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Miniatura Show – March 2023

Miniatura Show – March 2023

This weekend I had a wonderful time, exhibiting my dollshouse, steampunk diorama and hats at the Miniatura Show! Nestled between artisan sellers of furniture, teddy bears and food, I really didn’t think that my eccentric house would get so much interest and positive feedback! I was rather overwhelmed by everyone’s comments and reactions. It’s a very strange feeling when you create something that just stays in your house, doesn’t get seen by more than a handful of people…and then you present it to the world in a large hall.

The same goes for my steampunk diorama! I created it for the Hornby & Bassett-Lowe competition in 2021, but this is the first time that I have shown it to the public. Just hearing the giggles and gasps coming from the front of my stand was music to my ears.

I would like to say thank you to EVERYONE who came by and to the sellers that were so lovely and welcoming. A huge shout out to the 2 ladies who made me cry because of their kind words, not only to me but to the organiser. A complete confidence boost and they appreciated all the tips on using EVA foam! I even had a lady stallholder come up to me today and say “We’ve decided that this isn’t the Miniatura Show anymore, it’s the ‘What has Kitten got on her head today’ Show!”

It’s an absolute honour to say that I have been invited back to the show on 30th September/ 1st October 2023! I’m hoping that I can do a free workshop, where you can try out some of the techniques I use to add a personal touch to your projects. Stay tuned! If you would like to see more of my creations or even order your own bespoke headwear, then please visit my Facebook page Cogsmith’s Curious Creations.

Saltburn Steampunk Weekend 2021

Saltburn Steampunk Weekend 2021

Don’t look at me like that! I know I haven’t posted anything for a while and I’m so sorry.

Last weekend we travelled up to Yorkshire to a BRAND NEW steampunk event in the Victorian seaside town of Saltburn by the Sea.

What a hidden gem this place is! The buildings are beautiful and wait until you see the beach! It looks nothing from the cliff top, but once you have descended the many steps (the tram is not working unfortunately), you are met with a fabulous view of the pier and Victorian seaside buildings in red and cream.

There are wonderfully colourful beach huts to bring cheer to even the gloomiest day, mini golf and THE BEST FISH AND CHIPS I’VE EVER HAD!

At the top of the hill is a pretty walkway with flowerbeds called Marine Parade Gardens, which features a ‘grotto’ called Jack’s Castle.

Jack’s Castle, Marine Parade Gardens

There is also a metal statue of Henry Pease, who founded the resort. From the railway station to the pier, this entrepreneur has an amazing vision and not only succeeded in creating it, but wanted to make sure that lower-paid workers of the nearby mines could afford to holiday there. You can find out all about Henry Pease and his family here.

Henry Pease

So back to the main event! The entertainment, stalls and other steampunk delights took place at Saltburn House. The hotel was originally built in the late 1800’s by the Pease family as a convalescent home for their workers. It was later used to house a local school that had burned down and then used as a working men’s club for affordable 2 week breaks for its members. it now remains a working men’s club and and was a great base for the Steampunk weekend. With the main town, station, gardens and beach just a walk away, it was the perfect location.

Kitten Von Mew having a giggle with Sandie Burland and Bumblebee!
Kitten Von Mew singing at Saltburn by the Sea Steampunk Weekend

We met some wonderful people at the event and the locals that came to watch the entertainment we’re friendly, enthusiastic and welcoming! There were a fantastic selection of stall at the event, but annoyingly I didn’t take pictures of them!!!

I do have some other photos I need to go through on my camera, which also include other entertainers, so I will post them up ASAP.

An early Christmas present from Mr Mew!
Betsy’s stained glass rocket pack she wore on Saturday evening gained her a Cogling’s medal!
Mr Mew wore his much loved top hat, but finally had the excuse to turn it on!

Thank you so much to everyone who watched me perform and were so understanding about my poorly throat. We didn’t want to leave! I have been booked again for next year’s show, so I hope to see even more of you there. Much love xxx

Blists Hill Photos


We had a fantastic visit to Blists Hill in Telford the other week! YOu pay for an annual ticket and it gets you in to the victorian town (open air museum) and a load of other museums that we have yet to explore! Ironbridge is so gorgeous and Blists Hill was a real hidden treasure. On the same lines as the Black Country Museum, it was nice to find similar in a different area.

We decided to dress in our Steampunk outfits for the day and invited a few friends to enjoy the day with us!

Here are some of the photos I took on the day…

Goodwood Revival 2018


So Goodwood Revival was (yet again) epic. It isn’t just an amazing event because of the classic racing cars. Although in jaw-dropping outfits, the event isn’t even about the wonderful public for me personally. For those who have been to Revival, you would’ve seen the Glam Cab Girls, lindy hop dancers in the champagne marquee, the parading singing trios, the Goodwood Chars, Garland Girls on the Grid, Forge Formby, the meticulously themed areas, St. Trinians girls and sooooooooo many other roaming acts. Rain or shine they will be full of smiles, full of character and ready to entertain. It could be heatwave, it could be freezing, they are there (bar the child actors) from 7.30am until 5.30pm every day of the event. So now who looks after those entertainers? The Goodwood Actors Guild, hair and makeup artists (from beehives to fake moustaches and prosthetics), the costume department (mending, making, creating and organising). Most of these people are actually at the event from around 5am til very late, making sure everything is as good as they can, whilst preparing for the next day. Lets not forget the security teams, chaperones, first aiders and everyone else that helps make Goodwood run so beautifully. I was proud to be part of this hard working team…right until I got a crippling migraine on Sunday, which floored me for the rest of the show.

This year I was lucky enough to be a character host with Graeme (Forge Formby) at the Duke of Richmond’s Ball! It was a Steampunk themed affair, so I am being rather modest when I say I NEARLY FLIPPING WET MYSELF AT THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS. Dressed in my Mary Coggins outfit (huzzah! I remembered the rocket pack!), Graeme became my Burt and we welcomed the guests, along with a gaggle of exquisitely dressed actors that set the scene. Even the waiting staff were dressed in Steampunk outfits.

So here are a few photos of what I got up to. Apologies for the lack of racing cars, I had plans for Sunday but those were scuppered due to my eyeballs being kickboxed by my brain.

 

goodwood revival 2018 kitten von mew

Assisting a photographer, whilst he fished around in his bag for a photo he took of me a few years back!

 

goodwood chars dolly and gracie

With the hilarious Dolly and Gracie

 

kitten von mew singing at goodwood revival

Singing in The Mess after the champagne toast at 11.30am

 

kitten von mew raf pinup

A quick cheeky selfie on the Saturday morning.

 

raf benevolent fund singer

Helping raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund by warbling a few 1940’s songs outside

 

What Katie Did and Kitten von Mew

What Katie Did…Saving Kitten von Mew‘s bacon at Goodwood since 2009! Another ladder, another gorgeous pair of seamed tights. I’m loving the red contrast seams!

 

goodwood revival 40s pinup

Tractor totty! Who said pinups are just for aircraft!

 

goodwood revival 2018 derek bell

Chatting to Derek Bell outside the Driver’s Club

 

goodwood revival drivers club farm

The Driver’s Club theme this year was a farm. Complete with sheep, chickens and these gorgeous piggies! I could just eat them!

 

Goodwood Steve Mcqueen Bike web

Posing with the actual motorbike Steve McQueen rode in The Great Escape!

 

goodwood revival graeme and kitten web

Kitten von Mew and Forge Formby having a giggle in the Drivers Club

 

goodwood revival the mess club web

My wonderful Saturday chaperones!

 

goodwood bombshell magazine interview web

Being interviewed for a European classic car magazine.

 

ww2 mustang pinup girl web

Posing in front of a WWII Mustang aircraft. Absolutely amazing warbird!

 

 

 

 

goodwood revival makeup department

One of my steampunk hat creations being worn for the Goodwood Ball!

 

 

 

steampunk costumes goodwood ball

Simon, the chap on the far right is also incredibly talented. He created his own costume AND made the Duke’s using Sue’s design!

 

 

 

sue o donoghue and kitten von mew

Mary Coggins and Sue, the amazing lady who runs the GAG department, designed the waiting staff costumes AND the Duke of Richmond’s Steampunk outfit. Insanely talented, plus she was kind enough to put me up when I had the migraine.