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.

Evianna is “Beautiful in Blue”

Hello there! It’s a new weekend…already. They come around so quickly for me. Some of you might have the opposite experience, but for me the weeks fly by. It seems winter is over here in northern Illinois…maybe…I hope. I visited the Chicago Botanic Gardens yesterday and the tulips are in full bloom as are the daffodils, trees, and other early bloomers.

Here are a few photos from yesterday.

Would you like to see Evianna in her new ‘blue’ ensemble? Blue is so pretty on her–it matches her eyes. 💙

I had two different wigs on her for this photograph shoot–the long blonde one she arrived in, and a Kemper mohair bob. Each wig really changes her look, doesn’t it? Do you have a preference?

Evianna’s dress is in a delicate cotton floral by Robert Kaufman and completely lined in white cotton lawn. A scalloped border of cotton English Cluny lace embellishes the hemline and an ivory rayon ribbon ties around the waist.

Evianna’s cardigan is knit with mohair/silk lace weight yarn (Knit Picks Aloft). I embroidered three motifs in different blues to coordinate with the dress. I have been enjoying embroidering asymmetrical motifs lately. I find it more interesting to look at, and more enjoyable to execute. Awhile ago I found button beads at a bead store; I purchased them in the crystal AB color. They work perfectly for my tiny sweaters. Unfortunately, I only have this one color though.

Evianna’s wide brimmed hat is crocheted with three strands of cotton thread–two in white and one in blue. The three mixed together make a very pale aqua blue. I edged the brim with one strand of white in a scalloped pattern. Rayon ribbon dyed to coordinate, a crocheted rose in mohair/silk, and wool felt leaves decorate Evianna’s bonnet.

Cotton knit tights, a bouquet, and bracelet complete Evianna’s new spring look.

Evianna and I would both like to wish you a wonderful weekend filled with the kind of days that you most love. Sending you hugs from the studio.🤗 Take care, my friends.

“Rose Gardens and Green”

Hello, how are you? Spring busted out all over this past week. We went from winter to summer in no time. This past week was that hot! 🌞 After one week the summery weather is through for awhile though. It’s getting cold again, and soon the rain will become snowflakes. It’s so hard to adjust…

Regardless of the temperature variations, everything is greening up, including Lucy’s new cardigan. I am really loving green lately–such a fresh and down-to-earth color.

Here is Lucy’s sweater that I embroidered with pink roses.

And, here is Lucy wearing it with her new spring dress and accessories.

Lucy is my Little Darling, sculpt #3, painted by Helen Skinner. This happy girl reminds me of the smiling Ruby Red Fashion Friends that Dianna Effner sculpted. They never fail to make me feel a bit happier.

I hope you’ve had a wonderful weekend! Wishing you a great week ahead, my friends. Hopefully, your weather will be better than ours. 🤗

“Ready for Roses” Available Tonight

Hello. Thank you for your patience while I build up my own dollies’ wardrobes. They finally have a few things each to wear, or most of them do. So, I’d like to share one recently made ensemble with you… if you care to own it for your doll’s wardrobe, that is.

“Ready for Roses” will be available for sale tonight at 7:00pm CST. The tab at the top of this site that reads Available Outfits will be updated with detailed information and the price. The first contact form/email I receive at 7:00pm or later will have the opportunity to purchase this ensemble. I accept PayPal and will send an invoice.

I ship to the United States only, due to high shipping prices and risk. My ensembles take me many days of work to complete and cannot be easily and quickly reproduced if loss or damage were to occur. (Some cannot be reproduced due to one-of-a-kind elements.)

I do get attached to my work as I put my heart and soul into the creation of each of them, which makes them more precious to me. However, I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Thank you for your understanding. I appreciate it so much. If I could, I would love to include everyone.

Meanwhile, more photos are on the original blog post here.