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.

This Past Week’s Happenings

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Hello! I hope you are doing well and have had a perfect first week of advent. It’s gone by pretty quickly here, but I feel it was a productive one.

I am in the midst of creating my last holiday ensemble for my Little Darlings. All three of them will then be all set. I have all the pieces knit and began sewing the dress yesterday. I am keeping these three ensembles “not too Christmasy”. I’d like for them to be able to wear these through the winter (just in case I don’t get anything else made for them) as my other dolls are wishing for something new too.

I took video clips throughout the week documenting my progress–and also other things I’ve been doing. It’s all in my newest You Tube video. I’d love for you to watch it! ❤️ (It’s only 6:25 minutes.)

I also have the pattern for the striped garter stitch scarf I am making in the video written out. In the video I show how to change colors for the stripes without cutting the yarn between. Only four tails to weave in, and they can be used for the fringe. 😉 The pattern is written out in the video’s description box. I also explain how to adjust for different sized dolls. You know your girl wants one, so happy knitting!

That’s all for now! I’ll be back soon. Take care and stay safe. Thank you sooo much for stopping by. ❤️🎄💚 Hugs, Cindy

Let’s Reminisce–Holiday Ensembles for Millie Through the Years

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My tiny Kaye Wiggs Millie arrived during the 2014 Christmas season. She was, and still is, a special one indeed–a tiny elfin face with the cutest hands I had ever seen. I promptly made her her very first ensemble befitting of her enchanting personality. It was called “Make a Christmas Wish”.

Then for the 2015 Christmas season she got two holiday ensembles. One a little fancier with “Cozy Christmas Color” and the other more comfy casual with, “My Forever Snowman”.

For the first she wore lace tights and a fuzzy mohair/silk cardigan with botanical embroidery. To keep her playful nature, though, she wore a Santa hat atop her carrot mohair bob.

For her second 2015 ensemble Millie wore a beautiful aqua blue sweater dress that came with a perfectly adorned and coordinated snowman. I think “My Forever Snowman” proved to be Millie’s favorite.

In 2016 Millie wore a vintage inspired ensemble, “Toasty Warm Holiday”. It included a vintage looking headband ear warmer and a fuzzy muff. This ensemble was all about fuzzy snowy-looking pieces with vintage flair.

And for Millie’s last holiday ensemble (to date) she wore another ensemble that included a snowman; this time a little needle felted snowman. This ensemble is called “Little Frosty”and is has more of a classic look than the others.

Those are the five ensembles I’ve made for Millie over the years. This last one is hers to keep–snowman and all. I will help her get dressed up in it soon.

Which is your favorite of Millie’s ensembles?

I hope you are enjoying the start of this special time of year. I love this season, however, it goes by so, so fast. This year I am really making an effort to savor each moment of each day in the hopes it might go a little slower.

I am also documenting this season with some video. I have two new holiday decorating videos on You Tube. I’d love for you to watch them if you’d like.

I really appreciate you visiting with me today. I’d love to hear from you too. How are you decorating for the season?

Stay safe and warm my friends.

❤️💚❤️

Let the Holiday Magic Begin

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This year I am SO ready to begin decorating for Christmas. On one hand I absolutely cannot believe it is that time of year, but on the other hand I am ready and excited for it. Are you feeling festive earlier this year? We already have quite a few houses in our neighborhood with their Christmas lights turned on. I think others may be feeling the same as me…???

Way back in August I purchased tickets for the Chicago Botanic Gardens Lightscape event. This event sold out so quickly last year, so I purchased the tickets on the day they went on sale. We picked a random date which happened to be this past Saturday. It was a beautiful evening–just cool enough and dry (rain had been predicted for Saturday earlier in the week). We got lucky because you just never know what the weather will be like on November 21st when it is still mid August. It was a festive start to the season… and so good to be out in society. This event is totally outdoors and everyone stayed far enough apart and wore masks. I felt very safe.

My favorite exhibit was the waterfall made with lights. It originally is the waterfall garden, but they dry it out for the winter. It’s hard to capture the essence on video, but trust me it was amazing!

Other news! I finished a holiday ensemble for Gina. Here are a few pictures.

Gina’s cardigan was knit with my Light Cardigan Little Darling pattern. I used the instructions for the long sleeved version and the longest body length. I added an eyelet lace design on the neckline and hemline. I think it worked better on the hemline; it kind of gets lost on the neckline. It’s probably because I had to add all of the missed increases right after the lace pattern. I also added a lace motif on each sleeve which I like.

Gina’s ear flap hat was the sample I made for my newest pattern. I ended up changing the pom pom from pink to red because it needed a little red to coordinate with the rest of the ensemble.

The Christmas stocking was knit with a free pattern from Little Cotton Rabbits. I made the leg 4 stitches narrower, but otherwise followed the pattern as written. It was quick but fiddly. I am not keen on executing a p2tog tbl. I think it only needed to be made a few times, but I found it very difficult and put me off of the whole pattern. I wonder if a regular p2tog would work…

I published a YouTube video from my past week’s work or so. While I worked on this ensemble I took video here and there. It’s not a tutorial–just a virtual visit with me while I create it. Please join me.