The Greatest Craft Project Of Our Time?

This rather exciting tome arrived on my doormat today:

My plan is to learn how to knit, make all 25 of the breeds within its covers, then coerce Hollie into to enacting Crafts (geddit?), a woolly tribute to a certain well-known dog competition with me.

I may use a besuited Ken doll to play the judge. I may also the film the "competition" and upload it to Youtube.

Consider yourselves warned.

Bulldog:

Basset Hound:

Poodle:

A bevy of Working Dogs:

I am especially excited by the inclusion of Collies and Corgis, which mean I can knit a tribute to Phoebe, our half-Corgi half-Collie guard pup (pictured here in her LA Skate brat hoodie).

Oh fucking yes.

Win Copies of 'Kate Style'!

This week one of my favourite gossip fests Reveal magazine are giving away 10 free copies of Kate Style to lucky readers who can answer the question:

In which UK country did Kate and William go to University?

(Hint: click here for a wee prompt).

The competition is on page 96 and looks a little something like this:

Thanks to Reveal's lovely Associate Editor Wendy Rigg for making it happen.

A Yankee In King Arthur's Court

I was named after the girl in this book by Mark Twain. She's kind of cool.

Potentially Embarrassing

I wasn't going to blog this but it seems too amusing not to. Note article about Kate Style, complete with mug shot sized picture of me, next to a potentially embarrassing, much larger headline about a sex offender who preys on boys.

Elizabeth Taylor

"I've always admitted that I'm ruled by my passions."

Elizabeth Taylor has passed away, aged 79. 

The violet eyed Hollywood legend was married eight times- twice to Richard Burton- had four children, nine grandchildren, two oscars, a jewellery collection to rival the Tower of London's, a prominent role as an AIDS awareness activist, and enough chutzpah to survive a lifetime under the Hollywood spotlight. 

She was also immensely quotable.

When the vatican denounced her affair with Richard Burton, who was then married to someone else, she famously asked:

"Can I sue the Pope?"

Other gems include these:

"My mother says I didn't open my eyes for eight days after I was born, but when I did, the first thing I saw was an engagement ring. I was hooked."

"Big girls need big diamonds."

"I am a very committed wife. And I should be committed too - for being married so many times."

"The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they're going to have some pretty annoying virtues."

She will be missed.

An Afternoon In The Botanic Gardens

The National Botanic Gardens is one of my favourite places in Dublin. BR and I went this afternoon.

My favourite tree, a Densifolia aka the Story Tree. I just want to climb its branches and spend the afternoon reading:

It's too early in the season for much to be in bloom but there were Daffodils:

Magnolia Blossoms:

These flowers, which may or may not also be Magnolia Blossoms:

More exotic plants such as this (no idea, apologies):

I also love the sculptures, including the drunken ladies also shown at the top of this entry:

The Best Book About The Royal Wedding

While the greatest book about Kate Middleton's style is (obviously) mine, the best book about the upcoming royal wedding must be this one.

It's sold out on Amazon but fear not, I already have my copy, which came complete with a balcony to line up the Windsors on, AND a pattern for the Archbishop of Canterbury. I'll be getting to work on them forthwith.

Edit: The Marxist has suggested I also make a firing squad to shoot them with come the (knitted) revolution. Anyone have a pattern for doll-sized machine guns?

Planet Purple Kids

Above: Barbara's workroom.

It's a been a good week for publicity in our house. As well as starting to promote Kate Style in the UK and Ireland, Barbara's company Planet Purple Kids is to be featured on RTE's magazine show Nationwide on April 4th.

They're filming right now, having spent the morning with Barbara and her expert panel of testers in the National Gallery.

The testers: Cecily, Evan, Katie and Jenny, pictured in front of Planet Purple's new range of craft kits, which are based on the work of legendary Irish Stained Glass Artist and Illustrator Harry Clarke.

Hollie and I wrangled the kids.

In the gift shop:

Making use of the Gallery's Children's section:

Preparing for their first taste of fame:

Filming at the house:

More on Planet Purple Kids and the kits when they are in the store.

Evening Herald Interview

Last week I had a chat with the very lovely Caitlin McBride from the Evening Herald.
The piece  appeared in print yesterday, and is now available online too. I'll scan the print version in and post it to the press page of my website as soon as possible.

In the meantime, here are some well-known designers' suggestions for what the soon-to-be Mrs. Wales should wear on her wedding day (taken from StyleAmor's flickr).

'Kate Style' Spreads

A little insight into what's going on underneath the covers of 'Kate Style'...

Incidentally, You and Your Wedding, and Marie-Claire magazine are running competitions to win copies on their websites over the next few weeks.

I Wrote A Book

Congratulate me, y'all.

The book, which I've been gabbling about for months- and which not only held me hostage from all my friends, but also very nearly stole Christmas- is done, ready, available on Amazon (UK, Ireland, US), and about to be delivered to a book shop near you.

I have my very glossy review copy in my hands and have started doing press for it this week, links to and cuttings from from which I'll post as and when they're ready. It comes with that new book smell -delicious- and not only a biography of England's future Queen, and quotes and sketches from designers and people close to her, but is packed full of tips on how to get her rather polished look for yourselves.

The official press release is on my website.