Happy Christmas

That's it chaps - - - I am now on holiday

Happy Christmas all

Love
kitten

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

Henry's portrait

You have to see this - I have just had Henry's painting done

It's quite big!!! - it is totally amazing.  The artist is David Pennington - I have known him for years - he specializes in animal paintings and does some amazing big cat painting.  It's going to go over the sofa in my flat ( I just have to paper the wall first!)

Love
kitten

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

And a star for the top

So what else do we need on  our tree?  - a star for the top I think.

I used the same metal scraps and cut out 4 star shapes, each one a bit smaller.  I put them through the embosser to give them a bit of texture - dropped on some alcohol inks - and layered them up with a foam pad in between to separate them.  Then I gave them a good old 'mangle'.  It's popped into the very top with one of those Tim Holtz pins.

So - here we go = my Christmas Tree

Love
kitten

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

Roses for the tree

I had some scraps of thin metal left from something - so I cut out some spirals - shaped them - dotted a bit of alcohol ink and glitter about and added them to the base.

Don't forget the reindeer - you can't have Christmas with out them!

Tando mini shapes - coated with white sparkle glitter.  Didn't like the copper ones - they did not show up enough

Don't forget one for the top - hot glued onto the wire

Love
kitten

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

adding to the tree

Ok - let's add some shape - this is a pair of 'Grunge board' wings.  I dabbed them with the red - then the copper dabbers - added glitter veins - piled on the clear crackle - wiped over with a red ink - punched a hole in one tip and added the charm

 

then I fired up the good old glue gun and set the wings at the top of the cone.  I did a bit of f'flicking' to produce those fine strands of glue that make it look old

THEN - - 

I added wires.  I punched holes in the cone following the bling trail and glued in loads of wires.

Then I added an extra length of wire threaded with loads of beads. - bling up the bling on the bling - love it!

Love
kitten

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

On with the tree

I toned down the whole thing with some brass distress STAIN (this one is a much thinner clear wash - rather than the paints).

Then started building the bling.

And - you know me - more bling

Love
kitten

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

I am making a Christmas tree

To celebrate actually getting all my cards done and away - and to wind down a bit for the holidays - I am going to make a Christmas tree.

There is no big 'game plan' to this - I have a vague idea where I want to end up and I am going to post as I go along.

So - starting with a paper mache cone shape - and some interesting paints

LET'S PLAY

2pm
First of all - let's get rid of that 'cardboard' look.

Base coat in Adirondack Espresso - and Jenni Bowlin Malted Milk

Second coat

Adirondack Cranberry - and metallic copper
Love
kitten

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

craft gifts in Kendal

OK guys - soz - but you only have this week before Christmas to get yourselves sorted ;-)

No day off for me today - the shop is open 10am - 4pm - and open all through the week.

I aim to be winding down and chillin' a bit this week - tidying up and fluffing the shop - (getting the last of my cards out) - I may even make something silly - wow - how long has it been since I just played for fun?

Next year guys - just you wait!

Love
kitten

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

Crochet candy cane treat

Quick little 'freebe' for you.  Really easy and fun to make.

Crochet Candy Cane Treat

You will need

3.5 crochet hook

DK yarn in 2 Christmassy colours

Method

Work 30 chain stitch.

Round 1: starting in the 4^th chain from the hook – (work 1 treble crochet into the chain, 1 chain, miss 1 chain), repeat back along the row finishing with a treble crochet at the very end of the chain

Round 2: work 2 chain,1  double crochet into the very end loop, turn work so you are coming down the long side, work 2 double crochet into the same space (on the side), then work 2 double crochet into each space.  When you get to the other end – work 2 double crochet in the side, 2 double crochet at the end, 2 double crochet on the other side, work 2 double crochet in each space down the other side, work 2 double crochet in very last space and join with a slip stitch.

Round 3: change colour.  (Work double crochet, ½ treble crochet, treble crochet, ½ treble crochet, double crochet, into first stitch, slip stitch into the next 2 stitches) – repeat all the way around the edge of the piece.  Finish off yarn.

Sew in the yarn tails and weave your candy cane through the holes.  Add a ribbon or crochet a chain length to hand on the tree.

ps - this is just a candy cane frilly - not the Sistine Chapel - - don't worry if your stitches don't quite add up - no one will notice ;-) xxx

Love
kitten

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

Space Invaders hat

How about this then!!

I have finally finished the Space Invaders hat.  Just adding the pattern to the web site now.

The Invaders are worked using the Fair Isle method  - with the yarns running all along the back of the knitting - and the Space ship is worked using the Intarsia method - with the yarn just behind the shape.

I have to say that I am very pleased with my self for this one - the decrease at the top makes a lovely star pattern - gosh I have come on this past year ;-)

Love
kitten

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

My Christmas card design

I have finally got around to making a start on my own Christmas cards.  I just fell in love with this years Christmas Postcard stamp from Stampendous - it's a train - I love trains

I could see it done with a black and white - and the image in black sparkly embossing  

 

I don't often use a totally palin black and white theme - so it's a big challenge for me.  I collected loads of different textures black and white papers and cards and piled it all up.

I also have the Christmas Postcard from last year - which was a cottage - and I have done that with the same theme.

I do still have a couple of the stamps left in the shop if you want to copy.


Love
kitten

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

Back from being poorly

I am so - so - so sorry guys - I have been really poorly and I have just not been able to keep up with everything.

I picked up a viral infection - must be 2 months ago now - and I could  just not shift it.  Several other 'nasties' crept in, and I ended up with not one - but 2 bouts of shingles.  I am just about clear of infection now - still got a bit in my mouth and some horrid mouth wash to rinse with  (uck!) - it has left me really worn out so I am trying to be a peaceful as I can until I have my Christmas holiday and get some proper rest.

The shop is open today and all mondays in December, but I am not taking on anything big - just tinkering about and catching up a bit.

The website is all over the place - I gave up that battle a while back ;-) - I will spend January stock taking and getting it all put right again.  If you want to double check that I have something email me first and I will have a look for you.

Just be patient with me for a bit longer - I may not get back to regular posting until the New Year - but I will try.

Love
kitten

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