Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons

Kelly

How the Grinch stole Christmas

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File:Grinch poster.jpg

Most of us know the famous Dr Seuss story where the Grinch is able to infiltrate Whoville and steal “Christmas” from right under the little Who’s noses.

If you are a Christian in these modern and secular times this may be an all too familiar feeling – that Christmas is being stolen from under us and transformed into something that could be called worship, but certainly not that of Christ Our Saviour!

It is the worship of gifts, money, decorations, food and festivities and all under the popular term of “happy holidays” – a very non Christ like term.

So what can we do? How can we keep Christ in Christ-mas?

Of course it starts with our spiritual lives and our personal worship of Jesus. He must be born in the stable of our heart.  If we have this part right then we are on the right track as we will be a beacon for others as the light of Christ shines forth from us. But there are practical things we can do too.

Do not adopt any of the popular secular terms associated with Christmas. “Happy holidays” does not represent Christ in any way.

Do not buy anti-Christmas propaganda! This means only sending holy and appropriate Christmas cards, even to non believing friends (this has the added bonus of a holy image being displayed in a non- Christian home, even if it’s only for a short time).

Ask your post office specifically for religious Christmas stamps. If we don’t create the demand they will not supply them.

If you are celebrating Christmas with some non Christians do not adopt their accepted methods of celebrating. Keep your interior recollection and keep the day holy! Set a positive example.

Make Christ centered family traditions. Mass, advent wreaths, special prayers are just a few holy devotions. One of our traditions is to set an extra place at our Christmas dining table for The Unseen Guest.

It is an absurd thing to throw a great big party on someone’s birthday, sate ourselves and make merry, all the while ignoring He whose birthday it is, especially when it is the birthday of the King of the universe!

Merry Christmas and abundant blessings to you all!

This post was co-authored by my husband Patrick.

“Mum, there’s nothing to eat!”

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Do you ever hear this? I bet you do! You need to do the shopping but haven’t had time, you open the pantry and can’t see the food that is there from lack of motivation to cook, plus all those other reasons for the dreaded “no food syndrome”.

However, when we have a good look around we realise we are usually far from destitute and starving.

Lunchtime today I’m met with the dreaded words so I decided to go for a fossick and see what I could use up. I found:
2 sheets of puff pastry
3 slices of ham
A small portion of cheddar cheese
Butter
Strawberry jam

And here is the result:

Ham and cheese scrolls
Jam scrolls
And some satisfied children šŸ™‚

Winners announced!

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Given the number of entries to my giveaway I decided you could each receive a pattern šŸ™‚
Bern, Anne, Melissa and Sue will soon receive their PDF patterns – thank you all for entering.
Bern – I can’t seem to find an email address for you on your profile so if you could let me know what it is that would be great.


I hope everyone has a blessed and peaceful weekend. We will be celebrating the beginning of Advent, that beautiful time in the church as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Our Saviour.

Stuff in progress…

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Thanks to Hilary’s help in finding me a suitable pattern – a lovely log cabin cot quilt. This for my sister’s first baby, due in January, very exciting!

She has painted the room a lovely green and the baby furniture is white, so the fabric colours I chose to compliment the existing colour scheme. I think it’s going to look gorgeous.

I’ve taken up my courage and am trying another knit. It’s so enjoyable to be knitting again and so far, so good – no mistakes! The pattern is “Little Annie” by Tikki. I’ll keep you updated on it’s progress, but don’t hold your breath, it’s pretty slow going for me.
I’m also waiting on a painfully slow supplier for some fabric to dye and sew into dresses for a custom order.
What are you working on this week?

Quick reminder – the giveaway will be drawn tomorrow so if you haven’t entered yet you still have time!

White & dark choc chip cookies

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125g butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup caster sugar
1 egg
1 cup plain flour
1 cup SR flour
1/4 teaspoon bicarb soda
1/4 cup white chocolate dots (add more if you like)
1/4 cup chopped milk cooking chocolate (add more if you like)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream the butter and 2 sugars together. Add egg and continue to beat. Slowly add flours and bicarb. If mixture is a little dry you can add a splash of milk and mix in.
With a wooden spoon mix in the 2 chocolate types.
Spoon very generous teaspoonfuls onto a greased tray and press lightly with a fork.
Bake for around 10 minutes at 180 degrees (C)
Cool on a wire baking rack.

“I give you my heart” giveaway!

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My newest embroidery pattern is finished and available to purchase!
Would you like to win a PDF download of the pattern?

Just tell me what you would use your finished embroidery for (framed, on a pillow, quilt etc?)
I have 3 to give away. 
For an extra entry post this on your Facebook page then come back to tell me you have done so.
For an extra, extra entry blog about my giveaway then come back to tell me you have done so.
For an extra, extra, extra entry become a new follower of this blog.
I’ll draw the winners a week from today. Good luck!

My Madeit shop is alive again!

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To be honest, I’d forgotten I had a Madeit shop and it was totally empty. Most of my customers used to be from the U.S. so my Etsy shop was more convenient, but now almost 100% of my buyers are Australian (which is wonderful!) So, I’m very happy to have it re-stocked in time for Christmas.
Hand dyed rainbow dress

Hand dyed tiered skirt. Fully customisable in size and colour šŸ™‚

PDF Embroidery pattern.
I have more listings to add including some new embroidery patterns – yes they’re coming, but it’s slow work, in my case picture snail pace šŸ™‚
I’d love for you to pop over to my Madeit shop and take a look. Have a good sticky beak while you’re over there, it’s changed a lot since I first opened the shop and there are so many beautiful things from so many talented artisans.

Healthy treats!

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When I saw Cathie’s Healthy Chocolate Oat balls I had to give them a go, being a fan of
1. Anything chocolate
2. Anything sweet and shaped into a ball!

They haven’t disappointed either – they are totally delicious! I rolled mine in coconut, don’t they look festive?
One point to consider – if your food processor is cheap and tired it won’t like making these at all! Recipe here.

Gossamer Dreams previewing tonight!

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Here is a small collection of just some of the items in this months Gossamer Dreams stocking.


Riverside Dolls



                                          Inkidink


Cherish Designs


You can preview Gossamer Dreams tonight from 8pm and pick out what you want for tomorrow night (if you’re quick enough!) This is the last stocking for the year with beautiful items from the regulars and lots of guests (me included!) It would be a great opportunity to nab some unique handmade Christmas gifts.