Dreamy Monday

I'm lying on the bed next to mancub and feel his heartbeat, I see his lips slightly moving and I smile uncontrollably. I wanted to sleep, I even fantasized a bit about it on our way home, but here I am dreaming with open eyes about writing, reinventing myself, about traveling, learning to print by hand and a lot of other awesome stuff.

Sean and I have been around Cascais today as it was sunny, well it was actually sparkling sunny and I even took my coat off wandering around checking shop windows, looking + smiling at people. I guess spring was in the air and the warmth got to everyone's hearts.

We also went to donate the clothes that don't fit him anymore - we met the couple at the station, they were happy + excited just like Marco and I were a few months ago. I hope and wish for the best to their new family, too.

I didn't have Santini ice-cream (or Eistini how Max, Petra's son invented in German) although it's super duper delicious, but carrots, yes plain old carrots mm they were so tasty and healthier.

Sean is turning to me and I feel him warm like a cat (although much, much better smelling) and even though I'm planning to work for the first time tonight in our new happy corner I just can't go away from him. He will have a bath later on and then I will tell him a bedtime story. He'll reply to me as usual: aaaw ooh ng aaaah uaa...

What was in fashion in 1986

Today's drawing is the first of a series I want to create illustrating fashion over the years. I would love it if someone would get me such a present: a T-shirt, a tote bag or a huggable pillow showing what was in style the year I was born. What do you think?

Let's start with 1986. I looked up the historical events, but they were mostly scary so we won't go there (terrible things happen anyway, so let's focus on the positive, like fashion for instance).

 

The ladies wore anything with huge shoulder pads (yes, even T-shirts), chunky jewelry, ribbons and big headbands. Tight belts would highlight the waist and purses would match the shoes (preferably flat ones). Leather jackets over corset dresses, knee length trousers, men shirts and hats rocked all in pastels, color block, as well coordinating black and white.

Singles we still love, like Europe's The final countdown, Berlin's Take my breath away, Chris's Lady in Red and Madonna's Papa don't preach, were number ones all across the world.

And to add magic to it, my awesome friend Denisa was born that year. Put your hands up for 1986!

The day we all smiled

We wanted to have some fresh air + a picnic so we went to Marechal Carmona Park. We sat on the grass and while we were enjoying a bit of sun, we saw a lady smiling at us. I waved and she came along with her son: they were Petra + Max.
Then, she sat with us and we talked that talk when thoughts and words come easily.
I don't know if it was just a brief connection or it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship, but I felt great.

That happened just after I was thinking there is rarely kindness between walkers by. Most people live under this pressure I-don't-know-who imposed, that the others may be potential enemies instead of assuming they are potential friends. Often, but what am I saying often it's practically every day, our paths cross and our eyes meet rather in emptiness than in grace and good intentions.

So I'm guessing the universe whispered hey, kittns, there is still hope for sympathy, tenderness and good will + our encounter would have never happened if I stayed home. I'm making a note to myself and you can take this advice too: go outside more, focus on the positive, be open.

Good people will come to you.

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Handcrafted baby cat T-shirt

With a touch of turquoise + pink, available by request whether humanz have been on the moon or not.

Handcrafted ballet tote

Rosário and I met at the handmade fair 2 weeks ago in Lisbon. She had a special order for kittns: a tote bag for her 6 year old daughter.

The best part is it wouldn't be just another cute tote bag, but the little princess will carry... her ballet outfit in it! I did nine years of dancing myself so I got thrilled creating it (gosh, I'm so happy as if the tutu inside were mine :-)

Her favorite colors are yellow + turquoise so I tried to use the last one as much as I could, even on the inside. The bag is entirely handmade, starting from sketch scratch.

I hope she will have tons of fun dancing and the bag will make a lovely memory to hold after years...

Hope you enjoy it too!

Women's fashion T-shirt + charms

Raluca was the first to request the Women's Fashion T-shirt. In fact I've painted two - one for herself and another for her lucky sister. You can see the original cats drawing here as an undeniable page of history. I guess the T-shirt turned out fine, what do you think?

The charms above are... hm well, I'd better keep it a surprise for now as I don't know if the two lovely sisters are reading this :-)

Wishing you a happy week!

Deco lavender pillow

Hot or not?

Together T-shirt

We want to advance a new t-shirt following an idea we had over two years ago (wonderful model posing here), but because it's about being together + sharing love we think it's never out of fashion.

This time we painted using another technique for a watercolor softer look, we added tulle to make it more romantic, but we kept the felt heart you can fondle while thinking and waiting for your loved one.

Enjoy!

Unique handmade bags

Here they are, so fresh so clean :-)

Finally, the brand new goodies we have been preparing for you: a small but precious range of entirely handmade tote bags (or how kittns like to call them chillin' bags).

They are mainly made of cotton canvas + cotton hand painted/hand sewn bits + they are double sided but light, perfect for carrying agendas, magazines, plush toys, the cool skirt you just bought and even dreams.

Each piece is one of a kind declaring and spreading important messages to the world. We created with all our hearts.

They will be soon available for sale in our online superstars boutique, but you can always request details + order at cristina@kittn.net

So which one speaks to you?

Be the change you wish to see in the world

Fairytales are true: they tell us dragons can be defeated

If you can dream it, you can do it

When you judge others you don't define them, you define yourself

Today is a gift, that's why we call it present

Trust yourself, you know more than you think you do

Illustrating women's fashion

... but it all went confusing after the year 2000 and I couldn't choose one representative style.

Any suggestions?

Nobody puts baby in a corner T-shirt

Let's make it a romantic weekend with a new T-shirt inspired by the one and only Dirty Dancing.

The movie had everything sweet and more: summer vacation love story, pretty dresses, awesome music + dancing, the wonderful performance of the late Patrick Swayze who uttered the now-classic line Nobody puts Baby in a corner meaning we're all free to pursue our goals and dreams. No matter if others call us idealistic or try to stop us, no dream is too big as no dreamer is too small.

So this weekend wave your hands up, sing or dance passionately if you still believe that generosity and honesty can conquer all, true love clearly exists and a wave of heat fills your heart when you imagine all your dreams can come true...

Another gift?! You've got to be kidding me...

Hello kittns.

I am happy to introduce Dena Harris, a wonderful author otherwise known as "the cats humorist". She just published her newest book called "Who Moved My Mouse? A Self-Help Book for Cats (Who Don’t Need Any Help)" and rumors are she is generally currently trying to figure out how to bring a third cat into the home without her husband‘s knowledge. :-)

But the best news is she was so kind to present kittn's sweet readers + dreamers with a book! Yes, that's correct - an adorable book to make summer days funnier & easier. And it starts like this...

"It‘s happened. I have become that woman. The one obsessed with cats. Friends no longer put any thought into purchasing gifts for me. If it has a cat on it, they figure (correctly) that I‘ll love it. That‘s how it starts. People start thinking this way and soon—through no fault of your own—you‘re living in a house filled with cat picture frames, cat gloves, cat bookmarks, cat plaques, cat mugs, and yes, even cat underwear..."





Have a cool & fun reading, everyone! Meow!

Brand new day, free card

You know by now to save the card, then send it or collect it.

Start your week with crazy courageous optimism!

Freebies!

In this post I am glad to present you some e-cards that I've been drawing... not only they are very cute but they're absolutely free!
You can safely save them in your computer (good old fashioned right click, save image as) and send them to your loved ones: so far you have three friendship/love cards and a thank you note, but there will be more to come, I promise.
Meanwhile, you can leave your feedback about the freebies or even if you have ideas of your own that you want to illustrate.
Come on, let's bring a smile to someone today! :-)

Spring giveaway

To me this spring is about fun, charm and the color red. Jewelry has to be accordingly, but I am more interested in your thoughts and opinions.
What you need to do is visit Charm de Paris, take a good look at the wonderful jewelry and pick one that represents your spring. You have a lot to choose from! Then write a comment here showing us your favorite one and take a chance to own a lovely charm that can be worn both as a necklace and brooch. A kitten told me Charm de Paris will even give away two pieces, carefully wrap them in organza sachets and deliver them.
So that's it, get inspired and write here your comment until April, 20. I wish you the best of charm luck!

Cats, lately.

I'm not going to say much about this t-shirt for now, because it hasn't arrived at its owner yet and I won't spoil the surprise. What I can say is that she is one of the funniest people I know and she described her cat as being similar to a wet sock.
(to be continued)

Mix

I discovered these when a lovely lady ordered the three-blue-cats t-shirt, a few days ago. If I remember well I made them for a handmade event and they bring happy feelings: the rush of getting ready for fairs, sunny days in Bucharest with my friends...
I love how mixing painting with sewing looks, it seems I had every detail on the right spot: the dotted bow, the sewn eyes, candy buttons and assorted textile pieces.

Note to self: remember to mix again!

Any ideas?

Ioana chose a t-shirt and before I go bla bla about artistic pangs I want to say how gorgeous she is wearing the (former) kitten logo, hand painted especially for her, of course. She is even taking part in a make-up contest and I hope kittens help her win. She sure looks confident!
Now back to drawing, I wanted to confess I still haven't had the inspiration for a new header. If you want to help me soul searching, you are always welcome to share your ideas.
So how is it going to be?

Hello kittens!

I wish we all have a happy day today on international women's day! I wish we all feel good in our own skin, wearing our own shoes - however you call it - I wish we all feel we are beautiful.
So... it's good to be back!
I didn't really plan to reopen kitten blog on this special day, it just happened. Let me tell you the long story short: a few months ago I felt I should stop writing. I've had a terribly weird 2010; at some point I felt like not only the last drop had filled the glass, but the water was overflowing. For a while my faith drifted, but then I shook my shoulders, straightened my back and raise my head... I opened my eyes and accepted things as they are, not how I wanted them to be.
You were by my side and gave me support, through your messages or even simple comments. So I remembered why I started kitten - the main thing was to have fun and feel at ease - and I plan to keep it this way.
Thank you, with all my heart!

Leaving the poetry and getting more technical, you’ve probably noticed kittens have a new domain name and a few pages. You have all the information at hand and everything is very easy to click use. I’ve also managed to organize my work better as a portfolio and that is a performance considering the fact that I’ve been saying “I’ll do it tomorrow’ for over a year.
I will soon upload a new logo/header, write all the details on the pages and hopefully own a new online shop.
As usual, I have lots of ideas and fun on my mind... You are welcome here anytime you want, I'm available for thoughts and dreams, jokes and cups of tea (don't worry if they're virtual, our friendship is real).

PS. T-shirt clearance tomorrow, be here!

Cause...

... objects don't make time stop.
Cause drawing stops time for me.

How about you? When does time stop for you?