2025-06-06T09:00:00-04:00

Tour de Fleece: Join the Global Spinning Challenge

June 6, 2025June 5, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Every summer, cyclists race through the mountains and valleys of France. Meanwhile, another spinning takes place around the world. It is the joyful spin of wool turning into yarn!

This is the heart of Tour de Fleece, an international spin-along for fibre lovers. But where did it start?

Tour de Fleece was started in 2006 by spinner and blogger Katrina McHugh. She had a brilliant idea while watching the famous Tour de France cycling race.
While the cyclists spin their wheels on the road, why don’t we spin our wheels at home? Or spin our spindles?

“Spinning wheel lady vintage illustration“/ CC0 1.0

She posted her idea on her blog. She invited other spinners to join her for a three-week spinning challenge. This challenge runs alongside the Tour de France. It was an instant success.

Over the years, the event has grown into a beloved tradition among spinners worldwide. Thousands now take part each year — some through teams on Ravelry, others through Instagram and personal blogs.

The spirit of Tour de Fleece is simple:
✨ Set your own spinning goals. ✨ Challenge yourself in some way (new fibre, new technique, spin every day, finish a project). ✨ Share your progress with the community. ✨ Celebrate your love of handspun yarn!

What am I planning?

There are no hard rules — it’s about participation, learning, and joy.

Whether you spin on a wheel, drop spindle, or electric spinner, Tour de Fleece is a time to connect. It brings together spinners around the world. It allows us to cheer each other on and marvel at what we can create with simple fibre and skill.

As the cyclists conquer their miles, we spinners conquer our fibre stash — one draft at a time! 🚴‍♀️🧶

Are you joining Tour de Fleece this year? I’d love to spin along with you!
👉 Share your spinning plans or goals in the comments — let’s cheer each other on!

See Video below or click here

If you’d like to follow my spinning journey, be sure to do the next:
✅ Subscribe to my YouTube channel.
✅ Follow me on Instagram
✅ Sign up for my email list for extra fibre goodness!

✨ Let’s make beautiful yarn together this Tour de Fleece! 🚴‍♀️🧶

🌸 Doll Can Create | June Newsletter 🌸

June 3, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

May wrap-up

Spinning Joy, One Thread at a Time

Hello Creative Friends,

The month of always feels like a fresh start. Gardens are blooming and days are lighter. There is renewed energy for our fibre work. May seemed to go by very quickly; very cool, lots of rain, but it bloomed in full colour.

Here’s a little peek into what happened in my studio this past month:

🧶 Fibre on My Wheel & Spindle

May was a season of mindful spinning. I’ve been working on:

Spinning naturally fawn and brown fibres for future knitting projects
Continuing my 100 Days of Spindle Spinning challenge — it’s amazing what just 10–15 minutes a day can create!

I encourage you — even a few minutes of spinning can bring such calm and joy.

🧵 On My Needles

Knitting was my quiet companion in the month of May:

A slow fashion shawl, using my handspun yarn
A simple pair of socks for everyday wear (finished May 31st, 2025, merino/nylon blend, hand dyed.
Exploring Knitting on a Budget — creative ways to knit more while spending less

I also shared a heartfelt blog post: “Crafting Calm & Grace.” It explores how fibre work can be a form of prayer and peace.

🌍 100 Mile Life: Local Fibre Focus

One of my passions in the merry month of May was deepening my 100 Mile Life journey:

Building a local fibre stash — supporting nearby farms
Cooking with local spring produce
I’ll be launching a new 100 Mile Life Tutorial Series — with a printable workbook soon in the shop!

Each step reminds me that local living and crafting can truly enrich our lives.

🎥 On YouTube This Month

Spin & Pray with Me — a gentle video to spin or knit along with

👉 If you haven’t subscribed yet, come join us here: YouTube: Doll Can Create

💌 Closing Thought

As May came to a close, summer beckoned. I’m reminded to slow down. I take time to savour the beauty around me. I cherish each creative moment.

What’s your plan for June? Tour de Fleece? More spinning, knitting, or crafting? Let’s enjoy these summer days together.

I hope your month was full of joy and fibre goodness and that June will be more of the same.

Until next time,

— Doll ✨

DollCanCreate.com

Instagram: @dollcancreate

📌 PS: Don’t miss the new free Spinning & Prayer Guide on the blog — a simple, printable companion for your creative time.

Why Does Jesus Love Me?

June 1, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

It’s a question that lingers in many hearts—especially in quiet moments when we’re honest with ourselves:

Why would Jesus love someone like me?

It’s not always easy to accept. Life has left its marks. We’ve made mistakes. We’ve doubted, fallen short, and wondered if we’re still worthy of love.

But Scripture answers this question, not with a list of qualifications, but with the cross.

“But God proves His love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

Let’s break that open gently and see what it tells us.

1. Jesus Loves Me Because It’s Who He Is

Love isn’t something Jesus does.
Love is who He is.

“God is love.” – 1 John 4:8

Just like the sun doesn’t need a reason to shine, Jesus doesn’t need a reason to love you. He does it because it’s His very nature. It’s not about what you’ve done or failed to do. It’s about who He is—and whose you are.

2. Jesus Loves Me Because I Am Known and Created by Him

You are not an accident.
You were made by the hands of the Savior who now holds them out to you in love.

“I have called you by name. You are mine.” – Isaiah 43:1

Jesus doesn’t just love the idea of you. He loves the real you—your scars, your story, your soul.

3. Jesus Loves Me Enough to Redeem Me

The cross wasn’t a symbol. It was a sacrifice.
Not for a world in general—but for you in particular.

He didn’t wait for you to clean up your act.

“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

He came into your mess, your grief, your shame—and He stayed.

So, What Can I Do Today to Draw Nearer to Christ?

Read a few verses. Let His Word speak to you.
Talk to Him honestly. Prayer doesn’t need polish—just presence.
Be still for a few minutes. Let your heart quiet down.
Love someone quietly. A kind word or gesture in His name is holy.
Thank Him. Gratitude draws your soul closer.
Whisper His name. Even a small, sincere “Jesus, help me,” is a sacred step.

Final Thought:

If you’re wondering why Jesus loves you, the answer is already written in nail-scarred hands.

You are His. That is enough.

Crafting as Prayer: How I Find Peace in Every Stitch

May 29, 2025June 13, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

There’s a rhythm to spinning wool that feels like a heartbeat. There’s a stillness in knitting rows that speaks louder than words. Over the years, I’ve come to realize that for me, crafting is more than a hobby—it’s a form of prayer.

In a noisy world full of fast answers, there’s something sacred about sitting quietly with wool in your hands. Anxious scrolling fades away. This allows your thoughts to settle. Your spirit rises as a result.

The Sacred Stillness of Spinning

When I spin on my drop spindle or wheel, I start with raw fleece. Sometimes it still holds the scent of sheep and earth. There’s something humbling about starting from such a basic place. Washing, carding, spinning—it’s a process that requires presence.

As the wool twists into yarn, I whisper simple prayers:

Lord, give me patience in the drafting.
Thank you for the hands that raised this sheep.
This yarn bring comfort to someone in need.

These aren’t formal prayers, but gentle beating of the heart—offered with each turn of the spindle.

Knitting Peace, One Stitch at a Time

Knitting is where my prayers become visible. Each stitch holds intention. When I’m knitting for someone, I imagine wrapping them in hope. When I’m knitting just for the joy of it, I let my worries fall away with the passing rows.

There are moments when the rhythm lulls me into a quiet place of worship. I don’t need words. I just need the steady clink of needles and the softness of wool. I feel the awareness that I’m held by something greater than myself.

A Simple “Spin & Pray” Practice

Here’s a gentle rhythm I’ve started to follow. Maybe it will inspire your own crafting prayer time:

Prepare a quiet space. Light a candle or play calming music.
Choose a simple project. Something repetitive—like spinning, garter stitch, or hand carding.
Set an intention. Pray for someone by name, think about a scripture, or simply sit in gratitude.
Work with your hands. Let the motion of the craft guide your meditation.
Close with thanks. A whispered “Amen,” a stretch, or a note in your journal.

In Every Strand, a Story

When we make with our hands, we make space for peace. We untangle knots in our minds. We remember that slow is holy. We rediscover that prayer can be soft, quiet, and full of wool.

So today, whether you’re spinning, stitching, sewing, or simply resting—know that your hands can be your prayer. And in every fiber, there is grace.

🧶 Want to Try It for Yourself?

👉Gentle Crafting Prayer Guide It includes a simple ritual and a short prayer.
👉 Or join me on YouTube for a quiet moment of spinning and prayer. Watch here.

The Call to Unity and Christlike Humility

May 25, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

🔹 Philippians 2:2–16

“Make my joy whole by being like-minded. Have the same love and be one in spirit and of one mind. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”

Meaning for the Church Today:

Pursue Deep Unity
- Unity is more than agreement—it’s shared purpose rooted in Christ’s love.
- In a divided world, the church is called to model mutual care and shared mission.
Practice Humility
- We’re to “consider others better than ourselves,” which counters the culture of pride, self-promotion, and individualism.
- Church members should serve each other rather than compete for position or recognition.
Imitate Christ’s Mindset
- Jesus humbled Himself—so should we. His example is our pattern.
- The church thrives when it reflects the servant-hearted love of Jesus.

🔹 Philippians 2:12–16 – Working Out Salvation and Shining as Lights

“Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Do everything without grumbling or arguing. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. You hold firmly to the word of life.”

Meaning for the Church Today:

Live Out Salvation Daily
- Paul isn’t saying we earn salvation, but that we live it out with seriousness.
- The church must be a community that actively reflects the grace it has received.
Cultivate Obedient Hearts
- Paul reminds the Philippians to obey not just when he’s here, but always.
- Faithfulness is not dependent on leadership watching—it flows from inward transformation.
Avoid Grumbling and Division
- Churches today often fall into cycles of complaint or internal strife.
- Paul says such behavior dims our witness. Joyful, united communities shine brightest.
Shine in a Dark World
- The church is called to be a beacon of light. This is not achieved through power or control. Instead, it relies on holding fast to the Word and embodying hope.
- In an anxious, fractured world, a loving, united church offers powerful testimony.

✨ Summary Takeaway for Today’s Church:

The church is at its best when it is unified in love.

It thrives when it is humble in spirit.

The church is obedient to Christ and radiant with hope.

We are not called to blend in with the world. We are called to stand out. We do this not through judgment or noise. We do this by living as a Christ-shaped community that shines like stars in the sky.

“Gracious Lord, thank You for showing us how to love and live like Jesus. Help us to be humble, united, and full of joy as we follow You. Let our lives show Your light, and others will be drawn to You through our witness. Amen.”

🧶 Knitting on a Budget Toolkit: Make Beautiful Things Without Breaking the Bank

May 22, 2025May 27, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

The rising cost of yarn and supplies can take the fun out of your favorite craft. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to knitting or a seasoned fiber artist. But don’t worry — creativity thrives under constraint. Did you know that you can knit beautiful items without breaking the bank? These Knitting on a Budget Toolkit ideas are here to help you make the most of what you have. It will stretch your dollars. You’ll still knit projects you’ll love.

🧰 1. Yarn Price Tracker

One of the best ways to stay within your fiber budget is to track yarn prices. Keep a simple log of:

Yarn brand and fiber content
Cost per skein or per 100g
Where you purchased it (or if it was a gift)
Project used for

By comparing prices over time, you’ll spot the best deals — and avoid impulse buys that aren’t a good value.

🧺 2. Stash-Busting Project Checklist

You probably have yarn in your stash you’ve forgotten about! Use it up with these go-to stash-busters:

✅ Dishcloths and scrubbies
✅ Striped scarves or hats
✅ Granny square blankets
✅ Color-block shawls
✅ Mismatched socks

Make it a challenge: Try not to buy any yarn for a month. See what you can finish with just your stash. Join me in June for a knit or crochet from our stash challenge.

🌐 3. Free & Fabulous Pattern Sources

You don’t have to pay for patterns to make stunning pieces. Here are my favorite free pattern resources:

Ravelry.com
Local library or community center pattern books

♻️ 4. Upcycle and Unravel

Look at thrift stores or your own closet for 100% wool or cotton sweaters that you can unravel. Here’s how:

Choose sweaters with knit seams, not serged.
Wash gently in cold water and dry flat.
Carefully unravel, wind into skeins, and soak to relax the yarn.

This method can yield luxury yarn for pennies.

🛠️ 5. Tools That Do Double Duty

You don’t need a drawer full of gadgets to knit well. Some budget-friendly substitutions:

Use a paperclip as a stitch marker
Recycle cardboard into yarn bobbins
Use a measuring tape app if you’ve lost your real one
Keep a notebook for all your pattern notes — cheaper than printing pages Here’s one I’m using:

If you invest in anything, go for interchangeable needles — one set can do it all.

💬 Let’s Chat!

How do you save money on knitting? Share your favorite tip or stash-busting success story in the comments below. Don’t forget to pin this post for later!

🧶 Ready to Start Knitting Smarter?

Don’t let a tight budget hold back your creativity!

You can start easily with a travelers notebook like this one. Just set it up the way you like and go.

This is a great journal to track your knitting:

*I might make a small commission from Amazon. Thank you for supporting my blog.

Anchored in the Storm:

May 18, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Holding Fast to Hope

Have you ever been in a boat when the waters turned rough?
Maybe on a lake or a river. You start off with a good weather report. The skies are clear. The breeze is calm. Then suddenly the wind picks up. The water grows choppy. Your boat rocks, and fear starts to rise in your chest.

Depending on the size of your boat—or your barge—you feel very small and very vulnerable.

But those who know the water? They don’t panic.
They head for a cove, a sheltered place, and they throw out the anchor. And they wait.

Because here’s what they know: every storm runs out of energy. Every storm ends.

Same Storm, Different Boats

During the pandemic, we heard over and over: “We’re all in the same boat.”
But let’s be honest—maybe we were all in the same storm, but not in the same boat.

Some had sturdy ships with full crews and plenty of support. Others were clinging to driftwood, barely staying afloat.
Some had tools, resources, coping strategies. Others felt overwhelmed and unsure of the outcome.

What Scripture Reminds Us

In Hebrews 6, we’re encouraged to press on—“to move beyond just the basic teachings of the Anointed One.” In other words: don’t stay stuck in the past.
We’re not meant to row backward. The captain of a ship doesn’t look behind to navigate. They look ahead—toward the open sea, toward hope, trusting that the anchor will hold.

We’re called to do the same.
Yes, we learn from our past, but we live in the now—and we look ahead, with certain hope.

Has the Church Drifted?

Let’s speak truth: the Church today—especially the wider Church—feels like it’s run aground.
We’re being battered by many rocks:

Fatigue – So many of us are burned out.
Bewilderment – How did we end up here?
Financial pressure – Too much going out, not enough coming in.
Indifference – “It doesn’t really matter to me.”

But Scripture speaks into this storm, too.

Paul urges us to pray without ceasing—with thanksgiving.
Jesus didn’t just tell us how to pray—He showed us how to live through the storms.

He showed us how to love—not based on how others live, or worship, or even believe—but simply to love.

Four Anchors in the Storm

Let’s not over complicate this.
When the storm rages and the Church feels adrift, here are four anchors to steady us:

Pray.
Turn to the Word—turn to Jesus.
Look ahead, not back.
And pray again.

When we shift our eyes from ourselves to Jesus, the next steps become clearer.
When we shift from inward focus to outward mission, we become more than just a building on the corner. We transform into the hands and feet of Christ.

A Covenant to Move Ahead

So let’s make a pact with one another.

Let’s stand together in the light of the living Christ, as we pass through the storm toward calm waters.

Because here’s a truth we need to remember:
No ship anchored at shore can fulfill its mission.
It can’t deliver goods, it can’t ferry people, it can’t grow or explore.

Comfort is easy—but faith is not about ease.
Faith is about action. Movement. Participation.

Maybe we don’t row like we used to.
Maybe we can’t run marathons or even drive across town.
But our smiles still matter.
A kind word. A phone call. A simple “thank you.”
Our hearts can still grow in Christ.

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

Remember when Jesus called Peter out of the boat?
Peter stepped out onto the water—but the moment he took his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink.

We must keep our eyes on Christ.
Because we do have an anchor—an anchor that keeps the soul, steadfast and sure while the billows roll.

Let’s look to the horizon, to the One who loves us.
Let’s move ahead—together. Amen.

Meet the Maker: How I Fell in Love with Spinning and Knitting

May 15, 2025May 15, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Introducing Myself: A Journey in Wool
By [Doll Creelman]

Welcome to my corner of the internet. I wanted to introduce myself. Let me share a little bit about the passions that shape my life and work. If you’re here, you probably love fiber arts. You enjoy handmade things. Or, you’re just curious about the person behind the yarn. Either way—I’m glad you’re here.

The Roots of My Passion

My love for fiber arts didn’t start in a craft store or a YouTube tutorial—it started in a sheep pen.

As a child and even into my teenage years, I remember watching the sheep on my great-uncle Silas’s farm. There was something deeply moving about the way the sheep responded to his voice. He would call, and they would come. It was a simple yet sacred ritual that stirred something pastoral in me. That’s when I knew I wanted to dive deeper. I was intrigued not just with the sheep. I was also captivated by the wool they gave and the stories it would tell.

Back then, I knew how to knit a little and crochet some, but I longed for more. I wanted to learn to spin.

A Fiber Journey Begins

At first, wool felt out of reach. Buying 100% wool yarn was expensive, and spinning wheels were even more so. I had never heard of a drop spindle until one day I stumbled across it online. That discovery changed everything. I realized I start spinning on a budget. eBay, YouTube tutorials, and fiber forums became my teachers.

We found a local farm having a shearing day. I jumped at the chance to help. I paid for a sheep’s injections that year in exchange for the fleece. I took it home—dirty, greasy, and full of potential. Washing, drying, carding—it was all a massive learning curve, but slowly I started to understand the rhythm of the wool.

I spun enough for a pair of socks. I was so proud. Then I found a used plastic spinning wheel from Wisconsin—affordable and practical. It arrived in a box, and before long, I was spinning with both hands and heart.

From Wool to Wardrobe

The learning curve was real—drive bands breaking, fiber filled with neps, uneven bits and short pieces. But those frustrations became milestones. Each little hiccup taught me something new.

Now, I have a stash (as most crafters do). More fiber than projects. More yarn than ideas. And yet, choosing what to spin, how to dye, and what to knit still brings me joy. Some projects are for me. Some are gifts. Some are experiments in texture and color. That’s part of the magic.

The most exciting project? Probably that first pair of socks from my handspun yarn. But honestly, each finished project—whether from hand-dyed yarn or commercial wool—feels like a little victory.

Why It Matters

I’m passionate about fiber arts because I feel like I’m part of the process. From fleece to yarn to garment, I get to shape something with my hands that’s both beautiful and practical. It reminds me of ministry, too—how something raw can be transformed with care and intention.

Fiber art teaches me patience, persistence, and presence. And it connects me to something older than myself—an ancient rhythm of craft, care, and community.

Thanks for taking the time to get to know me a little better. Whether you’re here to learn or be inspired, I’m happy we met. I’m also delighted to share in the joy of handmade living with you.

Thanks for taking the time to get to know me a little better. Whether you’re here to learn or be inspired, I’m glad we’ve crossed paths. You also be here to simply share in the joy of handmade living.

I’d love to hear your story too.
Do you spin, knit, crochet, or sew? Have you ever worked with raw wool or dreamed of trying? Drop a comment below or send me a message—I truly enjoy connecting with fellow makers.

If you’d like to follow along on my fiber journey, you can get tutorials and project updates. It also includes reflections on faith and creativity. Subscribe to the blog or follow me on Instagram @Dollcan.

Let’s keep creating, learning, and finding joy in the process—together.

Doll

Let’s slow down our crafting

May 12, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Using crafting to slow down is a beautiful, intentional practice. It invites you to be present, mindful, and rooted in the moment. Here’s how to do it:

Let’s slow down our crafting. Which of these steps will you try?

1. Set the Intention

Before you start, take a breath and tell yourself, “This is time to slow down.”
Light a candle, say a short prayer, or play calming music—create a ritual that marks this as sacred, restful time.

2. Choose Slow Crafts

Pick crafts that can’t be rushed: hand stitching, spindle spinning, hand knitting, embroidery, or weaving.
These crafts naturally need a rhythm and patience, helping shift your body and mind to a slower pace.

3. Craft Without Pressure

Let go of productivity goals. Don’t worry about deadlines or finished objects.
Focus on the feel of the yarn, the movement of your hands, or the rhythm of the stitches.

4. Be Fully Present

Notice the textures, colours, sounds, and even the little imperfections.
If your mind wanders, gently return to your hands—what they’re touching, creating, and shaping.

5. Connect Spiritually

Use crafting as a form of prayer, meditation, or gratitude. Say a prayer with each stitch or dedicate your work to someone.
Consider on scriptures or quiet thoughts as you work.

6. Limit Distractions

Craft in a quiet space or with minimal digital interruptions.
Leave your phone out of reach, or set it to “Do Not Disturb.”

7. Craft Outdoors or Near Nature

Take your knitting to the porch, or embroider by a window. Let the natural world support your slowing down.

Journal Prompt: Slowing Down Through Crafting

Take a deep breath. Let your hands rest on your project. Consider on the next:

1. What drew me to pick up this craft today?

2. How does the rhythm of this work affect my body, mind, or spirit right now?

End with this question. What is one small way I can carry the spirit of this slow moment into the rest of my day?

Many blessings,