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.

Bella Has Been “Mushroom Hunting”

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2022, as is autumn, seems to be fading fast. This morning it is snowing here in northern Illinois–and will continue on and off until tomorrow morning. *sigh* I never feel ready for the first snowfall. There are always a jumble of phrases going through my head. Mostly I hear “n-o-o-o-o not yet–too early”, or something silly like that. Last Thursday I was out for a walk in shorts and a tank top (and was still very warm), and the begonias were still blooming. *sighing again*

Anyway,… on to sweet Bella (a Ruby Red Fashion Friend) who has been pestering me to show you her brand new fall ensemble. She may have snuck out mushroom hunting, so I apologize if she has soiled her dress. 😉

Bella’s knitwear is made with the softest silk yarn. It is a little hard to knit with, so I only purchased it in this one color–and also it was quite pricey. But, oh, the luxury! Bella loves it! It is a now discontinued yarn from Knit Picks, Diadem Fingering (50% Baby Alpaca, 50% Mulberry Silk) in the Pearl Solid color way. Maybe you have some in your stash?

I crocheted a gathering basket out of 10lb. hemp cord. It is rustic and gives the effect of an authentic basket. Bella has gathered a few interesting mushrooms. They have been knit with fingering weight wool in coordinating colors and embellished with various beads.

Bella’s dress fabric is one of my all time favorite prints. It’s so cozy, colorful, and mushroom-y. I find mushrooms very interesting… The fabric is from 2015–“Faraway Forest” by Lizzie Mackay by Blend. I previously used this fabric for a Little Darlings ensemble in 2016. You can see that post here.

Bella and I are wishing you a great day. We are making a conscious effort to enjoy the beautiful “white stuff” happening outside. What do you see outside your window? Please say hello. I’d love to hear from you❤️❤️❤️!

Gina is “Ready for Fall” — Are You?

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It’s a NO from me!!! The way this year is flying by winter will be here any second now. And it’s no secret that I am NEVER ready for that season. How do you feel about winter? Is it anyone’s favorite season out there? I am in awe of you if it is. It seems to be the longest season, so is a great choice if it is.

Okay, that’s all the talk about winter that I can handle right now. Back to Gina who is prepared for that first crisp day of autumn. Her ensemble colors are in a muted fall palette: peach, blue, yellow green, palest pink.

Gina’s fully lined dress is made out of a moody and warm colored print (Ambleside by Brenda Riddle Designs). The floral shapes remind me of different mums which are just starting to bloom here in northern Illinois. Silk ribbon in peach and blue tie twice around the dress’s waistline. Cotton eyelet decorates the skirt’s hemline.

Gina’s bracelet is made with the tiniest glass pearls and blue seed beads, a stone heart (rose quartz?) and peachy crystal butterfly. It is strung on stretchy jewelry cord which makes it easy to slip on.

Gina’s cardigan and beret are knit out of hand dyed merino wool lace weight yarn. If you’d like to knit a cardigan like Gina’s I have a new pattern for it. The pattern is written with line by line instructions to easily follow along with when you are knitting.

Gina picked out a teddy bear to accessorize her new fall ensemble. I embellished her a tad because Gina wanted her to coordinate. She has a scarf knit in matching yarn, a silk ribbon bow, and a cute heart charm. Isn’t she sweet?

Gina and I hope you love her new fall ensemble. She is the first of my girls to be ready for fall. Do you have any fall preparations started yet?

Wishing you a wonderful holiday weekend if you live here in the U.S. If not, enjoy the weekend wherever you live. Sending hugs 🤗 from my sewing room filled with my tiny girls. They’re all blowing kisses to you right now…😘❤️💕💖

Gina and Her Spa Day

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Hello to you! I hope you are well!❤️

If you’ve been a reader of my blog for awhile you’ve seen my Little Darling named Gina many times. I’ve had her since 2012, so she is 10 years old. Gina is a busy little bee around here. She is always modeling or trying on new wigs, etc. And, I noticed that she was starting to get a little tired.

Geri Uribe, who brought Gina to life in 2012, graciously agreed to give Gina the spa treatment she desperately needed.

Below is Gina’s before photo. Although as cute as ever, you can see her lip color is starting to wear off and her eyes have lost their gloss.

And, this is her after. Her eyes are shining again and her lips have a beautiful rosy color. Geri also blushed her cheeks and body, and gave her a mani/pedi. Isn’t she beautiful?

Many, many thanks to Geri ❤️ and for sharing her talent by creating gorgeous dolls for us! Here is Geri’s page on Dianna’s website if you’d like to see more of her work.

Stayed tuned… Gina will be showing you more of her new ensemble very soon.