NEW CARD

Now, I did warn you: don't be surprised to find a card you send me find a new life.

This amazing image started life as a Christmas card. Strange: but beautiful. It just shouted at me to be used.

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW CARD

Carrying on from my cuttlebug theme yesterday - 'teacher' let us fiddle with her embossing plates if we wanted to. DO I!!!! I seem to be the only one who says 'go on then, what you got - what can I do with it' sort of thing.

Don't know if you can really see this, it is the 'Haunted House' one. Don't think I would ever buy it unless I had a customer that wanted to use it, but I really wanted to see what it would look like.

Embossed on white - cut out window shapes and backed with a really strong yellow - backed with browns and set on a white card. Great fun!

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

STUDY DAY

Have been at class today experimenting with the cuttlebug

This one is 2 embossed triangle sections, overlapping the bottom part of the card. You have to cut the triangles and emboss them separately to get the patterns showing the same way. Will write it up when I get a chance.

This one is 2 embossing folders used side by side. You can mix and match anything.

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

TIP OF THE DAY

If you are as ham-fisted as me when stamping onto acetate you will need this one!

Staz-on cleaner will remove smudges of Staz-on ink from acetate - yes even the next day - and big areas. Use a cotton bud to tidy small areas and a make-up pad on large areas. If you want to clean off a big mess, hold the pad for a few seconds to let the cleaner start breaking up the ink.

And - yes it does completely clean the acetate so you can have another go!!

Yours

Ps you can also use staz-on cleaner to wipe your knife / scissor blades and clean them

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW CARDS

Why do I seem to end up with a tray of left over cards that I need to scribe???

I am ALWAYS doing this. I make a card and (because time is pressing or I get over full of stuff to do) leave the space for the greeting - or I have not worked out what to say: then I get on with other stuff, and before I know it - there is a pile in the tray waiting to be finished.

It's too late to change - it's a habit!!

You saw the tiger started - now he's finished; the black and white (still very hip colours this year) one is a cuttlebug embossed centre that some one did a big batch for me - and the last is a cute flower head stamp: beautifully minimal as it comes - but better decorated!!

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW SPACE

Princelet is in HIS new space.

He is really enjoying practicing now - I don't even have to nag!

I was worried that you would be able to hear him (I know the garden is very big - but drums are very loud), but it's fine. You can hear him about half way down the garden but not in the house.

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

DAY OFF

Monday is kitten's day off

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW CARD

I am also catching up with some listing on my site. This is scrapbook paper, embossed and distressed. The flower shape is cut out and raised on pads. Cuttle bug embossed background

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW CARDS

Woodware Clear Magic stamps really are the most fantastic things. I get mine here http://www.ashtondale.co.uk/acatalog/Clear_Magic_Stampss.html.

I got a contract to supply a vegetable nursery with gift vouchers and I have just done a batch of 20. All of them worked first time - no messes - no smudges - no uneven bits - no overlapping. Just fab

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

FAMILY

Princelet has is on a 'get fit' kick and has just announced he's going for a jog.

The guard dogs just looked at him, I poured another glass of wine and waved him off.

It won't last you know!

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

CHALLENGE

I really must get my act together for these challenges! This is for http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/, the theme this week is fantasy. Now I have got to try to make the links work!

I have UK Art Raffle sitting here waiting to post out as well

Perhaps if I write my self a list, I might get a grip on it. (Don't hold your breath:-)

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW TOYS

Now, you know I am not one for 'gadgets' but this baby took my eye. It is not too expensive and it is from a good manufacturer

It's a stapler from Woodware. But not the normal skinny office staples - these are quite wide bars(each of the coloured stripes is a single staple. They do all sorts of colours, and one with patterns or words on.

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

SCRAP BOOK PAGE

My finished snowy page

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

CUTTLEBUG

I have been making 'snowflakes' for a scrapbook layout. I used patterned velum (that gives you a base pattern) - then cut out snowflake shapes to give you the shape - THEN emboss the vellum through the bug using what ever you fancy ( I think I used 'paisley' because the 'Swiss dots' had not arrived).

Lay out photo to follow - when it's daylight in the office

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

STITCHING

My way into the craft world 'XX' years ago was stitching (cross stitch and knitting), and it has always been there in the background what ever else I have been doing.
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There are stitching pieces that make me remember great events in my life - the sampler I did at Junior school - copying at my aunt's side (NOW, she was an amazing needlewoman) - the Arron jumpers I used to love doing - rummaging through mum's Stitch craft books for designs - the alphabet I did when I was carrying princelet - making all my dogs' coats and jumpers - the Christmas scene I did while watching over mum those last few days - and so on.


On my day off I still stitch.

Of course things have changed. Nowadays there are the most amazing variegated and shaded threads, as well as all the metallic, jewels and those fluffy ones, and the designs are much freer now.

One of my real loves is doing Black work. And now days 'Black' is not always 'black'. All sorts of colours mingle in with the metallic to create the open work patterns and I can't wait to use my 'spare' time to investigate more 'Black' work

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

DAY OFF

Monday is kitten's day off

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

CONFESSION TIME

The old goat has gone to London for a celeb bash this weekend, so princelet and I have been 'home alone' for a couple of days. Princelet was all fired up and wanted to get on with the cabin. So, over the weekend, we have cleared the floor, washed it, went and got skirting boards and underlay (with my voucher!), got a bit of carpet, rummaged in the Age Concern warehouse (princelet got himself a really nice little black table for £4). He put another coat of wood preserve on the floor and I got on waxing, cutting and fitting the skirting.

GUESS WHAT??

Yep, over done it AGAIN. I know - I know - but it's just not in my nature not to get on with stuff. The old goat is going to be so cross with me tomorrow. When it's all done I will have a week off - promise.

Anyway have done you a very simple scrapbook page - did you know you can cut wood veneer in the cuttlebug? Bet you didn't! You have to go real slow and go over it 2 or 3 times to get a really clean cut, but the texture effect is just amazing!

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

Toppers

Found these cute toppers and could not resist.

Lion and tiger to make up from foam shapes

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

CRAFT SITES

MOAN OF THE WEEK - why is it that we can't get ALL the stuff we want in ONE place???

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,

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I wanted the Swiss Dots embossing folder - yeah, I know, it's like Gold dust at the moment.

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I spent ALL afternoon trying to find one. Now, I don't mind spending a bit of money, but I have costs to think of. Why can't I get the folder I want; along side the punch I have been looking for; with the template I fancy; and have a good old rummage through the sales section; then I will happily pay the extra to qualify for free postage?

I ended up with a good old favorite (http://www.cardcraft-uk.co.uk/) for just the Swiss Dots ( well ok a storage page as well) - but it's just so frustrating!! And I am still looking for the punch I want: and the template I fancy.

Oh, well.

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

TIP OF THE DAY

Sorry guys - rough today

BUT

did you know you can emboss with scrapbook paper in your cuttlebug (make it a decent weight paper/card) - then sand over it to give the most fantastic distressed look

I JUST LOVE IT

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

TIP OF THE DAY

When you do your blog - remember to add the labels as you go along - then you won't have to spend 2 hours going back over then to add them!!!!!!

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

SALE BARGAINS

Had a lovely big box of sale goodies from Mad About Cards this morning. I got a few decoupage images for a bit of a change, and made up this with a chunk of map scrapbook paper. Can't decide whether to give it a 'new home' or 'moving on' text.

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

BLOG CHALLENGE

Ok - here we go - this is my first EVER attempt at someone else's blog challenge (I have done design competitions and the like - but this is different).

This is for http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/
I said I would join in - so here you go.
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My new thing is the flower embellishment. Made with my new dovecraft template and new vellum patterned papers. I guess my old bit is - I always scribe this poem for Valentine's.
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Please someone out there - tell me I did it right!

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW SITES

New challenge blog just started

http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

DAY OFF

MONDAY IS KITTEN'S DAY OFF

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

SCRAP BOOK PAGE

After all the wood was unpacked there was a huge pile on ((next door's)) front garden.

BETTER PHOTO TO FOLLOW

Piles of paper stacked up - like the wood, all in green themed patterned papers - all sorts, ribbons tucked in to add to the 'heap' and to add texture, all the edges are torn and doodled on to add to the chaotic theme. Frosted brads anchor corners and add texture

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW CARD

Are you feeling soppy yet? Valentine's day in looming up, I only have 1 Valentine card left from last year so that's really good. I usually do the first 3 verses of this poem separately - will show you the others as and when.

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

NEW PROJECT

I have been messing about with a fold I discovered last year. It's a card - but there are 2 pockets on the front - all done from one square of double sided paper/card.

It's on my site with the other projects

http://www.princesskitten.co.uk/design_24955.html
So have a nose

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

SCRAP BOOK PAGES

My goodness - it sure is cold out there I have only been as far as the rubbish bin all day. I have had a lovely constructive day - starting to feel much better, still very tired and sore: but can work again. Have been doing a couple of scrapbook pages of my new project. I am really not good at taking photos, this camera is so sensitive and I have not worked out the flash yet. So forgive my lousy shots.


This is the bursting paper frame in the new Do Craft magazine. I use 4 sheets of oliveine paper, set it on one of their papers - was it big blocks or mighty blocks? - cut with a deckle edge. All the edges of the cut points are inked with dark green, as are all the edges of the squares. The background stock is actually hand made Indian paper (very unusual in 12"), which adds to the grunge look. It looks better in the flesh - you can't see all the colours here.



One of my faults (one of many!) is that I can never remember where I got the paper I used or what it's called. I love to rummage about in every one's sale and get bargains, and have collected some of the most amazing and unusual papers - It's very freeing because you really have to work through it all rather then stick to the same matching kit - just don't ask what they are!
These 2 go together really well even though they are not from the same ranges - The plain I have had for ages, the stripe is new. It has very hot pink stripes. The photos are the same with one cut ion half - the old goat HATES it when I cut up photos! Matted on hot pink and the letters are cut with Fiskar's shape cutter in hot pink, matted dark blue. Can't make the camera flash work so it's a bit dark.

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk

SALE

http://www.madaboutcards.com/

Sale starts today. Desperately needed a new scrapbook: mine are overfull now. Picked up a beautiful one for half price, and my favourite - loads of gorgeous patterned papers all half price.

Check it out.

Yours

P XXXX

www.princesskitten.co.uk