Author: Regina

Francesca, Sowmya, Carolina, Laura, Jagoda, Emily, Lauren, Lucy, Leo and two other people , a boy and a girl I forgot to ask the names, made dolls at the last scratch night. We made 13 dolls in total. One of them is missing, I hope we will recover it soon.

Actually only two makers finished their dolls and meditate. I’ve already finished all the others, they were almost finished so it was an easy task.

‘I just forgot to add a heart to my doll, it was very sturdy but had no feelings – and I thought that was a nice metaphor for how we humans can be sometimes. Fortunately Regina helped me to fix the doll. I loved the whole experience.’

I’m really grateful for everybody who made dolls and for Leo and Sharon who always receive the project with such care and love, thank you! 

Emma and Leo made one doll each. Leo was glad making another doll, I think it’s his 4th. We made seven in total.

‘I really loved creating the doll. Very special to connect to my theatrical dreams and heartbeat through the doll making in a theatre. Feels very fizzy.’

I am very grateful for the invitation and for another brilliant evening together.

63 + 77 + 39 + 20 + 34 + 16 + 18 + 33 = 300

That’s the number of dolls we made only in big D&Ds from 2014 to 2020 and 2024.

Actually we made some in 2013 but I didn’t register the number. There is a photo of them lying down on the floor and I said ‘without dreams and a heart we can’t stand up.’

Those are pics of some of them in each year.

They are teens now and we have been looking at childhood photos, so many happy memories.

‘There is always room for a little more dreams.’

‘I enjoyed filling my doll with dreams sitting down and having uncomplicated honest conversations with people. I wish my doll well. It was a lovely experience to sit down with.’

‘A firm figure, so stuffed

that the red thread snaps at the hip.

My skirt button pops off

as I sit to make the final snip.’

‘A very relaxing and fulfilling experience. Making my doll at d&d made my day because was something out of the ordinary. I extremely enjoyed my day with dreams and a heart. The doll I made had only a couple of breaks that were easy to fix and made my doll is unique.’

‘I am very happy to bring you one doll closer to 3000. Thank you for a peaceful hour and lovely conversation.’

‘My doll today embodies my dreams for my daughter who is having a difficult time at the moment. My heart to her heart, my dreams to her dreams. Thank you x.’

‘A beautiful mindful moment of focus and reflection. Creating something bigger than the sum of its parts.’

‘That was so darn relaxing.’

‘Putting dreams into my feet and hands, brain and heart. Allowing me to roam free and keep running and exploring for ideas I long for a better world. A dream land.’

‘It was magical! To be focused, to be creative, to be quiet, to have a heart, to be absorbed, to be, to just be…Thank you!’

‘So many dreams packed into a small body. A heart obscured by dreamstuff. Return to the pulse.’

‘There is a lot of space inside us for a lot of dreams. Our hearts connect to the pulse of the universe around us. It’s easy to get a little saggy at the seams but tender energies can reaps, renew and strengthen us. This is what I ‘learnt’ today with my dreams and a heart doll.

Ps I also learned that ‘learnt’ can be spelt ‘ learned’ – and ‘spelt’ can be spelled ‘ spelled’ or ‘spelt’. Lol .’

‘My second doll has silky skin, firm yet yielding arms, a defined waist, a distinct left thumb, a big right toe, several stitches under the left arm, a squiggle under the right shoulder blade, neat white stitching up the left inner thigh, a heart that beats with wings of

butterflies and the buzz of bees.’

‘A lovely contemplative experience with interesting thoughts and conversations. I’ve put a little part of me out into the world.’

‘It was a beautiful experience. Namaste.’

‘Thank you little doll for carrying these dreams with you. I know they are in a special place with you. I am grateful for the small part I have had in your making.’

‘I loved the relaxing feeling of slowly making the doll. This has really made my day.’

Thank you so much for your help and for the lovely time we spent together, love you all.

We met at Slung Low Leeds in our first long weekend D&D after pandemic. It was brilliant! 

In previous big D&Ds we made 267 dolls. I called a session asking for help making 33 dolls so we could reach 300, 10% of the community of almost 3000 so far. 

Frank, Elspeth, Ruby, Keith, Joanne, Amy, Pat, Caitlin, Zoe, Saskia, Nina, Cora, Tenar, Jack, Lloyds, Ruby, Ess, Ali, Antony, Leannah, Amy, Tim, Jocelyn, Debbie were inspired to help. There were also three more people I forgot to write down the names. Some of the makers made two or three dolls.

We worked non stop during the weekend and I am so happy to say we made it. Actually we made one more on Monday so the total is 34 dolls. I’ll organise all comments in the next post. 

I missed a lot to be together a whole weekend making dolls in a big D&D. Last time was four years ago. I am so happy it happened again this year. The dolls have come to the event since they were born. First time there were only seven of them. They feel at home, they love it. 

Thank you SO much for all the makers who helped us to achieve our target, to Beatrice who painted the wall including the dolls in abundance, to Mat from Slung Low and a huge thank you to Lee, Phelim and all Improbable team who once more did an amazing generous job holding the space for everybody. I love you all so much. Thank you!