My Doll Haven

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.

Wednesday

Enough is Enough!

Do you ever feel that you are being pulled apart? Do you ever feel that everyone want a piece of you? Well perhaps you are a little like me and try to do too much. After all there are only twenty four hours in a day and even if there were twice that many, there still wouldn't be enough for all I would like to do.

Today was the day when I finally said to myself "enough is enough". I sat down and thought about all the things I do . . . firstly there were those that I really enjoy, like designing, sewing my bears, teaching, blogging, maintaining four websites, running TBACA and organising the online shows.

Then of course those that are neccessary for daily life to continue and those that I just felt were just a complete waste of my time and energy.

After musing awhile, I came to the conclusion . . . I don't really need two Twitter Accounts and I don't really need to belong to all the forums that I have joined (over the years there have been many) nor do I really need Facebook . . . so I had a clean out! And boy it's like a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

At last I feel free as a bird . . . even if it only lasts a little, while I am going to make the most of it! As much as I enjoy helping everyone else and being involved, I am going to take some time and do something just for me . . . and spend the next few days sewing!

Have a great weekend everyone and I'll catch up with you next week sometime.

Thursday

I Had to Share This

I am very pleased to introduce you to a superb pink piggy . . . Miss Paulette . . . designed and hand sewn by one of my students, Vera Lamb. Vera made her as a present for a dear friend who helps her at "The Shed", a family centre for the underpriveleged.

Although Vera has been a student of mine for some time, she has always been a little hesitant about designing something so left of centre and I am very proud of her for taking the plunge and achieving this result.

Don't you just love the way Vera has accessorised her with a touch of bling? I am sure her friend will be absolutely delighted.

Sunday

The Australasian Creative Design Awards

The final count for the "People's Choice Award" took place this morning. The top three positions, actually had five candidates. After counting the votes manually to check there were no errors in counting, the Award ended up as a tie between Linda Benson of Benson Bears for her beautiful rendition of a Panda - Meixin and Laraine White of Rainbears for her superb clown bear Pepper.

The Runners Up and winners of the "High Achievement in Design and Workmanship Awards" were Kim Russell of Russell Bears for her wonderfully creative skunk Li'l Stinker and Linda Benson once again for Meixin.

"The Most Innovative Design and Workmanship Excellence Award" was presented to a very pleased and excited Katrina Ndrejica of Bumble Bears for her fantastic creation, Modoogo.

This was a very well deserved award for Katrina, as the workmanship of this bear was as near to perfection as is humanly possible.