Everyone Needs Playtime

In our hectic, modern lives, many of us focus so heavily on work and family commitments that we never seem to have time for pure fun. Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, we stopped playing.

When we carve out some leisure time, we’re more likely to zone out in front of the TV or computer than engage in fun, rejuvenating play like we did as children. But play is not just essential for kids; it can be an important source of relaxation and stimulation for adults as well.

There doesn’t need to be any point to the activity beyond having fun and enjoying yourself. By giving yourself permission to play with the joyful abandon of childhood, you can reap oodles of health benefits throughout life.

Featured post

Challenge Meme

Seven years ago I issued a challenge to celebrate 20 years of the modern BJD, that I had also done three years previously. As things have be...

Thursday

When Does A Biscuit Barrel Become a Tree Stump?

When  I make a big mistake!!

I purchased two large round gift boxes from Wooja, which I thought would be perfect for the Biscuit Barrel home. However, when I brought them home and put them next to my PukiFees, I realised they were way too small.


I didn't want to waste them, and recalling the in depth tutorial I saw on Once Upon a Doll, I decided to make a tree stump house instead.

I'll just have to keep my eye out for larger round boxes to make the Biscuit Barrel or perhaps make a square Gingerbread House for the PukiFees instead!


Using a Stanley knife, I carefully cut away a portion of the side on each one, so I would have access for installing furniture etc. Then popped the the cut out pieces aside in case I wanted to use them for something later on.


The next step was to stack one on top of the other, to see how they looked in place. Then after I had cut out a couple of arched windows (one on each floor), hubby came up with the wonderful idea of adding a penthouse bedroom using the lids and the left over pieces.

I turned one lid upside down, added the two off cuts, leaving a space for a long window and popped the other lid on top. The upside down lid, looked like a little balcony, so I thought I would incorporate that into the design somehow.

-oOo-

Then I got a little sidetracked and decided to make a round rug for the RP's drawing room on the second floor . . . a very simple rug at that, made from Ultra Suede and bobble braid which I already had on hand.

First I cut out a circle using a bread and butter plate as a template.


Then keeping the rougher side up so it looked more like carpet, I carefully stitched the bobble braid around the outside, using running stitch and thread the same colour so it couldn't be seen.


And voila! There you have it! Simple, and one can vary the size to suit any room, just choose a can, a cup, or anything round to use as a template.

One could also use glue, but I always worry about glue getting brittle over time or staining the Ultra Suede, and besides that, I like sewing better than getting glue stuck all over my fingers. :)

Friday

Love in a Heartbeat

It seems the elves are managing to creep into my heart when I least expect it.

This little sweetie managed to hop in my cart today, when I stopped by DDE for a brief visit. In stock with default face-up and in TAN, well what's a girl to do . . . I mean how can you resist a little sweetie who puckers her lips up like this and blows you a kiss?

I know the one in the photo is dressed as a boy, but I thought that face could easily suit a girl, especially with the right costuming.

The timing is perfect for me, as I have a wonderful story in mind for these tiny elves. Yes, I did say ELVES, my regular readers will probably be well aware by now, I do everything in threes! Soso and Ara have been ordered directly from Fairyland and are expected to arrive in about ten to twelve weeks.

Tuesday

First On . . . Last Off

I'm sure you are all familiar with the saying "first on, last off" . . . well it proved to be true yesterday, as my girls were on the truck at 7 am and didn't get delivered until 5.45 pm. After unpacking them I was really happy to see their beautiful default face ups, but disappointed with the fit of the face plates. Luckily I had silicone caps on hand!! Now let me introduce the new girls:

Macaron (Dony)
Biscotti (Cony)
Cookie (Bonnie)
The Biscuit Barrel Elves

Now I will have to move my butt and get busy making their home, so they have somewhere to live. :)