Doll Can Create

100 Mile Life/Grandma Core

Meet the Maker: How I Fell in Love with Spinning and Knitting — May 15, 2025

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

/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

Let’s slow down our crafting

/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,

Doll

✝️ “Faith on the Road” — May 11, 2025

✝️ “Faith on the Road”

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Acts 8:26–39

1. God Still Guides (v. 26–29)

Philip was told to go to a desert road with no explanation. He obeyed.

  • Application: Even now, God still guides us—through Scripture, prayer, nudges in our spirit, or opportunities to serve.
  • Encouragement: We not always understand the “why,” but obedience opens the way for God to work.

2. God Still Teaches (v. 30–35)

The Ethiopian was reading but didn’t understand. God used Philip to explain.

  • Application: We are never too old to learn or to teach. God uses both questions and answers to build faith.
  • Encouragement: Keep asking, keep listening, keep sharing your wisdom.

3. God Still Welcomes (v. 36–39)

The man’s question—“What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”—was met with open arms.

  • Application: God’s grace is always ready to meet those who seek Him.
  • Encouragement: No one is excluded. Our job is to help others find the joy of walking with Jesus.

🔚 Closing Thought:

Like Philip, we can be messengers of hope. Like the Ethiopian, we can be lifelong learners who rejoice in the truth. And like both, we can trust that God meets us on every road.

🧶 Spin & Pray With Me: Finding Calm in the Craft — May 7, 2025

🧶 Spin & Pray With Me: Finding Calm in the Craft

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

There’s something sacred about the rhythm of spinning.
The gentle pull of fiber through your fingers.
The quiet whir of the spindle or wheel.
The way time slows just enough for your heart to catch up with your breath.

This week, I wanted to share a simple practice that’s become part of my spiritual rhythm: spinning as prayer.

✨ Why Spin & Pray?

We often think of prayer as words. Spoken. Whispered. Written down.
But there’s another kind — the quiet prayer of presence.
The kind that happens when your hands are busy and your spirit is open.

Spinning wool offers that invitation.
It lets us settle into stillness while our bodies stay gently in motion.
It becomes a space to:

  • Offer our worries and hopes
  • Sit with grief, joy, or longing
  • Hold names of loved ones in our hearts
  • Simply rest in God’s presence

📖 A Scripture for the Spinner’s Heart

“In quietness and trust is your strength.” – Isaiah 30:15

This verse has anchored me more times than I can count.
In the stillness of crafting — especially spinning — I have found a quiet. This quiet not only calms the mind but also nourishes the soul.

🙏 How to Try It

Want to spin and pray with me? Here’s how you can try it:

  1. Set a gentle mood
    Light a candle. Play soft music. Sit somewhere peaceful.
  2. Gather your fiber and spindle or wheel
    Nothing fancy is needed — just what feels right in your hands.
  3. Start with a deep breath
    Let go of your to-do list. Let your shoulders drop. You’re here now.
  4. Spin and listen
    You don’t need words. Just the rhythm. Just the wool. Just the moment.
  5. If a prayer rises up, say it
    If not, let the spinning be the prayer.

🧘 A Space for Everyone

You don’t need to be “religious” to find meaning in this practice.
Spin & Pray is for anyone seeking a little more peace, presence, and purpose in their craft.

You can sit with me during one of these moments. I’ve shared a new video on YouTube. In it, we spin and pray together. You’re warmly invited.

👉 Watch now: Spin & Pray With Me

💜 Until next time — spin gently, pray deeply, and stay grounded in grace.
— Barbara @ Doll Can Create

Finding Grace in the Craft — May 5, 2025

Finding Grace in the Craft

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Moments that calm the soul By Doll Can Create


There’s a sacred quiet that settles in when I sit down to spin or knit. The world slows. The chatter softens. And in that stillness, something deeper begins to stir: grace.

Grace shows up in the ordinary
It’s in the way the yarn stretches just far enough to finish the row. Or when the spindle spins true, even after a long day. It’s the sigh of relief when the colors blend just right. It’s also when your hands remember a rhythm your mind had forgotten. Nothing flashy. Just the quiet kindness of things working together.

Crafting is a way of praying. You use your hands for this prayer. Colossians 3:23 (NIV):
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”


I often say that knitting is my way of keeping a quiet conversation going with God. Each stitch holds a moment, a breath, a hope. Spinning wool feels the same. The fibers remind me that slow is good. Twists and turns are part of the story. There is calm in that letting go.

When life feels messy, crafting provides it with form and structure.
There’s something healing about watching chaos turn into order. A tangled skein turns into a neat ball. Scraps become a blanket. Roving transforms into yarn. Crafting reminds me that transformation takes time and that even messiness has its purpose.

You don’t have to make something perfect. Just make
Grace doesn’t demand perfection. It welcomes presence. Whether you’re pulling stitches back or trying a new pattern, grace sits beside you and says, “It’s okay. Keep going.” And calm follows when we stop measuring success by speed or flawlessness.

So light a candle. Make a cup of tea or your favourite beverage. Pick up your needles, your spindle, your cloth. Let your craft become your quiet sanctuary—a place where grace can find you.

Serve, speak the truth, and shine. — May 4, 2025

Serve, speak the truth, and shine.

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

What Acts 6 Teaches Us About Leadership and Courage

In the early days of the church, something beautiful and messy happened — growth.
But as more people joined, real needs began to surface.
Acts 6 gives us a powerful glimpse into how the early church handled conflict, raised up leaders, and lived out their calling with Spirit-filled courage.

Here are five lessons we can draw from this chapter — and from Stephen, a servant full of grace and power.

1. Growth Brings Growing Pains

As the number of disciples increased, so did the challenges.
A dispute arose over the care of widows, revealing gaps in the church’s support system.
Instead of ignoring the issue, the apostles listened and acted.

Real ministry isn’t free from conflict — it faces it with wisdom.
When our churches or communities grow, we must also grow in grace, structure, and communication.

2. Delegation Requires Discernment

The apostles didn’t try to do everything themselves.
They said: “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables” (Acts 6:2).
So they appointed seven Spirit-filled individuals to care for the practical needs of the community.

Healthy delegation isn’t about handing off chores — it’s about sharing purpose.
Everyone has a role in building the kingdom. Word and deed go hand in hand.

3. Character is the First Qualification

When choosing leaders, the early church looked not at resumes, but at hearts.
They chose men “full of the Spirit and wisdom.” Stephen stood out as “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.”

The Spirit-filled life doesn’t start on a stage — it starts in quiet faithfulness.
Leadership in God’s eyes begins with integrity, prayer, and a surrendered heart.

4. Spirit-Filled Witness May Bring Resistance

Stephen didn’t stay hidden in administrative duties.
He preached boldly, performed signs, and shared the gospel with clarity and power.
This drew opposition from those who couldn’t stand against the wisdom the Spirit gave him.

When you live boldly for Christ, resistance will come.
But so will strength — not from us, but from the Spirit who speaks through us.

5. A Life Close to God Will Shine

As false witnesses rose up against Stephen, something remarkable happened.
“They saw that his face was like the face of an angel.”
Stephen’s countenance reflected his closeness to God — even under pressure.

We may not always perform miracles. Yet, we can show God’s glory in the way we live. We can reflect it through how we serve and stand firm.

Final Thoughts

Acts 6 reminds us that serving tables and standing before councils are both sacred when done in the Spirit.
Stephen shows us that leadership is about more than skills. It’s about courage, grace, and being rooted in God’s presence.

Want to live a Spirit-filled life? Start by serving.
Stand in truth. And let your life shine with grace.

Slow Fashion – Beyond the Thrift-Store — May 3, 2025

Slow Fashion – Beyond the Thrift-Store

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

🧵 Why Choose Slow Fashion?

3 Questions to Consider Before Your Next Wardrobe Purchase

Slow Fashion can look like this:

Can also look like this:

1. How does slow fashion support the environment?

  • Reduces textile waste
  • Favors natural, biodegradable fibers
  • Limits overproduction and shipping emissions
  • Encourages long-lasting, quality garments

2. How does slow fashion promote ethical labor?

  • Supports fair wages and safe working conditions
  • Highlights local artisans and small-scale makers
  • Values craftsmanship over mass production
  • Fosters transparency in the supply chain

3. What values do I want my clothes to show?

  • Simplicity and intentional living
  • Cultural preservation and creativity
  • Sustainability and mindful consumption
  • Emotional connection to what you wear

✨ Final Thought:
Slow fashion is not just a trend—it’s a mindset.
It invites us to make thoughtful choices that show care for people, the planet, and ourselves.

✨ Ready to rethink your wardrobe? Hit like, and subscribe, and share this post to spread the slow fashion movement. Tell us in the comments: What value matters most to you when choosing clothing?

A Week of 100 Mile Meals: What I Ate, What I Learned — April 26, 2025

A Week of 100 Mile Meals: What I Ate, What I Learned

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment


By Doll | dollcancreate.com

I challenged myself to spend an entire week eating meals. These meals were made from ingredients sourced within a 100-mile radius of my home. The idea was simple but profound. I wanted to deepen my connection to the land. It was also about supporting local producers and exploring what it means to truly eat “close to home.”

Here’s a glimpse into what I ate—and what I discovered along the way.

🍳 Day 1: A Breakfast Grounded in Home

  • Meal: Scrambled eggs with local cheddar, served on English muffins from Oakrun Farm Bakery (Brantford)
  • Local sources: Eggs from the farmers’ market, cheese from a regional dairy
  • Reflection: Starting the day with food grown and made nearby felt grounding. No fancy ingredients—just simple, satisfying nourishment.

🥣 Day 2: Soup for the Soul

  • Meal: Carrot, potato, and onion soup with homemade stock
  • Local sources: All vegetables from a local farm store; stock made from leftover bones from a locally raised chicken
  • Surprise: The flavour was richer than expected—fresh produce really does make a difference.
  • Reflection: I felt connected to the rhythm of seasons and soil.

🧀 Day 3: Plough-man’s Lunch

  • Meal: A rustic plate of local cheese, apples, sourdough bread, and pickled veggies
  • Local sources: Apple orchard just 15 minutes away; pickles canned last summer
  • Reflection: This felt like a picnic from another era—slow, thoughtful, rooted in tradition.

🥘 Day 4: Comfort in a Casserole

  • Meal: Ground beef and rice casserole with herbs from the garden
  • Local sources: Grass-fed beef from a farm visit last fall; rice sourced regionally
  • Reflection: Planning ahead (and freezing local meat) makes this lifestyle more doable than I thought.

🥕 Day 5: Veggie Skillet Supper

  • Meal: Cabbage, carrots, onion, and sausage all tossed together in a skillet
  • Local sources: Veg from the local stand; sausage from a family-run butcher
  • Surprise: How much I didn’t miss anything “exotic.” This was deeply satisfying.
  • Reflection: Eating locally doesn’t mean boring. It means seasonal, vibrant, and flavorful.

🥚 Day 6: Brunch for Dinner

  • Meal: Local eggs, fried potatoes, toast, and rhubarb preserves
  • Local sources: Everything within 50 miles—truly a feast from close to home
  • Reflection: There’s something joyful in keeping it simple and making it special.

🍎 Day 7: Sweet Ending

  • Meal: Baked apples with oats and a splash of cream
  • Local sources: Apples from the orchard, oats from a nearby mill, cream from a local dairy
  • Reflection: A week of eating local ended on a sweet note—and I wasn’t craving anything else.

💭 What I Learned

  • Planning is essential. Local eating takes more intention but less complication than you’d expect.
  • The taste is better. Fresher food, fewer miles, and a story behind every bite.
  • It’s about connection. To farmers, seasons, neighbours, and your own values.

This week reminded me that food isn’t just fuel—it’s a relationship. And when that relationship is rooted in care, proximity, and community, every meal becomes a moment of grace.

The Sacred Stitch: Praying My Way Through Lent with Yarn — April 24, 2025

The Sacred Stitch: Praying My Way Through Lent with Yarn

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/1 Comment

This Lent, I didn’t give something up. I picked something up—my needles and yarn. (scroll down for video)

Every evening, I sat down with ten simple stitches and knit my way toward Easter. This year, I chose to create a Lenten blanket. It was a quiet project with no pressure. I worked on just small, modular squares of color and calm. What I didn’t expect was how this simple act would become my prayer.

Knitting as Devotion

The blanket wasn’t intricate. Each square was small—ten stitches across and ten back again. But that simplicity was the beauty of it. It allowed space. Space to listen, space to breathe, space to pray.

Each time I picked up my needles, it felt like I was entering into something sacred. My body slowed. My heart quieted. The rhythm of stitch after stitch became the rhythm of prayer—not always with words, but always with intention.

Prayer in Colour and Silence

Some evenings, I prayed for loved ones as I knit. Other times, I simply breathed deeply and let the yarn run through my fingers. The colours I chose came from bits of my handspun—nothing planned, only that each was different from the last. I wasn’t choosing a palette—I was choosing presence. Whatever felt right in the moment became part of the story.

There was no chart and no big goal. There was only the promise to knit one colour each day through the forty days of Lent. That small act became my grounding.

Grace in Every Stitch

It’s funny how something so ordinary can become sacred when you give it space.

There were moments of grace along the way. A square finished just before bed provided comfort. A color unexpectedly brought peace. One night, knitting was the only thing that kept the anxious thoughts at bay. I didn’t need to do anything heroic this Lent. I just needed to show up. Yarn in hand. Heart open.

From Good Friday to Resurrection Joy

As Holy Week approached, the blanket grew heavier in my lap. Each rectangle held the quiet prayers and honest questions I’d whispered throughout the season. And on Easter Sunday, when the final stitch was made, it felt like more than a finished project. It felt like resurrection.

Not because the blanket was perfect—it wasn’t. But because I was different. I had made space for stillness, for prayer, for grace.

An Invitation

If you’re longing for a gentler spiritual practice, I invite you to pick up something small and handmade. A needle, a spindle, a scrap of yarn. Let your hands lead the way. Don’t overthink it. Just start.

You find, like I did, that God meets you in the rhythm of your craft—one stitch at a time.

Many blessings,

Doll

Finding Grace in the Ordinary — April 22, 2025

Finding Grace in the Ordinary

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

What does it mean to find grace in the ordinary?

So often, we think of grace as something grand—a divine moment wrapped in light, a miracle, or a profound transformation. But what if grace is also hidden in the simple things? In the barely noticeable pauses. In the timing of a pot just before it boils dry. In the breath you didn’t know you needed until you took it.

Grace is when you expect disaster and instead find relief. You rush to the stove and catch the pot just in time. That tiny rescue, that breath of “thank goodness,” is grace. It’s not dramatic. But it’s real.

We don’t often recognize ordinary life as a place where grace lives. We overlook the everyday rhythms of making tea, folding laundry, walking to the mailbox. But maybe grace shows up right there—in the normal, the unnoticed.

Like when it rains on a day you’ve secretly been longing to slow down. That shower from the sky feels like permission to breathe. To rest. To stay home and not feel guilty about it. Is that not a grace?

Or when a loved one responds with gentleness instead of anger, with kindness instead of criticism—those are grace-filled moments too. Little glimpses of love where we braced for something less.

Grace can surprise us in worship too. When you say something simple and someone’s response is so heartfelt, so affirming, it stays with you. You didn’t expect it. You didn’t ask for it. But you feel lifted. That’s grace.

So grace isn’t always dramatic or dazzling. Maybe grace often looks like ordinary life simply unfolding. It can catch your heart off guard. It makes you whisper, “Thank you.”

And maybe, just maybe, that’s the point.

Doll Can Create

100 Mile Life/Grandma Core

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