Did I mention the Cake?

Sometimes I think I talk about cake too much....maybe? just a little too much?

I have to say one of the most delightful things is to have tea and cake... cup cakes, fruit cake, biscuits, flapjacks, brownies....do you catch my drift?....I love it!

As I start looking for more and more cake inspiration for the wedding...I wonder...do all these gorgeous looking cakes taste as good as they look? Or is the beauty on the outside the only thing that is important?



Even though I love all the cakes above, this one below is my favorite....simple, homemade, a sweet fairy cake...or now better known as a cupcake....it makes me smile....

I adore everything about it.... the fact it is sitting on an upturned wineglass is total genius....guests would gasp and wonder when to eat it!!

The sparkler and the little ribbon bow are. simply...sweet!

Top image via Martha Stewart...other 2 images via Image Spark....with thanks x

On the work bench today

Not everything Vintage Magpie creates works...I'm unsure whether this will, and I'm not happy enough to post final photos yet....

It involves lots of felt and pins and patience....which I have lots of....Thankfully! ;)

I hope I can post you the photos soon xxx

A Spring Shower.....

I have been making a lot of new bouquets for The London Vintage Wedding Fair on the 11th April...my little fingers are not in a good way...but it is well worth all the effort...

Just like Spring, this ivory shower bouquet is fresh and beautiful.

She is lovingly made with raw silk roses...sparkling vintage crystals and the cutest vintage millinery flowers. These are sooooo difficult to find I decided to uses every last one is this bouquet...they are also in that super cute vintage map cake topper.

The mother of pearl buttons are so milky and give that signature Vintage Magpie look...

Oh and that lovely drop is made with a freshwater pearl and T.H.E most twinkly diamante button...yes... a button!! Now that gets me thinking...what kind of amazing outfit they came off of.... but I bet the lucky lady looked a millions pounds in it!

The London Vintage Wedding Fair...

I am showing my work here on the 11th April 2010...I cannot wait.

This is my first London show this year and the thought of setting up a stand fills me with joy. I'm thinking quite simple and to let my work do the talking...a hard thing for me as I love to have many a vintage prop handy to decorate with...but I'm going to try to tone it down as the bouquets are just so beautifully detailed.

I would love for you to come and have a little look... it is going to be a vintage bride heaven....and it is a bargain at £5 entry...which for a London wedding fair is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!

It is at The 20th Century Theatre, 291 Westbourne Grove, London, W11 2QA

OR visit their website here for more details.

Can't wait to see you there xxx

After a stressful day...

...my mug says it all!

Enjoy your weekend x

Simple Pleasures...

I have just sent off a fascinator for one of my gorgeous brides....I love the simple ivory and silver raw silk, some feathers and a bit of Sparkle....

Simple classic designs give me so much pleasure...timeless and elegant.

On Saturday I took a train to Lewes... back to the place where I had my little Nest...I strangely don't miss it. I miss creating window displays, and having people drop in for a chat, but I love my new studio...I enjoy being at home and making a mess!

I popped in to see some familiar faces... lots to catch up on...lots of lovely things to look at...

I bought this from my friend Richard....

....I adore it, I think it will look amazing with some gorgeously large olives in it...yum!

...and while we are talking about simple pleasures....I am off to make some more bunting!!

My Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Mum!!

...well I couldn't post this blog yesterday on Mothering Sunday...but today I can!!

....this was my gift to My Beautiful Ma.... who is the best, most understanding, kind, fun and positive person I know....I love you xxx

I hope all the super wonderful mums out there had the most happy, smile filled day!

Bundles of Bunting

My thoughtful gift from the Wonderful Dutchman is proving to be a gem...my gorgeous little machine is working its little heart out.... just look....

A lot of you have been asking about my colour theme for our wedding....green is the main one, but sprinkled with lemons, natural polka dots and whites.

But then I see a fabric I cannot help but buy, and as it turns out, works really well....the cute little floral fabric breaks up all the dots and stripes perfectly....I am off to buy more tomorrow!!

I worked out just how many of these cute little triangles I will need, and nearly fell of my chair.... now maths is not my best quality...but 5 triangles over 1 metre....and we need approximately 100 metres....that's 500 bunting triangles!!!!!

This bundle is a 176....hmmmm sorry little sewing machine, but your job is not over yet!

Etsy 2010

I have spent today updating my Etsy shop....I think my eyes are square after a day on the computer!

I have been for a while wanting to update my website, put in a online shop, smarten her up and put on better photos..... Then a certain Wonderful Dutchman proposed to me and all our available cash is going on our wedding.... We are sticking to our budget, but I can now completely understand how people end up spending thousands upon thousands of pounds to achieve the 'Perfect' day.

I understand how lucky I am to be creative, as I am cutting out a lot of spending by making a lot myself....and boy I am having so much fun in the process!!

So after a few months wondering what to do I have decided to stock up etsy.

If you have never been on Etsy you must have a look...it is great for ideas, and has wonderful cost effective ways of making your wedding/life/workspace/dollhouse/tree house/summerhouse/home beautiful!!

It is a world of small designers like myself, putting our work out there into the world and hoping that someone adores it enough to buy it!

I understand that some people might be put off by the fact it is all in US dollars, but this is so easy to convert. I use XE a website that will convert any money for you, so you know how much an item is!! I use it all day long, and it is always very near to the PayPal exchange rate.

If any of you are confused, or would like to buy something but are unsure about PayPal/Etsy etc...please feel free to email me here....the button is on the right hand side!

Etsy is addictive....so I warn you now!!

Bouquet Binding

All of Vintage Magpie's Bouquets are bound with love. I am very proud of the attention to detail that I finish all my bouquets with.

No glue is ever used...old fashioned pins are my friends... my fingers don't thank me though!

I don't ever use the same binding... everything is unique.

....From a wish of Something blue....

....to pretty ribbons and small pieces of Sparkle....

...to tiny Mother of Pearl buttons.....

....to a Crystal heart.....

...to a calming piece of your own history, touching your hand, guiding your way...

...to a Vintage dress label... Handmade by Mother... her Mothers dress fabric was used for the roses, and I couldn't help but re-use this...adorable!

Lots of time and care needed....but those Magpie eyes love the results!

A night at the Theatre

The Wonderful Dutchman and I went to see War Horse on Saturday at The New London Theatre....

It was the first time we have been to the theatre together!! An experience I hope to regularly repeat.

War Horse was stunning. My mind worked overtime taking all the amazing horses in. They are handspring puppets...life size horses, handled by 3 breathtaking men and women; Head, Heart and Hind!

Originally a book by Michael Morpurgo, about the forgotten horses in WW1.

The production was beautiful...the work that must have gone into researching the movements of the animals, even down to the tails swishing, and the ear twitching. And then to make puppets that possess all these qualities....stunning, wonderful, and very moving.

....The goose was hilarious!!

If you get the chance to see it, I couldn't recommend it enough!

....

I yet again have a stinking cold, so I have been searching the web for something to lift my spirits...

...this is who I found....Kirsty Mitchell from Fractured Thoughts....

Ohhhhh I am in love with her images....

This image is my Favorite.... I want to smell the scent of that Lavender field..... I want spring to hurry up!!

All images Kirsty Mitchell, With Thanks

Drum Roll Please.........

....and the winner is.....

....Absolutegravity!!

Congratulations!

Sorry if you didn't win, I loved reading your comments ans I really hope you will continue to comment! I love to have your feedback, it means so much to me xxx