening it out for blocking. Do you see what I see? The yarn pooled in an unattractive way on the front. I am disappointed, but I decided to block it before chucking it. Maybe I can use it to my advantage with different colored embroidery, although I am not betting on this; it’s really strange looking. I’ve already picked out another color of yarn.

This week has been a relaxing time between Christmas and New Year’s. Chrimbo Limbo is what I recently heard it being called. Have you ever heard it called that?

I put together a short video of what I’ve been up to this week, Chrimbo limbo. Hint, lots of baking and cooking and not much working.

I wish you all a great 2021. May it be as ‘back to normal’ as it possibly can. Hugs to you.🤗

After Christmas Greetings to You

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Hello to you! Today is Sunday–it sort of feels like it’s the last day of a four-day holiday. I hope your holiday was a wonderful one. We had a very nice, busy yet relaxing day. We did a lot of cooking (and eating), participated in Zoom get togethers, attended online Christmas mass, and then of course there was present opening.

During the festivities I took a bit of video and made a Christmastime vlog for you to watch.

I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing week ahead. Enjoy!

Sending 🤗 and ❤️!

Merry Christmas Eve!

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Hello! I hope you’ve had a cozy day today. We’ve had a few (very few) snow flurries today; they were beautiful.

It is sooo cold here. My husband and I braved the 1°F windchill and walked a couple of miles in the neighborhood. With 2 pairs of gloves and 2 pairs of socks my extremities stayed toasty warm. I couldn’t believe they did with how cold it was. BTW, yesterday was 53°F!

I made a short vlog from the last four days–the fourth week of Advent. It’s up on YouTube now. In the vlog I spend some time in my sewing room, go through a drive-thru light show, show the continuation of 12 days of holiday movies–also share some pics of my holiday decorations. I hope you enjoy it.

I finished machine sewing Penny’s dress yesterday. (I still need to complete the hand sewing) I love it; it’s so sweet and girly. I show more footage of me making this in my vlogs.