Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons

Kelly

Committing to creativity

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I’ve been increasingly frustrated by the lack of time I get to work on my own art and craft projects. Sometimes it seems every waking minute is spent caring for others and working at jobs that aren’t particularly thrilling or inspiring but nonetheless essential.
This has led me to ponder my role and responsibilities as primary educator of my children and the fact that I have many talents I can share with them and partly fulfill my need to create at the same time. So, as of this week I’ve made a commitment to be more creative with my children even though it means more mess and more planning. Because it also means more fun for us all and education that is not monotonous.
Here are a few things we did this week. Colouring in pictures together.
Making a terrific mess with shaving cream and paint.

Constructing and painting insect models that also became pretend lollipops. Check out the fierce         concentration!

We’ve also done wool threading, picture painting, baking and playdough. Now I need to start planning for next week, I think we’ll need to go scouting for some new materials!

Lil’ Mim sisters

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I finished the other doll I was working on, her new owner loves the colour blue and has hazel eyes with brown hair. I decided to give her super long hair, I just love a doll with long hair.

This is the first time I’ve made a pair of dolls for sisters, I think it’s really beautiful that they’ll both have              their own special doll for Christmas. These 2 are about 13 inches tall and made with the my usual favourites – cotton tricot, carded wool, mohair yarn and lovely prints for their dresses.

Last night I started work on my doll for the Melbourne Show, I’ve left it a little late, but it’s cool, she’ll get there!

Strawberries and cream

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That’s what she makes me think of. She is a custom order I’ve just finished for a little girl. I’m working on a doll for her sister now. I knitted her a little bolero shrug out of cashmere that turned out very nicely even though I don’t really know what I’m doing when I pick up the knitting needles.
A back view of the bolero shrug.
I like to always put a little surprise like this into my customer’s parcels. I want them to be really delighted when they open it up and get something extra that they don’t expect.

                                                        I hope her new owner likes her!

Rain, rain, don’t go away

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Last week must have been my lucky week, not only did I get the parcel from Nic, but I also won Becky’s giveaway. 3 patterns, a knitted dishcloth and some soap. Thank you so much Becky!
I’m loving the vinyl tablecloth I picked up at Spotlight today. If you’re crafting with kids a vinyl table cloth is essential!

I’m so grateful for a wet winter, the garden is flourishing. Daffodils are one of my faves.

Lots of broad beans, we planted hundreds of seeds we saved from the last harvest.

             And the most thrilling of all – the first blossom on the apricot tree (can you see it?)

In the midst of all this rain the grump in me is finding a few things to gripe about. It’s my first winter with 4 little ones who want to get out to parks and for walks and can’t in this weather. It’s also nearly impossible to get much washing dry (I won’t give in and buy a dryer – never, never!)

I can’t complain too much though, the tank is constantly overflowing, it’s wonderful.

Some people are really sweet

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As a general statement (I’m good at making those) I’d say there is a great deal of greediness in the world today. People who want, want and want some more. Who take from others thoughtlessly. 
Through having this blog I’ve gladly found some people who are the exact opposite. They are thoughtful and will give without expecting any return. They will send you something just because they know how nice it is to get a parcel. Or just because they know you would like it or could use it.
Thank you Nic for a parcel of loveliness that brightened my day.
Thank you to all others who take the time to think of me and who bother to read my little blog.

More adventures in colour

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Now I’ve started this thing with colour I can’t stop, it’s so much fun!
Magenta and turquoise handpainted on homespun with sea salt resist.
Magenta and red hand painted on homespun with sea salt resist.
Yellow and purple hand painted on homespun with circle (I used little plastic bottle lids) resist.

                                     Light green hand painted on homespun with leaf resist.

Make your vote count

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Unless you live under a rock you will be aware tomorrow is an important day for Australia.

When I was growing up there were a few “taboo” subjects – one of them being politics. There was no discussion, just an expectation that you would vote a certain way simply because that was what the family had always done. This is what I did for a while until I became interested enough to really look into who I was voting for.

 I urge you to take the time to find out as much as you can about the party and candidates you intend to vote for. You may be surprised at what you uncover. Don’t rely on the media to tell you who to vote for, they are very biased and sensationalist.

So, who am I voting for tomorrow? I’ll tell you who I won’t be voting for. I don’t think an atheist who supports abortion up to birth and has communist affiliations is what our country needs. I hope that whoever wins will steer Australia in the right direction and have the citizen’s best interests at heart.

Happy voting!

In my studio today…

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Doesn’t that sound posh – “In my studio?” Maybe one day I’ll be lucky enough to really have a studio but for now lets just pretend!
Some cheery little doll’s faces for a custom order. Don’t they look comical without hair?
Some more colour experimentation with fabric painting. I went for soft hues with these. The blue one is on homespun.
I painted cotton lawn with soft pinks, yellows and reds for this soft and muted one.
I’m contemplating introducing hand dyed and painted fabrics, ribbons and threads to my Etsy shop.
Any thoughts?

Chocolate pudding recipe

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It is so cold here at the moment I felt it would be almost criminal not to bake a nice hot pudding for dessert tonight.
My Grandmother gave me this recipe and it has been very well used.
1 cup self raising flour                1 teaspoon vanilla essence or extract
2 tablespoons cocoa                                         3/4 cup brown sugar
30 grams melted butter                                      1/4 cup cocoa (extra) 
1/2 teaspoon of salt                                   1 & 3/4 cups of hot water
                                                                         1/2 cup of milk          
                                                                          3/4 cup sugar
Sift flour, salt and cocoa. Add sugar. Stir in milk, vanilla and melted butter, mix or beat together until smooth.  Spread into a casserole dish.
Sprinkle brown sugar and extra cocoa on top of mixture. Pour hot water on gently.
Bake at 180 degrees (C) for 45 – 55 minutes.
Serve with cream, icecream or both!