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.

Friday

Things I Love and Those I Don't

Some of the things I love, apart from hubby, family (this includes my fur baby) & friends are :-
Dolls of course, teddy bears, doll houses, fabric & yarn (I have a stash of both), warm sunny days and being surrounded by colour.

I also like blogs which are interesting, and bloggers who really want to be part of a community, who want to converse with other bloggers.

Some of the things I enjoy doing:-
Designing clothes for my dolls (both knitted and sewn), writing short stories (especially fantasy ones) & poetry, illustrating, photography, going to fashion exhibitions with my daughter, blogging and chatting with my online blogger friends.

It's because of that last item, that I have been looking for more active blogs to add to my reading list, particularly those written by doll or craft enthusiasts. Well I did find a few, some were interesting, a couple that were . . . well they were just a bit boring (my attention isn't captured by a lot of moaning). Then there a few blog that would have really been interesting, if only they hadn't had so many distractions down the side columns.

Things I'm not fond of:-
Like most people, there are somethings I dislike, such as all white walls in a home, gossip, and grumpy people. There are of course, other things I just tolerate, like going for medical check ups.

However, one thing that really gripes me, is blogs that are inundated with advertising, so much so you cannot read a paragraph before you are bombarded with unwanted intrusions. Also blog layouts that are over the top, featuring highly decorated, maximalist or cluttered aesthetics.

I guess I'm a KISS person at heart and prefer people to . . . Keep It Simple Sweetheart!

What do you look for in a blog? Do you prefer to read simple style blogs, colourful blogs, "ad free" blogs or perhaps a combination?

Do you have any things you particularly love or dislike that you would care to share? Don't be shy, I'd love to read your thoughts.
Big hugs,
X

Thursday

My First Attempt at Quilting

I have a bad habit of promising to show things on my blog and end up becoming so absorbed in doing other things, I neglect to follow through. Now it's been so long I can't remember who asked me to show them this. It's not something I am particularly proud of (the procrastinating), but photographing things to show can take up so much time, so I just tend to keep putting it off.

Each calico panel was drawn, then painted with water colours, then the outlines were embroidered as well as the flowers on the hat in the 4th panel, buttons were sewn on and the glass beads for eyes. The backing is in natural calico. It's not perfect, but I didn't think it too bad for a first try.

I made this quilt some time back for the beautiful antique crib that my sweet hubby bought me years ago, and which my fur baby sleeps in from time to time . . . and often just sits in to watch the passing parade through the window. He's very good with my Zwergnase Nili 3 and the teddy I made, that both sit in the crib . . . he looks but doesn't touch.

The photo below my hubby took another time, where my little furry one was sitting in his own bed inside the crib. You can see some of my dolls in the background which were on display in the studio at the time.

Do any of you make quilts? Do you have any pets? I'd love to see them if you do.

Big hugs,

Tuesday

Let's Share a Secret

Each day as I read the stories and snippets of each of my blogging buddies daily activities and interests, I am reminded of how small a world this really is and how many talented people fill it. I love seeing the friendships that are developing between people living on the opposite ends of the earth.

With this in mind, I thought it would be fun to invite my followers and fellow bloggers to post one thing that I don't already know about them. In essence . . .

I'll begin . . . My hubby calls me a hoarder, I call myself a collector. As many of you already know, I collect BJD's, play dolls, bears, fabrics, yarn and antiques, but you didn't know I am also an avid collector of buttons (though not intentionally) and have enough to start a shop of my own!

Big hugs,
X