Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons

Kelly

Buying scondhand

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I have another purchase to add to my secondhand list for this year. My old and cheap vacuum cleaner went out in spectacular fashion last week with a flash that shorted out the entire house. This left me with some anxiety (4 kids, carpet, no vacuum, gasp!!)

So yesterday I brought home a Wertheim with a power head and all attachments. The new model of this cleaner retails for about $1500 – the one that I bought secondhand has been re built and has a new motor for a price of $500.

We’ve spent a bit of time running around the carpet with it and are amazed (and a little disgusted) at how much dirt and dust the new machine lifts.

Secondhand price $130

New price $ 1500

Saving $1000 (!!!)

– Total savings tally for 2010 –   $1, 320

Hey, don’t forget the giveaway (click on the button on the sidebar). I’ll be back later today to draw the random winner.

First Bonnie Babes parcel

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Finally ready to go!  For anyone who doesn’t know, Bonnie Babes is an organisation that provides support to families who have lost babies either due to miscarriage or stillbirth. A while ago I asked for fabric and other material donations on the Crafty Mamas forum and received many parcels of generosity. I still have heaps left over, so I’ll be able to make many more burial gowns and blankets. Many thanks to all who have donated!

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway, (button on sidebar) it finishes on Thursday.

Softearth giveaway

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My lovely friend Marie is having a beautiful giveaway on her blog SoftearthArt. Marie is a New Zealand needle felt artist who makes inspiring art works with wool. She also has an Etsy shop. Here are a few pictures from her world to inspire you.

She is giving away this beautiful needle felted picture of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.

Marie is blessed to live in such beautiful surroundings.
Pop over and enter her giveaway, it’s ending soon!

The Craft and Quilt Fair and handling rejection

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I was really excited about attending the C & Q Fair so perhaps my expectations were too high. The last time I went was 2 years ago and basically nothing much has changed. I did make a few purchases that I’m happy with, but as far as inspiration goes the fair did little for me. I guess by going on the last day you would expect some frayed tempers and tired stall holders – I know I would be.

And now to rejection. Yes, I’ve just had another magazine rejection which leads me to contemplate whether anyone is actually interested in what I do, whether I should be bothering to do this design course, whether I should be thinking I can make it as a designer / artist / craftist?!!
Rejection sure does hurt, but I know I’ll get back on the horse – what else can I do? I love to design, I love to make things and I love the artistic skill involved in what I do. So, even minus the accolades I will keep on doing what I feel driven to do.

How do you handle rejection?

400th post giveaway!

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To celebrate my 400th blog post I’ve teamed up with Lisa of Crafty Mamas fame to bring one lucky winner a $35 gift voucher to spend in the Crafty Mamas shop. In case you haven’t been fortunate enough to stumble upon Crafty Mamas yet (it’s ok, we’ll forgive you this time!) there is a wonderfully supportive craft forum along with an online shop that will make you ooh and aah!
Just in case you can’t imagine how you could possibly spend the voucher I’ve provided you with a little inspiration straight from the shop.
                                                                     Stenzo fabric

Amy Butler pattern

 Ottobre magazine
Farbenmix ribbon

To enter simply leave a comment, if you blog about this giveaway you receive 2 entries. Please let me know in your comment if this is the case. Please also ensure I have a way of contacting you.
I’ll draw a random winner on Thursday 29th July.
Good luck!

Busy, busy, busy!!

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I’ve managed to fit in a lot of sewing and crafting time this week. I’m showing glimpses of something I’ve been working on to try and impress someone. More about that later I hope.
I love the colour combinations.
I’m so pleased with the finished product. 
This being my 399th post can only mean one thing. 
So.. to celebrate my 400th post (and today – my 34th birthday!) I’m running a giveaway.
Stay tuned, it’s a good one!

Mixed berry muffins

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               The boy made these yesterday and they were deliciously moist and sweet.

2 cups SR flour
3/4 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar)
1 teaspoon vanilla essence or extract
1/2 to 1 cup of mixed berries or any type of berries
2/3 cup sugar
1 egg
125g melted butter


Preheat oven to 180 degrees (C)
Combine sifted flour and sugar in a bowl.
Stir in combine melted butter and buttermilk, egg and vanilla.
Lightly stir in berries.
Spoon into patty pans place in muffin tin, fill to near the top for large muffins or 3/4 full for smaller ones.
Cook for about 20 minutes or until turning golden brown on top (don’t overcook though!)
Dust icing sugar on top and leave to cool.

This week we……

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Made mixed berry muffins (mmm – check my other blog for the recipe).
Celebrated a 1st birthday.
Tried out wet felting (and failed miserably but had a lot of messy fun).
Built block towers and knocked them down, built them again, knocked them down again…
Happy weekend to you all, enjoy your loved ones, families and crafts –  had to sneak that last one in!

God bless you all and thanks for reading šŸ™‚

Crewel embroidery, I think I’m in love….

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I ventured out in the wild, cold and wet evening lastnight to attend a crewel embroidery class. It was wonderful – the ladies were all warm and friendly, the teacher was professional and knowledgeable and the project is really enjoyable. How nice to have a craft session without noise and interruptions!
The crewel design is by the teacher Lyn and the fabric is linen twill from Canada (ooh!) The beginning of the project above shows couching, cross stitch, split stitch and french knots. No new stitches for me, but quite different working with linen and Appletons wool to the usual homespun and cotton. 
I think the more embroidery I do the more I realise it’s potential and the more enjoyable it becomes. I love the intermingling of different styles so that you can build on your experience rather than learning completely new skills with each new style of embroidery.
I’ll keep you updated with this WIP.