HOLIDAY

Way to hot to work

so kitten has gone on holiday

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

CALLIGRAPHY

My desk is clear - every thing is finished and up to date - so I have been practising a new text.

This is Beneventan, it's part of the Uncial family (monk's hand) so it's has lovely fat tummies and a wriggle of the wrist to create the curvy effect. I think the hardest part is to keep the letters going upright and not sneak over to the left.

Getting there slowly

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to me

Happy Birthday to me

Happy Birthday to meeeeeee

Happy Birthday to me

This blog has now been running for a whole year

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

DIET?

I have been on my diet for a whole week - lost 2lbs. 2lbs!!! I ask you. I have been totally good. I must have saved 100s of calories. AND 2lbs!

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

STUDY DAY

Have been to craft class today - not been for ages because the old goat has had the car. Still he gave me money to spend to make up for it!

The theme today was men's' cards. I love this steam roller - it's so different. The 'cog shapes' are actually medallion stamps - amazing how different things can look in a different setting.

The new Do Craft mag is out - CHRISTMAS - that's a big NO. Sorry, kitten does not do Christmas this early (the designs are not that pretty anyway)

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

SUMMER

WAAAY to hot to work properly - have been fiddling about a bit, watching Big Brother on catch up, and totally re-hashing the toppers section in my website.

I have put myself on a diet!!! Have to face up to it - the weight has been creeping up, and I just sneaked over 13 stone at the weekend. Enough, it's getting uncomfortable, I am not used to being overweight, I was 8 stone before I had princelet(it's all his fault). I started on Saturday - and (so far) have been very good.

The thing is - why is it that you eat a bickie and put weight on - but if you don't eat the bickie, you don't loose any weight - AND you really have to go to such extremes to loose anything at all. I suppose I am a bit stuck because I can't really do loads of exercise - but I did have a good season at yoga this morning. I am keeping a note every morning to make me stick to it.

Just as well I love lettuce and fish really

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

SHOWS

Have been getting cards ready to take to the dog show this weekend.

I love the Jolly Nation decoupage - it's such fun

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

CHALLENGE

This week's challenge on
http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/2009/06/challenge-24-diamonds-are-girls-best.html
is - Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend



This is my entry. The paper is embossed with the dandelion flower and sanded to show the white core. There is a glitter line on the stems and a halo of 'diamonds' surrounding the flower heads. I love gems and use them all the time

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

SHOWS

Have been at a local community centre fun day today. Did quite well - that card I showed you yesterday - sold that! My new range of jungle animals with kids ages is going to be really popular - sold 6 today.

I am totally shattered - not had a good week really. The old goat is off to http://www.lakesiderailway.co.uk/pages/home.html tomorrow, that's a new venue so I hope he does ok

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW CARDS

I have been making some more of these small, 3 fold, stamped flower garland cards.

These are quite popular - I seem to make 3 or 4 most months. They have really developed since I picked up a load of See-Ds Morsel stamps for £1, and the lettering has changed too. I was worried that I was cheating somehow, using the cuttlebug for the text, but you can't always get this same effect with calligraphy because the card is too porous and the ink all feathers out and looks really dreadful. That means you have to mat everything - which is great to match in with a topper - but over the top when you want a delicate effect. So I am not going to fret over it any more!
Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

TWITTER

Do you twitter??

I have several new followers - and I try to pick a wide variety to follow

Join us @ http://twitter.com/princesskitten0

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

STUDY DAY

I have noticed recently that my mind has returned much more to my 'paper' creating ideas. I have not been able to get to class much these past 2 months. The old goat has had the car - and I just can't walk that far anymore. He does feel bad but I can hardly say I want the car when he has a job on can I? There is no way we could afford to run 2 cars.



Anyway - that leaves me playing with papers - cutting, folding and experimenting.





This is an American idea (usually is) - I say a picture of it and thought hmmmm.....

This is the girl's pinafore. first experiments are always a bit on the plain side.



Then I played with a boy's bib and shorts. Starting to get the hang of it now

The idea is - the front of the card is cut to the shape of the bib/pinafore, and the back of the card is cut to the shape of the t-shirt underneath.






The overall card size fits a 6" x 6" envelope, so that was my starting point. It has taken me ages to get the proportions correct and work out collars, bows, pockets to make it all work.

Are we impressed - yes we are!

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW IDEA

I have the coolist project to work on tomorrow - new templates. OOOOh why can't it be tomorrow now?

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW SPACE

Have you been following the new garden space/cabin project this past 6/8 months?

We won a prize. Biggest garden makeover(mess) of the Spring Show!

I love my garden - just you wait until I am well!!!!

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW CARDS

Have been replacing the 'MUM' and 'DAD' cards that sold at the week end.

This range is going to be so popular - I can see it


I do baby 'boy' and 'girl' as well.

MUST get around to doing the big ages as well

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

DAY OFF

Monday is kitten's day off (?) - -

- yeah, right.

Today went:-

- shower/hair wash (hard work if you are CFS/ME - huge energy used).

- Morning in Morrison's (well, you shop for a teenager AND a stay at home artist/ teenager).

- then - OH JOY - princelet has a physio appointment at the hossie.

Now, I feel guilty if I don't tack my turn with the (on going) hospital trauma when the old goat is busy. Guys - princelet has a stiff, clunky shoulder - sorry world - I am sooo not panicking over all this. The old goat has to get to Keswick again this week and is trying to get ahead with stuff - SO I stood in.

Something ALWAYS happens when I do the hossie run. Trust me - I got stopped by the police - we were a week EARLY for the appointment (don't ask) - they had double booked us, and the list goes on.

TODAY - thunder and lightning and HAILSTONES. Yep, In June. At first I thought I was just the other side of 'normal' (girls - you know that one), but they kept coming, and they got bigger, and the thunder got louder, and louder - we are talking roof shaking stuff here. Luckily (?) the gazebo was still in the car after the weekend, so we grabbed one of the sides to shelter us in the the hospital - don't know what they thought of a tent side in the waiting room - don't care!

Went to Asda on the way home - and bought alcohol - because I am worth it!!

And when I got home poor little fidget knickers - panicking or what? Thunder, lightening, big scary stuff going on and no mummy to snuggle??? The needy one just got the 'I want to live inside your skin' panic on!!

So, there we go, huge panics - Bottle of Rose (+ a few) - snuggled, contented doggie - Day off - um? When was that?

Work tomorrow - can't wait - yippee!!!!!!!!!!

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

FUN

http://www.buyacredit.com/

You have to join in - huge fun!!!!!!!

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

CUTTLEBUG

One thing that you can't do with calligraphy is to put a strong colour lettering over another strong coloured patterned paper. I have been experimenting with this idea lately.

I just love this dandelion head clock embossing folder and I picked the pair up on Ebay the other day for £6 (really chuffed) and this is my first attempt.

I wanted to use an antique patterned paper - just got these from Scrapz, and sand through the pattern. This is a gorgeous effect - and you can add extra effect by tearing the side up wards. I love the results - you can keep the colours very strong without having to mat the scribed text. I think it will only work on smaller sized cards (this one is 5" x 5") other wise the text will be lost in the space

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

SHOWS

Just back from the church fate - gosh it was chilly out there. Just updating the shop stock

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

CHALLENGE

This weeks challenge from

http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/2009/06/something-yummy-23.html

is - something yummy!!!!

This a scrapbook page of the chocolate cake that princelet had on his 13th birthday - and how long it lasted

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW CARDS

Well done cards - all ready for the exam results!!

WAY over the top colour collage

several colourways



The centre panel is a technique that is on my design and how to pages, text is cut on the cuttlebug - the rest is me, going over the top again

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

THE OLD GOAT

Well the old goat is home - with presents!!

http://www.pencilmuseum.co.uk/ the guys sent me the most georgous wooden box of the new inktense pencils. Oh wow - what a treat - can't wait to get fiddling. I have several stamped images that would work with these as colouring

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW CARDS

I re-did that poem this morning - so glad I did, it is way better. They always say you have to do a piece 3 times - 1) to warm up your muscles, 2) to practice your eyes are straight, 3) for the final result. It's funny, but it normally turns out that way.

'Tis the season of 'good luck' cards - exams, new job interviews, apprentice interviews, university places - it's all in full swing now. Princelet had a maths exam this morning, they are doing the first one early to give them a bit of space next year - that will bring him up short!!

I have a lovely cat brass stencil so I have been experimenting with different techniques with it.


This one - the pattern is cut through white card and backed with black pearl card,



Then we have this one, which is drawn through the stencil and coloured in with a black metallic gel ink







This last one is embossing paste (yummie) and coated with a black twinkle glitter.

I also did a mat black glitter which worked well - still drying

I did try glue and flock - but that was not good, will try again with embossing paste and flock

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

COMISSION

Have been working on my poem commission today. Not really happy with it - I sharpened one of my nibs and it has a burr on it. Almost worked it out - but I think it still shows a bit. I have ruled up another sheet to do it again. Well - it's all practice isn't it?

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

GUARD DOG

You know my grumpy, bad mouthed, foul tempered, pig headed, OCD, stubborn - - - no, not the old goat - - - the palace guard dog!

Here he is! - yeah: all of the above.

He is pining for the old goat! Bless his little socks.

He spent all last night sitting in his chair, looking out the window waiting for his Evsie to come home. Want to know why? The old goat pampers to all his needs and wants, drops everything as soon as the guard dog barks to play and generally runs around after him. Me - the guard dog does what he is told - ooooooh yes, not spent years working with dogs to end up doing what they want. The grumpy old guard dog does not like that - doing what he is told.

I took him to the Church office today - usually the vicar's dog is about - to cheer him up a bit. But Steffie is still poorly and not about, but he did still see a few folk, so that cheered him up. And he did pester fidget knickers to play with him for a bit, and now he is flopped out on a pillow (a bit like the above!) dozing.

I wish I knew what the weather was going to do - I would get out all his agility play stuff if it was going to stay fine for a bit. Can't really win - he has to do what he is told - but he gets a bit of work.

Me? - I am looking forward to a few slow, peaceful, (tidy) days to just to potter about and catch up. I have a poem to work up to finish, so that's great - and I have a bit to get done in the garden / potting shed.

And I am just going to chill

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

LIFE

Have you heard about the new directory for mobile phone numbers? I have no problem with a main directory - might even be useful to some - but I don't want to play.

After a bit of digging about (and it's tucked away a bit) I have found how to take my number off.

Can I be ex-directory with 118 800?
You can become ex-directory by texting the letter ‘E’ to 118800 from the mobile phone you want to be made ex-directory or you can call us on 0800 138 6263. Standard network charges apply. The first time 118 800 contacts you you will be sent an SMS reminding you about how to become ex-directory. Please allow up to 4 weeks for your ex-directory request to take effect.

**** you might want to do this for the kids!

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW CARDS

In a 'male' frame of mine.

I bought this stamp in a sale for the old goat - mad about anything si-fi or spacey he is. Borrowed it to have a play with. It looks amazing in black or silver - or bronze embossing

The old goat is here - http://www.pencilmuseum.co.uk/ - all week painting a big wall murial for them. That leaves me HOME ALONE to play. YEAH

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW SITE

I do still miss my mate over at Scrapbooking Castle - even after all this time.

But life moves on and I have picked up a couple of new suppliers - so have great hopes of them

http://www.cuddlybuddly.com/ - needed some new 'B' plates for my Cuttlebug (can't believe just how much I use it just now - had to clear a real, proper space for it so I could just pull it out and work), Anyway Cutting Edge did not have any, and Cuddly Buddly did, so I spent yesterday's takings with them on a few bits and bobs! THAT'S why it's a hobby Mr tax man!!! Luckily he believes me.

Also http://scrapz.co.uk/ - I have had a couple of orders from her now (one of the things I really like about a site is to know the person/people behind it). She has really unusual stuff - not to everyone's taste, but it's so nice to see a totally different approach - cutting edge unique stuff - and a HUGE range of charms

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

SHOWS

NO - THAT'S NOT ME

This is the lady that shared the lounge area with me today.

Today we were at http://www.bendrigg.org.uk/ which is an activity holiday centre for disabled and special needs children. They do abseiling and rock climbing (and canoes) with kids in wheelchairs - it has to be seen to be believed.

I sold a little bit - fairly average day for me - which considering the weather out there today was amazing.

I was so pleased they put me in the warn and dry in the lounge area - I shared the space with a face painter and a lady doing the lucky dip.

Amazing day - huge plaudits to all the folk who not only organise this event every year - but also do such amazing work to support these kids learn, grow and develop day in and day out year after year

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

SHOPPING

Goodness what a grotty day - did not see a soul in the office to day, after yesterday I was quite pleased

Treated myself to a few bits over at

http://scrapz.co.uk

she really has got some very unusual stuff there

I have got a commission for a memorial poem to do. I have worked up a rough draft and it's looking good so far. Out all day tomorrow - PLEEEESSSEEE NO RAIN! Don't care if it's cold - just stay dry

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

GIFT TAGS

Time is a bit short on the ground this week - but I still like to think I have work on the go.

So - I have started a new range (yes: again) of GIFT TAGS. Great these are - little bit to pass the time. Cut tag shapes, stamped, painted and decorated with ribbon ties. Should go well on the stall

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

LIFE

I am covering the church office all this week as Angela is on holiday.

I went in this morning to find the committee room double booked - and it just snowballed after that! I got the small group settled in the Lady Chapel, gentleman turned up to play the organ - that's not a problem. Then one of the local traders popped in for a chat because he was having problems - and the guy he has fallen out with walked in!!! Phone kept ringing - vicar' wife is poorly, and so is his dog, so he's just a bit fragile. Just on my way out and I realised that the flower wreaths that had been delivered earlier on in the week that I thought were too early for today's funeral - had been forgotten by the hearse on Monday (I was really cross - they should have gone with the mourners). Huge panic to get them cleared out of sight!!

I was hugely relieved to go and get my nails done I can tell you

I am in again tomorrow - bet I see no-one!

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

LIFE

I have discovered the shed equivalent of the washing machine 'sock monster' - you know that one who only ever eats one sock.

We have a show on Saturday at Bendrigg (http://www.bendrigg.org.uk/), so the gazebo has to come out of the shed and the spiders have to be evicted (I don't do that bit). so here is where the monster comes in. Why is it that the gazebo + all last years frame (+ half of the year before's frame), goes into the shed - - and when it all comes out - a leg is missing?

Do you think the washing machine monster - and the shed monster are cousins?? Or just good friends!

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW CARDS

'Tis the wedding season - time to get prepared

These cards blanks Ashtondale Crafts (http://www.ashtondale.co.uk/) sent me when they were having a big clear out. They are embossed on the diagonal 'wedding day' and have the softest, silkiest texture I have ever seen/felt - no idea what it is never seen it before - won't take ink of any sort though! The paper used is from a big wedding pack that I got from Mad About Cards (http://www.madaboutcards.com/) for £1.

Have you discovered this amazing bargain site yet - well you should have!

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

CHALLENGE

http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/2009/05/going-dotty-21.html

This week it's circles

So here is really cute little tag book - round pages - with a stamped elephant on velum over elephant stamped inner page. Loads of fluff and bling!

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW CARDS

Went to see my ostio today - she says my hamstrings are really tight. For someone that has done yoga for years and can stand on their palms - that's a big worry.

New range of birthday ages. A6 - with the embossed candles (glitter in the flames - well you have too), matted with a really strong pearl colour. The numbers are cut out and set over the same colour as the mat.

Really smart

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

DAY OFF

OK - so, I don't usually work on a Monday, but I had so much rough time last week: still tyring to catch up. I did a couple of hours at the bench this afternoon

Just for once the weather is OUTRAGEOUS hot, so I thought a few thoughts and tips on working in this heat would be helpful.

The dry weather is great for drying the washing - it also has weird effects on our crafting.

http://www.princesskitten.co.uk/design_30954.html

Check it out - email me YOUR tips and I will add them

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk