Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons

Dolls

Topsy Turvy doll

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I had a friend as a child who had a topsy turvy doll, the lovely doll was very popular and I was very jealous! I decided to design one and make her for one of my girls (the one who loves dolls!)  for Christmas. It was tricky figuring out the initial design, but with a bit of good old “winging it” she turned out fine and dandy. Do you know how they work? They’re attached in the middle (no legs) with the long dress covering one head so you only see the opposite head. Turn the doll and skirt over (upside down) to reveal the other doll! I love them, what do you think?

Peg dolls!

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I’ll be posting the tutorial seperately seeing as it’s photo heavy. But first, an introduction starring the Peg Doll Girls!

Meet Jane, an all round nice girl, everybody’s friend.

This is Krishna, she loves spending time with her friends and is an adventurous cook.


Say hi to Jo, the funloving and adventurous one of the group.

This is Carmel, she’s a little bossy but a big softie underneath it all.

Last but not least is Anna the fashionista. Her favourite pastime is, yep, you guessed it – shopping!
Stay tuned for the tute on how to make your own peg dolls!

GIVEAWAY!

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The time has come for little Milly to find a home. She has received plenty of attention in my shop but is tired of waiting for someone to buy her, she is ready to be loved and played with! She is, of course, an original design and made in the waldorf style with lovely cotton tricot, wool felt, mohair yarn and is stuffed with clean carded wool. Her clothes are removable. She is 8 inches tall.

If you would like to enter please:

1. Leave a comment and become a follower of this blog.

2. Blog about this giveaway with a link to this site. (I’ll be checking!)

Milly doesn’t mind travelling, so this giveaway is open to all earthly residents.
I’ll draw the winner in 2 weeks time.

One word of warning – Milly has button jointed arms and long hair, so is not really suitable for little ones.

Best of luck!!

Garden fairy and soap

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One of my nieces (did I ever mention that I have 29 nieces and nephews?!) sent me a lovely handmade card for the baby so I decided to send her something in return (she is 5 years old).

Being a lover of all things pretty and girly, I thought a little 4 inch garden fairy would be just the thing. I was happy to get these light filled shots of the said fairy as it was a gloriously warm and sunny winter’s morn.

I made some goats milk and vanilla bean soap for a gift. It smelled gorgeous in the pot, almost exactly like panna cotta. Speaking of panna cotta, have you ever made it? You must, you must, its simply wonderful and easy too! Here’s a recipe for you:
Err, if you’re on a diet or watching your weight you may have to develop temporary amnesia before you down this cool delight!

Vanilla Panna Cotta

Serves 6

3 cups cream
1 cup milk
the seeds from a lovely moist vanilla bean (you can use vanilla extract, but it ain’t the same!)
3/4 cup sugar
4 tsp gelatine

Bring the milk, cream, vanilla and sugar slowly to the boil. Remove from heat. Dissolve the gelatine in a little warm water just before stirring in to the cream mixture. Allow to cool to warm before pouring into moulds or some sort of container (I just use a plastic rectangular dish with tall sides) Cover with plastic wrap and set in the fridge overnight.

We have only eaten it plain, but next time husband suggested doing some fruit soaked in liquer as an accompaniment. I quite agree!

Some of my favourite dolls…

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I’ve lost count of how many dolls I’ve made and sold now.

I do have my favourites though.

Most are now scattered across the United States.

They’re all different and I loved making each and every one. Some people ask me if its hard to sell them, to let them go. No. I love the thought that someone loves what I do enough to buy one.
I love the thought of a little person getting around with one of my dolls tucked under their arm or into their bed.
This one is still for sale in my Etsy shop, the rest have been sold. I enjoy the challenge of custom orders too, you can purchase directly from the shop or contact me from here.

I hope your day brings you happiness, craftiness and contentment!

Birthday doll

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Its the little one’s 2nd birthday on Monday, so I couldn’t let it pass without making one of her favourite things – a doll! This is one of my little 6 inch dolls and I knitted her a little dress and matching headband out of lovely soft baby yarn.


Just for something different I drew and painted her face on instead of embroidered. Her hair is alpaca and merino wool.
I’m working on a birthday apron too.
I’m starting to feel like I need to cram everything into the next 11 days (yes, 11 days!!!) before the baby arrives. I know I won’t even be able to contemplate sitting at the sewing machine for many weeks. This baby, like all my others will be born by caesarian section and I know by now that the recovery is slow.
The softie giveaway is still on!

Wee little bairny

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I think my impending arrival has made me a little “baby mad”! I made this little waldorf baby this afternoon after fiddling around with a head and wondering what to do with the rest, it just seemed to become a baby. I needle sculpted her face, her body is polar fleece (really snuggly) and her hat is knitted from organic rainbow wool. She has a soft flannel wrap for swaddling that does up at the back with velcro. She is 8 inches long.

She will be in my Etsy shop shortly, I think I’ll be making another one for the little un’s 2nd birthday coming up. Just realised I won’t be able to call her that for much longer, there will be an
even littler un’!
And thankyou all for your positive comments on my last post, it means a lot to me šŸ™‚

New in the shop today……

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A “Wee Waldorf” doll, only 6 inches tall with knitted organic and hand dyed yarn dress and long flowing alpaca and mohair locks.


A butterfly wristlet, just for fun! It has a knitted body and attaches to the wrist with velcro.
Now, a word about zips!
I’m determined that one day I will be able to insert a zip that looks good, I’ve tried many times and never completed one to satisfaction. Any zip tips from those in the know?

SOLD – THANKYOU!