Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons

Kelly

Blue Willow Cottage

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I took a morning jaunt out to Blue Willow Cottage at Werribee South. The shop is in a beautiful old farmhouse (over 100 years old) surrounded by market gardens and has a lovely, homely feel. The photo above is the entrance (ooh, is that a fairy on the doorstep?)

I love the rustic feel of the place, the inside is just gorgeous, the walls are lined with quilts, it even has the original carpet! There are lots of fabrics, patterns, notions and everything a crafter could want.

If you’re ever out that way its definitely worth popping in for a look.

Farbenmix Antonia top

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I finally finished this top today along with a big PHEW! I’ve wanted to make one of these for ages but found the neckline was way too big, so had to unpick the whole thing and re – assess. Once I did the neckline the way I normally do it turned out fine. Its the Antonia pattern from Farbenmix, the German instructions really threw me for a start but the construction is actually simple once you get going.

I’ll admit I had a bit of advice from the lovely CraftyMamas ladies, if you ever need a bit of help head over there, they’re very knowledgeable! I got my pattern and fabrics from the Crafty Mamas shop where there is always something cool to buy.

I’m off to make one for daughter no. 2 now!

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Photo courtesy of www.MercatorNet.com

I read about this amazing family in a Catholic newsletter I receive. The Mother of the family (Rosa) is the sister of one of the priests at the church we attend, Father Joseph. Father Jo and Rosa are from a family of 16.
I love to read about large families, particularly those who follow God and leave the family planning to Him.
The selflessness and faith of these parents is awe inspiring, and to think I find my 4 a great challenge!
Families like these remind us that a life filled with “things” is no match for a life filled with people.
You can read the article here.

https://kellycasanovaweavinglessons.com/2009/08/photo-courtesy-of-www.html

Garden Harvest

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Fresh, totally organic and straight from the garden, just beautiful! Gardening has been such a tough slog here, trying to grow things in a drought with water restrictions and horrible, horrible clay soil. But we have our small victories and these are one of them. Husband has just put in a plum and a persimmon tree as well as a couple of climbing roses. Planting anything is a gamble here without the free use of water (even with our own water tank, its uselss without rain to fill it!)
We have so many plans for gardening and growing when we get our “dream” acreage, and for the time being we live in hope that the drought will finally break.

Garden fairy and soap

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One of my nieces (did I ever mention that I have 29 nieces and nephews?!) sent me a lovely handmade card for the baby so I decided to send her something in return (she is 5 years old).

Being a lover of all things pretty and girly, I thought a little 4 inch garden fairy would be just the thing. I was happy to get these light filled shots of the said fairy as it was a gloriously warm and sunny winter’s morn.

I made some goats milk and vanilla bean soap for a gift. It smelled gorgeous in the pot, almost exactly like panna cotta. Speaking of panna cotta, have you ever made it? You must, you must, its simply wonderful and easy too! Here’s a recipe for you:
Err, if you’re on a diet or watching your weight you may have to develop temporary amnesia before you down this cool delight!

Vanilla Panna Cotta

Serves 6

3 cups cream
1 cup milk
the seeds from a lovely moist vanilla bean (you can use vanilla extract, but it ain’t the same!)
3/4 cup sugar
4 tsp gelatine

Bring the milk, cream, vanilla and sugar slowly to the boil. Remove from heat. Dissolve the gelatine in a little warm water just before stirring in to the cream mixture. Allow to cool to warm before pouring into moulds or some sort of container (I just use a plastic rectangular dish with tall sides) Cover with plastic wrap and set in the fridge overnight.

We have only eaten it plain, but next time husband suggested doing some fruit soaked in liquer as an accompaniment. I quite agree!

Wow! Lucky me!

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I love to get beautiful surprises in the mail, so I was thrilled to get a parcel from Marie from my second favourite country, New Zealand (Australia is my first pick of course!) I had mentioned to her that I’m interested in learning needle felting and she offered to send me some wool samples.
Her samples are extremely generous and will see me off to a very good start!

She also sent this cute little bird that she needle felted. There was an audible gasp from 2 year old daughter when she spied this, wool being her toy of preference.

Marie even included a hand written card with a picture of one of her lovely needle felted maidens. What a kind and generous soul! Have a look at her wonderful Etsy shop, there is a lot to love in there!

Gifts

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These gifts are all finished and ready to send tomorrow. A cute tote and a tea towel.

Some beaded jewellery and assorted hair clips. I love giving hand made gifts.

Husband has made a solitary journey to Mass this morning as 3 of the 4 children are sick, the baby is not one of them, thank God. There are a lot of sick people around at the moment, mid winter in a cool region.

We had the little one’s baptism yesterday. It was a simple affair (just how we like it!) with only a few people and a very old and wonderful priest.

Have a lovely and relaxing Sunday.