Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons

Dolls

Waldorf plush doll

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It’s a while since I made a waldorf inspired doll and lastnight I was seized with a longing to craft one.

There is something very special about the waldorf way of making dolls. The materials are a delight to use. The way the character of the doll emerges as you stitch.

Waldorf dolls are probably responsible for igniting my crafting passion, paricularly my love of using beautiful and natural materials and for implementing fine needlework.

A doll like this is perfect for imaginary play and snuggly bedtimes! There were 3 girls looking over my shoulder whilst I was doing the handstitching and dropping not so subtle hints!
Available in my Etsy shop now šŸ™‚

Back to dolls

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This is my latest custom order. I’ve been feeling lately like I miss making dolls and getting all nostalgic about it so a knotsie doll is a really good compromise. It doesn’t take as long to make as my other dolls.

And they’re also really cute!

I’m working on writing a pattern for these at the moment, so if you’d like to make your own, watch this space! Maybe don’t watch too closely, as I’m notoriously slow when it comes to these things.
I have some other things to show you so hopefully I’ll make it back here this week. We have started up our lessons again, so the days are pretty full, but it’s kinda nice to be back in the swing of routine, I think I enjoy holidays a bit too much and start to get lazy.
Hope you’re having a great week, God bless.

Christmas giveaway

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I decided not to have a Christmas giveaway this year but then I changed my mind because that’s what I do. So, I’m giving away this lovely doll 12 inch doll who is special in a few ways.

Her hair is made from hand dyed yarn (dyed by Nell). Her dress is hand dyed by me, as is her silk cape. Her pants were hand painted by my son. Plus, she’s pretty cute! She is waldorf influenced, made with natural materials and stuffed with wool.

The giveaway is open to all who follow this blog (new followers are always welcome šŸ™‚ Just leave a comment. For a second entry please “like” my facebook page and then return here to leave another comment telling me you’ve done so. Open to international visitors too.
I’ll draw on Saturday 26th November. Good luck!

Some wee waldorf dolls

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The winner of my Christmas giveaway was Tas and she requested some wee waldorf dolls for her daughter. They are only 6 inches (15cm) tall. I can show them here now because they have been (well) received.

Her daughter loves pink and is warming to red, so the dress colours were chosen accordingly. The blondie has mohair yarn for hair and the brunette has curly dyed mohair (one of my favourite materials ever!)

Plenty on the “to do” list today but unfortunately no crafting on the agenda, too much “important stuff” to be done.
Perhaps I could sneak in a few minutes of hand embroidery tonight?…..

Etsy shop sale

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New year = out with the old, in with the new! I’m offering 10% off any order in my shop for the month of
January. Simply enter the coupon code DOLLSALE2011 when purchasing and the discount is automatically applied. Happy shopping!

Waldorf inspired rainbow doll 13 inchLil' Mim doll, 13 inches, made from natural materialsLil' Mim and Tiny Mim - waldorf inspiredLil Mim 12 inch doll - waldorf inspired

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.

Rainbow doll

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Finally – a new doll for the shop! This one is a little bit special because she has a lot of hand dyed elements.
Her dark purple dress was hand dyed by me (the frill is from some fabric Nic Wood sent me). The silk cape was dyed in the shibori method by me. Her flared pants were hand painted by my son.
Then there is the hair of course. The gorgeous rainbow hand dyed and spun yarn from Nell.
I don’t think I’ll be too sad if this doll doesn’t find a home for Christmas, there are always other possibilities!

Happy swapping

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I love a happy swap. You may recall I received some beautiful wool from Nell last week. She has her parcel from me now, so I can show you what I sent. I used a few different techniques for the fat quarters above.
The pink and purple playsilk was painted with stripes and then sprinkled with sea salt (in honour of Nell’s pink and purple princess!)

Nell mentioned water play, so the idea for the blue playsilk was born. The silk was dyed using a shibori technique.

And last but not least – a little play doll for “the baby”, knowing how much my “baby” loves her doll that is similar.

Umm..gee…thanks a lot!

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I took the boy to the show yesterday, we had a great time getting there early and avoiding the full on crowds. I was pleased to see the show has improved and cleaned up considerably from the last time I went about 7 years ago.
Anyway, we went to the art and craft pavilion to see our exhibits on display (did I mention my boy won 2nd place with his choc chip biscuits?) I was also keen to see my doll on display in the toymaking section. Now, get this. My doll had been plopped down in a seated position (nothing wrong with that) but her face was completely covered with her hair! I checked the other toys – none had received the same treatment.
Am I just being precious, or is that truly annoying?!