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

Christmas gifts in the shop

I suddenly went a bit mad.  I thought that we should have a few extra silly Christmas gifts in the shop.  We have all our own range - but that still has to grow a bit.  There are 2 new 'normal' knitting kits - and 2 new 'special' knitting kits - but we are still only just starting to get involved in sewing and crochet.  

Soooo - I thought I should add something different into the mix

we have Airfix kits - remember these - well - yes a bit outside of what we do 'normally' - but no one else sells these in town - and I used to have such fun making these - used to love the ships.

also - soap making kits - these are such fun and look simple for the kiddies (with a bit of help)

those wooden models that you slot together - super cool all painted up

Candle making
Dreamweaver kits
Canvas painting kits

This is a new company for me - they do all the paint/colour by numbers - amazing sequin art - matchstick kits - balsa wood - simple embroidery and rug kits - - could have gone totally nuts! - Just testing the water to see what you like really

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 frantically knitting Christmas Pudding hats!

I have a basic baby size pattern - and I  am working it up to include 5 sizes - right up to a gents

- - well you asked xx ;-)

Love
kitten

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

Bownessie

Look who is sitting in my living room

Mind you - I think this little chap is my favorite at the moment

Love
kitten

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

Calligraphy text

I have invented a new diet - it's called the soup and mop diet.  You heat up a can of your favorite soup - then you put it in your favorite mug.  Take a couple of sips - put it on the worktop while you get some tortilla crisps - and knock the mug off the worktop all over the floor.  Once you have finished mopping up all the mess - you have gone off the whole idea and have a pot of yogurt instead.

do you think it will catch on? 

I have just finished this commission for a wedding gift.  The brief was to keep it as plain and simple as possible - I did sneak one gem in though - at the top of the I

I thought I may do this again for Valentine's day

Love
kitten

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

December opening hours

We have had a big discussion and have finally settled on our opening hours for December and the New Year

All through December we will be open on Mondays 10am - 4pm as well as Tuesday - Saturday.  Isobel will be in charge on the extra day for me.  Izzie a knitter is not a paper crafter like me - she is the knitter of the dog coats and accessories you see in the shop and will do her best to sort out what you need.

Then Christmas week we will be open
Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - to about 1.30/2pm.  Depends on how the town is - we will definitely be off early though.

Then we will be CLOSED - until
Thursday 2nd January 10am - 4pm

so I can have a nice Christmas and chill out 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

still fighting this cold

Love
kitten

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

Small Business Award

I would so appreciate your help guys - I have applied for a small business grant

Check out - https://apps.facebook.com/quickbooksuk-tm/ - and vote for kitten.

I have entered as the shop because I could really do with a hand for some of the 'hidden' costs.  do you know that I have to have 2 music licences??? one costs around £90 - the other is £60 - just so I can turn Radio 4 on - how insane is that!

please have a look and vote for me - I will keep nagging!!!!



Love
kitten

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

DAy off

monday is kitten's day off

All I seem to do out of the shop these days is sleep!

Love
kitten

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