Purrrfect pussy cat

Still on a bit of a knitting theme - last one I promise.

The purrrfect pussy cat kit is finally done!

He is available as a kit with the pattern and all the bits to make him in the shop and on-line - you can get the just the pattern as a down load - and (get me!) - I have started publishing on Kindle.

You all know what a muppet I am with all the modern tecnology stuff - but I managed it fairly easily and I have added all my knitting patterns for those of you who prefer to use it that way.  I have still got a few problems with the table in the pussy cat one - and I need the goat to do me some 'proper' looking book 'covers' for the listing (they have to be .jpeg - can't cope with photoshop!) - but I have advanced into the new century.

I will be adding all my knitting patterns - paper project lessons and sewing patterns on Kindle as I add them to the other places.

I am working on some super sewing projects for you - just need to get the layouts sorted first.

oh and I also sell the projects already made for you if you don't want to make them yourselfs - they are in the Gifts' section



Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kitten and goat@gmail.com

Shop talk

It is very quiet in the town at the moment, but the website is ticking over nicely.  I have added just about everything that is in the shop to the website and every time an order comes in I gently plod along and make sure it's all there.  Every thing that has just come in goes into the NEW section - as well as it's own category so you can easily see what I have just added

There are some really cute knitting patterns - I dare you not to just love these

And I have about 8 colours of wool to knit them in.  I have just added some beautiful Spring colours - lemon - lavender - oatmeal.  Really pretty, gentle colours for the better weather coming (soon I hope!)



Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kitten and goat@gmail.com

Day off

Monday is kitten's day off

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kitten and goat@gmail.com

Second Life

I just love the whole up-cycling and second life ethos.

This has got the be my best second life project.  There is a really pretty arch in my kitchen between it and the front porch area.  It's quite drafty in the winter I can tell you - but there is no way you could have a door there - so I wanted a heavy curtain.  I picked up several heavy weight curtain samples and stitched them together (and lined!) to make a panel for the gap.  It really helped - but still a bit drafty round the sides.  So when I was given all the fabrics from the lady that has died I was thrilled to find loads of knitted panels.  I don't know what she was making - perhaps she was just practicing - but I saw them and thought - curtain panels!!!!!

I have added a patchwork to one side and I have enough to add one to the other.  It is very rough at the moment - and just pinned - I am too busy sewing knitting needle rolls for the shop to do it properly - but it's needed now!

I do hope she would be pleased

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kitten and goat@gmail.com

Storage

The wool seems to be taking on a life all it's own now.  I have a basket out the front and it's coming on quite nicely.  Space in the shop is quite tight and I have found the most brilliant storage for it

Remember those Ikea nets we used to have for the kid's toys?

TA - DA

Each colour has it's own little cubby hole and I can add the stock label to the front for the colour.  I am dead chuffed with it - it looks so neat and tidy - and it's easy to get to


Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kitten and goat@gmail.com

New work

Jeepers - it's cold today - it's even trying to snow a bit.  We haven't had any snow here yet.  No really - honestly - there is a thick frost on the top fells - but we have barely had a dusting in the valley

I was at class with Ester on Monday (Hi Ester - I know you are checking to see how it turned out)

We made a card and a box first - and cut a window in the bow to set some embossed acetate into - looks so cool

The we spent all afternoon doing a mixed media canvas.  The photo looks a bit washed out - I can't get the camera to take a picture with out the flash going off and I am losing the details

The background is a collage of all sorts of papers - torn edges - then white washed to blend and tone them down

I had a wonderful extra afternoon yesterday pottering round my workshop finding all sorts of extra little bits and bobs to add to it.  The long silver 'dangle' you can just about see at the button is an old odd earring from my beads box, and the tiny little silver butterflies are metal beads.  The detail flower head is air dry clay which you can ink or paint any colour - shaped in a flexible silicon mold - and yes, I have got some clay to play with now ((£3.99 in The Works) 

 I added loads of extra flowers - and Card Candi for the centers - just for a change

 More beads from my stash box - and loads of pearl dots and gems - which are not really showing up in the photo.

Love it!!!

Thanks Ester - see you in March
xxp

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kitten and goat@gmail.com

new blog for you

You know - there is so much fuss about people 'stealing' other peoples digital art - what ever the rights and wrongs of it all - there are some people out there who are just so generous with there skill and images that we should be shouting them out and supporting them

I want to raise the flag for Mary Ellen who is the owner of Dearie Dolls Blog.

She is always posting loads of free digi images for you to use in your work.  They are super to work with - lightly drawn and very versatile - I have just picked up the Boy's Robot Cake - it is soooo cool - you know what I am like for images for the guys!

You can recognize her work when you see it - and it's a real family collective feel

So - - - 

What I want you all to do is go over to her blog - pick up an image or 2 to work with - and leave her some love

Guys - free images - and they are good - what else is there?


Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kitten and goat@gmail.com

This years trends

The Winter CHA show has just finished over the water in the USA.  It's the big trade get together that they do winter and summer to launch all the big new ranges, and we get a peek into what is going to be in all the wholesalers this year.

I had my report just arrive so I thought i would share a few highlights of what seems to be trending at the moment

 WHAT TO SPEND YOUR MONEY ON THIS YEAR:

• Well, this isn't new - last year, travel themed products were everywhere. If you invested, in maps, compasses, luggage, etc. you were wise because that trend remains HOT.
• Office/stationery stuff - note cards, lines for notepaper, stuff like that is growing. You might be looking at the stuff in your office in a whole new way.
• You'll see more companies carrying dies to coordinate with their stamps. We have had one or two companies try this -  but you'll see more and more of it. 
• Big bold geometric shapes are out there - the chevron - big arrows hexagons etc.  Big and bold - I think it's a creeping in of the patchwork look.
• Vintage -- cameras, typewriters, luggage, phones. And very sketchy look as well - kind of like the Leonardo Da Vinci sketch books
• Felt, embroidery and twine. Think texture. Think sewing. Think "homespun."
• And anything to do with knitting and funky yarns - Knitting remains huge and seems to be growing - great I love yarns
• The chalkboard look is trying to make a showing.  Small trend this year - more next?.
• Washi tape continues to launch just about everywhere
• Want to know the hot colors? 

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kitten and goat@gmail.com

more yummie stuff

Quick little update for you

I have the new Tim Holtz bags - both the larger shopping tote and the smaller clutch - and they are so cool

The smaller clutch is only £4.50.  It is so roomy - you could use it as a make-up bag, or as a pencil case.  It has a lovely raw canvas feel and an Army Green zip.  I only have 4 of each of these designs - and it's taken me 4 months to get these so there won't be any more

The shopper is larger and has longish handles - and matches exactly.  There is also a small hidden pocket inside with a zip for your small things.  I only have 2 of each design of these and the are £18.50

First come first served  - in the NEW section of the shop


Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kitten and goat@gmail.com

Shop Talk

The yarn seems to be develop[ing a live of it's own.  It is doing really well, and I am actually just putting together another order for some as a customer wants a huge quantity of the Apple colour.  I have to say it is a beautiful green - and the best seller so far.  Keep an eye on the Robin DK section as more will be added soon.

also just arrived are a small selection of knitting patterns for you.  Some super hats and scarves - yes and for men too!!!! - which is what we all need now.  Plus some really cute baby patterns.  I will pick up a few every time I go there to add to the stock - you will find these in the 'Patterns' section of the knitting and crochet

Another project I have just started is making some knitting needles rolls for you.  A couple of people have asked - and the wholesalers only have ones already filled with needles - way to pricey!  So I am going to make you some.  I have a load of vintage fabrics from the gentleman I have been helping sort out his mum's old craft stuff - and I am sure she would be thrilled to have them live a second life as things for other crafters (already got a pencil roll in the works!)

oh - and the Purrfect Pussy Cat kit is ready - phew

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kitten and goat@gmail.com

Day off

Monday is kitten's day off

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kitten and goat@gmail.com

Gold - gold - gold

Remember I started to decorate my little inner hall in the flat - oh - ages ago?

Well I have nearly finished.  It does take me ages to do these bigger projects - I am just too tired after a day in the shop to to start decorating so I only manage an odd hour or so every so often.

I made a real effort on the walls to get them smooth and even - the wallpaper was a nightmare to get off and left a real mess.  So I filled and sanded and undercoated and sanded and filled and undercoated!!!!

I have painted the walls the most gorgeous jewel turquoise and decorated the top section with loads of strips of gold and jewel coloured wall paper sections.  I go  hold of an old wall paper sample book - that was the original inspiration for the whole thing

I have painted the skirting board and the door frames gold - and I am adding gold in between the sections of wall paper.  It's a Dulux emulsion - and it's really fab.

The doors will be painted  in Toffee Crisp satin - which is a really rich oatmeal cream.  That wil take me ages - 4 doors!

I am so chuffed with it - it's absolutely beautiful.


Talking of gold paint - I have re-painted the table I showed you.  I am going to get hubby to cut me out a pretty shape for the top and paint it cream

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kitten and goat@gmail.com

Guess who's arrived

Well I will tell you

Bownessie is here!

He has come out of chilly ol' Lake Windermere and is getting ready to play 

Isn't he great?  He is from a new company called Bownessie Trading which is a tiny local company bringing out a range of Bownessie themed products.  There is a colouring book at the printers - we are waiting for that delivery any day.  Coming soon are shaped chocolates - t shirts - caps - various stationery bits - - and a BEER - how cool is that!

Anyway I am the FIRST place in the whole country where you can get the Bownessie toy as the official launch is Easter.  He is £10 and on the website in the GIFTS section

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kitten and goat@gmail.com

New Project

I finally got to make one of the Tando projects.  This is the small heart box.  I covered the 2 outer heart shapes with the new DoCraft Chronology papers - then I used one of the Jenni Bowlin paint dabbers - Chicken Feed to paint the inside and Fountain Pen for the outside bits on the side that were going to show.
This chipboard is fab quality - it took the paint beautifully.  I only used 2 coats of the dabber and it looks great.  If you want a brighter look to the finish - do the first coat in white paint - then add the colour coats.  The white will give a much more reflective base for the colour.  As I was do a 'grungy' look - I just dabbed the colour directly onto the board 

Then I used all sorts of bits and bobs to create a centre detail.  The die cut swirl behind everything - if you can see it - is metal - cool

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kitten and goat@gmail.com

Wednesday

Ooooooooh - super exciting - I am going to the big Stitches trade show at the NEC in Birmingham in February!!!

My son is going to 'escort' me (not allowed to go alone- need a minder).  We are going to potter down on the Sunday and stay over at a Travel Lodge so we get 2 days to mooch about all the stands.  I am not going to spend any money you understand - just want to catch up with a few friends and say thank you to a couple of my suppliers.

I was invited last year - but too much was happening at the time for me to go.  I am thrilled to finally make it - I will take loads of pickies for you


Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kitten and goat@gmail.com

Shop Talk

Yes - it's been snowing - but it's all just wet and mushy really - no snowmen here.

So what we need is big bright colours to cheer ourselves up - and a new project to keep us amused ;-)

I have got you some more Mouseloft cross stitch kits.  Now these are just darling little kits with the thread - needle - adia (fabric) - and chart to keep and use again.  These do vary from very simple to quite challenging, so if you want advice on a simple one for a beginner just ask before you buy - I don't want you to be put off by struggling with one that is more advanced - after all - craft is supposed to be fun!




Also all ready to cheer up your day is the new range of Jenni Bowlin ink pads and paint dabbers - don't they look so cool.

the are made by Ranger so they are super dooper quality.  I need to open an ink pad so I can do some work with it to demonstrate - trouble is I can't decide which one I like best.

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kitten and goat@gmail.com

Day off

Monday is kitten's day off

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kitten and goat@gmail.com