"E" is for Exercise

It is essential to keep yourself in shape in order to be able to craft, I mean work, 8 hours a day. Both mentally and physically. It is so easy to spend too much time sewing or working on the computer getting web pages updated, blog posts  posted, and forget  to eat or spend 30 minutes being physically active.

After working for 3-4 hours, I get up, put on my walking shoes and walk 1 mile. Everyday, rain or shine. 3 days a week, I ride my stationery bike and aim for 15-20 miles. I normally multi-task. I hate using the handlebars on the bike. I devised a holder on the center bar of the bike to hold yarn, tape a pattern on the picture frame and knit till that 20 miles is up! 

I don’t do any strength training, which I really do need to do. Muscles help burn fat and calories. No matter how often I tell myself that, I simply can’t motivate myself to do that.

Do you have an exercise regimen? Leave a comment and share your routine. Do you knit or crochet while pedaling on the exercise bike? Have a fit and productive day!

"D" is for Dollies

I began making cloth dolls in 1989. Bunnies, cows, baby dolls, Raggedy Ann and Andy. In 2009 I began dabbling in creating the primitive dolls with a Raggedy Ann look.  Most dolls are made from muslin or cotton broadcloth with the baby dolls being made of craft velour. Little girls just love the hug-ability of this fabric. 

We have dolls of all sizes ranging from 10” to the huge and loveable 36” Raggedy Andy.

My current project is with my first design – a 12” tall prim bunny with hand painted features, long floppy ears and big big bunny feet. I am going to be featuring this doll as a boy or girl and offering seasonal/holiday clothing. We are working on a web page specifically for this doll at Holly’s Dollies.

Recently I have begun dabbling in sculpting dolls in polymer clay. A fun challenge but really not getting anywhere fast. The eventual goal is a 14” ball-jointed-doll who can model the 14” doll clothes line for me.

I have a very small collection of dolls. Two Galoob Baby Face Dolls, a 25” crow doll, 1 Berenguer, 2 unknown vinyl dolls, 1 CBK, 2 DinkyBaby dolls, 1 MoxieGirlz the blonde and 5 Barbies.  I am hoping to find some dolls this coming Yard Sale season. Only two thrift stores in this area so findings are rare. I am looking for Skipper, Crissy and any inexpensive dolls needing TLC of various sizes so that I can use them for making sure the doll clothes fit.

"C" is for crochet hooks

Crochet hooks are one my tools of the trade. I have duplicates and even triplicates. I keep them standing tall in a jar.

I love collecting used vintage crochet hooks. They have a history behind each scratch or dent. Someone somewhere may have used this particular crochet hook to create a sweater for her grand-child. I’ve even spent time creating a story behind them. 

I have recently been blessed with crochet hooks and knitting needles my mother-in-law used. My sister-in-law gave them to me during their last visit with us. I didn’t have a really good chance at getting to know my m-i-l well, but I loved her and she loved me. I enjoy hearing stories about her from the family members.

With my hooks, I create baby sweater sets, Barbie doll fashions, doll clothes, afghans, doilie, slipper socks and so much more.

"B" as in bobcat

So this doesn't really tie in very well with crafts in general, but we had be very "crafty" in keeping this dratted bobcat away from the chickens!
This particular bobcat lives in a brushpile of dead juniper cutting on the easement between us and our neighbors. I am actually pleased to have wildlife in the neighborhood. We've decided to leave the critter be and work hard to keep the chickens safe.
One night he/she managed to kill 7 (I forgot to lock the henhouse door).
Bobcats can be found in most of the US, excluding parts of the midwest and have also been found in parts of Mexico and Canada.







photo courtesy Len Blumin

A is For Acrylic Paint

One of the materials I use when crafting (painting a model horse or painting eyes on cloth dolls), is acrylic paints. The brand I use varies.
For the model horses I use Liquitex Brand in concentrated form. The closest retailer for me is 180 miles away! I buy the big tubes in basic colors to last a year or so.

See more model horses at Sweetwater Creations.







 
For painting dolls, I use the inexpensive big box store brands. I always make sure the brands I use are non-toxic waterbased.

Visit Holly's Dollies to view handmade dolls and doll clothes that are available.