It's been raining too long - bring a little colour into your life with my spring sale.  There's 1/3 off everything in my ready-to-wear shop including Hello Kitty limited edition print clips, bobbles and grips.

For an extra 10% extra off, sign up to my monthly e-news letter.

Here's a small selection of what's on offer - starting from just £2.

Baby Belle Dress (3-6m) £49.99 made to order Now £33.49 or £30.14 for newsletter subscribers	Freya Bean blouse (6-12m) £34.99 made to order Now £23.44 or £21.10 for newsletter subscribers
Lily May skirt (4-5y) £39.99 made to order Now £30.14 or £27.13 for newsletter subscribers	Ophelia Rose preview (5-6y) £114.99 made to order Now £77.04 or £69.34 for newsletter subscribers
Hello Kitty clips, bobbles, grips £6.99 made to order Now £4.68 or £4.21 for newsletter subscribers	Wilhelmina eyemasks Last stock Now £6.69 or £6.02 for newsletter subscribers

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

1/3 off reduction applies ONLY to ready-to-wear/post stock for duration of spring sale period
10% off for newsletter subscribers is in addition to 1/3 reduction for ready to wear stock
10% off newsletter subscriber offer can also be redeemed against made-to-order clothes and accessories but NOT bridal orders
10% code will expire midnight on 31st May

Just a quick one for April.  Huge thanks to Conde Nast Brides magazine for featuring three of my bridesmaid dresses in their May/June issue which is out now.

Handmade Bella Luella puff sleeve bridesmaid dresses in Liberty Wiltshire berries and Betsy green and Grace Kelly pleat shirtwaister in Liberty Lou Lou Isabella - all avaiable handmade to order in print of your choice

Handmade Ophelia Rose puff sleeve bridesmaid dress in Liberty Fitzgerald Preview sample 25% off at £89.99

Handmade Laura Joan swing bridesmaid dress in Liberty Fitzgerald Preview sample over 25% off at £74.99

And you might also like to take a peek at two new bridesmaid dress designs that Millie and I have been working on.  There is a preview sample of each new design in size 5-6y available at 25% or more off on the website.

First, a gorgeous, sophisticated 'Laura Joan' swing skirt sleeveless dress named in honour of Millie's niece.  It's aimed at the older girl who wants a grown-up look but would work equally well for the little ones who'll adore twirling round in the acres of Liberty print this dress takes to make.

Then Ophelia Rose - named after my friend Fi's baby girl who lives in Denmark.  This is a more formal pleated skirt with cuffed, puff sleeves.  Both have rouleaux button fastenings - Millie is a whizz at this technique which adds an extra something special to the detailing.

Photo shoot sample 25% off at £69.99

Photo shoot sample 25% off at £74.99

And lucky for you, there are also two samples of my best-selling Bella Luella dresses made for a photo shoot (not worn) - a sleeveless Mirabelle and a puff sleeve Felicite (5-6y) - also available at 25% off.

They are all available to browse and buy in my online Ready to Wear shop.

Many of you know that I had the idea for Peak Princess during a picnic in the park with my god-daughter, Tilly, nearly four years ago, and that I'm a radio journalist by trade.  Well, I had no idea what a phenomenal success my little dresses would prove to be with orders from all around the world.  (The record so far is Tasmania!).  

I've had wonderful press coverage in magazines as fabulous as Sunday Times Style, Brides, Country Living and The Lady to name but a few and even an appearance on BBC Breakfast TV.  That in turn has led to be being asked to help other small businesses with their PR and social media.  So it's not an easy decision, but I'm gradually going to take a bit of a step back over the next few months.



Millie's kindly agreed to take on more of the day-to-day dress-making.  As many of you already know, Millie’s an experienced dress-maker who used to manage wedding dress-designer Annaliese Sharp’s Chelsea store.  She loves making Liberty print frocks for her two little girls Rose and Kate.  Her sewing is beautiful - she gets the royal seal of approval from my Mum (a couture designer in the 60s) who waxes lyrical about her seams.  Meanwhile I'll continue to handle orders, maintain the website & oversee the business side of things.

We’re going to slim down the existing range a little to make space for new designs coming out soon - including two more beautiful bridesmaid dresses called 'Laura Joan' and 'Ophelia Rose'.  Local fabric designer Kate Yorke will continue to make the gorgeous matching accessories that are always so popular.

There are also six glorious new prints on the website.   Three are silky soft tana lawns including Clarricoates and Fitzgerald from the new Liberty SS12 collection and the return by demand of an old favourite Sarah's Secret Garden.  I also have three slightly heavier weight cottons from the V&A collection - two variations on Hearts and Seaweed.

SS12 prints including 2 from Liberty's Visualisers Collection: Clarricoates:  Loosely inspired by an archival print from 1965, this is a modern polka dot hatched floral with linear lines and geometric structure. Fitzgerald:  Inspired by a typical Liberty print design from the 1930s. The design has been re-drawn to recreate the essence of a meadow in spring.

And you might also like to know you can now order fabric direct from Liberty or other shops like Shaukat or Truro Fabrics giving you a choice of hundreds of gorgeous prints.  Just call or email for a dress-making/design quotes and advice on lengths to buy.

Thanks for your continuing support.
best wishes,

Lissa, and Millie & Kate
 

Oh dear - one of those weeks. Royal Mail lost of parcel of 5 handmade Liberty tops that Millie sent back to me all beautifully finished. So I remade them all! And now they've just been delivered safe & sound.

So if you are looking for a last minute present I've just uploaded them. 15% off discount code is PPENEWS. Can deliver right up to 22nd.

Liberty print pinafore tops (6-12m) - £29.74 each incl discount

Millie print

Mitsi print

Liberty Phoebe blue £25.49 (2-3y)

Liberty Paulies Parrots £33.99 (new size 9-10y)

Liberty Plum dog £25.49 (2-3y)

Also, I can't promise these will be back in stock in time for Christmas but I have 3 Bella Luella knee length puff sleeve dresses handmade in Liberty tana lawn being sent back to me that were photographed for a magazine summer feature for summer 2012 (product only, so have not been worn) that I'll be putting on the site at 25% off (£48.75 each, normally £64.99).  Email me if you'd like to reserve one.

Bella Luella in Tatum blue with pink rose garlands is size 6-12m
Bella Luella Wiltshire red berries is size 12-18m
Bella Luella Betsy green is size 18-24m

Ribbon optional.

15% OFF CHRISTMAS STOCK OFFER + WIN A HELLO KITTY BLOUSE

My order book for Christmas delivery is very nearly full.  Please email me if you'd like me to pencil you in, or order online for clothes made-to-order in your choice of style, size and Liberty print.

But like Squirrels Nutkin, Millie and I have been making up a small collection of stock of clothes that I can post out straight away for Christmas gifts and parties.  We have everything from a little Baby Belle romper and romper dress, to my best selling Freya Bean blouses and Bella Luella dresses as well as some preview sample bargains.  Kate's also been busy making her adorable hair clips, grips & bobbles which with 15% off will be just £3.39 a pair - perfect stocking fillers.

Newsletter subscribers can use the discount code PPENEWS to get 15% off all in-stock clothes in the Ready to Wear department of the website.
(As in Peak Princess email newsletter - not as in Politics, Philosophy and Economics News - though I can recommend the Freakonomics podcast which I've become addicted to!).

Last UK Christmas post is 20th December.  Last Europe post is 12th December (rest of world is 5th so you'd need to be quick!).

Examples of in-stock items with 15% discount applied.

LUCKY-DIP WITH ANGELS & URCHINS MAGAZINE

I'm afraid I'm all out of Hello Kitty fabric but there are still some Hello Kitty clips, grips and bobbles available but I've teamed up with the lovely London parents' magazine Angels and Urchins to give subscribers to their A&U weekly email newsletter a chance to win a handmade 6-12m Liberty Hello Kitty Wonderland Freya Bean blouse.  (Click here to enter)

PS I'm keeping a Hello Kitty photo album on facebook if you'd like to see how my designs look covered in kittens.

best wishes,

Lissa


Peak Princess...with love sewn in
Liberty prints for little people - handmade in the Peak District

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07818 411 791 / 01663 751 126
lissa@peakprincess.co.uk

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HELLO KITTY

Wow!  It's been Hello Kitty-tastic at Peak Princess since last month's newsletter.  Thanks to everyone who ordered.  I sold out in 3 hours.  Millie and I have been sewing like demons and the orders are nearly complete.  I have a little more fabric so if you're on the reserve list and there's enough left, I promise I'll be in touch.  I'm keeping a Hello Kitty photo album on facebook if you'd like to see how my designs look covered in kittens.

Meanwhile, Kate's been busy at work making super cute Hello Kitty hair clips and bobbles from my offcuts - perfect little stocking fillers.  There's a limited number in stock for £5.99 a pair or you can order in the print of your choice for £6.99.  (Delivery 1-2 weeks).

NEW DESIGNS NOW ONLINE

There are several new designs now available on the website including the Kate Charlotte dress (from £39.99) - inspired by Millie's little girls who adore being able to dress themselves.  It's pretty and practical but a little less formal than the fitted bodice & button down back of my best-selling Bella Luella.  Options include puff or angel sleeves and one or two tier ruffle skirts. 

The Rose Ursula cord dress (from £39.99) and blouse (from £39.99) is a response to the demand for a cord version of my Freya Bean/Megan Jane tana lawn smocks - it's slightly less gathered to suit the soft and snug, thicker Liberty cords. 

And I'm delighted that my Matilda May slouchy pocket dress was a hit with its namesake.  Product testing revealed each pocket comfortably held 14 conkers!  (Huge thanks also to Tilly's talented Mum Hannah who's designed my new logo.  Check out Tilly's Mum and Dad's fab graphic design agency Design Everything). 

Coming soon is the Popinjay baby romper which pops open to lay flat for super easy dressing and has an elasticated bottom for easy out-and-about nappy checks and changes.  It's named in honour of our friends' Anna and Ian's baby boy Jay.  This is him modelling.

£20 PREVIEW OFFERS

I'd also be super grateful for 2 or 3 product testers for a couple of new designs I have in mind.  One is a skirt version of the Matilda May slouchy pocket dress and another is Millie's inspired idea for a romper version of my Freya Bean blouse with an elasticated bottom, similar to the Popinjay design.  I've put 3 of each on the website at £20 each in the print of your choice, subject to availability.  (As ever it's strictly first come, first served).

Meanwhile, the gentleman's shirt experiment continues - launch date's been put back to the New Year because of the huge Hello Kitty demand.  (Photos available on request).

CHRISTMAS MADE-TO-ORDER DELIVERIES & NEW READY-TO-POST-NOW SHOP

I hate to use the C word in November but if you'd like to order for delivery in time for Christmas, I'd really recommend doing so in the next couple of weeks.  Millie and I are trying our best to build up clothes and accessories that are ready to post now (though it keeps selling so this is proving difficult!).  But if you'd like made-to-order, I'd really recommend booking a slot now to avoid disappointment.  Feel free to drop me an email to reserve time in my diary so you have time to make up your mind on styles & prints.

best wishes,

Lissa

REALLY SORRY - I SOLD OUT OF ALL OF THE PRINTS WITHIN A FEW HOURS OF PUTTING OUT MY NEWSLETTER.
If you'd like to go on my reserve list, please email me.  I'll see how things go when I start cutting.  best wishes, Lissa
****

I adored Hello Kitty when I was a little girl and now my god-daughter Mia has fallen for the charms of little Japanese kitten.  So I was terribly excited when I saw Liberty was bringing out a range of 5 new Hello Kitty prints. 

Kitty Town print features all Kitty’s family and friends in the setting of a quaint English village.

Kitty Wonderland depicts Kitty's fantasy land with all her favourite toys.

Karenkubo is a new adaptation of a floral from 1933, which has been given a special Hello Kitty twist.

I'm afraid I can't order wholesale direct from Liberty fabrics as I usually do as these exclusive prints are only being sold at retail from Liberty of London's Regent Street store.  So I've bought just two or three metres of 3 prints - Hello Kitty Town in orange and blue; Hello Kitty Wonderland and Hello Kitty Karenkubo in blue/red and pink/green.  Looking at Liberty's website, they went on sale today and most are already out of stock. 

Prices will be £5 extra for blouses and £10 extra for dresses above my usual prices.  I'll take orders on a first come first served basis by email or phone (not via the website).  My next order slots are already for the beginning of November so please do think about ordering now for Christmas.

lissa at peakprincess dot co dot uk or 01663 751 126 / 07818 411 791

A quick update just to say:

a) Welcome back from holiday to Millie.  We're both busy sewing up your made-to-order requests as well as building up a small collection of in-stock ready-to-buy clothes for those last-minute presents and parties.  (Have a peek - there's some bargains to be had including sample Chloe Sophia ballet wraps in sizes 6-12m and 8-9y).

b) A big thank you to Kate who's been busy making gorgeous Liberty print hair accessories.  There's a large selection of clips, grips, bracelets, bobbles and brooches that Kate has hand-covered at up to 50% off our normal made-to-order price from just £2.99.

c) And last but not least - thanks to my Mum who's been experimenting with hand-making Liberty print eye-masks.  I'm a total Princess & The Pea and love her design using black-out material.  Perfect for anyone who works shifts, travels, has streetlights near a bedroom window or just wants to look pretty while they powernap.  She's been trialling different bias bindings so we're selling these at half price for £7.49.

d) Oh and a big thank you to my trial men's long-sleeve shirt guinea pigs Julian, Gyles and Ben.  More news soon.

e) Honestly - this is the last thing - NEW POSTAL RATES.  My new website's allowed me to offer fairer postage banding starting from just £1.95.  I've had to ditch the free p&p on offers over £100 simply because I have to send anything over £100 by next day delivery to insure against loss.  I hope you understand.  The good news is it means fast next day delivery for bigger orders.

f) Ok, I was fibbing.  One last thing - I'm doing an autumn clean out and am selling off two 5m lengths of the adorable Pep and Toria prints either in metres or smaller fat quarters from just £5.

For those who aren't lucky enough to still be away on summer hols, why not take a peek at my new selection of Liberty prints?  The new range includes 'Dora' and 'Emma and Georgina' both Greatest Hits from Liberty's autumn/winter 2011 Rock & Roll collection - each available in silky soft tana lawn and snug-as-a bug cords.

New Liberty Tana Lawns

New Liberty Rossmore Cords

Before school broke up I started work on a new website which I've launched today.  It's all my own handiwork but a big thank-you to the team at Create for their support.  There's lots more product information, as well as lots more images.  Hopefully you'll find it easier to browse and buy.  Millie and I are experimenting with a small Ready-to-Wear collection to complement the Made-to-Order range.  We hope to be able to build up a small stock of clothes in each size for those last minute parties and gifts.  I do hope you like it.  (Sincere apologies to fellow Mac lovers as the Flash slideshows don't work with iPhone or iPad for the moment but Create are working on it).

Also new for autumn/winter are Liberty cord versions of my best selling Bella Luella puff sleeve dress and Harper Jane dress & blouse.  Coming soon, Millie and I are working on a new cord blouse named after her little girl Rose Ursula and a new tana lawn dress after her sister, Kate Charlotte.

Thanks to various gentlemen for road-testing my new handmade Liberty print men's and boys' ties.  I'm extremely grateful to those who helped me deliberate on weighting, knotting and inter-lining.  It's an art but I hope I've cracked it.  The bridesmaid range is expanding in response to your requirements - so new for autumn are page boys' cummerbunds and waistcoats as well as a good old-fashioned 50s style net petticoat.

And for all of you who value sleep as much as I do, you might like to know that my terribly talented mother (former couture dress-maker, designer and my patient sewing teacher) has started to make Liberty eyemasks.  I love them and I hope you do too.

Just one more word of house-keeping before I leave you in peace to enjoy the rest of the holidays, I have a new, less impersonal email address lissa@peakprincess.co.uk, though the old mail@peakprincess.co.uk address still works.

Best wishes,

Lissa

PS I've had a couple of enquiries about making men's full-length sleeve shirts.  If you're interested I'm thinking of trialling a handful of previews at around half price each for £60 + p&p.