My Brilliant 2008

Oh, what a fantastic 2008....I knew it would be. A few of my favorite images for you to peek at. Isn't it great looking over your photos, a whole year in pictures!

I wish you all a sparkling, champagne popping, Happy New Year!!

P.S Thank you Elle for the wonderful picture of the West Pier and the starlings....truly gorgeous! xxx

Blue, Beautiful Boxing Day

We had lots of fun on Boxing day...beautiful blue skies and a freezing breeze on Studland shell beach walking off the Christmas dinner.

This has to be one of my favorite beaches...sand....an amazing view....sand dunes... me and the bob loving every moment.

This is the rest of the gang...My sister, Elle, my Mum and the Wonderful Dutch man just out of shot.... Elle thought this photo looked like an album cover!!

The Wonderful Dutch man and the Bob about to run for the sea... Bob wouldn't have any of it... the sea moves, don't you know... coward!!

A fantastic sky to end the Christmas break... Thank you everybody...We had a ball xxx

I hope your Christmas was filled with bucket loads of joy xxx

I wish you a....

Vintage Magpie wishes that you all have the most fabulous Christmas, and that 2009 is the year all your dreams come true.

Thank you for all your support and kind words...how ever little, it makes my heart soar... so enjoy yourselves...Eat, Drink and be Merry. xxx

All work and some play!

Blimey it has been a busy month for me, and to be honest I'm looking forward to eating far too much, and doing very little over the Christmas break.


Do you remember this little beauty??

It amazes me how a decent photographer can make my work look like it does in the flesh...something I am not very good at!!

Here is the lovely bride and groom... Perfect as it really doesn't take away from the beauty of her dress or the most fantastic scenery... Scotland I miss you... crisp, cold days with a blue sky and a sprinkle of frost that last all day.... I think 2009 will be a year for a visit to Scotland.

I also finished 2 more brides bouquets for them. A lovely simple, classic Sparkling Hand Tied with some family pieces... totally timeless.

Her Grandmothers crystal heart, laying by her hand... a gentle reassuring touch.

These have a trendy touch of black... so chic. The compact Shower bridesmaids bouquets are just too cute.

And lastly, not to forget the play!! Elle and me going back to our childhood, and why not I ask?!

Do you remember the excitement of going on a carousel? Finding your name on a horse, or the one with a cheeky look in his eye... Elle rode Kevin!! hahaha...

I will be sad to see her go back to Oz.

This photo was taken by the Wonderful Dutch Man, who paid for us to become children again, if only for 3 minutes!

Elle

As well as Vintage Magpie being wonderfully busy at the moment, so have I been. With day trips to London and all around Sussex, meals out and cooking for 4.

Elle, my cousin visiting from the annoyingly hot Australia.... It has been lovely to have her with us for a few weeks and we will be spending Crimbo with her and our family. YAY... I just love, love, love Christmas!

Kelly Osbourne & Vintage Magpie

In case any of you missed my post about my surprise bridesmaids...here are the photos for you!!



Words cannot describe just how excited I was about getting these photos from Rupa Photography.

I just love it!!

New York, New York!

"Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today....I want to be a part of it - New York, New York

These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray.... Right through the very heart of it - New York, New York

I wanna wake up in a city, that doesn't sleep.... And find I'm king of the hill - top of the heap

These little town blues, are melting away.... I'll make a brand new start of it - in old New York

If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere

Its up to you - New York, New York....

I want to wake up in a city, that never sleeps...And find I'm a number one top of the list, king of the hill.... number one

These little town blues, are melting away.... I'm gonna make a brand new start of it - in old New York

And if I can make it there, I'm gonna make it anywhere....It up to you - New York New York

New York."

~Frank Sinatra~

They have been made with the Brides Mothers wedding dress, Which was also made by her Mother. I couldn't resist using the very sweet tag inside the dress... 'specially handmade by Mother'.... so lovely.

Sarada I wish I could fly like a magpie to deliver your Bouquets. To see the wonderful sight of "old New York, New York"..... Good Luck with your Special Day xxx

Busy Bee

Hello,

Sorry for the lack of posts in the last week and a few to come. My life with Vintage Magpie is keeping me very busy... and with Christmas fast approaching, I just seem to be drowning in a sea of making pressies as well as Bouquets!!

Also we have our fab cousin staying with us all the way from Oz, so add cooking for four to the never ending list!

So please forgive me xxx

A Tale of Two Dogs

In case you were wondering how the newest addition to the family is getting along with the shortest member of the family...

....I think the word is fantastic springs to mind! Here are some photos of a trip to see my mums new home, which was lovely...no...simply perfect...

Don't they look so cute together....we had fun in the huge field opposite my mums home and came back to a gorgeous log fire and hot cups of tea... and an idea for a Christmas present for the wonderful dutch man....wellies!! Mud just gets everywhere, especially when you run across a field with an excited Scottie Dog!!

On a slightly sadder note my mums dog is not well....He looked a ghost of his former self yesterday, but still as amusing as ever...But at 13 you cannot really ask for much more. The vet was amazed at his age... she hasnt seen many 'teenage' (he is 91 in dog years!) English Bull Terriers before!! I really cant think why!!!

I really hope; in a loving way, he discovers that joyful and beautiful world awaiting him, where he can chase as many men on bikes as he likes, and play with pebbles in the mud, without scarring his nose anymore... but please hold out for Christmas, I don't think I can handle a depressed Bob under the tree....

Thank you Mum for a lovely day... We love you xxx

Thank you's, a Blissful Surprise, and Following Dreams

On Saturday I received a lovely 'Thank you' card from one of my brides Sammy. Nothing out of the ordinary there...but inside was a photographers card, stating where to find more of their wonderful photo of their day.... I was too busy to look at it straight away and thought that I would take a peak at them on Sunday morning.

Now picture this...sat at my computer, just before I was due to go and see the new James Bond film...half an hour to wait and I thought....wedding photos!!...I am a wedding blog junkie, There I admit it!!!

...so there I am looking at these wonderfully beautiful photos, and I think to myself...wow that girl looks really familiar...then imagine to my delight I realised who was holding a Vintage Magpie Bridesmaids bouquet............................. (The Wonderful Dutch Man said my face was a picture!)

..........................drum roll please.....................................

None other than Kelly Osbourne!!!

So I do believe she is my first ever famous lady to own a Vintage Magpie Bouquet, and to be honest I don't think I could of asked for anyone better! Beautiful, funky, different and a lover of Vintage...

If you would like to see the photos of Sammy's wonderful day, you just must look at Rupa Photography Wedding Diary.

Sammy, not only where a pleasure to create for, you were also a stunning bride to own and walk down the aisle with a Vintage Magpie Bouquet .... but you have made my year, just knowing that little Magpie me, in her little nest in Brighton, is truly following her bliss, and her dreams are coming true....

Vivienne Westwood you better watch out.... XXX

A Vintage Nest...

The dust has finally settled and the Wonderful Dutch Man is now a very permanent feature in the Vintage Magpie nest. He started his new job, and all is very well.

It feels very strange to have him over the other side of the room, instead of over a vast blue-green sea...strange but fantastic at the same time!

Is there a limit to the amount a heart can love? I feel like mine is overflowing.... I am truly a very lucky magpie.

Anyway back to the reason you guys come and visit my site...Vintage Magpie!!!

I have had a couple of 'Thank you' card in the last few days....one which was more exciting than words. I have to say I had a little moment of shock sat staring at my computer screen... but you will all have to wait to hear about that!

One of the thank you was from Melanie who had a Sparkling Pink Hand-Tied bouquet... I'm loving the Vintage bird cage veil... gorgeous!

Congratulations Melanie xxx

Pure excitement

Excitement... a grin that spreads right across my face.... and a few butterflies in the tummy.

The wonderful Dutch Man is on his way, he is in the country, in a transit van heading for Brighton. All his worldly goods are packed, awaiting a home here.

It is just like a dream, I need someone to pinch me...

Time for the tears...

Kindal and Bo got Married on Saturday...My wonderful Amercian bride.

I have just seen some amazing photos of it on Jennifer Creed's blog, you just must look, NOW!!

I feel like I know Kindal so well after all the information she gave me to help create her perfect bouquet. They are a fun and unique couple and I have to say the photos brought a tear to my eye...Kindal you looked stunning, unique, and just perfect. Bo, what can I say...cool, cool, cool!!

I really cannot believe, that even though we are so far away from each other, we managed to create a perfect bouquet for you. All your fab information did the job... girl I think we are on the same wave length!!

Love, Laugh, and Enjoy your life together xxx

Stage 4...and I'm done!

A little bit of lucky white heather, and vintage cream velvet ribbon and all is done!

One happy bride and a happy Emma. YAY!!

A weekend with a surprise!

This weekend I went to Amsterdam...and the wonderful Dutch man didn't know a thing about it!

I was invited to his surprise leaving party by his parents around a month ago, and it has been top secret, and the hardest thing to not let it slip...in fact I surprised myself in my ability to lie!

His face was a picture when he saw me sitting on the sofa at his parents house. A double take was needed!!

The party was a big success and his friends have made sure that he will not go hungry. As the biggest hamper I have ever seen nearly failed to get through the front door!! Needless to say there will be no lack of dutch food in our house for months!!

It made me realise how precious our friends and family are. 'I will look after him well', was my phase of the day!!

But the star of the show (as always!) was the wonderful dutch mans nephew; Tim. I have never known a baby to be so happy all day long. Tim and I have a close bond....as he doesn't speak dutch either!! We get on smashingly!!

A fabulous time was had by all!! xxx

the three of us relaxing after the madness has died down!

Stage 3...

Well wonderful watchers....it is nearly finished...and we have had the thumbs up from the awaiting bride!

All that is needed is the binding ribbon, and some finishing touches....a bit of Vintage Magpie magic if you like!!

I'm loving the Scottish feel, with a winter sparkle and glamour...

So what do you think?? Tell me !

There will be a stage 4, to highlight the back and finishing magic! Keep checking in! x

Stage 2

Right, so I am now at stage 2!

I think the tartan is working really well.... and I'm still loving those feathers!

Keep logging on for stage 3!! xxx

First...find camera!

I thought it would be fun for all you lovely people who take the time to read my blog to see the stages of my work...



Also the wonderful bride I'm doing this Scottish inspired bouquet for, wanted to be kept updated on my progress.



So here goes...First find lovely new camera... then the raw material... a gorgeous, heavy, scrummy silk, given to me by the bride. (She is making the bow ties out of it and incorporating it into the table decorations...I'm liking her style already!!)



Then I have had this wonderful, Dita Von Teese burlesque feathers in the most vintage colour...they have been sitting on my desk, willing me to use them in something! (can you believe how good they look with the tartan??)

Then a raw ivory silk....hmmm loving the silks.



So my lovelies this is how the VM brain starts working...i hope you log on to the next stage and I would love to hear any comments



I'm off to create!! xxx

America here comes Vintage Magpie

This is my latest Bouquet. It is for the most friendliest American girl, I have ever had the pleasure of making a Vintage Magpie bouquet for.

She is having 4 bridesmaids and wanted them to have single roses but in different colours. I have kept the theme of her colours in the rose. They all have a different stem colour which makes it such fun. Each one has different charms on them to make them more personal.





With an invite to the lake house in Kentucky I think I need to get more American brides and one day me and The Wonderful Dutch Man can take a trip and meet them all.....Hmmmm......sounds like a good idea....

Kindal, I hope your day is as unique and wonderful as you are....Have drink for me! xxx