Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons

Kelly

Doll making tips

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I certainly don’t consider myself an authority on making dolls, but here are a few tips that experience (and repetition) have taught me:

* Wash your hands thoroughly before starting. This may seem obvious but even the natural oil from your skin can affect your skin fabric, remember – your doll will have been held a lot before she is completed!

* Use quality materials. Costly, yes. Worth it? Yes! This includes your threads.

* Use small stitches. Whether you hand or machine stitch your dolls you don’t want them coming apart at the seams.

* I like to keep all my work tidy, even the parts that won’t be seen. It helps to develop quality workmanship and good habits.

* When embroidering facial features don’t pull the thread tight, just let it sit comfortably on the surface – no puckers.

* I use doubled quilting thread for sewing on limbs It’s particularly important when making dolls for children that the doll is strong.

* Sink stitches back into the body when finishing for tidiness.

* If your dolls legs and body are one piece, double or triple stitch the groin area, as it’s vulnerable to coming apart or ripping.

* For corners (around hands, feet, etc) use the stitch, stitch, turn method.

* Don’t rush! Enjoy the process and take time to be careful. As you become more practiced you will also get faster.

Hope you find something helpful there!

The fairy queen?

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She looks rather queen like don’t you think? I was asked to custom make a fairy outfit and this is what I came up with. A beaded wool felt crown and velvety cape.
A sparkly rainbow fairy dress.
And of course, a fairy is not complete without her wings!
I really enjoyed making this outfit.

This little one has a new dress with a wool felt cape and boots and is heading far away to her new home in the U.S.A tomorrow.

Make your own yoghurt

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Yoghurt is getting really expensive in supermarkets and it’s really easy and much cheaper to make your own. Did I mention it’s also delicious – it is! You’ll need some store bought natural yoghurt with live cultures and a cooking thermometer to start. This is for a small quantity, you can easily double the recipe for a larger batch.
I start with 2 cups of fresh full cream milk and heat in a saucepan to about 85 degrees celsius.
It’s best to heat slowly to prevent burning.
Cool the milk to about 45 degrees celsius, then stir in 1/4 cup of the store bought yoghurt.
Pour the mixture into a large jar that has been cleaned with very hot & soapy water. Any utensils should also be pre – cleaned in this manner.

Put a lid on the jar. Wrap the jar with a towel and secure with rubber bands. You can fill another jar with hot water and lid it to keep the temperature in the esky more even if you like, I’ve found the yoghurt sets really well doing this.
Pop your jar/s in an esky and close the lid. Leave overnight (about 12 hours) then refrigerate. How easy is that?
Reserve some of your yoghurt for the next batch to use as the starter.

Next time I’ll show you how to make yoghurt cheese or spread! Mmmmmm!!!

Grissini and choc chip rolls

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Both of these recipes are from “The Easy Way to Artisan Breads & Pastries” (how could you go past that title?)
Making grissini was a new adventure for me but one I’ll definitely repeat. The dough was straightforward and easy and the end product very nice. I used fresh rosemary from the garden. The only thing I’d change with the recipe is to reduce the salt. They will also go soft so they’re best eaten straight away.

I had the idea of treating the children will these, but was a little let down by their response. Only 1 child liked them, I’m not sure why, but they were pretty dry. I feel like I still have to get to know my oven and it’s temperatures, I seem to slightly overbake things sometimes and they end up dry.

There are plenty of other recipes I want to try in this book, so I’ll be giving them a go over the next few days.

Homeschool resources

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I have a few Lamb’s Book of Art workbooks, I think they are fantastic. They’re available in all different levels from preschool up and are biblically based, so you will find scripture quotes on each page and most of the activities are based on morals etc. I bought this one last year for my 9 year old son who had no confidence drawing, colouring or painting. This book has really changed his outlook on art, I highly recommend it.
I also have a couple of the preschool books for my 4 year old and she loves them. For the young children I photocopy the pages so we can go over them again and I can use them with the next children at the right age.
Another excellent resource is Seton Homeschooling. Although I don’t use any Seton curriculum I am signed up for the monthly newsletter which is very helpful and informative. It reminds me of important religious days and ways to celebrate and it’s ever so encouraging. One of the things I feel a lack of as a homeschooling Mum is encouragement, and I’ve found you go looking for it wherever you can!

This one's a keeper!

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I’m always on the lookout for a good bread recipe. In my travels I’ve found there are many bad recipes and just a few gems. This one comes under the latter category. It’s the Basic No- Knead recipe from “My Bread” by Jim Lahey. His method is like no other I’ve tried before, though some of the ideas and techniques are the same. I read the whole book as it was so interesting to read about his life leading up to now.
One word. Marvellous!
It’s a long process but so worth it. Think delicious, Italian artisan and gourmet. Drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, it is absolutely dreamy. My husband said it tasted like it had been baked in a wood fired oven.
My loaf vanished within hours. 
The only downside would be if you have difficulty chewing a dense crust, it gives the jaws a workout.

The winner is………

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Drawn by my boy from a bowl of names scribbled on paper as usual. This brought a smile to my face, a very deserving lady, congratulations to……




                            Gilly!

I know where to find you, your doll will be on her way to you (and some eager little hands I imagine!) shortly.

Thanks to everyone else who entered, I have another giveaway coming very soon.

Baby knot doll

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The sale of a few dolls lately has allowed me to be a bit adventurous and make up some new designs. This is my first knot doll, you just have to see it and hold it to know how cute it is! There is a little bell inside for a rattle.

I’m so loving this Hilco knit, it’s mighty expensive but gorgeous to sew with. I’d love to be able to afford to make the girls some clothes out of it one day, I know it would feel beautiful to wear. This little one is in my Etsy shop now.

Looking back over this week it’s a wonder I got anything done at all. The baby has chickenpox (making a good recovery now) and the other 3 came down with bad colds.
There has been a great deal of tomato harvesting and cooking, breadmaking, and a first time success with yoghurt making (I’ll share how soon). There has been homeschooling, piano lessons, Ash Wednesday, breastfeeding and piles of nappies and laundry.
And amongst all this I managed some sewing!!

My giveaway ends tomorrow, don’t forget!

Until then…………………