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.

“Beauty and Blossoms”

At long last, I can say “Spring is here!”, and see that it is true here in northern Illinois.  The trees are starting to look plush and green, rather than spindly and grey.  Our lilac bushes have tiny cone-shaped growths that are getting larger by the day.  The phlox is starting to bloom and turn the garden into a lilac colored carpet, so pretty.

I don’t think I ever see as many shades of purple in gardens as I see in the spring garden.

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Gracie, my Kaye Wiggs MSD sized BJD, is appropriately attired for early spring.  Her dress is made from a light weight Japanese cotton floral print that depicts the purple hues of spring gardens so perfectly.

Her dress features a plethora of violet shaded blossoms:  dark blue violet, red violet, lilac, light red violet, cool pink.

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A band of luxurious Swiss cotton lace that I hand dyed to a very light ecru adorns the dress’s skirt.  It is snugged up underneath a deep tuck near the hemline.

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Gracie’s crocheted hat is decorated with a band made from the dress fabric and crocheted blossoms in three purple shades.  The lariat styled necklace is also crocheted.  The beads in purple, pink, and white are crocheted into the necklace; tassels decorate the ends.

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Gracie’s shoulders are kept warm with a hand knit lace shrug made with a coordinating color of wool.

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For Gracie’s bracelet, I used six different colored blossoms and arranged them in a gradated pattern.  Gracie has picked a colorful bouquet to accompany her spring ensemble.

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“Beauty and Blossoms” will be available tonight (April 18, 2017) at 7:00 pm CST, cindyricedesigns.com.

I’d love to hear about the colors in your gardens!

“Feelin’ Fancy”

I introduced you to Miss Fancy Mouse on Friday here.  Gina is here now, too, to show you the completed ensemble.  Aren’t they a fancy pair?

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Gina’s dress is made with a cotton rose bouquet print in the most beautiful shade of lavender.  I describe is as a pinky purply medium shade of yumminess!  The lace shrug is knit with a slightly neutral lavender wool yarn that really makes this print look even prettier, if that’s possible.  I brought out the bright pink color in the roses with ribbon and the heart charm.  The deeper rose color is brought out with the crocheted raspberry rose and tassel.  The color of the shrug is also used for the 5-petaled flower, purse ties, and tassel.  White accents offer a splash of crispness.

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English cotton Cluny lace is set into the skirt so that the lining subtlety peeks through, and makes the lace band appear just a little lighter.

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Gina’s lace shrug keeps her shoulder warm on these spring days.

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Gina wanted to show you Miss Fancy Mouse’s long tail and bow, so I quickly took a photo of Miss Fancy Mouse’s backside.

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Here she is all tucked into her carrier.  She is a cozy mouse indeed.

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“Feelin’ Fancy” will be available tonight (April 9, 2107) at 7:00 pm CST, cindyricedesigns.com