Doll Can Create

100 Mile Life/Grandma Core

March Reflections: Fiber, Faith & Finding Calm — March 31, 2025

March Reflections: Fiber, Faith & Finding Calm

Hello friends,

As March draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the rhythm of my days—filled with fibre, faith, and finding small ways to bring more peace into my life. This month has been about creativity, mindful making, and managing anxiety with intention. Here’s a glimpse into what I’ve been working on and learning.

Spinning & Knitting Updates

March has been a full month on my needles and spindle! Here’s what’s been keeping my hands busy:

  • Socks, a shawl, a sweater, and a blanket—each one growing stitch by stitch.
  • Spindling DK brown & spinning fawn—finding joy in slow, meditative movement.
  • Carding white & brown wool—preparing fiber is just as satisfying as spinning it!
  • English Paper Piecing (EPP)—a quiet, mindful project for piecing beauty together.
  • Knitting a hat—because there’s always room for one more.

I’m also planning recorded a spindle plying tutorial, which I’m excited to share soon! You’ll see this later today.

Lenten Knitting & YouTube

I continue to work on a Lenten knitting project, setting aside an hour a day to stitch with intention. This ties into a YouTube video I’m creating about faith and knitting, where I explore how these practices intertwine.

Another video I create is this shortform: “Finding Calm: Strategies for Managing Anxiety.” I’d shared how spinning and knitting has become powerful tools in my journey, along with other techniques that help me reset when anxiety starts creeping in.

Managing Anxiety: What’s Been Helping

Anxiety has a way of showing up uninvited, but I’ve been focusing on small, tangible ways to shift my mindset. Here are some go-to strategies I’ve been leaning on:

  • Fresh air & water—getting outside, even for a few minutes, helps.
  • Knitting—stitching my worries into something tangible.
  • Watching something funny—laughter truly is medicine.
  • Healthy food—choosing what nourishes both body and mind.
  • Writing down blessings—a simple way to shift perspective.
  • Decluttering—turning tidying into a game keeps it from feeling overwhelming.
  • Driving—sometimes a change of scenery is all I need.

Recognizing the early signs of anxiety—like staying up too late or feeling a racing heart—has also been key in catching it before it takes over.

Sourcing Local: My 100-Mile Life Challenge

Another focus lately has been my 100-Mile Life in 100 Days challenge. I’m continuing to seek out locally sourced wool and other products, making mindful choices about where my materials come from. It’s been an eye-opening experience, deepening my connection to both my craft and my community.

Looking Ahead

As April approaches, I’m eager to continue these projects and see where they lead. If you’re also on a journey of mindful making, I’d love to hear from you—what’s been on your needles, spindle, or heart this month?

Until next time,

Doll from Doll Can Create

Habit Stacking and Weekly Reflections: Join My Journey — February 8, 2025

Habit Stacking and Weekly Reflections: Join My Journey

Friends, welcome to my weekly newsletter! Each week, I’ll break down my activities, wins, and the hurdles I’ve crossed (or am still working on).

In my world, the week begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday, so let’s dive into what happened this week!

Daily Activities

  • My routines remain steady, but I’ve successfully kept up with a clean kitchen before bedtime. To track this, I started putting $1 in a jar every evening. What will I do with this savings? Not sure yet—any ideas?
  • I’m adding a new habit to this routine using habit stacking: starting tonight, I’ll also clear off the table (which often doubles as my desk).
  • Errands & Chores: I went to the clinic for bloodwork ahead of next week’s doctor’s appointment. I also mailed a parcel of hand-dyed yarn, a spindle, and fiber to a friend.

Work & Projects

  • Knitting: Made great progress on my second sock—one step closer to a finished pair
  • Spinning: Still working on the brown fiber from Germany. Not sure what it will become yet—any suggestions?
  • 100 Mile Life: Didn’t shop much this week, but I’ve taken another 100-mile step: limiting my intake of news to local sources. There’s too much happening in the world for me to process right now.
  • Sourcing fiber-related tools—hoping to share more on this soon!
  • Go to YouTube for my latest uploads. https://www.youtube.com/@Dollcan

Social & Community

  • Bible Study & Coffee Time was well attended and full of laughter and great conversations. A highlight of my week!

Learning & Reflection

  • Reading: The Monastic Heart by Joan Chittister
  • Watching:
    1. Queen Charlotte (Bridgerton) Netflix
    2. Call the Midwife CBC Gem
    3. The Great British Baking Show CBC Gem
  • Daily Bullet Journal

That’s my week in a nutshell! What have you been up to? Let’s chat in the comments!

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