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.

Hello to You!

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Hi there! I hope you are well… and not too stressed if you’ve been in the midst of holiday preparations. It’s a busy time, that is for sure.

I am doing fine. I still have presents to wrap and some still to arrive in the mail, but my shopping is complete. We did a big grocery shop this morning, so the cupboards are far from bare, and all ready for holiday cooking and munching.

Today does not feel wintery and Christmasy at all. It is sunny and in the low 40s. Having grown up in Chicago (Illinois) suburban areas (and and still here) I am used to it being cold for Christmas and somewhat snowy too; many years it is also cloudy. Although I am hoping the sky stays clear as getting a glimpse of the Christmas star tonight is very intriguing to me.

I’ve been making YouTube vlog videos weekly since Advent started. I really enjoy catching clips of video throughout my day. The latest video is from last week. It includes some of what we’ve cooked, sewed, dolls getting dressed, pets looking cute 😉, walks in the neighborhood, and the start of ’12 days of holiday movies’ (something new we’ve begun as a family and are enjoying). Oh, I included (in the description box underneath this YouTube video on my youtube.com page) how to make a new snack–Super Simple Baked French Fries–they are DELICIOUS!!! and rival those fried potatoes at fast food places. For my daughter and I these French fries cure any French fry craving that might arise.

I am going to be making my 10″ Boneka Rose a new ensemble. I found seven fabrics that I like and cannot decide. Which do you like?

Do you have a favorite? I cannot decide. Rose would probably look beautiful in any of them–she’s such a cutie. Her Little Darling sisters are looking forward to Rose joining them all dressed up in something new, so I want to get started soon.

My little Penny (by Linda Macario) has a dress in the works. She loved this girly bow print, so she helped me with the picking out of the fabric. Penny loves how the blue bows match her eyes.

Wishing you a beautiful week ahead. I plan to be back soon to share some holiday moments with you. Thank you so much for visiting with me today! Sending hugs 🤗 and ❤️!

Mid December

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Hello! 🎄 How are you doing? Tomorrow is the 3rd Sunday of Advent… already. Oh my goodness–how these days are flying by!

Today I finished dressing my Little Darlings in their holiday ensembles. They are ready! They have gifts to give, carols to sing, snowflakes to make, and holiday cards to send.

I uploaded a new vlog this evening. I took video throughout the week documenting what I was working on and doing, and I then put it into a little video for you to watch. I hope you enjoy it. I had a very nice and productive week. I think I spent a few days dedicated to dolly craft.

My littlest chihuahua had to go in to have some baby teeth removed on Thursday. I was a very nervous momma, but he came through fine. The poor thing, though–not a good day for him. He was very vocal (squeaky) for hours afterwards.

Alice’s ensemble was made a while ago. I replaced the pink ribbon sash with a light red one and tied a bit of it in her hair. I replaced her pink tights with ivory and made her a holiday craft basket. She is making snowflakes and sending out Christmas cards.

Gina and Lucy are wearing new ensembles. I’m sure you’ve seen these two ensembles in the works many times. They have been much documented in my videos. And Lucy’s ear flap hat was the sample for my latest pattern. The instructions for Lucy’s scarf are in the description box for this video (I show how to change colors in the video–no cutting yarn between stripes). Gina’s Christmas stocking is a free pattern by Little Cotton Rabbits here. I made it 4 stitches narrower however.

Since these ensembles aren’t too holiday-like the girls will be able to wear them into winter–while I make things for my other dolls.

Alice, Gina, Lucy, and I would like to wish you a beautiful third week of Advent. May it be peaceful and filled with happy times and lovely moments.

I’d love to hear how your holiday preparations are coming along!

Sending hugs to you all! 🤗💖

Some of My Favorite Holiday Embroidery

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Over the years I’ve embroidered quite a few holiday sweaters and sweater dresses for my bigger dolls down to the tinies. I thought I’d share some of them with you today.

I’ve embroidered lots of holly and ivy, evergreen boughs, poinsettias, snowflakes, ornaments, and candy canes.

This cardigan was made for the Little Darlings in 2016. I love the addition of beads and how simple and clean looking it is–just like freshly fallen snow.

This tiny dress for Amelia Thimble shows my love of pink poinsettias. The dress is only 2″ long, so this is one tiny poinsettia.

Here’s another two-inch dress for Amelia Thimble. It’s one of the many holly and ivy embroideries I’ve done. I love the mint green greenery on this one.

My Pukipuki who isn’t much larger than Amelia Thimble got this colorful botanically embroidered sweater dress. I love the addition of some bright colors–the fuchsia and yellow gold embroidered bows on the evergreen boughs.

My little sister to the Little Darlings, Boneka Rose, got this cardigan to coordinate with her ‘heart-shaped flowers’ print dress.

Beads and fuzzy yarn help to create this winter wonderland embroidered on Lucy’s capelet, headband ear warmer, and muff.

These colorful ornaments on the evergreen boughs were so much fun to do. I pulled out all my seed and bugle beads and went to town. This is the dress that inspired this embroidery. Oh my, Gracie has her hands full with holiday decorations!

And last but not least here is Amelia Thimble dressed like a Christmas tree. The bullion stitched ornament balls have a loop of gold hanging from the green silk ribbon.

I hope you’v enjoyed this little holiday embroidery picture show.

Have a wonderful week!

Hugs 🤗, Cindy