Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons

Uncategorized

Down but not out.

by 5 Comments

I’ve had a number of disappointments of late – major and much wanted changes that just haven’t worked out. Things have started to get on top of me a bit. I’ve started to feel really, really tired. Nothing feels inspiring. I don’t feel hopeful. I can’t be bothered. I wallow in this for a while. I pray that things will get better.

And slowly, they do. Because I don’t live this life alone and am not even able to draw breath of my own accord. Because I have a tender, loving and wonderful Father who takes care of me. Who knows me intimately and sends me consolation when I feel so awful.

As things start to improve the feeling of hope returns. Because, as long as we have faith we are never without hope. It really does spring eternal, because God is eternal and even when we give up on ourselves He will never, ever give up on us.

New hand dyed yarns

by 1 Comment

Hand dyed “Dusky Heath” 100g skein 8 ply superwash luxury merino.
$18 plus postage

Another view of the hand dyed “Dusky Heath” 

Another view of the dip dyed by hand “PPB” (pinks, purples, blues)

Dip dyed by hand “PPB” (pinks, purples, blues) -100g skein 8 ply superwash luxury merino.
$18 plus postage

Please leave me a message if you’re interested šŸ™‚

Thanks for looking!

It’s all about yarn :)

by 4 Comments

Yes, even my beloved embroidery has fallen to the wayside for a little while as my love of yarn and knitting continues. Dyeing my own yarn is also really rewarding, as whatever craft I’m doing I always like to have as much involvement in the process from start to finish as possible. OK, so I don’t have my own sheep and spinning wheel yet, but who knows what could happen? šŸ™‚

I’ve just finished this cute Olearia (pattern by Tikki). I intended to have long sleeves but became scared that I was running out of yarn, so short sleeves it is.
I dyed this 8ply merino with really strong colours in fuschia and raspberry, using a variation of the hand painting technique to get the variegated colours. The glass buttons which are impossible to photograph accurately were gifted to me some time ago are beautiful and I’ve kept them for a special project.

I’ve already cast on my next cardigan using more of my hand painted yarn (I love the way this turned out!) I’m hoping to start selling more of my hand dyed yarn to fund further exploration, there are just so many beautiful fibres and I need to get my hands on them!
If you’re interested in any of my hand dyed yarn please do contact me šŸ™‚

Mr. Brown

by Leave a Comment

Mr. Brown is a bear of comfort. His favourite spot is in his rocking chair by the fireplace, pipe between his teeth and book in hand, listening to the wind whistling outside. 

He would rather be there right now, but necessity has called him from his humble snuggery for some certain important purchases i.e. he has run out of tobacco.

Although Mr. Brown can be a little short tempered he is actually very likeable and extremely well read!

I hope you love Mr. Brown as much as I do.

The pattern is adaptable for different techniques and uses.

Available right now in my Etsy shop.

Hand dyed yarn and a great short film

by 1 Comment

Superwash pure new wool in opal and cyclamen hand painted. 100g skein.
This one is available for sale, leave me a message if you’re interested.

Hand painted cotton in rainbow colours, 100g skein.
Already sold šŸ™‚

Hand painted cotton in rainbow colours, 100g skein.
Already sold šŸ™‚
Love the colours in these!

We watched this excellent short film last night, if you go here you can watch it free. I won’t give away the plot, but the movie is about the value of every person and the filming and acting is really excellent.
Thanks for all your comments and positive interactions of late, it reminds me why I enjoyed blogging in the first place!
Oh, and I can’t not mention our new Pope!
God bless Pope Francis!

The sea and a garden

by 3 Comments

We recently spent a few days in southern New South Wales. The weather was perfect and the scenery was even better. The water is so clean and teeming with life.

I thought the textures here were interesting.
The kids would love to have a jumping pillow at home šŸ™‚
And I spent part of my afternoon back at home doing this watercolour study of the Werribee Mansion gardens. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed working with the brush and watercolours again, however, was reminded that I really do need to take classes and improve my technique. Actually, what am I saying, I don’t really have a technique!

Cloth pad clearance

by 5 Comments

I’m no longer making cloth pads for sale so I’m clearing out all left over stock at heavily discounted prices. Please note that all prices are in Australian dollars. To buy a pad please leave a comment detailing which pads you would like and how you would like to pay (paypal, direct deposit etc) Make sure you leave me an email address so I can contact you!
POSTAGE- As a general rule I can send 1- 3 pads for postage of $2. So, for every 3 pads you purchase please factor in this extra cost. If you purchase the DivaCup the postage will be $5 extra.
For International postage prices, please check with me šŸ™‚
All my pads are made using hand dyed flannelette, bamboo velour, bamboo cotton fleece in the inner core and quality snaps that won’t rust.
Please contact me if anything is unclear.
1. Waterproof maxi with attached top core. Flannel exterior with 2 layers bamboo cotton & 2 layers flannel in the core. $8 Length – 28cm. Wings (unsnapped) 20cm across
SOLD – THANK YOU!

2. Regular pad with 2 layers of bamboo cotton & 2 layers flannelette inner core. Non waterproof.
$4 Length -21.5cm. Wings (unsnapped) 19cm across.
SOLD – THANK YOU!

3. Regular pad with 2 layers of bamboo cotton & 2 layers flannelette inner core. Non waterproof.
$4 Length -21.5cm. Wings (unsnapped) 19cm across. 
SOLD – THANK YOU!

4. Waterproof maxi bamboo velour on one side, cotton print on the other.

2 layers bamboo cotton, 2 layers flanelette core. $10 Length – 27cm. Wings (unsnapped) – 20cm.
SOLD – THANK YOU!

5.  Waterproof maxi bamboo velour on one side, cotton print on the other.
2 layers bamboo cotton, 2 layers flanelette core. $10 Length – 27cm. Wings (unsnapped) – 20cm. 
SOLD – THANK YOU!
6. Liner with 1 layer bamboo fleece, 2 layers flannelette. Non waterproof. $3 Length – 21.5cm. Wings (unsnapped) – 19cm.
2 AVAILABLE
BOTH SOLD – THANK YOU!

7. Bamboo velour and flanelette liner.

1 layer bamboo fleece, 2 layers flanelette. Non waterproof. $5 Length – 21.5cm. Wings (unsnapped) – 19cm. 
SOLD – THANK YOU!
8. Waterproof maxi bamboo velour on one side, cotton hand dyed and printed on the other.
2 layers bamboo cotton, 2 layers flanelette core. $10 Length – 27cm. Wings (unsnapped) – 20cm 
SOLD – THANK YOU!

9. Waterproof regular bamboo velour on one side, flannelette on the other. 

2 layers bamboo cotton, 2 layers flanelette core. $8 Length – 23cm. Wings (unsnapped) – 20cm.
SOLD – THANK YOU!

10. Regular pad with 2 layers of bamboo cotton & 2 layers flannelette inner core. Non waterproof.
$4 Length – 22.5cm. Wings (unsnapped) – 20cm.
2 AVAILABLE – one similar to this in colour but with a sewn on top core.
BOTH SOLD – THANK YOU!

HALF PRICE at $20.
Model 1 – for women under 30 who have never delivered a baby, either vaginally or by c-section.
Thanks for looking!

Craft from the past

by 1 Comment

I often forget to show finished projects these days or otherwise I just don’t get the time. This knitting roll was for a Crafty Mamas Christmas swap.

I followed a tutorial from here.

The red and white print is a screen printed piece from Blueberry Ash Textiles. The cute little blue and green trees I picked up from a craft show some time ago.
A nice way to keep your needles tidy I think (hmmm, I could do with one of these myself!)
My swap recipient is a keen knitter, so in keeping with the knitting them I made her a knitters brooch.

The little swatch was knitted on bamboo toothpicks (looks really cute, gives you really sore fingers and hands!) Then I glued some beads onto the ends of the sticks, rolled a little yarn around them and glued it all to a beautiful wooden brooch I got from here and filled with some hand dyed wool felt.
Another project completed last year that I never did show. The skirt was actually a UFO from my beginner sewing days which was made from pale pink polar fleece. I thought it was rather boring on it’s own, so I sewed some ric rac and buttons with embroidery onto some lovely hand dyed wool felt. I cut it into a pocket shape and sewed it onto the skirt, easy peasy.

But that wasn’t enough either. So I made this little guy from wool felt in a custom size to fit the pocket. 

Hello, aren’t I cute?

What comes next?

by 4 Comments

A few short months ago I was ready to give away all hope and fancies of working for myself. After 4 years of trying to pursue a handmade business I was ready to accept that despite my efforts it just wasn’t happening and so I might as well go back to making just for my family and for gifts.

I’ve started knitting in a pretty big way and have really appreciated knitting every day to make really beautiful clothing for my family. I’ve had the time to sit back and enjoy my crafts and trying new things without the pressure of finishing an order or attempting to make something that would be popular enough to sell.

I’ve also been thinking a lot. About how much I dislike making items that I don’t personally like, but that somebody wants and will pay money for. About how I like to be free to make what I love. And now for the real problem – that I often seem to like things that other people don’t like or aren’t interested in.

All this leads me to ponder on my former philosophy of art and craft – that the two blend together almost seamlessly. But am I wrong? Because lately, I feel a direct leaning towards art as opposed to craft. My business card says “Textile Artist”, but have I ever really taken myself seriously as an artist or am I just “the lady who makes stuff”?

Why am I writing all this? Because I don’t know what to do next. My years as a Mum has seen me gain and study so many artistic and crafty skills that when I actually list these skills it seems amazing even to me. Yet I have no direction. I don’t know what to do next. My approach so far has been to create what I like and hope it would sell. Sometimes it works – usually it doesn’t. 
My ultimate dream is to be a self supporting handmade artist. So, what comes next?
By the way, thanks for listening, it helps to share šŸ™‚