Jolly trip out

Guess where we have been

Give you a clue

we have been tot he big trade show at the NEC in Birmingham

We got you more than just ribbons - so much went on.  I will have to show you a bit every day so that I can remember it all - loads of stasch and catalogues - spent loads of pennies - did a workshop - went to the awards show - got serenaded by 'The Singing Waiters' - and loads more.

I will get my camera sorted out and show you something every day

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

Kitten's day off

Monday is kitten's day off

I went shopping and brought home 2 marrow bones for the guys.  William won't eat his until it is cooked - so Henry is tucking in and Wills has to wait for this evening for his treat - what are we like!!!!

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

Wedding Favour Fever

Like the title ;-) - suits us about now - I am on the 3rd order of the year already.  I am really trying to get well organised at the very beginning - I don't want the next few months to run away with me and get all behind and in a panic.  My son  and I have a system going - I cut them to size - he scores them - I cut all the notches etc for the flaps - he punches the holes for the ribbon handles - I shape and fold then - then I put them to one side and glue all the bottoms as each order comes through.  Brides seem to be decorating and finishing them themselves at the moment - so I haven't been asked to add the ribbons.

 as well as my normal little tote bags - I have a couple of new styles

 a 'wrap' that can be embossed or left plain to put a choccie bar treat in

 and a super heart shaped bag that you can put biscuits or a small bag of sweeties in.

I bought 500 sheets of white colour and 300 sheets of natural colour - that's a bit scary

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

Kitten's kitchen

I have finished my kitchen - it has taken me about 4 months.  I had a serious push through last week to get on with it s I was getting more than a bit fed up with the pots and brushes hanging about ;-).  So every morning before work I did a bit and every evening I did an hour or so.

Michelle is going to go mad when she see the mess I have got my nails in tomorrow - but - hay I really love it.

I still have to paper the ceiling because upstairs had a flood and it has run around all the plasterboard cracks.  I tried to paint it - but it won't cover it so I will just do a tiny strip every morning.

so - before

 after

before - 

 after -

and the end wall

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

the kitten and the goat - the story!!

Gosh blog chappies - there is so much going on at the moment in good ol' "Diagon Alley" at the moment - all in all it's a bit of a pig's breakfast ;-)

Where to start really!  Sue in the cafe has given back her lease and is going to run The George and Dragon - who are going to pick up a late licence and fill in the nightclub spot now that The Loft has closed (rumors have a very experienced person going for that lease - but no firm news on that just yet),  so we all helped out sue with her clear out.

Then I had a few problems with someone picking on me - 54 and being bullied - would you believe it!!!!!  You all know how fragile my health is while I recover from my big flare up and shingles at Christmas - so I was more than a bit shaken.  Both my guys came to my rescue and sorted it for me.

I have been pottering on getting the new range of cushions organised and sorting out the agate and semi-precious gem beads that are arriving in to the shop from the dealers in China - they are just soooo pretty - need to photo and list them onto the website (time - all I need is more time).

Issy (my knitting partner) is getting involved with the fell sheep fleece spinners and their Herdy brand knitting wool  - she is using the wool to knit tea cosies - mug hugs - cafetiere cosies etc for the Farriers Coffee Shop and cafe.

There is progress on the big renovation of the whole alley - we think it will be starting at the beginning of March with a new roof for all and all the roof windows replaced.  As you know - we have our own shop 'makeover' planned and the builders said that I would not have to move out over the working period - but that may change - we are trying to nail down the exact plans.

I have my ticket for the big 'Stitches' trade show at the Birmingham NEC in 2 weeks time - and a growing shopping list!!!!  I am taking Izzy (and leaving her to play in the wool section  ;-)  ) this year - - - there is a lot of planning going into this one and I will have loads of new ranges and a couple of new suppliers to surprise you with after I have been.  We are REALLY getting excited about our trip and have booked into the Hilton so we have 2 whole days at the show.  Sounds very grand - but I did get a discount by using Top Cash Back - and it's right next to the NEC so I don't have to stress about finding the hotel.

I will try to keep up with postings - but the world seems to be overtaking me at the moment.  Please could I have 2 more hours in a day - and an extra Thursday in every week- - then I might be able to keep up.


Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

day off

Monday is kitten's day off

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

www.princesskitten.co.uk - hard work going on!

I went on a SEO (search engine optimization) workshop the other day so that I can present my princesskitten website better.  How come - something makes perfect sense and looks sensible when someone else does it - and when I come to do it - it looks totally different and nothing works ;-)

I am not good at the 'techie' stuff at the best of times - it has all got so complicated since I originally built my website 8 years ago and I am not at all sure I could even do that now.

So - I am in bed with Corrie on catch-up - my worksheet open with all the how tos - trying to make sense of it all.

Can I get back to knitting yet!

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

new craft display

The dear ol' goat has been putting up shelving in my flat for shop storage

I have not got another wall of shelves so that I can get the Christmas stuff well out of the way and get the shop back to 'normal'.  I am getting the gifts and kits back on show properly - and I have reclaimed the floor and window space.

The poor ol' goat (I only say that soz you all feel sorry for him ;-) ) is going to give the shop a bit of a 'make over in a couple of weeks and open up the back passageway for stock display - so watch this space - will let you know as it happens.

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

Scottie dog knitted cushion

How cute is this!!!!

It's my latest knitting pattern.  I am just finishing writing it all up - they start out like this until I get the rows worked out properly.  Then I knit it up to see how it physically ends up - before I write up the individual row instructions.  I don't use a knitting pattern computer program to do it all for me - I actually, really do it the old fashioned hands-on way to get the sizes and placement finalized.  I have to admit that I love the maths and the challenge of making it to what I want - then making it into something that someone can take away and make their own .

I hope to get the pattern on the shop site this afternoon - and it will be listed on Kindle as well for you

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

new range - Sew Lovely

I picked up the new Papermaina Sew Lovely range.  I know it's a sewing theme - but the colours are a bit different.  It has a much more 'dusky' palette - cobalt blue - pale coffee - sage and a rich red.  I even picked up a few of the other bits and bobs in the range - so we have the papers - ribbons - bows - big bloomer flowers - and mixed embellishment packs.

It all looks amazing on the table.

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@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

new knitted cushion range

gosh this week has flown by!  - I have been plodding through the Christmas stock getting the website sorted out before it all gets put away for next year.  I have got in a right old pickle over the last 3 months and it is so wonderful to get back to some sort of normal routine again.

The yarns are really flying out at the moment - knitting is huge - it's a bit scary how fast it is selling.  I just think I am getting on top of it all and next time I look there are gaps again.  We have decided to stock the Robin Paintbox range alongside their plain colours.

 It is a variegated yarn - same quality as the plain - and there is a very clever twist - the die colours are the same as the plain range so that all the colours combine perfectly.  We have 3 mixes - and we will be adding 5 more at the beginning of February.

Now - 'The Cushion Range'

The first pattern is complete and ready - you can get the pattern in the shop - download from the website - get for your Kindle.  The patterns take 2 balls of our yarn - we use 2 strands together to get the 'chunky' weight - you can use both strands the same colour or use 2 different colours for a tweedy look, and you need a pair of 6mm needles.  We also stock the cushion pads - takes 16" square - and have toggles and statement buttons for the back flap.

















I have a super cute Scottie dog pattern on the way - a textured heat motif - a houndstooth check - and one with the new variegated yarn.

As always - my patterns are aimed very much at the beginner - improver and everything is explained properly with no abbreviations or jargon used - I have also come up with a colour coding system that highlights the tricky bits so you can see the pattern more easily.

I will keep you updated as I complete each pattern.
  Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

kitten loves maja

I have discovered a new site - Maja Design - bit off the wall - very textured - piled up - layered- mixed media - eclectic - - very - very - me!

Not sure just how I am going to include it in all this years work - but I am sure it is going to be a huge launching point for me.

Just check out this album - - so want too!!!


Love
kitten

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

shopfitting - slatwall

I have picked up some 'vintage' slatwall panels on Ebay.  Not sure if they really qualify for the 'vintage' label (ie  over 35 years old) - but they really are wonderful.  Ex M&S display and so solid and heavy that I can't hardly lift one! Beautifully trimmed and fitted and I love the shape at the top - and the grooves go all the way down so I can use all the space.  I have the idea of putting them up in the 'hallway' part of the shop (taking away the old mirror) as individual display 'picture' areas.  Each can have a theme or colour and I can change them easily every other week or so.

They are 2 foot wide x 4 high  and I have been getting more hooks and shelves on Ebay to display things on.  I have 9 altogether - yeah! 9 - they were such an amazing price - kind of thinking that my son will want a couple for his shop.

so big thoughts for the poor ol' goat who will be 'tinkering' with the shop units and layout to make it all work  -- this may take a while

Love
kitten

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

kitten's day off

Monday is kitten's day off

and I am soooo looking forward to getting back to some sort of 'normal' routine

Love
kitten

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

new dragon card

Just in case you think that all we do is knit these days ;-) -  thought I would share the card I made for my hubby at Christmas.

I just adore Lisa Victoria's dragons.  I used to get the stamps direct in from America - but now Sweetpea have them as digital downloads as well as loads of their other fairy and gothic images.

The background has hot foiled snowflakes on it so that it matches in with the theme.  The dragon is fairly plain with just a  touch of grey and silver shadings.  It will be great to get back to making a few bits again.

Love
kitten

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

Cushions to knit

I have started work on a range of cushion covers for the shop.  I am not going to make them up as kits because I feel that will restrict your choice of colours.  I am going to write the pattern - stock the cushion pads - make up smaller balls of the Robin yarn - and make up button packs to match.  That way you can be as flexible as you want.

It started with my son's cushion for Christmas

I have nearly finished a Pacman one - a cable one and one with little Scottie dogs

 - there will be loads more in the coming months.

ALSO  - I have listed all my knitting patterns onto the Kindle store - the range is called 'Knitting with Kitten'.  It is starting to get a bit of attention so it must be an easy way to access patterns


Love
kitten

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

Holiday over

Wonderful - all back to work - fantastic - can't wait.

I have been a very, very good girl - done lots of sitting and resting.  Watched all the grotty films on the telly - watched all of December's Holly Oaks on catch up - just had to know that they found Tom safe!

I did do a couple of days on my kitchen this week - really getting on now.

The cabinets look fab with the wall paper in the centers - and I bought all the handles different so it adds to the quirky-ness.

I have nearly got there - got the wallpaper on the wall feature to get done - wall needs serious prep first though.  Then the floor tiles to lay - that will really make a difference.

I want to get some clock type fabric to match so I can cover the chair and make a tablecloth - may even make a new door curtain.

Love
kitten

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

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