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

It's a dog's life

And some of us are very good at it!

Love
kitten

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

New Project

Look what I freegoned!!!!

Look familiar?

It's a classic 'Cherab's Head' pub table base - weighs a ton I can tell you - left all unloved and unwanted when some people moved out of the flat upstairs   It sat there for several days - the council would d not touch it - so I thought 'bring it into my flat' (like you do).

So now it is in my kitchen

There is a game plan - I am going to paint it gold and get the goat to cut me a shaped top for it - then I can use it in the shop for a display (like I have soooo much space!)


Love
kitten

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

new knitting kit

The knitting project for January is a fab headband with a crochet flower detail.  This one is quite an advanced patter as you have to increase in the middle and adjust the patterned rib each side of it.  It was originally a pattern for a headband that someone else started to make up - but it was very vague and the decrease did not work.  I have re-written in in simple terms and made the pattern super clear for you.  Then I have added the crochet pattern that I use to make the flower broaches (see two for one - I am so soo to you).

It really is snug and cosy, and you can wear it all day - I just love mine.

The pattern to download is in the downloads part of the shop - and the physical kit will be available in the shop just as soon as I have installed the new printer (I fried the last one last week) - so cover your ears while I attempt that one ;-)


Love
kitten

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

Life

Yeah - it's sooo great to be back to 'normal'.  Pottering about in the shop all day - and across the road home for my tea.  I have got a real thing for Morrisons own brand Roasted Red Pepper soup - with cheese on and a chunk of olive bread.  Throw in a magazine and a glass of plonk - who could ask for more.


Love
kitten

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

New project

Yeah - some real crafting at last

I has this brilliant idea to create projects for other people

The first one is a lesson in how to create all the different inking effects and textures with your water colour pads - and no you don't have to have a 'certain' brand - if it's a water based watercolour pad all the techniques will work with it.

This is what I made to show them off

It is so pretty - and just one ink pad!

Available as a download on the website - of the full kit in the 'real' shop

Love
kitten

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

Shop talk

Delivery to sort out today

- we now stock Robin Double knitting wool - several colours already in stock.  It will take me a while to add more colours to the range so just let me know which colours you would like best.  You will find all the current colours listed under the Knitting & Crochet - yarn section

Plus - I have just picked up some of the new Do craft Chronology patterns.  Now I know I am not a huge Do craft fan = BUT - don't throw the baby out with the bath water :-)  - sometimes they get it right - and the chronology release this month is so on trend.  it's a really soft, gentle introduction to Steam Punk - and it's really usable for all sorts of projects - and very pretty

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

Something a bit different for you today.

I have been asked by a gentleman who dropped in if anyone could use a knitting machine.  His mum has just died and she has left several knitting machine and sewing machines and he does not know what to do with them.

I know nothing about knitting machines and I have 2 sewing machines - and I know how we crafters love to acquire other peoples stash so I though I would ask around.   He just wants to find them a good home where they will be used again.

If you are interested email me with your email and phone number and I will pass on your details to him.  We are in Kendal don't forget so you will need to be able to come and get them.


Love
kitten

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

Thursday

This is a bit of a strange day for me - it's the first Thursday for - I think it's 3 years I have worked for Alison - that I have not had a designer post for her.  I keep thinking that I have forgotten to do something.

Anyway tons still to do in the shop - we are gradually re-turning to normal.  It's so warm I have the door open and an busy pottering about.  All the sale stuff is in the window - and I have redone 2 of the boards.  It's lovely to have some fresh colour back.h abut - I do get fed up of the Christmas palate. I don't know how people just do Christmas all year!

Couple of photos for you
- My desk - total disaster at the moment

Mind you - it could be worse - son is in the office updating all the stock on the website

Love
kitten

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

Shop Talk

BACK TO WORK

Yippie!!!!!!!!

I love my job

Bet you lot are still cussing the morning trek into the office

My place - tea and craft - is there anything better?

oh - yes

The 20% off anything Christmas

For 2 weeks only -  I have 20% off ALL the remainder of the Christmas themed stock

Then It's gone - packed away for next year.

Grab a quick bargain for next year.

Love
kitten

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

Shop talk

OK chaps - back to work.  I have had far too much rest and i need to do some galloping about again (don't tell the goat - he will tell me off!)

The shop re-opens today and we have 20% off all Christmas themed stock - whether it's ready made cards and albums - or crafting supplies - all to clear for the next 2 weeks - then it's gone.   I can't be doing with it hanging about all year.

So - loads of amazing Tando chipboard shapes and projects on order - some super cool mini printer trays in different shapes.

And what's going to be hot this year?

I reckon the Steampunk look will finally make the mainstream.  It's been hanging about at the edges for a couple of years and I think this will be it's year to shine.

following on with that - mixed media is getting onto everyone's work now.  Whether it's mixing inks and paint - or using all sorts of different materials to cut out shapes in - we are all going to be mixing more textures and types together.



Love
kitten

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

New Year's Day

Love
kitten

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

New Year's Eve

Love
kitten

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

On Hols

Love
kitten

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

On Hols

Love

kitten

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

My birthday

It's my Birthday today!!!!!

Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk

Do You Stack Up? Challenge blog - Turquoise #104

This post really breaks my heart - but I am soooo proud of Alison (my USA boss). 

I have been working for Ali for 3 years now - first showcasing her digital work in Stretch n Bubbles - then as part of the do You Stack Up? Challenge, widening it out to include other digital artists.  I have learnt so much - and my own personal work has improved so much - I have really developed my own distinctive 'kitten' style.

The time has come where Ali has progressed so much that her company is now a physical stamps company - still with her own light sketchy touch

check out http://www.thealleywaystamps.com/

But her huge sucess means that I can't work the way I used to with her (the post from the USA just makes it impractical) - and since she has to spend all her time on her own business - it also means that the DYSU team has come to an end

SO FOR THE VERY LAST TIME

this weeks DYSU challenge is Turquoise - finishing on my fave colour

   (ps - anyone want an out of work designer ;-)  )

Rhoda Design Studio

* $15 gift certificate to spend on Cutting Files or Digis

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps

* $10 Gift Certificate

The Stamping Boutique

* Winner's Choice of 3 Digis

Elizabeta Kushner

* Winner's Choice of 3 Digis

This tree is from The Stamping Boutique - who are also closing at the end of the year.

I thought I would try something a bit different with the tree - I have changed the colours of the  outlines before - but I thought I would fill in the colour inside the outlines this time in Photoshop.

Not at all techie minded me - what a faff - give me Copics everytime! ;-)

The very back layer is embossed and inked Core'dinations card - the glitter one so it's beautiful and sparkly.  The 'postcards' are a stamp I have just picked up (Whimsey I think) - love the image.  The snowflakes are die cut from roller blind fabric and slightly metallic/shiny.  The tree snowflakes are filled with Glamour Dust and (of course) there are loads of gems and glittery bits added all over.

Really love the effect of this - I can see me using it again loads next year

 Yours

kitten xx

www.princesskitten.co.uk www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk