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.

Do you believe the Christmas season is upon us? Seriously, I can’t believe it! November flew by at 100 mph. I think I am going to have to accept that I will only get a fraction of the holiday ensembles completed that I had wanted to. There simply won’t be enough time, even if I worked around the clock. So . . . that’s the way it will play out this year.

I do have something to show you right now though! 🙂

It is an ensemble for the Little Darlings. I finished this one about a week ago, but wanted to wait until we got our Christmas tree, so I could use it as a back drop. In front of the tree is one of my favorite places for taking photos. There’s something magical about the sparkly lights and ornaments.

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This is another Japanese cotton print that was impossible for me to resist—all those toys, candy canes, and cutie pie Santa! The illustrations have a vintage feel which I love.

The knits I made for this ensemble have a vintage feel too. The forest green wool cape is embellished with red seed beads and green embroidery. A little motif is on every one of the panels which are separated by lace eyelets. I found some old knitting patterns from the 1950s and they called this type of hat a cuddle cap. It is different from the headband hats that I’ve been making in that the cuddle cap sits back on the head and is slightly shaped. To complete her knitwear set, Gina wanted a striped scarf, so I made her a micro striped green/natural colored one with colorful fringe.

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This is my first ever hand knit Christmas stocking! I used a free pattern from Julie at Little Cotton Rabbits. Gina is thrilled with all of the tiny gifts it can hold. Her little Christmas tree is embellished with a star and ornament beads. She also has a gingerbread man, lollipop, candy cane, silver ornament, and a red berry/ribbon decoration tucked inside. I attached wooden skewers to the goodies, (except the tree) so they can be rearranged and easily peek out of the stocking. I added a tiny hand made tassel to the toe of the stocking too.

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Of course the doll motif had to be on the front of the dress bodice! Gina is also wearing a candy cane bracelet. I don’t think she can get any more festive, do you? She wishes you all a “Very Merry Holiday Season”!

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“A Most Magical Season” will be available tonight (November 30, 2016) at 7:00 pm CST, cindyricedesigns.com.

Hello from blustery northern Illinois. The weather change is happening. It’s been springlike the last couple of days and we may get snow flurries tomorrow. Our weather is rarely boring!

I thought I’d put Penny’s latest cardigan from “Christmas Love” into pattern form for all of your chilly Penny and Polly girls.

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For more information and to purchase Penny’s “Classic Cardigan” knitting pattern please visit Ravelry.

In case you don’t knit, her OOAK ensemble is available right now!

My number one goal for the evening is to keep our chihuahua from blowing away when he goes out to do his business. LOL! Hope you have a great evening! Bye for now!