Author Archives: Cindy Rice

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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.

Early Light

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Good morning friends!  While I made my coffee on this ‘still dark’ morning it was cozy inside with Christmas lights  and candles flickering in every room–such a magical time of year.  I thought I’d share some of my cozy Christmas-y places with you this morning.

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We’ve decided to definitely forgo the real tree this year.  Our 2019 Christmas tree is this 4′ tree set atop our vintage drum table.  (This drum table originally belonged to my grandfather’s sister, then to my mother, then we recently inherited it.  I love it and treasure it!)  I added some of my favorite ornaments to the tree on Sunday; it is festive  and feels ‘just fine’ to me.

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I’ve shown you our dining room before, but in the morning it is extra inviting.  The dining room set is from my parents.  I couldn’t bear to have it sold, so I asked for it when they wanted to get rid of it.  When I was young it was in its natural wood state.  This set is only slightly older than I am, and has been in my possession since my daughter was a preschooler.

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In the kitchen we have this tiny tree all lit up with lights around the bay window.  We actually leave the lights around the bay window up all year.

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And outside the window above the kitchen sink is this little tree all aglow on the back deck.

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My sister-in-law brought this cranberry salsa to Thanksgiving dinner.  It was really good and fresh tasting.  I wanted to share it with you.  I’m hoping to make it for our Christmas dinner this year.

Cranberry Salsa

1 lb. cranberries (or 2-12oz. bags of fresh), fresh or frozen (thawed)

1/2 c. or 1 c. sugar (the recipe calls for 1, but my sil used 1/2)

2 t. grated orange zest

3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, and diced

3 oranges, peeled, and diced

2-4 Serrano chiles, stemmed and diced, with seeds, optional

1 bunch cilantro, chopped

1 bunch scallions, white and light green parts, chopped

Chop up the cranberries, if desired.  Mix together all ingredients.  Enjoy!

Not much new going on with dolly ensembles right now.  I still have something for Gracie in the works, but am not sure it will get completed this year.  We’ll see…, but most likely not. 😦  Poor Gracie!

Have a beautiful Wednesday! ❤  Just realized–this is the last Wednesday before Christmas!!!

It’s Festive and Getting Festiv-er

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Hello my friends!  How are you?  I hope you you are well–and calm–and enjoying the holiday season.  My intention this year is to live in the moment and enjoy each and every day leading up to Christmas.  So far so good.

Yesterday I went shopping and didn’t leave my little town.  I usually drive for 20 minutes or more to go shopping.  This was mere minutes to each destination.  It was kind of fun.  I went to the local health food store to pick up healthy chocolates (if there is such a thing!) for gifting.  Next, I stopped at a gift store and found a couple of cute ornaments to slide in a box with Christmas cards.  It was a little busy in the shop which made it feel warm and festive.  I needed a card so I went to Walgreens instead of driving 25 minutes to the Hallmark store.  Then I meandered through an antique mall… and purchased brand new wreath hangers.  Silly, I know, but it’s all I found that I ‘needed’.  Last, but not least, I stopped at the florist for a beautiful poinsettia and a bouquet of carnations.  I also picked up a few tiny charms and more ornaments.  By then it was almost 5:00 and closing time for most local shops, so I came home.  It was a very satisfying afternoon.

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We haven’t gotten out to get our real tree yet.  My daughter and I would be fine with this small artificial one, but my husband wants a large (and real) tree.  Hopefully, this weekend we will get out to the tree farm.  My back is ‘better enough’ to walk around the tree lot.  I am very thankful for that.  Our small artificial tree still needs ornaments, but it is decked out with the prettiest red, green, and white fairy lights.  Looking at this photo it does look a little sad, but in real life is fine…especially once there are ornaments on it.

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The Snow Village set up in the family room is hosting my Pukipuki Sugar.  She loves it here.  It is like a play village for her.

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What have you been up to?  I’d love to hear your holiday season news!  Please share (if you’d like).

Sending you a holiday hug! ❤

It’s the Christmas Season!

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Hello from yet another dreary day in northern Illinois.  Although it is not too cold and NO SNOW!–only frosty rooftops this morning.  (I will not complain.)  So many of you have LOTS of SNOW and COLD!  Anyway… it is cozy and warm inside.

Christmas is fast approaching!  Because we were out of town on our usual tree farm day (day after Thanksgiving), we don’t have our tree yet!  We did get our Snow Village put up this year though.  We (my dear husband) divided the houses up between the dining room and family room.  This way we can enjoy them in two different areas of the house.

Here are some pics from the dining room display.  Two houses, a church, the flower shop, and ice rink are set up on the buffet cabinet across from the dining table.  While in the living room we can look over and enjoy them.

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I set up my camera on a tripod for the following pics.  It was quite dark, so the exposures were long.  The images came out cozy and dreamy, love that.

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Two of my Little Darling ensembles are on their way to dress two Little Darling girls in new finery for the 2019 holiday.  I enjoyed packing them up and tying the parcels with coordinating yarn.

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My two Little Darlings, Alice and Gina, are still dressed in their holiday ensembles in my sewing room.  If you are shopping for something new they are still available.  Alice and Gina wouldn’t mind sharing 🙂 .  Look for the specifics for these ensembles under the ‘Available’ tab above.

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Not sure what I am doing today.  Definitely no traipsing through a tree farm.  My back has been giving me a little trouble, so I just want to sit the day away as sitting is pain free and walking isn’t.  Back pain is a bother.  *ugh*

What are you doing today?  Any Christmas prep going on by you?

❤