Playing With Dollies ... At 33?

I'm nearly 33 ... is that too old to be playing with Dollies?! 

Well, I haven't been playing with them, more so 'making' them. Let me explain. I have been completely inspired by the work of Tasmanian artist Sonia Singh. Everything her Tree Change Dolls stand for is just beautiful. Giving these over-sexualised dolls that are mass produced by big toy companies, a more natural down-to-earth appearance. A little dolly that might look like someone a little girl actually knows! Sonia calls the process a 'make under', which is fantastic!

You can watch a bit of her story here. She also has some tutorial videos available so you can get started on creating your own! Sonia has an etsy shop too, if you'd prefer to purchase directly from her. I will not be selling mine, I'm just doing it as I think it's a much nicer way for my girls to play dollies!

My girls were given a few Barbie Dolls over the years, and I went op-shopping for some more of them (and some brats dolls, which I have strictly NEVER bought because of their sexual appearance) and I managed to find some for only a dollar each. 

Sonia not only changes the faces of her dolls, her very skilled Mother knits new clothing for them too, making them look even more innocent and adorable! I'm not the worlds best sewer, so that part of the make under won't be happening around here any time soon (I may be able to pay one of our Church ladies though ... hmmm) 

So I've just stuck with giving them new faces for now.  I've only done three so far; one I will probably take off and re-do again. She was my first one and I'm not all that happy with the end result of her. 

So, here they are! ...

This is Hope ... she likes sewing and working in the veggie garden!

And this is Claire, she loves climbing trees and baking! 

I have to be careful actually, because this could become quite addictive! 

As well as giving these two dolls a make under, I have been making 'Pocket Pals'. What are they you ask? 

I'll show you ... 

... they are cute little paddle-pop stick people (inspiration from Pinterest!) that I've decorated with washi tape clothes and drawn on their little hair-do's, legs and faces! These are perfect for putting in my handbag and taking them with me to places where my children (well my younger ones) need to play quietly. So far, they've been to the beach, the zoo and the shops! 

I love how easily portable they are and how they stir up in my children the love of innocent imaginative play! 

You may also remember that I love naming things. So, naturally, I've named these Pocket Pals too! ...

These dolls are definitely a frugal little toy! With the sticks only costing $2.00 for 80 (I even found 35 at an op-shop for $1.00), and a small amount of washi tape for their clothes, they are very inexpensive. 

The many hours spent enjoying these two different types of dollies? ... priceless.

Have you tried either of these before? Did you become addicted too?! 

I hope you're having a lovely week!

(Linking up with Amaze Me Mondays)

Using Our Gifts.

I'm not a published writer by any stretch of the imagination. I did, however spend a lot of time in high school writing poetry. I remember eating my lunch while scribbling out a new poem that I hoped I could read later when I got home! 

For some reason, the words just seemed to flow out of me in rhyme. They still do, although now I rarely take the time to write them down. It's hard sometimes to find the time, and to discipline yourself to write; to stay practised in it.

I thought that I would share some works that I wrote while in high school, hoping that it might get me motivated to begin writing poetry again!

Food For The Forest.

I once gazed upon a tree,

rugged, tough - but beautiful.

Marks and gashes,

extending from it's sturdy branches.

A sight of beauty, awe and wonder - 

but also a sight of sadness,

as the hour was near for the tree,

to drink it's last drink from

the water of life,

and die, only to live

once again,

as a source of food for the forest.

(copy write Elisha Wolter 8-6-99)

Etchings On Gold.

Mold me, fold me, burn me

show me Your hearts desire.

Teach me what You want me to know,

scratch out the darkness,

polish it with Your light.

Make my being shine - for You.

Make my heart of purest gold;

etch all my dreams, hopes and plans.

Etch Yourself into my soul.

Mold me, fold me, burn me -

with Your refiners hand.

(copy write Elisha Wolter 1999)

A few years ago, I compiled a small book as a 'lucky door prize' for a ladies Church event we were having. I've done nothing with it since! But, that doesn't matter to me at the moment; it's very satisfying to see my written works and my photographs all together in one book! 

I want to encourage you that if you have a gift or talent and you're not sure what to do with it, there's no loss in starting small. There's no loss in taking little steps, practising and being faithful with where you are now, and what God has given you to do now. After all, He tells us if we're faithful in the little things, He'll bless us with the big things. 

Go after your dreams, use your talents and gifts. Don't let them stagnate. I know we're all busy as wives and mothers, but even just 10 minutes a day doing something to further what God has given us is a mini step in the right direction. Nothing is wasted with God. Not one thing.   

At this stage, I have no idea what God will do with my little book, if anything. I have written some poems as an adult that I will share with you one day. They are mostly poems about motherhood (I think, if I remember correctly!)

Let's try as much as we can together to use what we've been given for God's glory! Even if we just begin with small steps ... they are still a step in the right direction!

Have a beautiful week!

10 Easy Steps To A Clean Art & Craft Cupboard

I have been busy reorganizing my craft/art cupboard in between all the other stuff that's done on a daily basis! I was finding that my main large cupboard was just too hard to keep clean and organised. It would stay clean for  a short period of time, then ... chaos! Supplies falling on top of me every time I opened the doors! 

As it was a spur of the moment clean out, I didn't take any before shots. But, believe me when I say it was nasty! Little Miss P gave me a much appreciated helping hand to sort through things as they were relocated.

Here are my top 10 steps for cleaning out a craft/art cupboard ...

1. start with a couple of plastic bags for rubbish
2. have a plastic bag (or box) to use for give away items 
3. have a plastic bag/box for charity items (if you wish)
4. have a plastic bag/box for garage sale items (if you're planning on having one within the next couple of months)
5. take out everything from your cupboard, adding items to rubbish or other bags/boxes listed above.
6. spray and wipe the shelves and drawer insides
7. organize supplies into similar items (e'g' scrap booking cutters, card stock, acrylic paints, paintbrushes, etc.)
8. Choose which self/drawer you would like each item in. I find that grouping like items together makes it so much easier to find things that you need for a particular project without any fuss or time wasting. 
9. Neatly go about re-stacking your supplies back into your cupboards!! This is the fun part!
10. You could even go one step further (which I haven't yet done) and label drawers/shelves with the items they hold!

Now all that's left to do is take out the rubbish bags, put the garage sale box in the shed, and pop the give-away or charity boxes into the boot of your car straight away so that you've got them to drop off when you're out and about!

And there you have it! One lovely organised craft/art cupboard that lets you be the most creative you can be! I took all of my scrap booking supplies out of my main cupboard and organised them into a small, cute little kitchen sideboard cupboard that I brought for only $30.00. It is a perfect size to keep all these items together and very easily accessible. It turned out pretty cute! ...

I really love the two drawers in this cupboard. They are perfect for putting my current project in the left side and my pens, scissors, tapes and other small items in the right side! I'm really happy with the results!

In my larger cupboard I have my writing resources and work, my paints and brushes, canvases, letter writing supplies, sewing items, and art journals. It only took a couple of hours to achieve such a great organised space that I really enjoy using now! 

So, how about you? Will these steps help you to better organize your favourite space? Let me know how you go! I hope you enjoy!