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...

Saturday

Project: A Tuffet

For this project I used a 14cm diameter round box lid. I glued on 4 of the little dolls (which I showed you the other day) about 5mm in from the edge. I had planned to use timber, but this box was handy and the perfect size. :)


I placed a heavy book on the legs and waited until the glue dried and the legs felt firmly secure. During that time I cut out four rounds of thin poly batting and one round of Nu-Wool quilt wadding, the same size as the lid. I also cut a further round of the wadding 18cm diameter and snipped in 2cm all around the edge with the scissors.


When the glue was dry, I placed the batting inside the lid, with the smaller circle of wadding on top. Then I placed the larger piece on top and glued the snipped edges down. If you are going to do this project, you may need another pair of hands to do the next step . . . I used an elastic band to hold the wadding down while it dried.


This is what it looks like at this stage.


I then selected the fabric I wanted to use to cover the little tuffet, this piece with the tiny rosebuds was perfect. The circle needed to by slightly larger, so the diameter was 20cm this time, with only a 1cm snip around the outside.


Leaving the elastic band on, I repeated what I did for the last piece of wadding. Making sure the top was smooth, the padding slightly rounded and a little higher than the sides of the lid.


I used a wider flat elastic band to hold everything in place and also left it on. When the glue was dried, I cut 50cm of craft ribbon/lace to trim the tuffet.


I have pinned this in place around the outside for the photo, as I intend finding a pretty pale pink trim to match the stripe in the fabric. Then I will glue it on.


All that's left to do is paint the legs in the colour of my choice, which will be white. I shall post my finished tuffet when I have completed Miss Fifi Muffet's outfit.

Happy crafting!

Tuesday

I'm Here!

Haven't got a lot of time today, but had to share Fifi's arrival. :)


Trying on a wig for size, but I rather like it on her.


She stands and poses really well.

Thursday

More Projects Coming

I have been busy searching the internet and downloading a whole lot of new windows to make more 3D backdrops. Another seaside view, but quite different from the previous one, a winter snow scene (which are actually doors), a wonderful shot of the Eiffel Tower and a sunset view from an apartment that's a little on the "dark side". I bet you're wondering what I am going to do with that one! :)


Nevertheless, before I was able to make any new ones, I needed more corflute. So it was off to Riot online. Of course I couldn't just purchase the corflute and leave, I had to look around to see what else they had that might come in handy.


During my perusal I found these little wooden dolls, which if you turn them upside down, will make great legs for my tuffet. To complete the tuffet I'll need a circle of timber (perhaps hubby can help here), some wadding, a fat 1/4 of pretty fabric to cover it and a length of braid to trim the edge. Simple! However, I'll post more on that project later.

Now just so you don't get any dolly withdrawal symptoms today, here are Clara and Kitty (Gotz dolls) using the new Peter Rabbit teaset and enjoying afternoon tea together. :)