This is something I ponder often as I feel I am always so busy, busy, busy making things. The answer I always think of first is, “because I have to”. If I didn’t create I know I’d be loony, nuts, depressed—the whole shebang. Creating is necessary for my well being.
If I start to dig deeper I can see why I have to create. I get little jolts of happiness (maybe it’s my brain releasing endorphins) when I create something, especially if it’s something different. When a doll ensemble is finished I usually get that happiness jolt. I say usually because if I make something that is copied from a previous creation, I get nothing. If it’s something that is not very different, I get very little. But if my completed ensemble is quite different I get a huge dose of “happy”!
I haven’t even finished my next ensemble and I got a double dose of happiness yesterday. I must share—a double dose of happiness just doesn’t happen everyday! And here’s why.
Pockets! I knit patch pockets right onto my sweater coat for the Little Darlings! I have never knit pockets directly onto my knitwear before. They came out perfect, so adorable and miniature, happy number one. However, they were immediately asking to be filled.
Here is happy number two!
All this snow we’ve gotten has made me want to make a snowman. Since I’m not too excited to spend more than a minute out in the cold, I made one in my studio instead. And, she (it’s a girl) fits right into those patch pockets.
I swear I heard this tiny snowgirl thanking me for bringing her to life. I love her so much, I knit her her very own itty bitty cap. Isn’t she the cutest li’l thing!
Thank you for sharing in my happiness jolt. Do any of you get a happiness boost from creating? If so, is it during the process or when the project is complete? I’d love to hear about your experiences with creating. Please share!
Bye for now!
Cindy Rice Designs 
I love the pockets and the little snow girl! I also understand how creating things makes you happy — I agree! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Jeri. Thank you, and thanks for commenting. I’m glad you find the same “happy” in making things as I do. It’s wonderful to have this passion, isn’t it?
Dear Cindy, I adore your point of view and practical sense about life
Hello Orli. Thank you! I am happy you enjoy my ramblings about my simple life. ❤
It’s not just me (as an admirer) .You are accurate in your reasoning. See how many readers are reacting 🙂
I love this post Cindy. Your happiness is actually contagious! Love, Love the little snowman!
Hello Heather. It’s funny, but sharing makes me feel happier too. Sometimes I don’t even plan on writing a post, it just happens. I guess the words and thoughts want to come out. I just roll with it most days! Ha!
I can’t wait to see all of your new work; you’ll have so much time now to delve into every nook and cranny of painting. I’m sure you will notice yourself growing and learning new things at a much brisker pace.
Miss you guys! Sending love to you all! ❤
Thanks Cindy! Love to you all there.
This little set is truly inspired. Your description of why you create something different every time is perfect. Merry Christmas to you!
Hello Susette. I’m happy you enjoy reading my ramblings about my simple life and things I make. Merry Christmas & thank you!
I totally get it! I recently made a tiny dress for my little Tonner Patsyette doll. It’s just a simple little dress, not even that difficult to sew, but she looks so sweet in it that every time I look at her I have to chuckle! I can’t really explain why sewing and creating for dolls brings such laughter into my heart. I so enjoy your sharing of your creative process and admire the craftsmanship and humor in your creations. And your little snow girl makes me chuckle!!
Hi Tamara and thank you! That is so neat that you get that same feeling of “happy” from creating things for your sweet Patsyettle to wear. I’m also not sure why some of us love dolls so much. I know that I have extremely happy doll memories from when I was young. Could that be it? Maybe not, though, as my sisters don’t share the same passion for dolls as I do. That’s a whole new topic, isn’t it? Thank you for commenting; I’m now pondering why I love dolls. lol 🙂
I agree, the happiness of your posts is contagious. Love this outfit and especially pockets and snowman. Would love to see a pattern for this coat, I would buy it in a heartbeat!!
Aww, thanks so much, Rene! I am so happy to be able to spread a little happiness out there. After all, it’s free! I’m working on a pattern for a sweater coat.
I do like those pockets and of course the little snow girl. She is so cute.
Guess I should tell the other person here that is why I too like making things. He just rolls his eyes and says, more dolly stuff! Can’t wait to see your completed creation. So fun.
Weather report said Chicago was going to be -3 low tomorrow. Burr…. Thinking of you.
You know, Joy, our husbands should be VERY happy that their wives have something harmless to be passionate about. A passionate life is a vibrant and happy life. It would be very sad living without a passion and/or being addicted to something harmful. That’s how I feel anyway.
Yes, we are COLD! This morning my husband said the temp has gone up a few degrees from the early morning to 9 degrees. lol Actually, we may see -25 wind chills either tonight or tomorrow night. How’s that for cold?
Thank you, Joy, for your friendship.
So looking forward to seeing the completed outfit….but the little snowgirl is just plain yummy!
It’s totally different creating something with a face; it’s like bringing a little something to life. I love looking at hand made dolls made by other artisans. I have a little itch to pursue it sometime in the future. However, I am still enjoying the dolls I have too much. Thank you, Wendi!
yes and yes! Love your tiny snow-girl, can’t wait to see the whole ensemble….
Thanks so much Judi! It’s almost done! Today I will finish it up! Enjoy your day!
Beautiful! Love that darling cardi and those amazing tiny pickets and still tinier showgirl with her own hat! What smiles you have also created.
Yes, I feel the same way and never really understood why I feel so “blah” about making a copy vs the jolt from creating something different. The scanning mind 🙂 I hope you never stop sharing your wonderful creations. They are beloved little things
I am happy to share what I create. It would not be half as much fun creating if I couldn’t share those things. I think sharing is the next step to getting the full benefit of creating. Thank you so much for your sweet comments, Renee.
There is something in creating that gives us a happy feeling. Sometimes I get the urge to knit or crochet or sew and I just HAVE to do it. Right now I’m knitting, but I really want to sew. My machine is set aside due to all the doll, fabric and beads on my dining room table. Somehow I have to conquer this wonderful mess and sew, but I do love to look and touch my dolls and fabric and beads all the time. I guess it’s the dreams that all that stuff holds!
Well said, Rita! It IS great to be able to work on whatever craft strikes our fancy at any given moment. It sounds like you need to clear off your dining room table!
I love all of the STUFF that goes with creating, the more the better!
Happy sewing! Thank you for commenting!
The little snowgirl is really cute and she found an ideal place in this beautiful pocket!
Have a good afternoon!
Catherine
Thank you, Catherine. I’ve always loved tiny miniatures! Miniature pockets that actually hold something is so enchanting to me. I hope it’s warmer in France than here in Illinois, USA. We’re expecting wind chills down to -26°C to -31°C tonight or tomorrow night. Brrr!
I can certainly feel your “jolt” as I too felt it when I read this post! How adorable! And the little snowbaby is darling as well! Someday – someday, I hope to have one of your beautiful creations so I get my own little jolt every time I put it on one of my Little Darlings! Beautiful work, Cindy!
Aww, thanks Phyllis. I’m glad I could send a little “happy” to you over the internet! I hope you can too! ❤
Hi, Cindy!! I’ve been receiving your blog for months now and just today noticed the ‘comment’ button!! I LOVE the pockets and if it’s possible..I think I love the little snowgirl even more!! I’m very glad you stay busy creating…we would hate to have you loony, nuts and depressed!
Hi Bobi. I’m glad you found the comment button. It’s nice to hear from you. 🙂 I must say that I enjoy creating little tinies with happy faces. 🙂 Thank you for commenting!
that snowman is freaking adorable, as is the pocket he goes in.
i think you and i do things for similar reasons– you knit (as do some of my friends) and i do “computery things,” but i think the motivation is nearly the same. and certainly lots of the pleasure is in doing the thing itself– but im sure youve found theres still another pleasure in sharing it with others. have fun and happy 2017 🙂
Yes, well said. Creativity comes through in many forms, doesn’t it? Thanks for the compliment on my tiny snowman, and a happy new year to you too. Enjoy the weekend!