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WI Masquerade Ball


kitten von mew in cat mask

My lovely cat mask!

I thought I would share a few photos taken at the WI Masquerade Ball last weekend in Stratford upon Avon.

I sang a set of 40’s and 50’s songs in my big ballgown and then later did my Mewy Antoinette burlesque fan dance.

The funny thing was that I couldn’t put my left foot down for the entire 20 minute singing set as I could feel something weird under my heel that I had obviously dragged across the floor in the train of the dress. This ended up as being a plastic clothes peg…oh the glamour!

kitten and richard von mew in masks

Mr Mew and I

kitten von mew masquerade ball gown

My crazy ball gown that will make it’s next appearance on the Halloween Steam Train Trip this October!

kitten von mew vintage girl

STOP PRESS!!! Kitten’s New Burlesque Act


kitten von mew as lili marleenThis is an exclusive look at my new costume and act ‘Lili Mewleen’, which will be released from it’s burlesque shackles at the War and Peace Show 2012!

A nod to one of my favourite female icons Marlene Dietrich, this act features a 7 ft lampost made by Mr. Mew and a STUNNING Vollers corset that has a ‘quick release function’. I got to try on this stunner of a corset when I did the interview for The One Show and met the gorgeous Corina and her fabulous group of ladies in the factory. Knowing how much work goes into these British made corsets has given me even more faith in the UK industry!

I made the fascinator, garter and bustle. The dress was once a rather black lacy and frilly affair (once owned by a drag queen) of which I stripped down to the basics and started again with electric blue!

This fun act will also be staged at Twinwood Festival this year in a brand new entertainment hall, which will also house my swoon-fest Max Raabe!

The Artist


An artist sits opposite me and studies my face as one does a vase. She looks at my eyes, but not into them, copying the highlights, shadows and reflections.

I look back at her with a frozen smile and study her in return. I watch her pursed lips as she concentrates, the earrings that gently sway as she looks between me and the board and the eyes that look, but do not see me.

I sit and gaze as she stands and watches me, with my heart filled with silent pride, patience and devotion. She takes a long breath as she puts down her board and re-enters the room. My Mama.

GET 12% OFF IN KITTEN’S ETSY STORE!


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I have created a special code to give you 12% off of my clothes and pincushions in my Etsy Store! It will only work for 1 month, so be quick! The code is MEW12

 

Enjoy!

 

Kitten x

‘Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is’ Filming


Kitten von Mew at Volupte 2012

Kitten von Mew at Volupte

On Sunday evening, Mr Mew and I headed to London for the filming of Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is! This fantastic BBC programme follows antique experts in trying to find bargains at flea markets, carboots and antique shops, then selling them on for a profit.

I first met Katherine Higgins (one of the antique experts of the show) at a publicity shoot for Vintage at Goodwood and we hit it off straight away with a love of vintage clothing, hats and Art Deco!

Kitten von Mew and Katherine Higgins, Vintage at Goodwood Publicity Shoot

Kitten von Mew and Katherine Higgins, Vintage at Goodwood Publicity Shoot

Katherine and I kept in touch at odd intervals and vowed to do something else together. The opportunity finally came with the Antiques Roadshow last year, where I showcased my Art Deco 3 piece suite! Katherine wasn’t going to do the show (filmed at Charlecote Park), but suddenly there she was on the day! We had a great time chatting between takes and it felt like we were old friends.

Kitten von Mew Antique Roadshow 2011

I won’t give the episode away too much, but we filmed in the Volupte Club in London, which is a gorgeous Burlesque supper club. I dressed in my Songbird outfit of canary yellow and pink and brought out my ostrich feather fans, which were then placed on a nearby table. After fanning them out and discussing the shot, we realised that smoke was slowly filling the room like an early 90’s rock video and the ruddy things were on fire! Luckily (although a dreadful smell), the cindered area was picked and fluffed out and barely noticeable after a while. With all the hairspray that must have landed on them in the past 7 years, I thought they would have gone up like a roman candle, so I was very lucky.

We all had a great laugh whilst filming and I had given Katherine one of my pincushion corsages as a gift when she arrived. The complete darling wore it for the entire filming and it really suited her!

Katherine Higgings Wearing Kitten von Mew's Corsage Pincushion

Katherine Higgins Wearing Kitten von Mew's Corsage Pincushion

The programme will be aired this autumn at 5.15pm on the BBC!

Vintage Valentine’s Day Gifts


It seems that most people with a love of vintage also are old romantics too. We have an appreciation of traditional values, old fashioned courting and the appreciation of manners and wooing.

For those who are still struggling with ideas for Valentine’s gifts, whether you are already in a relationship or planning a surprise attack of romance, hopefully I can help a little!

So… Firstly roses. Traditional, beautiful and unfortunately expensive at this time of year. People seem to think that a dozen red roses is a must have, but a single red rose can say just as much as it’s 11 counterparts. So save the pennies for something else and opt for 1 flower to symbolise the only love in your life.

Romantic meal for two? Depending on what your finances are like, you could opt for the first restaurant you went to together, make an epic paella together (a wonderful culinary bonding technique) or a carpet picnic for two! Imagine sticking on an old film like Some Like It Hot, laying down a rug and some candles on the floor and a feast of nibbles. Just make sure you have a fantastically norish dessert too!

So, onto a Valentine’s Day Card! You will find original vintage Victorian, 1930’s and 1940’s cards at antiques markets and online (Ebay etc) for anything from £2.50 to £6.00. If you think how much you usually pay for a card, that is pretty fantastic, don’t you think? And heaps more meaningful than a modern card too! Even if it has a romantic message written inside from the original recipient, just add your name! When you start giving each other vintage cards, you can put them out every year as Valentine decorations too.

Valentine Gifts for Women…It is always lovely to receive presents…as long as they aren’t your classic body paint and naff cuddly toys from the supermarket. Vintage girls love romantic gestures, sweetheart brooches, love letters, theatre tickets, a new hat or some special repro lingerie from What Katie Did! Why not get your gal a 1940’s sweetheart pin or lucite brooch? Maybe a vintage locket with both your photos inside! Think old fashioned romance!

Valentines Gifts for Men…Difficult if you don’t want to get too mushy, but perhaps buy him a 1940’s mug and serve him breakfast in bed, a special tie bar and vintage tie, or perhaps a vintage style photo of you in pinup lingerie taken by the amazing Kate Donovan! Imagine his face as he unwraps a cheeky photo of you in seamed stockings and your hair all done up! Kate can do all your hair, makeup and styling, so all you need to do is relax and enjoy the experience.

So there you have it. Hopefully some of this has given you some ideas. Just don’t forget that although we are caught up in an amazing world of emails and instant text messages, there is NOTHING like receiving a handwritten love letter or card through the post. So please, make the effort this year whether you are sending it to your loved one’s work place or the home you both live in! Slip it into their shoe, briefcase, lunchbox or letterbox.

Kitten von Mew taken by Candee Photography 2011

Crafty Cats


Lol Cat (made for my friend Paul) and BalooWhilst teacup pincushion have taken a backseat until I start selling some, my devil’s playthings have been eager to find something to take their place. Enter Crafty Cats. I started making Baloo (mog right) completely by accident one day, whilst messing around with scraps of an old jacket and remembered that I had bought some cat eyes for another project. I agree. he looks miserable, but don’t we all know cats like that? The type that gaze up at you like they haven’t been fed all week, but you slipped them a piece of cheese 20 minutes ago? Lol was my second and she was made as a gift for Paul. She is adorable and they sit between our computers at work.

Below is my latest and greatest, based on a real cat – Matt Damon (as owned and loved by my sweet pal Lee Parker). Lee is forever sending me lovely treats and I have been wanting to return the favour for a while, so here he is…

Fez Cat for Lee, made by me!

Poetry and Mewsings


For years I have dipped my toes into the world of poetry and prose. I used to enjoy sitting in a coffee shop, watching the world go by, whilst sketching and writing. From song parodies and funny poems, to more serious ‘diaries of the heart’, I let my emotions spill out on the page. I may share some of these with you from time to time, but will not explain them. Like typing out pages from my diary, they are personal to myself or individuals and some have never seen the light of day. It has always been my wish to publish some short children’s stories and have my Ma illustrate them (she is the most wonderful artist), but as of yet I haven’t had the time, means or bribing techniques to do it. Maybe I will publish one when I have my own children and use my felt craft characters to illustrate it.

So here are some rare examples of my ‘Mewsings’. Enjoy!

From the rediculous….

Pea Boy was a very nice chap

Though did wear too much tweed,

Until one day he met his match

A suit of pink and green.

This suit wasn’t worn by just anyone,

No!

This suit was worn by HIM,

Pea Boys main arch rival,

Better known as Bean Pod Tim.

They fought it out for hours,

They fought it out for days,

Until one day Tim cowered

For in glorious array,

Stood Pea Boy tall and proud,

Arms straddled by his side,

Standing there stark naked,

But a pink and green bow tie.

To the passionate recluse…

Let flesh quiver and steal my breath,

As night doth fall and blanket our sighs.

Steadfast your hand against mine breast,

And rise and fall as if ebbing tide.

We wish you a Merry Christmas in a Mess Hut near here…


On Saturday I performed at the Ashdown Camp in Evesham for a reenactors group Christmas party. Cosy and warm from the log burning stove in the corrugated iron mess hut, it was an intimate affair but a wonderful one. The ladies of the group had all turned out in their best, some even in beautiful long gowns, and the men in the German uniforms. There was a small bar and buffet and I sang a 40 minute set at 9pm which included 40’s songs, Christmas tunes and a sneaky 50’s number!

I wore my long black and white gown with a train, red gloves and a 1930’s red santa cape, which was originally worn by a girl in the circus (bought in LA).

Everyone was so kind and Mr Mew and I chatted with them all evening until we had to go home.

Above is just a short little video taken that night. it was so dark, our little camera struggled, but it just serves as a nice reminder of a lovely evening!

Next weekend I am singing at the vintage fair at The Vic in Swindon as well as manning my own stall!

Have a Very Beret Christmas


Red Beret adoned by Kitten von Mew

Whilst recovering from my keyhole surgery, I decided to make something for myself for a change! I am a huge fan of berets, so took one out of my cupboard and set to work on decorating it. I have to say it was highly enjoyable and I was very pleased with the outcome! With pearl beads from a broken necklace and felt swallows, hearts and flowers, it has cheered up my headwear no end and looks great with my red coat! I will make some to sell if the prove popular!

Kitten's Beret - Back