Shop talk

Something totally new for you this week - I am hugely honored to be selling the hand knitting of Izzy's Sox.

Izzy has been looking for an outlet in Kendal to stock her socks - hats - scarves - and now her dog coats.

She makes wonderfully coloured eclectic pieces - all hand knitted, not machine.

The socks are truly unique - even a pair is different!  They would be great under wellies - or chilling about the house to keep your toes warm - £12.50

And one of the smaller terrier dog coats - really a fashion statement! - £10.50

She can make different sizes and colourways to order so just email me if you are interested.  She also has her own section in the on-line shop which I will add stuff to as she makes them.

Just remember - if you fall in love with a piece - grab it - there won't be another quite like it!

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

been decorating again!!!

Now that the knitting kits are becoming an item I need proper space to organize them so I can find them easily.  I am such a 'sorter outer' - I just love setting up a system and getting things neat.

So - I have painted my little box room.  I stripped off all the horrid wood chip - well it fell off really - I think it only stayed up because the room has so many short walls and corners!  And I have painted it a lovely vibrant green - Pistachio I think it was.  I had loads of those wall slot strips and shelf brackets knocking about in the shed - so it only cost me the actual wood shelves.  Hubby put it all up - there are still a couple of shelves to fit in when he has time - but you can see how wonderful and neat it all is.  The green trays are seed trays - bit fragile - but cheep and cheerful - each tray has a different kit in it - the instructions - weighted yarn - and anything that just gets used in that kit (the bells and ribbon for the cat for example - or all the eye pieces for the owl).  The big box at the bottom has all the stuff that gets used in all the kits - the packaging - needles etc.

The flower pot kit is ready now - the pattern is availiable as a download and in the kindle store if you prefer that.  The complete kit is in the shop - I am not going to add it on-line because it includes the pot - and you can bet it would get cracked in the post

Love
kitten

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

CROSS STITCH CAT

I have had this kit in a drawer for - it must be 20 years.  One day before Christmas about cross stitch and things and I said I had not done it yet and she badgered me into letting her do it 'just for fun'.

She has made the most amazing job it of - way neater than I could ever have done - and much faster - it would have taken me years.  The book titles are all cat themed too - really funny.  I took it to the picture framers in the indoor market here (we have so many picture framers in the town - but these guys are just so good) - I thought it was so beautiful that it deserved the special attention.

Love
kitten

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

Show talk

wow - I did it - I am sooo proud of myself!!!!

My son and I had a wonderful chilled time mooching about the show - saw some 'names'

Dyan was there with her journals - so cool

 Barbara whom I have known for years was really busy

I met up with the Tando guys - just lovin their projects - they have some amazing new book cover kits

How about this? - paper sculpture - isn't that amazing

Or this 'little' chappie?  - Decoupatch

There is good news - I have found a company that just does quilling.  The paper strips and assorted kits.  The prices are very good and I will be ordering you some when I get my feet back onto the earth!

Bad news - there is no free hand embroidery anywhere - could not find anything at all.  There is still quite a bit of cross stitch about - and I will be stocking Textile Heritage kits - really pretty matching sets, and just a little harder than the Mouseloft ones - so a good step up for you.

I have ordered loads of brilliant little books for you - a series called '20 to Make'.  Lovely photos and projects to inspire you.

There is a company that imports hand made Russian 'dolls' - well they are kits to paint them up as animals.  Good quality wooden blanks to paint - you get 3 shapes - the paint - paint brush - and the instructions for about £10 - planning on that for the summer hols

We have also got House Of Crafts on board - they do fab kits of all sorts - including candles, soap and bath bombs - that is more of a Christmas thing.

Got loads of ideas for projects of our own - and some brilliant ideas for rally cute little gifts and treats for yourselves - and don't get me started on the mini rolls of fancy fabrics and trims.

There was loads of sewing - and knitting is going to be HUGE still.  I visited my haberdashers/knitting/type suppliers to say hi and ask them to match a ribbon colour for a large wedding favor order - they are such nice guys - so helpful - so hi to everyone at 'Simons' and a huge 'thank you' from us here

Hi to the wonderful guys at Mouseloft - the new 'Little Dog' range is super - we will be getting that in for the summer - and the 'Tiddlers' range too I think (just gotta sneak that  one past the old goat xx)

I have also applied for a Craft Creations trade account - so we can go big on the aperture type cards for you - I know you buy them before I can get more - so we should be sorted now!

phew! - need to wind down a bit


Love
kitten

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

Day off

Monday is kitten's day off

and I am at 'Stitches' the big trade show in the NEC Birmingham

Love
kitten

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

sooooo excited

Right - I am off tomorrow to the big trade show at the NEC in Birmingham.

I will take loads of pickes for you - is there anything you want me to look out for?  I have a little list of things I want to add to the shop - so just let me know if there is anything else


Love
kitten

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

Crochet

OK guys - I have taken a break from my sewing to get cracking on the crochet kits that you have all been asking for.

Now - we are going to do this slightly differently to the knitting kits.  I am starting off with a range of Beginner's Basics to help you learn the basic stitches.  Each kit will concentrate on one or two of the stitches.  You will get illustrated sheets to demonstrate each stitch you need for the project - as well as the pattern for the project and the yarn and anything else you need to complete it.

We are starting with several different flower styles - mainly because it does not matter about yarn tension for the finished size, so that's one less thing to worry about.

The first one is my 'Loopy Flower' - you will learn how to make a starting loop - make the chain stitch - use a joining stitch  - and how to work the double crochet stitch.

We will be learning the treble stitch next - to make rose buds.  Should be ready next week



Love
kitten

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

New sewing project

These are the pencil rolls I have been working on for the past few weeks

They are really fab.  The outers are all made from oddments of wool tweeds that I was given - several patterns from bright, bobbly weaves, to light weight Camel hair - they are wonderfully touchy-freely things.  The inners are all from a Sanderson soft furnishings sample book - 100% cotton and all different.  There is a grosgrain ribbon sewn across the centre to hold the pencils and a nice long tail of ribbon to tie in a bow to close the roll.  All mostly hand sewn too!

I am dead chuffed with these.  I will be adding them to the shop as I go along and finish adding the ribbon ties.  I have about a dozen of them - but they are all individuals and can't be repeated.


Love
kitten

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

Keeping busy

It snowed all day in the auld grey town yesterday.  Some of the market guys were there - but most gave up after lunch and got home quick just in case.  It is desperately quiet all over in the town - I know I would not be out in this!

Just to reassure you I am keeping myself out of trouble - this is the first batch of wedding favors of the year

Just waiting for the list of guest's names to add


Love
kitten

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

Purrrfect pussy cat chain gang!

Today I thought I would show you the Purrrfect Pussy Cat knitting kit in 'production'. 

Just as well I have a good long kitchen worktop in the flat - it's the purrrfect place for all the weighing out of the wool and collecting up all the bits and bobs ;-)

Love
kitten

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

Shop talk

Just in case you have missed it - It's VALENTINE'S DAY this Thursday - yes really this week - happening now!!

The window this week is all the 'love' type cards

You still have a couple of days to get yours


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-ing

you have heard of second life - basically giving something a second chance to be used as something different.

I have discovered these wonderful  plastic crates.  I am giving them a good wash and sanitise - and re-using them as 'project boxes'.  They are just brilliant.  They are a good size - and nice and deep so that stuff does not fall out - and much stronger than seed trays (which I was using) - but being plastic they are still very light weight.

I am using them for the pencil rolls I am making so that they are not scattered all over the floor - and all the wedding favor orders now each have their own box so I can collect all the bits I need and make sure I am up to date.

cool eh?

Love
kitten

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

Friday

Friday is playday - umm - working very hard work experience day!!!  That is what I really mean ;-

I have had a work experience student for a couple of days helping out and seeing what it's like to be a crafter.

This is what we made this afternoon - mixed media collage with a sewing theme.  There are loads of different ideas and techniques as I wanted to cover a whole load of stuff to give her ideas for her future projects.

I didn't do all that much - I tried to let her get as much hands on as possible in a short time

Love
kitten

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

Bownessie

Look we're in the paper

Her website is: www.bownessiewindermere.co.uk

Love
kitten

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

oh wow

gosh - this week is a bit different - work experience!!!.   Those of you with senior year kiddies will know the routine - my son did his with a local hotel and loved it - this year, with a 'proper' shop I have got involved and have my own student for a couple of days.

I was thinking about doing it, and then when I was in Booths the lad pressed a wrong button on the till and it did not tell him how much change to give.  Scary - but he did not know how to count up from the amount it was to the amount the customer had given him to give the correct change.  That made my mind up.  I am a real believer in showing the kids exactly how to work - be polite - serve the customer - I don't think the work ethic is a natural 'given' to human nature and you really have to teach the youngsters how to do the job properly.

so - all in all - this week is gonna be a blast

  Love
kitten

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

Shop talk

gosh - I thought we were going to get away with the worst of the weather the other week - now we are back with snow and ice - you should see the top fells - wow - totally amazing (well if you like frozen solid!)

Well - that means we are going to have a really quiet time in town - AND that means - I can get tidying and sorting and organizing!!!!!

I have got another project in the pipeline for you - a canvas with a sewing theme and a paint dabber involved.

I have loads of hand made papers that I am sorting into small bundles for you.  Mostly handmade Indian with glitters and flocks - but also some animal prints cards.  I have put it all in 50p bundles - just in the shop at the moment (not sure how to list it on line really) - so drop by for a bsrgain - don't think I will be able to get any more

The Valentine / soppy / love type cards are realllllly HOT at the moment - just ONE week to Valentine day!

all sorts of fun love-ie cards are in the Valentine section - all of these are one -of- a-kind - but if you want something with your own theme - shout out now - time is running out!


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

Friday

Jeepers - where has this week gone?

I have had a good old clean up in the shop and got the last of the left over paperwork finished - finally got Christmas brushed way and the book all up to date.

I have cracked Kindle Publishing (well almost - still struggling with table contents!) so I can publish my knitting and sewing patterns there for those of you that prefer to use that method of reading.  It's amazing how practical Kindle is really - my hubby gave me one for Christmas - I am still finding my way about - but it's really useful.

I have also been doing a lot of sewing.  I am not a trained seamstress - just a good old make it up as I go along practical maker and I had all sorts of wonderful fabrics donated to me that I wanted to use and get out there in the world.

I have been making knitting rolls

and pencil rolls.

There is more variety in the pencil roll fabrics - being smaller I needed less fabric and I had a few amazing tweed remnants to use up.  The inner fabrics are all Sanderson discontinued patterns - so they really are unique treasures.  I am selling them in the shop - and the instructions are available on line in the downloads section of the shop


Love
kitten

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