2025-03-01T13:15:08-05:00

Rocking chair crafting goals 2025

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

Hello, dear friends! It’s Doll from Doll Can Create, and I’m thrilled to have you join me today. As we usher in March, the landscape around us is in flux—snow, rain, sleet, and the promise of spring. It’s a season of renewal, and what better time to embark on a year-long journey of mindful, local crafting?

Embracing the 100-Mile Crafting Challenge

Inspired by the 100-Mile Diet, which encourages sourcing food within a 100-mile radius to promote sustainability and support local economies, I’ve decided to apply this concept to my crafting endeavors. The goal is to source fibers and materials from local farms and artisans, thereby reducing our carbon footprint and fostering a deeper connection with our community.

en.wikipedia.org

The Importance of Setting Crafting Goals

Without clear goals, it’s easy to drift from one project to another, leaving many unfinished. By setting specific objectives, we can channel our creativity more effectively and experience the satisfaction of completing meaningful projects. For instance, committing to knitting a pair of socks each month or spinning a certain amount of fiber weekly can provide structure and motivation.

zenyarngarden.com

My Current Projects and Fiber Adventures

Recently, I’ve been spinning some delightful brown fiber gifted from Germany—a blend that’s been a joy to work with. Additionally, I’ve spun yarn from local sheep, resulting in a sturdy two-ply yarn. While I haven’t decided on the final projects for these yarns, I’m contemplating various options like scarves, socks, or perhaps even a cozy sweater.

Tips for Your Crafting Journey

Start Small: If you’re new to spinning or knitting, begin with manageable projects like hats or scarves. Completing these can boost your confidence and inspire you to tackle more ambitious endeavors.
Keep Records: Maintaining a crafting journal can be invaluable. Documenting your projects, materials used, and techniques learned not only tracks your progress but also serves as a reference for future projects.
Set Seasonal Goals: Align your projects with the seasons. Winter might be ideal for cozy accessories, while spring could inspire lightweight garments. Summer offers opportunities for natural dyeing, and fall is perfect for larger undertakings like sweaters.

Health Benefits of Knitting and Spinning

Beyond the tangible products we create, crafting offers numerous health benefits. Engaging in activities like knitting can reduce stress, enhance cognitive function, and promote relaxation. It’s a therapeutic practice that nurtures both mind and body.

Join Me on This Journey

I invite you to embark on this year of mindful local crafting. What’s the first project you’ll start this March? Where will you source your materials? Share your plans and experiences in the comments below. Together, let’s make this year one of creativity, sustainability, and community connection.

Until next time, happy crafting, and may your projects bring you joy and fulfillment.

Blessings,

Doll

What did we buy today? (100 Mile Adventure)

January 30, 2025January 30, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

We did some end of the month shopping today at a local store: Denninger’s. (3.5 KM from home)

I was looking for some liverwurst and asked at the Deli where it was made – right here in Hamilton she said. Bonus!

All that I purchased was 100 Mile except the grapes which came from Peru. This is not the best shop for low prices but the quality is so good and the staff always pleasant and kind.

We saved $14.15 by purchasing items marked down. Even the grapes were $2.00 off. Will we shop there again? For sure.

How have you made out with your shopping this week? Any great, local deals? Comment below. Let’s keep the conversation going.

Doll

Station Dairy 21.3 KM (we purchased at Denningers)

Hewitts Dairy 33.8 KM

I struggle with moving from miles to km so for me it’s almost always how long does it take to get there? 160 km = 100 mile LOL

Decluttering and Embracing the 100 Mile Life

January 29, 2025January 29, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Hi friends, and welcome! I’m so glad you could join me. This past weekend, I went through a huge decluttering session with a group of others online, and it made me realize just how much stuff I have. Have you ever taken a moment to think about how many items are in your kitchen, in that one forgotten corner, or scattered throughout your home?

As I continue my journey with the 100 Mile Life, I want to dive into household essentials—what we need, what we don’t, and how we can replace items sustainably within our local area.

The Reality Check on Household Items

Take a moment to consider: How many dishes do you own? How many pots, pans, gadgets, and miscellaneous tools are in your kitchen? More importantly, when something breaks, what is your instinct? Do you immediately turn to Amazon for a replacement? That used to be me. But if we’re truly committed to the 100 Mile Life, we need a different approach.

For me, the answer is thrifting. Right now, I’m searching for a square baking pan—either an 8×8 or 9×9. Sure, I could order one online and have it delivered tomorrow. But instead, I’m choosing to visit a local thrift store, where I’m almost certain to find one. And even if I don’t, I already have round baking pans that will serve the same purpose. Do I truly need to spend money at all?

Thrift stores are treasure troves filled with baking items, dishes, utensils, glassware, and even kitchen electronics. However, it’s easy to walk out with more than you need, so I follow the “one in, one out” rule—if I bring something new into my home, something old must go.

Thinking Beyond Convenience

The convenience of new products often comes at a cost. Many household goods travel thousands of miles from manufacturing sites in China, India, and other distant locations. The transportation industry is massive, and while I love tracking ships on the Great Lakes and seeing what goods they carry, I’ve decided I don’t want to contribute unnecessarily to that cycle. I have enough.

Reducing Paper and Cleaning Products

Household sustainability isn’t just about dishes and gadgets—it extends to disposable products as well. How much paper do we really need? Could we use rags instead of paper towels? And while I won’t dive into the topic of toilet paper just yet, it’s another area worth considering.

Cleaning products are another area for reflection. Do we really need a chemical-based cleaner for every surface? Often, a simple spray bottle with water will do the trick. I plan to use up the cleaning products I already own before deciding on more eco-friendly alternatives. While sustainable options can be more expensive, buying fewer unnecessary items makes room in the budget for quality, local products.

Moving Forward with the 100 Mile Life

So, what can you do in your home to make it more 100 Mile Life-friendly? Are there items you could source locally instead of buying new? Are there ways to simplify and reduce waste?

I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you have any insights or questions, feel free to leave a comment and share this with anyone who might be interested. The 100 Mile Diet has its challenges—especially in winter—but I’m committed to finding a way, whether it’s through fiber, food, household goods, or clothing (which we’ll discuss in the next post).

Let’s create a life that is not only fulfilling but also conscious of our impact.

Buy locally. Live sustainably.

This is Doll from Doll Can Create and you can too. Thanks for reading—see you next time!

Might not be easy but it is possible.

January 28, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Hi friends,

How are you doing in your 100 Mile Life? If you’ve been following me, you’ll know that I’ve embarked on a journey to create a life within a 100-mile radius of where we’re living.

Hi, this is Doll from Doll Can Create. You can too!

In Canada right now, there’s a big push to buy Canadian, which I understand. But my thought is—why not buy 100 miles? Let’s cut down on shipping, trucking, and the environmental impact. Let’s be good to this big, beautiful world that we live in. Right? That’s where I’m coming from.

I started this challenge and this journey before last week’s shift in government and before last week’s announcements about a federal and provincial election. This started before that, and I want to bring you along with me.

So if you’re interested, like, subscribe, and share with your friends. Know that I’m here to help, and through my longer videos and blog posts, I’ll share strategies and things to look for as you enjoy your 100 Mile Life—not just today, but for many days to come.

Till then, God bless. See you next time!

Bye for now.

The 100-Mile Life: Exploring Local Food Choices

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

Hello, my friends! Have you ever stopped to think about where your food comes from? Is it flown in from thousands of kilometers away or sourced just down the road?

Welcome! This is Doll from Doll Can Create, where I share my journey of crafting and living intentionally. Today, I’m diving into the second set of rules I’ve created for my 100-Mile Life Experiment.

Rule #1: Use What You Have

In my last post, I talked about sourcing local wool for my knitting and crafting projects. While I work towards fully local wool, I’ve also committed to using what I already have. My Sophie scarf, for example, was made from yarn already in my stash. It may not be local, but it’s a step toward sustainability.

Now, I’m turning my attention to food—where it’s grown, processed, and packaged. My goal is to source as much as possible from within a 100-mile radius of my home.

Rule #2: Local Meat

Finding locally sourced meat is tricky. Many grocery store options are imported, like New Zealand lamb. However, I know of at least one local processor, and I’m exploring food delivery services that prioritize local meat.

Prepared products require extra scrutiny—labels often reveal where meat was packaged, which may or may not meet my 100-mile rule. It’s all about reading labels and asking questions.

Rule #3: Local Cookies and Baking

When it comes to snacks, I’m rethinking my choices. For instance, Oreos are made in Montreal, which is outside my 100-mile zone. Instead, I’m revisiting local options like Dare cookies or baking my own treats.

To support this, I’ve revived my sourdough starter. The warmer temperature in my apartment has helped it thrive, and I’m excited to bake bread again. I’m also researching local grain mills for flour from nearby farms.

Rule #4: Produce and Dairy

Winter makes sourcing fresh, local produce challenging, but I’ve found creative solutions:

Local dairy: Summit Dairy, just outside Ancaster, produces excellent products from its own herd. While slightly more expensive, their milk, cream, and chocolate milk are worth it.
Produce options: I’ve started using services like Produce Express, which allows me to choose local fruits and vegetables.
Sprouting at home: To enjoy fresh greens year-round, I’ve begun sprouting mung beans, radishes, and pea shoots. It’s a quick and satisfying way to supplement my diet with homegrown nutrients.

A Few Exceptions

Of course, I have a few items that I’m allowing myself to buy outside the 100-mile rule, like matcha tea, green tea, and coffee. But even here, I plan to transition to local roasters once my current stash is used up.

Sharing the Journey

This journey is just beginning, and I’m excited to share more about my research and discoveries in future posts. From finding local suppliers to adapting recipes, it’s an adventure in mindful living.

What about you? Does the idea of sourcing food locally appeal to you, or does it feel daunting? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear from you.

Until next time, this is Doll from Doll Can Create, reminding you that you can too. Let’s create a more intentional, sustainable life together.

Stay tuned, and bye for now! Blessings to you.

Living the 100-Mile Life: First Up, Fibre

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

Hey friends, welcome to my journey! I’m embarking on a 100-mile life adventure, and I’d love for you to come along. My mission? To live as locally as possible, sourcing everything within a 100-mile radius of my home. My first focus is on fibre, specifically wool, crafting, and all the amazing things that come with it.

Let’s dive in!

A Quick Fibre Tour

So, here’s what I’m working with. I’ve taken stock of my fibre stash, and let me tell you, it’s impressive and a little over-whelming; even embarrassing.

Bins full of fibre.
Bags that haven’t even been opened yet.
Work-in-progress projects and more fibre tucked away.

Honestly, do you think I have enough? I think so! This hidden treasure trove is a great start for my journey. Now, the plan: use what I have, source local fibres, and dive deep into the crafting process.

The Three Rules

Use What I Have: I’m committed to using my existing fibre stash. I have my spindles, my spinning wheel, and even some natural dyes I’ve been eager to experiment with.
Source Local Fibres: Supporting local shepherds and fibre farms is a top priority. I already know of a few farms within my 100-mile radius where I can visit, meet the shepherds, and select the fibres I need.
Explore Local Tools: While I don’t necessarily need new tools, I’m curious about local artisans who might create spindles or other crafting tools. It’s all part of staying true to the 100-mile life.

No More Impulse Buys

This journey isn’t just about where I source my materials; it’s also about curbing unnecessary spending. No more buying yarn just because it’s pretty. Instead, I’ll focus on:

Attending local fiber festivals (like the one coming up in March).
Visiting thrift stores for second-hand supplies when needed.
Making do with what I already own.

Wool’s Journey

Have you ever thought about from where your wool comes ? Shipping fibre across the globe is expensive and environmentally costly. For example, wool shipped from New Zealand to Vancouver and then across Canada incurs tremendous costs, both financially and environmentally. By choosing local, I can minimise this impact while supporting Canadian wool growers and fibre mills.

Beyond Fiber

This journey extends beyond fiber into other areas of my life, including food, clothing, and more. For clothing, I’ll use the fabric I already have or source it second-hand. I’ve heard that church groups often have surplus fabric they’re happy to share, which is a great way to keep things sustainable. As for undergarments… well, that might be a bridge too far for my crafting skills!

A Question for You

What steps can you take to support your local economy? Have you considered from where your crafting materials come? Living a 100-mile life is about more than just sustainability—it’s about building connections and strengthening local communities.

Stay tuned for my next post, where I’ll dive into the topic of food. For now, think about your craft supplies. Are there ways you can source more locally or reduce waste? Let’s create a more sustainable world together.

This is Doll from Doll Can Create, reminding you that you can too. Many blessings, and bye for now!

Doll Can Create

100 Mile Life/Grandma Core

Category: 100 Mile Life Adventure