Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons

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Dark Cherry Cheesecake

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I love cheesecake. Looooooove cheesecake. Mmmmmmm.

I made this one for Christmas using this recipe but with few adjustments. I didn’t like the idea of a chocolate base so instead used plain Marie biscuits. I also wanted it to be child friendly, so the rum was omitted. I think the only thing I would change next time is to add a little more lemon juice to make up for the absence of rum. I highly recommend this recipe.

M & M slice

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Here is a recipe I made up yesterday as a last minute Christmas party addition. It’s a variation on the typical condensed milk slice – no rocket science here.  It is very rich and very unhealthy! It’s also very easy. Enjoy!!
Ingredients
1 packet Marie biscuits (or similar)
100 grams melted butter
1 can condensed milk
1/2 cup of M & Ms
1/2 cup dessicated coconut
200g milk cooking chocolate
1 heaped tablespoon butter extra
Crush biscuits in food processor or in a plastic bag with a rolling pin. Melt 100g butter and allow to cool slightly. 
Mix melted butter, crushed biscuits, coconut and condensed milk. Mix in M & Ms. Place in the fridge to set while you make the topping.
Melt cooking chocolate and extra butter in a bowl set over hot water or in a double boiler if you have one. When melted, spread over the slice. Refrigerate until set.

Handmade gifts

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I haven’t done too well with the handmade gifts this year, but I almost always make something for the girls. Usually it’s a doll or soft toy but I think they have plenty of those now!

So I made up some silk pillowcases and dyed them. This one is for my 5 year old who loves pink.
And this one for my 3 year old who loves yellow and pink. These are so nice to lie on, I think I’ll be getting requests from other family members when they see these!
What is that?!! you may be thinking. My first thought when I rinsed this out was “oh crap!” The story behind it: I wanted to buy some cotton lawn to make more circle skirts – the “major Australian craft retailer” I went to had run out so the sales assistant suggested using voile (assuring me it was 100% cotton), which I hadn’t used before. I cut out 3 skirts and spent.. ahem!.. quite a bit of time tyeing and dyeing them. Nearly all the colour washed out. The pillowcases were in the same dye batch, so I know it’s the fabric that’s the problem.
When I was having a whinge to my husband about it lastnight his response was “they told you it was 100% cotton and you believed it?” I have history with this retailer. Note to self – don’t trust a sales assistant who likely knows a lot less than I do!
You win some, you lose some.

Hand painted scarf

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I really enjoy hand painting on silk, particularly at the end of a busy day when I’m desperate to do something creative on my own. I find it really relaxing.

I took inspiration from the ocean to paint this silk habotai scarf.
In keeping with the ocean theme I used sea salt resist to represent movement of bubbles.
In my Etsy shop now.

Pork and pepper casserole

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It may be Summer here in Australia but it’s been very cool the past week so it was a pleasure to have the oven running yesterday with the aroma of this beautiful casserole drifting through the house.
The recipe is from here and I think I’ll be revisiting this site – all that comfort food!
This recipe made enough to feed our hungry family of six with leftovers for tonight (I served with rice).
And the all important question: Did the children like it? They sure did!

Hand dyed top for the boy

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I don’t sew all that much for the boy – It’s not like you can make a 10 year old boy the cute little outfits you could have when they were little. I do like to make his basic pants and things though.
The pattern is Jalie 2918 which I have also used for my husband with excellent results. I started with white Stella and dyed it what I thought would be a sky blue. It came out awfully light and washed out which I now realise was probably due to a too low temperature in the mixing and curing.
I gave it another go with cobalt blue and better temperatures and it came out perfect! I love this colour on my blue eyed boy.

Mohair is just so pretty!

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This doll is a custom order for Christmas. The customer sent me some fabrics with specifications for clothing. I’ll admit I was a little skeptical about the colourways but I think they’ve come together beautifully.

The pants are bamboo velour, the top is a knit and the pinafore a cotton print. She also included the green wool felt so I made a bag with that. She has other outfits too but in my haste to send her off before Christmas I haven’t take extra photos.
The customer also requested mohair for the hair. This is sewn on piece by little piece until the whole head is covered. It takes a long time!
This dyed mohair is from Stokesay Mohair farm in Victoria, it is really beautiful stuff and gives such a realistic look to a doll.

Mud pies with worms for dessert anyone?

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Here is a fun holiday activity for the children – and the best part is it’s edible!
We got the idea from “God’s Design for Life – The World of Animals” by Debbie and Richard Lawrence (a most excellent set of Christian science books).
First, mix a packet of chocolate instant pudding according to the instructions on the packet. I don’t usually go for this pre – packaged stuff, but it is quick and easy. You could substitute with home made chocolate mousse or similar if you don’t like the packet stuff.
Crush some chocolate cookies (we used Chocolate Ripple biscuits).
Place some of the cookie crumbs in the bottom of a clear plastic or glass cup. On top of this, place a gummy worm so that it sits up a little.
Spoon the pudding mix in dollops and add another gummy worm if you want. Sprinkle a thick layer of cookie crumbs on top.
Refrigerate until set, then watch them disappear into waiting mouths!