Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons

Kelly

Colour me happy!

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I’ve been playing with my new colours from Genesis Creations (their customer service is excellent) and I must say they’re pretty cool. The Liquid Radiance colours perform like a dye but are not a dye and are completely non toxic. You don’t need all the chemicals as fixatives either, they’re heat fixed. I used some habutai silk scraps to experiment and the results are pretty impressive. The above piece was achieved with the assistance of epsom salts.
This one was streaked with 4 different colours, then scrunched to allow some bleeding.

                And this one is 3 colours applied in spirals then sprinkled with raw sugar.
                     I have lots of other techniques to try, these colours are a lot of fun!

Happy weekend to you all šŸ™‚

Face painting fun

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Kids love face painting and a new face can provide hours of entertainment and imaginary games. I use Derivan face and body paint.
There are heaps of internet resources including video tutorials on Youtube that are really helpful.
G wanted to be a two faced baddy.

M always requests a rabbit face.

                    And of course the boy wants to be a scary freak. I think it worked!

My tip is to use a good quality non toxic face paint and to practice as often as the children let you.

Lotsa leggings!

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I’ve made many pairs of leggings for my girls this winter and I think they would be quite happy to live in them permanently. They look great on their own, with a skirt or with a dress. And they keep those little legs toasty warm.
Did I mention that leggings are super easy to make? I’ve used the same Burda pattern over and over.
I bought this beautiful spotty soft cord from Craft Mamas to make pants for G (that’s a little pocket on the leg there, it’s hard to see). I was a little disappointed when she proclaimed that they are “horrible!”
Apparently this is because they’re not leggings! 
Ah well, lucky she has two little sisters who can grow into them.

Another embroidery?!!!

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I can’t seem to help myself, I’m now working on 5 separate embroideries and all I want to do is sit with my hoop and needle. This is my first attempt at ribbon embroidery and I think it is a gorgeous craft, so fine and dainty. I picked this Helen Dafter kit up from the Craft Fair. I’m only part way through but it’s already so pretty! For my next project I want to try dyeing my own silk ribbon.
In other news, we awoke after a particularly blustery evening to find out Hills Hoist had snapped and collapsed. I wasn’t too impressed when I realised how much new clotheslines cost (who would have thought some pieces of metal and plastic made and assembled in China would be so expensive?) but clever and thrifty husband has rigged up a temporary solution (kids, you don’t mind those lines tied to your trampoline do you?)
Little A has taken her first unassisted steps and is quickly mastering the step – step – step – stumble – fall – giggle. I love this age – so much is new and wonderful.

Giveaway winner

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Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:


35







Congratulations  Karen! I know you will make good use of the gift voucher, being a fan of Euro patterns and CM fabric.




Thanks for entering everyone, better luck next time.








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?