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.

My Fall Colors

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Hello and a happy new week to you. It was kind of a ~~dreary~~ cozy weekend here in northern Illinois. However, yesterday was dry and the sun came out a few times for about a minute each, enjoyed those brief glimpses. Being that it wasn’t too cold, my husband and I went for a walk in one of the nearby forest preserves. The one we visited yesterday is my favorite; I feel like I am in a fairy tale when I am here.

We don’t get a ton of fall color, even less this year, but the colors we saw yesterday were quite beautiful. I didn’t anticipate taking photos, but I had my phone with me, so I can share some of the magic with you.

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Instead of the golden arches these are tree arches.

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Make a wish–wishbone tree trunks.

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Aspen trees, says my husband. I thought these were birch trees. I didn’t know aspens grew here. Anyway, the shade of white caught my eye as it stood out from everything else.

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I didn’t realize that oak tree leaves can turn anything but brown. Now I know they can be beautiful reds and oranges.

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I think fairies must live in this old oak tree. I may, or may not, have caught a glimpse of one. 🙂

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Whenever I see mushrooms, I must go and check them out; I find them very intriguing.

All in all, it was a good Sunday. I learned a couple of new things and spent some time out in nature, which is always rejuvenating.

Today, it feels like winter, but the sun was shining practically all day long. I spent about four hours photographing doll ensembles today. Now, I will enjoy a cup of tea while I start to edit them.

I hope you’ve had a good day!

❤

Holiday Spirit in My Studio

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Happy weekend to you all! This morning I awoke to rain pelting the windows very early this morning. It was a comforting and cozy way to wake up, although hard to get out of bed.

After getting the kettle going on the stove for coffee, I took a peek outside the front door. Sweet Morris, one of the two feral cats that we feed, was snuggled up close to the front door. We have a deep porch that normally keeps off the rain, but this morning there was only enough dry area for him on the welcome mat. Poor thing! I felt so bad for him, and promptly gave him his breakfast.

Miss Feral, the most feral tabby I’ve ever met, hasn’t been around yet. Being a smaller cat, she has a special place that she squeezes under in inclement weather. I’ve never been able to figure out where she goes. There is a tell tale sign on her back where her fur gets trimmed off; she goes somewhere.

My studio is looking mighty festive. Five of my girls are dressed in their holiday finery, and another one is almost ready. I’ve brought out a few decorations too. We don’t decorate the house for Christmas until after Thanksgiving, but getting my studio ready helps me get in the spirit for making Christmas/holiday ensemble.

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This is the “sweets” tree as everything on it has to do with yumminess. I usually put it on the hearth, but decided it would be perfect in my studio, for now anyway.

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Little stuffies in Santa’s sleigh.

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Teeny tiny things, many are vintage dime store ornaments from my mom and grandma, decorate this Boyds Bears potting bench.

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I hung up one of my two poinsettia botanical bouquets in my studio. This framed piece was part of my very last published pattern; I cross stitched it about 15 years ago. I remember trying to get all of the nuances in color when designing the poinsettia for this chart. I also wanted to get as many types of holiday greenery in the bouquet as possible. The metallic gold/silver balls were a fun addition, but a challenge to work. I’m not sure I like working with metallic thread.

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Kish Tulah is wearing something holiday-ish I made years ago. Can you tell she is a dog lover?

And, here are my girls. Aren’ they cute?

Lucy, Alice, Gina, Rose, and Millie eagerly await picture day. Patience is still in the dressing room, but she’ll be wearing something new too.

Here is a close up of Millie’s snowman. Rose’s is almost identical but with different colors. Patience will also have a snowman.

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That’s all for today. I wish you all a fabulous early November weekend. Enjoy these next few weeks before the hectic holiday season starts up.

❤

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Wet Outside, Cozy and Warm Inside

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Since Sunday, here in northern Illinois, we are “enjoying” a different weather experience. After a week of glorious sunshine and temps, it’s been quite cool and wet. However, there is a silver lining. It’s the perfect kind of weather to start up a fire in the fireplace, make some homemade soup, and craft with wool.

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On Sunday I made a pot of vegetable soup. I used what I had on hand: white beans, yellow split peas, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, zucchini, onions, garlic, and thyme. It all went into my soup pot with vegetable bouillon, water, and some salt. One and a half hours later we had yummy soup which will last us for a few days.

I topped my bowl of soup with plain whole milk Greek yogurt, my favorite “sour cream”, and parmesan cheese. In case you’re wondering, it was very good. 🙂

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I started building my snow people yesterday evening. I stuck with it, and ended up with a dozen of them! I can’t wait to bring them all to life.

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My favorite place to work on days (or nights) like this is right in front of the fireplace. The little table that my Mom had in her house is the perfect height for working. I will also put my June Taylor Cushioned Quilter’s Square ‘n Blocker board on it when I am embroidering or hand sewing; it’s rigid and creates its own table top.

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