NEW SPACE

This is my new holiday home!!!

In the summer Princelet decided he is too old to go on holiday with boring old mummy anymore so that was our last time away in our caravan.

So the old goat persuade next door to give us half their garden (they hate it anyway) and is going to put me a little cabin and some training space for the dogs. Watch this space for updates!!

While at the bench I was tinkering with some of the bits that I got in my bundle from the USA, some really interesting metal, well, mini sculptures really. Very different, corrugated, coiled, silver, copper, cut and embossed shapes. I teamed them up with some dull fawnie card stock, baroque brown paper and a straw linen, printed and textured paper. I have just bought some copper pearl card to matt with and I will scribe a greeting in brown.

Very pleased with them

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

STUDY DAY

Today I made:-

A stamped pattern candle.

Seen it done and wanted to have a go. I did not paint the images because I wanted a full sketchy image.

Interesting - - but don't think I will do one again.

TIP - I patted my warm candle with a towel (over the greaseproof paper) and it left a great uneven surface - not good for everything - but great for my sea theme.

ALSO, been playing with old patchwork designs. There is one called The Snowflake.

I have put a 'how to' guide on my web site. It is easier to use that this site for projects like this - and it takes up less space .

So see -
http://www.princesskitten.co.uk/design_23006.html

Yours

P XXXX
www.princesskitten.co.uk

SCRAP BOOK PAGES

Tried to make the bed - honest
The mad hound was playing peek-a-boo

Here he is!!

While on the desk - I was totally shattered after Yoga. Anyone who thinks it's sitting about going 'ommm' should spend a couple of hours with my teacher. So I did a scrap book page with my new bits. - this is me!! Don't often do pages of me - well we don't do we? But this old black and white goes along side the soft tulip colours - with a bit of added glitter of course.

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

CHRISTMAS PLANNER

Well - here is my idea.

It is an A3 sheet of card folded into 4 sections, then the bottom side is turned up to make flap 'pockets'.

There is also a little extra envelope to put your receipts / tickets etc into, to keep them all safe.





Then I spent ages in the office the other morning working out 'inserts' - card list - stocking fillers - gift ideas - menu planner.

The beauty is that all you need to do is photo the pages before you start and the planner will last for years!

Good eh?

Decorated with A Rose Tinted Christmas papers (just for once I know what I have used because I have just bought them!)

Yours

P XXXX
www.princesskitten.co.uk

DAY OFF

It is going to be cold tonight folks - the gritting lorry has just gone flying down the road. He (and it MUST be a he) drives like it's a jet plane, it's a real sight to see him whizzing about!

As you know Monday is normally my day off - but today I had to go over to Stavely to check their stock and see what they had sold.

Mega Brownie points to them - they had sold loads. I seem to be getting a little following there, and I am so pleased with all the encouragement they give me.

It's really hard to be 'arty', you put your head out of the window and shout (very loudly) 'look, I can do this' and you just have to hope that some people like your stuff and you can find a niche to work with - and that it's not just a train coming in the other direction!

Still working on those Christmas planners!

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW DAY

Well, the old goat is OK - he rolled home about 12.30 this morning after navigating the floods home.

Did you see about the fell runners on the news? What planet were the organisers on there then??? We ALL knew what the weather was going to be like yesterday - the Mountain Rescue guys are furious (they are a CHARITY for goodness sake) - and as for the helicopter guys - we spend ages trying to raise money for them - all gone in one silly decision. I in no way blame the runners, they are not locals, they took advice from the organisers, and a lot of them were raising money for their own charities (talk about robbing Peter to pay Paul!!). Reckon we should bill the organisers for all the costs of our rescue teams.

Just remember, all these extra rescue teams (that includes the Life Boats) - they are all charities, good old fold giving their time and skills for nowt: and huge teams of folk fund raising, day in - day out, winter and summer, all the year round to keep them going.

ME? Oh sorry - I have been working on a Christmas planner.

Well it's down on paper and the 'lists' are planed in word - Popped over to Janet's to get some card - - - - So, hold your breath - it's coming.

Yours (flooded, soggy but not stranded)

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

RAIN RAIN RAIN

Are you all ok in this rain??

I am a bit concerned about the old goat - he went out to do a job, came home because that way was flooded, and he had to work out another way to get there - it's still raining and he is not due home until midnight - we hope.

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

STUFF

I have had such a fabulous day with all my new stock.

I have made several photo wallets with a Christmas theme (4 Christmas fairs coming up soon). And several general (well it's such a good idea).

-outside
.
.
.


-inside

You all know how much of a scavenger I am - I have never had a complete, matching set of papers - ribbons - brads - tags - toppers - etc: and it's been an eye opener. OK, I am still searching out matting papers, card stock and other bits and bobs, but it's a real novelty to pick up and interchange bits and bobs with out all the rummaging (both of brain and stash).

Then I dabbled with a card or 2.

I got the whole Rose Tinted Christmas for half price - but loads of it is usable for birthdays and other stuff - and I so love this HOT pink colour.


Mind you, I love rummaging through my stash - it's always being turned over - keeps it fresh - bit like a compost heap really. I have used so much patterned paper today: and I am desperate for a mega-box of new card stock. Spent too much already this month, have to wait until next month now.

And I have not even touched my scrap booking stuff yet.

Happy daze!!!!

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

LOADS OF GOODIES

I had got my bench clear after yesterday's study day - and a huge, and I do mean HUGE box arrives from Mad About Cards ( http://www.madaboutcards.com/ ). I had to unpack it onto a tray because there was so much of it.

They have a huge sale on - they really are giving it away. The bargain bags are stuffed with all sorts - I got a corner stamp that would have cost more than the whole bag as well as all the rest. I got a £50 scrapbooker's set for £15 - a half price Christmas bundle and loads of bit for £1.


Now - where shall I put it all?

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

BLOG AWARD

I GOT A PRIZE ! ! !

Oh, wow, thanks Em (http://elf-creations.blogspot.com/)

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

STUDY DAY

I have decided to try and keep Thursday as a 'study' day. I go to class twice a month, do Barbra Gray's ( http://www.claritystamp.co.uk/ ) project every month, and I have been trying to work out how to get through all my magazines/books. So I have decided Thursday is study day - and today is day one, so here is what I was working on.

Why is it that when ever I work on one of Barbra's projects my desk gets in the biggest mess? Her projects are always so complex I have to get all the spoons out the drawer.

This centre panel was made in two parts. The grass, trees and animals were stamped onto rough watercolour paper. But the sky and background were brayered onto the back of vellum and put over the top. Told you she gets complicated!

I held the velum in place with brads then matted it with a dark brown pearl card and set it flat over some of that sticky gauze stuff - you know what I mean.

I have done 3 with different animals / foliage etc, and they are really gorgeous.

Only had the afternoon to 'study' as I am covering the church office most of the week. Church warden is poorly, really, really, poorly. So while I am there I am designing a organising type book for Christmas - more to follow.

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

FINISHED CARD

This is the finished card - sorry about the shaky photo - the liquid pearls are still wet so I can't scan it!

I wanted to do something on a childhood theme for grand parents - god parents - adopting parents - sisters - early birthdays - first month - first events, stuff like that. Fun, silly, stuff that you tuck away in a drawer and remember.

Can't work out what to put on the front of the card though - any ideas?

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

TIP OF THE DAY

http://scrapping-away.blogspot.com/2008/10/blog-candy-will-post-worldwide.html

if you don't have this blog on your 'hit list' you really should - all sorts of info

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW WORK

I am going to be really brave today. As my bench is (relatively) clear (for me), I have gone back to the nursery rhyme folded front cards I started an eon ago.

Today I have been roughing out 'Rock A Bye Baby' - when you work with a text the first thing you need to know is - how big will it be?

So I warmed up with my parallel pen 1.5mm (that means doing lettering in the style I have chosen, and loads of strokes to get my arms and eyes working) using some gold ink that I had just mixed.

I know the space have to use - so, then I adjusted the word lines to that space.

And here you go (left click and you will get a bigger image - then use the 'back' button to come back here) - this is the second and third rough to practice the lettering and make sure of the line spacings.

This is what I copy to the final piece.

I write all my notes on it (nib - spacing - ) so I can keep it in my file and if I want to do it again I can look back and see what I did. Which saves hours of working out - although I still need to do the 'warm up' part.

So there you are - you have seen a side of my work that few people do. The rough layouts and scribbles where I work out what direction to go in.

Calligraphy is hours, and hours, and HOURS of practice

Yours

P XXXX
www.princesskitten.co.uk

TIP OF THE DAY

Mad About Cards - http://www.madaboutcards.com/ are having a HUGE sale. I do buy from them occasionally - great service - super guys - but, oh, those postage charges (thrifty kitten): but they have got so many big crafting bundles, and loads of stuff in the £1 shop + all sorts of other stuff reduced in the Autumn sale - 'I partook their offer' ( or would the be indulged myself?). As an ongoing crafter, good basic products will always get used in my office.

Can highly recommend

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

DAY OFF

MONDAY IS KITTEN'S DAY OFF

Yours
P XXXX
www.princesskitten.co.uk

CUTTLEBUG

Part of the fun of having new toys is finding out what they can do and what else you get for them

SO - - -

On my site you will now find a list of cuttlebug cutting dies

http://www.princesskitten.co.uk/design_22522.html

and embossing folders

http://www.princesskitten.co.uk/design_22517.html

Copy them into your word processor and save them. Then you can keep a record of what you already have when you go shopping

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW SITES

I have a new site for you

http://www.cuttingedgecrafts.co.uk/cart.php

I discovered these folk in relation to cuttlebug dies and folders. Their prices are VERY reasonable - and they don't charge extra postage. This is just so fantastic - why don't more sites do it. You can buy a little something just when you feel like it. Their service is quick - AND they answer their emails. I can see myself getting a new folder every 2 or 3 weeks or so without having to worry that I am going over the top.

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

CHAOS

Well the house is settling down to normal: the dogs have been nagging the old goat ALL day to do stuff! The mad hound has a 'play' bark that will summon him down from the attic (and work) to have a tussle; or he sits and whinnies at the bottom of the stairs to be allowed up - then he pesters the cats and steals their food and gets booted out again!

Just in cast anyone was worried about the 'old goat' nickname; it's his logo and he likes it.






meanwhile - I was trying to scribe a pink version of the baby poem. They got me so distracted that I missed out a line.
Perfect lettering - just with a line missing - grrrrr
In the old days, when the scribes missed out a line of text they were copying (usually the Bible) and stuff was too expensive to start again, they would draw a serpent's tail to between the lines where they had missed the text and coil it's body down to the bottom of the page, where it's mouth would open to issue the missed line.

Won't really work though - will it - with a baby poem - and it being - well pink and girly - better start over again then eh!



Did get one thing finished -
I hunted all over the place for some sort of 'army' stuff to do a scrapbook page of princelet's first Cadet march. In the end I bought a grungy linen weave effect paper for the side panel, and sponged a camouflage effect on it with inks. I could not find any netting suitable - and my attempt to bleach out the colour of my fish-nets died the death, so I ended up cutting some angel hair paper with a lace template on my cuttlebug and adding tied cut up strips of ribbon here and about. Pic is a bit grotty - sorry

Well princelet is chuffed with it.

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

TIRED

Well - the old goat is safely home (with presents!). I sat waiting for 1 1/2 HOURS outside the train station - Dozy old goat got on the wrong train and had to get another back from Penrith - what do you do with 'em eh!!!

So - all in all - I am worn out and have not really achived much on the desk today. Tidyied up a few bits and bobs, and finished the scribing on a couple of cards.

OK, so now I am looking forward to a quiet weekend - a 'propper' day off on Monday - and life gently settling back down to normal - WHAT DO YOU MEAN, IT'S NEVER NORMAL HERE ? ? ? B****y cheek :-)

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

SCRAP BOOK CHALLENGE

Today's scrapbook sketch is ready. http://www.princesskitten.co.uk/scrapbooksketches_22421.html

Can't wait to spend tomorrow doing layouts

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

WORKSHOP DAY

Ya know going by all I have seen of this years trends - Trees are big - baubles are big - and - Acetate is up there
too!

Simple stamped and but out bauble card with the centre cut out and raised over shimmer paper and a gem.



This is an embossed snowflake design with a raised snowflake detail.

You stamp on acetate (which is hard - and I am just getting the hang of it) then put pva on the back side where you want the glitter to be (you need a 'fine liner bottle' to be able to do fine detail or fill in small areas - which are not cheap, but are so useful). Then shake glitter over the glue and leave to dry. At this stage it looks really grotty because all you can see is the pva - but as it dries it clears - leaving you a lovely sparkle. Stick to your card with silicone or big glue dots (these are the only things strong enough to cope with the glitter.

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

FUN TEST

If you, like me, like playing with colours - try this

http://www.xrite.com/custom_page.aspx?PageID=77

I got 34 - the lower the better (for once)

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW WORK

OK - I have kept you in suspense all week, my client likes the text I scribed, so before I add the lads details here it is!

I have to say I am thrilled with the end result. I worked it up yesterday - but I was not really happy with bits of it. You know when you do something, then wait a bit before doing it again, sometimes you can do it better.

I am going to class tomorrow - then I might treat myself with a couple of days scrap booking! Catch up with all those layouts I draw and don't have time to work

The old goat is due home tomorrow (with presents - or he don't get let in), can't believe it's a week already.

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW CARD

My son finally got his birthday card from me. (I was only 2 weeks late). He is now 14 and he sees all the stuff I do - I did not think he would be bothered, but the day after his birthday he said 'I didn't get a card from you mummy'. Oh ((poo)), that means I have got to find something totally different.

So here it is. Silhouette giraffes over a sky line.
This background happens to be a water colour wash, but you can get a similar effect with a tonal ink pad and a brayer. Use rough water colour paper to get an even better better patchy effect.

There is a template on my website to use http://www.princesskitten.co.uk/design_22339.html , bear in mind that it is a scan of the card template I created - so it looks a bit 'fluffy'. I have several shapes like this and I am thinking - new range of cards - perhaps 'paper-cut animals' - ' or 'silhouette animals' something along those lines

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

DAY OFF

MONDAY IS KITTEN'S DAY OFF

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

JUST A QUICK THOUGHT

Emma @ Elf creations has discovered my Blogger's 10 commandments link. ( Hi Em)

Soooo . . . .

Which one are you guilty of??

I hold my hands up to . . . number 10 - hay - come on - at least I made it that far!!

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

BEFORE AND AFTER

TOTALLY cleared my desk - just the commission left : yes!!! I love it when I manage to dust my desk - just does not happen often enough. I usually get distracted by something and it all starts over, before it's clear.

Here is another before and after.

I do like the embossed tree - I love tree images - but I get the feeling that it may be limited in use. So let's cut it up.
I worry about me sometimes - I see something and all I want to do is cut it up!




Cut in half to make fairly plain little Christmas note cards. That was fairly straight forward - the difficulty was what to do with the other half?

It is always hard to put the 'bulky' bit of a design on the right, because you don't have the space to balance it and get a proper flow through the design.

Well I created a triple fold A6 card with shorter front flaps so I could set the tree on one side, but underneath is a patterned paper covering the under flap with a text greeting. So you get the balance of the side of the tree, propped up by the layer underneath - and the raised text 'holds' up the tree.

Strange I know - and it needs more work, but it's a game plan.

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

CLEAR(ISH) DESK

I have worked my litttle socks off today!!! Totally shattered.

Most of the bits and bobs have ended up as cards in one form or another and I thought You would like to see the begenning and end of a couple of cards

I had a couple of these blue cut snowflake shapes, and know I wanted to something different with them.






So - here you go - Winter birthday.
Snowflakes raised over a snowflake pattern papper, matted with a glitter pearl blue. Bold, wide, silver glitter stripes (done with double sided tape.

Now my desk is (almost) clear and ready for the next tidal wave.

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

CUTTLEBUG

Waiting for the go ahead on my commission so I have been able to play with all the embossed bits and bobs I brought home yesterday.

For this one I inked up one side of the folder before embossing the image - then I cut it in half. I made it up into one of my small new size cards (6" x 6" folded in half), and decorated the tree with gems, pearl drops, glitter and a sequin or 2.












This one I really like. It's the leafy branch embossed onto Core'dinations and the top sanded. I added some silk flowers and gems, a red Core'dinations mat and distressed the edges. It's realy, really pretty - I might scribe it up as a winter birthday.

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

SCRAP BOOK CHALLENGE

This week's scrap book sketch is now ready

http://www.princesskitten.co.uk/scrapbooksketches_22156.html

Very useful this one - if I say so myself!!

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

CUTTLEBUG

Totally shattered!!

Have been to craft class today (https://www.ghpkendal.co.uk/temp/whats_on.asphpkendal.co.uk/temp/whats_on.asp ) and we have been doing all sorts of stuff with the Cuttlebug - it was sooo hard not to buy anything (have to wait and see what the old goat brings home!). We were supposed to be making 3 cards, but Janet was in a 'playing' mood (for playing substitute 'serious experimental research' -you know the drill), and we ended up doing all sorts of embossing and cutting just to find out 'what if''.

with ink -

and sanding -

and cutting -

and embossing papers before cutting -

and cutting images after inking -

and so it goes on and on and on.

The VERY best way to spend a day.

I came home with only 1 card finished, but loads of ideas and some test pieces to work up into something - so just you wait.

Tons of fun - hurry up and come home old goat!!

Tomorrow will be spent working on the baby peom commission - promise: after that. . .

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

BOOK REVIEW

New review for you

Collected Ghost Stories - M R James

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

HOME ALONE

Do you know the definition of a spouse? It's the person who stands by you through all the troubles you wouldn't have had if you hadn't married them!

The dear old goat has gone to America for a week to visit some friends - that leaves princelet and me alone home to get up to mischief. I have already bought some plants, and if the weekend is as lovely as today I will drag the princelet into the garden to do some work.

I was just about to start work on some lines of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas when I got a commission for a baby poem. So I am working on a rough layout - that will keep me out of mischief. Going to class tomorrow - cuttlebug Christmas cards ((will show you tomorrow)).

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

LOSS OF A SUPPLIER

I have been shopping with my mate Julie @ Scrapbook Castle tonight. http://www.scrapbookingcastle.co.uk/ . She is selling up the shop and clearing the last of the stock. I have been using her shop for nearly a year now - I try to support the small shops and craft outlets. Apart from the fact that you are investing in, and supporting the folk who are 'hands on' and really know and care about their stock, these are also the paces to get the unusual / small designers / small print run / quirky / and downright odd(!) papers. I have had some of the most amazing 'picture' scrapbook papers from her - never seen the like anywhere else. She also has(had) the prettiest paisley papers I have ever worked with.

All her stock is 60% off for the last couple of weeks she is open - so get in quick and help her close with a bang

That is the 2nd supplier I have lost in a few months: sign of the times? But it also means I need to find a couple more small, reliable, independent, all knowing, varied, reasonable prices with good sales, kind, helpful suppliers - know anyone??

Sending the very best wishes to Julie and her crew and wishing her all the best for what ever venture she takes on next. Thanks hunni.

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

DAY OFF

MONDAY IS KITTEN'S DAY OFF

Yours

Pxx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW CARDS

As you know, I don't have many 'extras' - stamps / punches and what not, so I am always pleased to swap images, or get given extra stuff. I have had these punched fern shapes sitting on the top of the bench for months. I knew what I was going to do with them - as always it's time!

Well I worked them up into cards today: see the ferns? Background stamped leaves - stippled for soft texture, layered paper flowers & gems, topper matted and set on a background pattern paper to soften the effect

There are loads of occasions when you want to send a card - but nothing suits. I am hoping that these will fit the bill

Yours

P XXXX
www.princesskitten.co.uk

BEING SILLY

Sitting here up loading stuff in to my shop - and got Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on the telly.

SINGING ALONG LIKE AN OLD TROUPER.

Just had to share that with you ! ! !

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

TIDY DESK

After the highest peak of the tidal wave, there comes the gradual drift out and clearing of space: and so the work on my desk settles into a gentle wash, and glimpses of cutting mat and wood worktop start to appear.

I have just about caught up after my Mega weekend - even the paper work is up to date - all letters are posted - the work not wanted, has been collected - my 'holly' idea scribed, made up and in the shop - even some punched ferns that I 'will get round to one day', are laid out on card shapes, in work - the palace guard dogs are dozing on their cushions - the cats have been de-flea-ed and put to doze quietly - the palace is at rest - all the pigs are fed, and ready to fly.

You just knew it was too good to be true didn't you????

Well - almost there

I did work up some of The Holly And The Ivy cards. When I get an idea in my brain sometimes I have to work it up just to get it out of my head! This is my accordion fold front A6 card - that gives 3 small panels to embellish, and 3 plain backed panels to write on (I usually put plain paper on these so people will understand to write on it - they think it will spoil it). I LOVE this fold - it is made from one sheet of A4 (always use one sheet and cut it up - then the colours will match).

DESIGN - INSTRUCTIONS

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW LOOK

I just love my new blog look! I keep popping back to see if it's still there - I know: get a life. Just so chuffed to get rid of those big chunky columns.

Finished my latest batch of baby cards - baby cards have been really popular. Worked them a bit differently this time - and they will be different next time as this is the last of that pattern paper.

THEN we took some friends, of an American friend, out to lunch. http://www.watermillinn.co.uk/index.html
I have recommended Brian's pub before (once or twice).

The guys had a nose round the brewery and checked out the ale (the old goat draws all the labels for the new brews (all dog themed) and were well impressed! As they should be.

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

PLAYING

Today - - why do we always mat in squares?

I have been playing with shapes.
I filled a whole A4 sheet of card with some of my baby stamps, painted them and cut them out. Normally I would cut them in squares to Matt, but I am experimenting. Some of them I have set onto a square and matted (semi-normal), and some I have matted and cut round in a rough outline (way not normal) before setting straight on the card - or matting as a group to make topper.

I love to stretch my wings and just see 'what happens if?'

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk