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.

“Around the Corner are Roses”

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Our warmer than normal temperatures have gotten me thinking of spring already. And I’m afraid it’s affected what I feel like creating. I am so sorry to all of you winter lovers out there. I don’t know if I’ll be able to get back to winter things; I have spring fever early this year!

On Wednesday we did get a light dusting of wintry snow, but I must admit that when I took the dog out Thursday morning there was that springlike smell in the air—the smell that comes with an April snowfall, not one that happens in January. I am not the only one fooled—my crocuses have started popping up already.

My Little Darling, Alice, is feeling the fever too. We both know that roses growing in the garden are indeed just around the corner. Meanwhile we’d like you to enjoy the roses from my studio.

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“Around the Corner are Roses” will be available tonight (January 27, 2017) at 7:00 pm CST, cindyricedesigns.com.

A New Knitting Pattern

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Hi all. I hope this new week is starting out great for you. Sorry it took me so long to get this pattern published, but it’s ready for your knitting pleasure now!

This pattern is the first for Patsy and Ann Estelle. It is a light weight cropped cardigan knit with lace yarn. I used Knit Picks Aloft, a mohair/silk blend. The stitches are tiny, but the fuzziness of the yarn hides stitch imperfections. I actually enjoy knitting with lace yarn over heavier yarn. It creates less hand strain because it is so light weight, but yes, it is harder to see.

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You can see more photos featuring this cardigan in “Blossoms for my Love-ly”. You can view information and purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

Thanks for stopping by tonight. Wishing you all a great week! ❤

Worth Waiting For

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I’m shouting this from the rooftops, “The sun is out today!” After 6 straight days of fog and gloom, we’ve got a beauty. And the icing on the cake is that it’s 55°F (13°C), but I must say it feels like 70°F (21°C). Woo hoo! Where I live, these days are a rare occurrence in January. I hope you are enjoying beautiful weather today as well.

I couldn’t let today go by without a few photos. Notice the harsh shadows, so very sunny.

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And the blue sky!

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Our grass is still quite green for January. It feels like spring is right around the corner. Ha!

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I almost have Patsy’s “Light Cardigan” knitting pattern ready to be published. The sample I knit up for the pattern was part of my “Blossoms for my Love-ly” ensemble. There will be a short sleeve option in the instructions as well.

I’ve just begun a “Light Cardigan” pattern for the Little Darlings too. This one will have three length options with shaping for a nice a-line shape that flows along the body. I’ll also have three sleeve length options in the instructions, so a total of 9 different possibilities will be available with this pattern.

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