NewYear Wishes

Vintage Magpie wants to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Enjoy and may all your dreams come true in 2010.

You must pop over and listen to Paolo Nutini version of Auld lang syne it is trully beautiful, his Scottish accent makes me want to hop on the train to Glasgow and see old friends!
'Lang mey yer lum reek'
xxx

Tis' the Season...

...it was the night before Christmas and all was well.....

Scottie Dog Bob was wrapped up warm and happy in the Magpies favourite throw....trying his hardest to camouflage himself so he wouldn't have to go out for ANOTHER icy walk/skate...

...and also trying hard to ignore the crazy antics of the Dutch man and the Magpie.....

Dreaming of Country walks....overflowing bowls of left overs....and table scraps....zzzzzzz...

... Bob's belly is full and he is a happy chap...he enjoyed his Christmas A LOT, Ohhh to be a spoilt dog!!

Our Christmas was relaxed, chilled out and fun. So much so I forgot to take photos on Christmas day!! I believe this was down to eating too much scrummy stuffing and countless games of Uno...not the steady refilling of my champagne glass ;)

I did, however, remember to take my camera on our Boxing Day walk....

Can you see Bob's chubby belly?

Just how huge is this tree??? We just had to give it a hug...amazing!

This is the lake by my Ma's house.... and a possible wedding venue, it is so beautiful and the light is amazing. Lets hope its within the tight, tight budget!

The water is so clear...just look at those Autumn leaves sitting so still on the moss...

We all hope and wish that your Christmas was as blissful as ours, and that you are ready to welcome in a New Year.

xxx

Be Merry...

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY WONDERFUL READERS!!

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen. ~Author unknown , attributed to a 7-year-old named Bobby.

Love, Cherish, and enjoy your Christmas together.

Be Happy xxx

Simply Magical

A few doors down and this is what I found!

Wearing warm and snug Ugg boots...dry and cosy...

Loving the humour of Brightonians


Soooo pretty!

Pebbles? None to be seen, just a gorgeous blanket of deep snow

All the professionals out trying to find that 'perfect' shot! I had to take a photo as it made me laugh...living life through a lens!!

A break in the paparazzi meant I got my shot!

Fancy a sit down?

...melting away...will you stay for Christmas?

Enjoy the magic, don't get stressed, look around you...we live in an amazing, wondrous world.

xxx

Christmas is here!

The Scottie dog garland!!

Christmas Cake anyone?

I have had a stinking cold this week...the only things that have cheered me up are...the wonderful Dutchman coming home from work with the most stunning Christmas Tree.... Harry Potter and the half blood prince....Decorating....and walking into Hove library only to be greeted by 20 school children singing Christmas carols.

Ohhh... the smell is divine

Our Star didn't fit on top of the tree, so a berry wreath was a beautiful stand in!

The children brought a tear to my eye, it was so special to browse around picking books to the sweet voices, and the memories which rushed back to me...I surprised myself by remembering the words to those long ago sung carols... I sung with a croak in my voice which has turned to silence...my voice is gone...lost...I hope to find it soon.

Twigs with all the ornaments I couldn't fit on the tree...

I hope you my lovely blogging friends have had a better week, and the Christmas spirit is with you!

....Like this cute little slipper made by my Ma!

The gold and glittering vintage waving Santa made it onto the tree

Fish Kiss!! I adore this garish pink lippy fish, she opens in the middle and holds secrets!

Happy Decorating!!

Come along!

Vintage Magpie is off to the Handmade Brighton Christmas fair today... if you can get down to see me I would be delighted!

It starts at 11am until 4pm at The Komedia 44-47 Gardner Street Brighton.

There will be free mince pies...but the Wonderful Dutch is being my helper, so you will have to be quick!

Happy Weekend xxx

Keep Calm.....

My gorgeous ring!!

After a lot of telephone calls, and once I had stopped dancing around the room with glee...it hit me! I'M GETTING MARRIED!!! ARGGHHHHH

I could not be happier, but the thought of organising a wedding is, well...a tad daunting. I work with brides every day and have been a florist in the past but ....our own wedding? totally different, I have looked on a few websites, dipped my toes in the water.... WOW how much is that venue?? Maybe we will start playing the lottery!

The wonderful Dutchman and I have decided to keep things simple, fun and mainly handmade where possible. We do not have a stash of cash hidden away....sigh.... so a strict budget is required. It will be a challenge, but as long as we are having fun I really don't mind.

So all DIY ideas are welcome here.

On a Vintage Magpie Note... I was featured in You & Your Wedding Magazine Jan/Feb issue. I am stunned by the photo and the fact it is the biggest bouquet on the page. Once again YYW have done Vintage Magpie proud ~ Thank you....

...Plus having your work in a magazine means I had to buy said magazine, I'm off to read it from page to page with a big cup of tea.... all in the name of research I will have you know!

The Wonders of the Wonderful Dutchman

Through the tears of happiness and disbelief... I said YES!!!

It's starting to smell alot like Christmas...

The Wonderful Dutchman's 'Gevulde Speculaas' made the whole house smell of Christmas...now all I want to do is decorate.

I want the smell of pine, something lovely cooking in the oven, the lights sparkling and the fire lit.... yep you guessed it...it is really too early! but a girl can get excited.

The Speculaas was great with tea, but a little bit too strong on the cinnamon for me! I didn't hear him complaining though... it disappeared very quickly!

I promise to take it down...it was just for the photos! I don't think it will be coming home again after handmade Brighton....I might have to make myself one....



....Ok Ok I'm going to take it down...but it looks so cute....

Too Early....

...well indeed it might be a little early for Christmas...but I found myself singing Christmas carols when making these fun and jolly cake toppers!

For the first time I have that christmassy feeling... The wonderful Dutchman is baking 'gevulde speculaas', which smells divine. I believe it is like gingerbread, but with a almond paste in the middle...

....if it tastes as good as it smells I'm in for a treat!!

The 19th... Surly not?

I cannot believe that it is the 19th already...just where is November disappearing to? The days must have blown away with the howling wind we have been having here. The trees look very bare and the autumn colours have finally fallen....roll on Christmas!

Did I tell you just how much a adore Christmas?? Well I'm not a crazy person...I have only bought a few pressies so far, and the house is not decorated, but it wins hands down on the best time of year!

This Magpie has been busy with Christmas decorations for Handmade Brighton ... I am doing it for the first time. It is always difficult to work out how much to make...will I be stuck with crimbo decs coming out of my ears?? Oh well they will make wonderful pressies!

My studio is awash with red and white felt, and my fingers are very sore with all the blanket stitch!

I have a few winter brides bouquets to complete, all very white and sparkly! Simple and stylish, just the way I like it.

Ohhhh....My friend who had her little twin girls early...they are improving everyday...they finally got to share a cot in hospital the other day, and they loved seeing each other...holding hands and looking at each other in wonder; which has to be the cutest thing I have ever seen! Thank you so much for you emails and thoughtful words.

Enjoy your weekend!

Adorable...

Do you see my header?

Well this is the lucky lady who's family pieces, love and ideas inspired me.

I have just received the most wonderful email from her... I'm sure she wont mind me quoting it to my wonderful blogger friends....

"I absolutely adored my bouquet and I had so many compliments, my guests were fascinated by the history within it and the memories it held for me. I rarely let go of it - when I did it was next to our brownies/cake and then next to the guest book in the evening so it could be admired by all!
I always knew that it meant a lot to me (and always will) but I hadn’t appreciated just how much comfort it would give me when I was faced with no family there on the day. I held my bouquet so tightly as I walked down the aisle for although they weren't actually physically there with me, I was holding onto things that bound us, and our memories, together. So I wasn't alone after all.

I can safely say my bouquet was definitely my most favourite thing about my wedding day and the bit that I will treasure and guard for the rest of my life (well, that and my husband of course!!). It is now proudly sat on our sideboard next to a wedding portrait and a dried hydrangea from our top table flowers. It twinkles in the light but is far away enough from the long haired moggie to be out of harm's way! I can't thank you enough for it, I loved it so much and will continue to as I grow old and grey with my new hubbie."

I really don't have to say anymore...I'm touched by her words...and incredibly proud.

Thank you Jude x

At Last...

It has taken a while... But today is the day that everything is done; complete; finished...YAY

Our flat looks like home... quite a few changes have happened, dare I mention the fact that we now have the big bedroom and a bed that I can get out of without climbing over the Wonderful Dutchman?

I think I will let the photos do the talking! I hope you like. xxx

Our new bed... huge and gorgeous, thanks to a very generous person.

Halloween night...spooky candles light and some wonderful white pumpkins found at the farmers market

My new Nest!! Hooray!!

All my super stunning brides

Loving the grey and black together

My drawers get some Scottie love

I found this over at 52 FLEA blog and loved it ... this is my Bliss...My aim for our life together

To live content with small means.... To seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion.... To be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich.... To study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly.... To listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart.... To bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never.... In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common...............this is to be my symphony.

William Henry Channing

Happy Weekend xxx