SHOWS

http://www.golakes.co.uk/thedms.aspx?dms=13&dc=CU&wc=CU&feature=5&venue=5052102&easi=true

This is where we were today - set my little stall up in the Church yard.  I think this is the first show ever, where someone did not come and want to talk craft.  A couple of people said they dabbled, but no serious other crafters, usually someone shares the interest and we have a good old natter.  We were so lucky with the weather.  A couple of times it came over all cold and dark, and I am sure I felt a spot of wet in the air - but it held off .

Dalton is such a sweet little town, it's a real shame to see so many empty shops - I suppose that's just the state we are in - it's going to take years for the small town to recover - and they are going to have to invent a whole new way of doing things

I have my work all planned out for the week, if I stick to it - and now I am totally shattered - so off to bed.

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW CARDS

I have cleared my desk - so I am all neat and tidy again - at a show tomorrow so I wanted to be organised.

These papers have been sitting on my bench for ages waiting for me yo do something with them.

I cut them to fit on a 5" x 5" card and layed 3 different colour inks round the outside - then added glitter and some bling and a cute saying

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW CARD

Ahh - life back on the bench.  Had a customer drop by and choose a couple of cards she needed.  I do have a few people who do come to the house.  Some phone ahead and I get a selection ready - my dear friend (you know who you are) goes through absolutly everything and stocks up for the next 6 months.

So this afternoon got down to serious colouring -

These geese sold out straight away - so I thought I would do a couple more.

Something I love doing is playing with colour - there is not a huge difference in the Copic colours I used for these

- but the 'tweeking' and the different papers carry it to look totally different

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW CARD

I spent all morning sorting out the EBay parcels to send.  Gosh I have worked hard for this I can tell you - can't wait for next week to spend my ill gotton gains (on Copics)

My latest dragon card ( I have some new dragons on order - she is just making them for me).

Copic dragon - the papers are the new Docraft Hampstead 6".  Really pretty.

I have not decided what the write for it yet


Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

STUDY DAY

I have been to class today - it seems ages since I last went - can't really be though - funny thing time.


We were working with watercolour stamping.

So, one thing we did was this cliff top scene.   Art Impressions have loads of new 'background' type stuff - like this arch and this bench.  Have to admit, I brought the bench home with me - just you wait until I get a tree behind it.

Not made it up into a card yet - but am planning to spend the weekend water colouring.  You know - it's something that gets left behind until I do a class with Janet - then I am off again

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

Life

I went to pick up my Thomas cat's remains today - so you will forgive me that I did nothing else

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

TIP OF THE DAY

Someone on my Copic group came up with a brilliant idea - a memory stick for your digi files

How cool is that?

All the files on a stick - so you can take them anywhere and print - and they are safe (!!!!).

I do seem to have collected quite a lot of digi files - so off I trot to Argos and bought a new stick - about the size of a large Lego brick - just for these files.  I have spent all afternoon sorting through them and dumping duplicates - hunting out all the little corners of the computer where they have hidden - making loads of folders for them.

And now I have a dinky little stick (with a big dog tag on) with all my digi stuff on

Simples :-x

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

DAY OFF

Monday is kitten's day off

And - BOY - do I need it

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

SHOWS

Out with the stall today - first time out this year

Gosh it was hot
- there are going to be a lot of sore shoulders and backs tomorrow.

The old goat was kept very busy, mostly with dog pictures, and I Sold a few bits too.

It was a fund raiser for Animal  Care a rescue centre in Lancaster  - I was only allowed to go if I absolutely PROMISED I would not bring anything home - did not dare to look at the dogs, but I did visit the rabbits, ferrets and the reptiles (pretty safe with that one!)


Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW CARD

Afternoon at the bench -- oh yummie

This is Simon - digital image from Mo.

Coloured with Copics (what else) and set over men's theme papers from a couple of years ago

The brad looking things are actually a new idea - 'nailheads'.  On an adhesive like most gems - but little flat metal domes.  3mm and 5mm - loads of different colours - yum

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW CARD

At last - back to the bench yeah

AND

A new card.

Picked up a couple of pirmarge (is that right?) - never tried it so thought I would have a go.  I made myself get the black and white ones because I hardly ever work with black and white, and I know people like it.
I love this background paper - the swirl lines are silver (picked it up in a sale - should have bought more - it's lovely).  Hints of red - red gems on the flowers and wings and the red ribbon.

Going to curl up and watch a film tonight - no listing


Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

LIFE

Finally, fimally , finally finished listing all those Stitchcraft mags.  Had a huge push all afternoon to get through them - gave up putting all the details - just wanted to be rid of it all.

Did buy a few Copics from Cult pens just so I remember what it's all for!  So now I will just have to sit and wait and see what happens.  A few have sold, and there seems to be a fair bit of interest.  I expect it will take a few weeks to sell them - but you only have to do all the listing work once - then you can just re-list what does not sell.

I can tell you I am really sick of it all now - need a few days to get back to crafting.

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

LIFE

Sorry - been a bit short on the old creative front lately.  I have been having a blitz on EBay before the new rules come into force at the end of the month.  They are going to restrict the free listings, they reckon that we are taking advantage.  WOT - US - take advantage of 'free' - never.

I seem to have become such a sad bunnie - I had to FORCE myself to stop watching to see who had paid so I could go buy Copics.  - What a wally!!

I have signed up for Suzanne's Copic class level 2 http://scrapbitzcopics.ning.com/  - I have got all the colours and a few of the digi images from Mo (which I have stated to play with already).  So I hope to be back in the creative groove next week.

Just got to pop over to my paypal to see if I can get more Copics !   !   !

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

EBAY

I have been working my little socks off listing all the Stitchcraft mags - reckon I am about 2/3 of the way through - yes there are that many(100+).

I can't list them fast enough for people - I never expected the reaction they are getting, and I am just so thrilled that they are going to get good homes - and to think I was going to re-cycle them!

So nothing crafty to show you :-(    - but money towards more Copics :-)

One more big push on tomorrow and that should see it just about done, then we can get on with real stuff

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

DAY OFF

Monday  is my day off - I have spent it listing my mum's Stitchcraft magazines.  I just can't believe the interest I have had in them - wow.  I am so pleased they are going to go to good homes instead of to the recycling.  EBay is at its best when you have a small interest item like this.  I don't know what she would think about it.  She was a right little hoarder - but was wise enough to spot an opportunity.

I have been trying to as as much as possible because from June you can only list 100 items per month for free - and that is what I use.

Well I am pooped - and a bit cross-eyed with it all - and there is STILL a huge pile to get through.  (Think Copics - think Copics - think Copics)



Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

DIDGI images

JUDY - yes - insert the image and use the arrows to make it bigger.  Always use the diagonal at the corners to keep the proportions looking right

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW CARD

I promised myself some colouring today - got some new images from Mo the other day, and had not even unziped and saved them until today (Mo is an illustrator and works with digi files).

I thought this would do as a 'thank you' / 'sorry' / 'get well' - as well as 'happy birthday' - I like to get 'mileage' out of my images!!!!

One thing to bear in mind when working with digi images is that you can change the size easily.  - I use Office Word - add pictures - to put the file on a blank page - then you can enlarge or reduce the image as much as you like and the image line quality stays the same - really sharp. I love the bigger sizes and most of my cards are A5 size.

The papers are the new Papermania - Hampstead - Cuttingedge crafts (free postage) - really lovely

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

LIFE

I have spent  the whole day - I kid you not - the WHOLE day on paper work / computer / clearing my desk.  I have a separate (downstairs) computer desk where I sit in the evenings, (gazing out of the huge lounge window and watching the world go by) and it had got to the stage where I had forgotten if or what the desk top was.  So I piled through - re-organised the stitching section in the shop to get the Stitchcraft mags in - and added loads of new cross stitch charts - added a few bit to the ebay listings (nothing sold today, so no parcels) - got all the bills paid - and forms filled in - and cleared stuff

Did you know my computer workstation is a pale wood finish?

Well there you go

Nothing to show for a whole day sat at the desk clearing stuff - guess that's why I don't like housework and stuff

I am going to colour tomorrow - couple of new images from mo (trust me - really good stuff here - and 'instant') - both 'boys' are out most of the weekend - yippeee

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

STUDY DAY

I went to craft class today - it's ages since I went to class.  I always used to have a study day - had forgoten all about it.  Must get back into the habbit.

This is made up from those little stamps you put together to make a scene.  The houses/trees at the top is one stamp - the fence/path/greenery in the middle is another stamp - the cows are all on one stamp - and the tractor is a stamp
http://www.hobbyartstamps.com/rubber-stamps/scene-it-39-s/cat_10.html 

It is all done with Marvy La Plume watercolour pens so you can soften the edges with a damp paint brush - and add a bit of colour to fill the gaps and make it look like a whole picture

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NIBS

I was fiddling about with my pen nib collection- in the interests of de-junking which I am in the midst of - I thought I would sell a few.

How about this little chappie?  In't he cute?

Has a really fine writing line - I think it is Italian, you don't see them very often so I am hoping to get a good price (to spend on more Copics - yeah)

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

WEDDING SCROLL

Ok - tiny little sneeky peek of the wedding scroll I have just finished

The whole thing is just over A3 - (cut down from an A2 sheet) The inked background effect is Distress Antique Linen and Fired Brick - and the stamping is done in Fired brick too with loads of tiny white flower and heart gems. 
Just as a tip - I use nail gems - they are very tiny

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW SITE

http://www.ellephantastic.co.uk/index.html

Helen is having a compete re-vamp and will be reopening on June 3rd

Keep an eye on her blog for all the details and candy on offer to
http://ellephantasticcardsandcrafts.blogspot.com/


Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

DAY OFF

Monday is kitten's day off

Major resting

snuggled up with fidget all afternoon dozing in the cabin

SLEEP

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

LIFE

I have been clearing stuff out as you know, and I came across a huge pile of mum's old Stitchcraft books.  These were my favorite reading matter when I was a kiddie.  I use to get the heap out from mum's dressing table and lay on the floor to look at the pictures - or find a new project to do.  They date from the late 1940s through the 50s and 60s.  They are absolutely fascinating - the styles and the design - Chaps in patterned sweaters - and one to match for you.  Remember "Ever Decreasing Circles"?  - Where Howard and (forgotten) always wore matching jumpers.  It's all in Stitchcraft, I tell you.  Something else, you got a whole lot more patterns for your money in those days - adverts are few and far between - and seem to be mostly for soap powder and undies and stuff.  Oh, and the smell - I love that slightly musty old smell that old books get - these are just the same

I had decided that I had to clear them so I took a few to the old goat and asked if he thought old paper like this should go in the recycle bin.  He says loads of people collect this sort of stuff and said - list it on EBay.

I laughed - - then I checked - - so I am going to list them on EBay - click on the link to my EBay listings on the right hand side - and have a laugh

You never guess - he found one that had a picture of Roger Moore - yes James Bond / The Saint - that Roger Moore - modeling knitwear.

I have all the magazines heaped up in a cat litter tray and I have started to scan them in and list them.  I better get a move on - the free listings which I use are going to be limited to 100 per month from June 1st and I don't want to be listing them from now to Christmas!




Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

FINISHED

I have finished the wedding scroll - and stamped the floral border - and added the gems.  I kept having to start again and I would not normally do that amount of scribing all in one go - but it needs 2 days for all the ink to set properly before I can rub out the guide lines.

Do you know how many times I have been inpatient and rubbed them out too soon only to mudge the ink? Well enough to leave well alone for a day or so I can tell you.

Now I am free to do a copic course with Suzanne Dean - can't wait to get back to some colouring again.

Might even get my dayy off next week

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

DAY'S WORK

You know - I have cut my paper to shape - inked up my background - lined up -  started the text and MESSED up 3 times over today - 3 TIMES! - What a wally.  I wanted to get it finished over the week end - nothing I did went right.  Still the Distress inking is such a fantastic technique

Never mind - do you want to see my 'clever goldfish'?

All done by me - for my new blog


Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

TIP OF THE DAY

 When you have to mount un-mounted rubber stamps on that cushion-ie bit of foam - put the stamp sheet on BEFORE you try to trim closly roiund the image.

You don't half get in a sticky mess if you do it the other way round!

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

AN OLDIE

Finished the rough of my wedding scroll.  The theme is burgundy and ivory and all through the planning I have been concerned that it would be a glaring red.  But I think it's going to be fine.  The backing paper is off-white, and I have brushed the edges a good 3" in with Antique Linen and just bits round the edge with Fired Brick (Distress inks) and it worked a tread.  I am going to stamp a flower border with the Fired Brick and add white gems.

Can'tshow you it - so I have dug out an oldie - but a goodie to share

Really useful layout this one - glitter on the raised swirls, with a few gems added



Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

Life

Totally shattered here - I have a wedding poem to work on so nothing to show you - off for a lovely bath and an early night

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

CALLIGRAPHY

My client picked up the wedding scroll today - bless she was so thrilled I thought she was going to burst into tears.

Not going to how you the scroll - the wedding is not until next month - but I will share the wedding card with you - just don't tell!!!

The wedding colours are black and ivory.

And if you are working with inks - Black is a horrid colour to work with.  It is just so unforgiving - every twitch shows, and you have to hope it all comes together.

I am pleased with this card though - I am going to add it to the shop as a repeatable for weddings - can be done in any colourway.  Love the pretty corners - the lacy bit that shows the colour through.  Janet showed me this punch (it's a Martha Stuart corner one) and the old goat bought it me as my Easter egg.  - Anyway I love it

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW CARD

So - what do you think?

Adorable or what?

The dragon is coloured with Copics - the sky background is done with the Copic spray gun system (finally getting to grips with it).  I cut round the shape roughly with a pair of scissors (quite getting into that lately) - the swirly stuff is patterned paper - cut with nesties labels 8 (it's the only one I have got) -  Cuttlebug embossed and inked - matted silver mirri card

I LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW SITE

You know how I always say "they are soooo lucky in America, way ahead of us with their craft stuff"  - and how I don't really have many stamps - - ? ? ?

Got some new stamps today - from America - made just for me.  How cool is that - you order - and she makes them for you!!!

IN'T HE CUTE?

I bought a dragon set of 4, and 2 other lady stamps - and the images are quite big - cost me about £20 all in (with the post).  I think that is really good value - hand made designer stamps totally different from anything you will see in any shop here.

Dragon coloured in Copics and trimmed close
slightly raised over a 'nesties' cut label 8 (I think) - which was then Cuttlebug embossed (snow - yes SNOW - it's like Swiss dots but more random) and loads of patterned paper inked at the edges with Distress inks (what else)

http://www.sweetpeastamps.com/ - wonderful

- you wait till you See the baby dragon tomorrow - soooooo cute

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk