The Utterly Stunning Wedding of Katie & Danny.....

Katie & Danny's "1920's" wedding highlights from True Story Films on Vimeo.

How Glorious can one woman look? I am Thrilled to have been a part of it.....Thank you xxx

On the work bench today....

I have been working really hard to get together the new website and to stock the new online shop....

My Wonderful Dutchman has been applying his geek status to the exciting brand new & super Chic Vintage Magpie website...I am really pleased with the look so far.  

My poor fingers are now so sore I'm finding it hard to wire anything else! The Clarins hand cream has been out in full force, and it has been working miracles....

My work bench is choc-a-block with gorgeous Sparkling beauties, and I feel very proud of myself....never have I created so many pretty, glamorous and beautiful bouquets in such a short space of time. 

I cant wait, and I'm so excited to share them with you.

xxx

Five Years of Vintage Magpie

Well doesn't time fly when you having fun!!

I truly cannot believe it has been 5 years since I started Vintage Magpie....so much has happened in those years it makes my head whirl with memories and exciting moments.....


As many of you are aware that the idea of Vintage Magpie came to me in a dream....a vision of a bride walking down the aisle with a bouquet of sparkle.....it was one of those exciting moments which have defined the last five years of my life.
I quickly started to work out how I could achieve this look....New Years eve 2005, I had moved into a new area....me and my Scottie dog spent New Years eve working on the first Vintage Magpie prototype.... just as quickly as the dream the came so did the prototype.....I have never looked back.

I remember the first time You &Your Wedding asked to photograph my bouquet.....I was food shopping with my Ma and I took the phone call......after I had finished the call, I joyfully danced a jig in the cold meat aisle!!

Since then I have worked so hard creating more and more beautiful Bouquets.....I have fought hard to make a name for Vintage Magpie....I have fought off the dreaded copy cats, which have reduced me to tears and wondering about peoples morals. But as the years have gone on I have got used to that....I am so proud of my eye for detail, the workmanship of my bouquets and the use of vintage items that I'm 100% dedicated to.

This year is going to be the best year yet for Vintage Magpie. Change is in the air, a new image a new website, a new web shop and a new exciting range of Bouquets.

Last year was a whirlwind year....Me and the Wonderful Dutchman got married and a lot of my time was dedicated to the planning and DIY elements of our day. I took a little step back from Vintage Magpie and limited my workload due to these factors. This saw me producing bouquets at a much more workable rate... I took more time to source the vintage items, making sure every Brides was happy, and their requirements met.

This got me thinking......

This year Vintage Magpie will be offering her Brides a collection of bouquet which will be released every few months. This will cater to my wonderful brides who are on a strict budget. The price range will start from £150. My VM Brides will be able to buy online and get their bouquet delivered within a few days.....this means you can buy your  perfect wedding bouquet before you even have a ring on your finger!!!

I will of course still be making bespoke bouquets.....As the  demand for my work grows every year...... this year already having seen my inbox have 200 enquires this month....... I’m having to limit my bespoke bouquets to orders over £600.... this is due to the amount of time I dedicate to your bouquet, and the length’s I will go to to find the perfect things for your design. Not to mention the increasing cost of Vintage items, as it is now such a sort after element to so many weddings and homes.

Vintage weddings are not set to go away, and in five years this is my first time I have had to change the way I work. this way, I believe gives everybody a chance to have a Vintage Magpie wedding bouquet and still gives me time to work with Brides on a bespoke level.....
The photos in this blog post shows the extremes I go to to create a unique bouquet for my wonderful VM brides....I can buy similar cheap ready made elements like this, but I will happily wire them all day so I know my Vintage Magpie Bouquets are authentically Handmade, Handcrafted, Bespoke and Vintage and totally Divinely Decadent Bouquets and this is never going to change.

I recently had a Bride to come and see me who stated that a bespoke Vintage Magpie bouquet is just like a  bespoke wedding dress; knowing that it has been made for you....the time dedicated to making the dress, made for your body, changing every stitch and working hard to get it perfect for you....and succeeding. I thought that summed up my bespoke range perfectly

Like wise with my 'ready to wear' collection of bouquets I'm so excited to see what you think of them....updates are coming very soon....Vintage Magpie is excitedly looking to the future and lovingly the past......

....My first bespoke Vintage Magpie Bouquet for a paying customer (Natalie)....I loved it....and still do....however I am proud to say my photography skills have got 100% better!!

xxx

Smiles on Friday

Scottie Dogs make me smile....it is simple.

Bob brings me many a smile....but he is very camera shy....he doesn't pose....in fact he looks at me with disgust when the camera is near...

"Look this way Bob"...the usual Bob Blur....

But Pippi is not....she has a very exciting life in America....The Roving Van Gelders

They are my new fix...not only do they take brilliant photos of their gorgeous Scottie Dog...and have big adventures along the way....not to mention the fab Festive traditions!

Trying to get Bob in the festive spirit!!

I will keep trying to get those perfectly funny and cute images of Bob but don't hold your breath....his quote of the day is always "No photos please"...

Top 2 Images with thanks from The Roving Van Gelders

A sneaky peek on the work bench today....

....I have been working on my new online shop....working hard creating bouquets that will tickle your taste buds!

All these buttons will be lovingly wired and find a home in one of Vintage Magpie's Divinely Decadent Bouquets.....will it be yours???

(P.S I made this cute bowl on my hen do....and think it is a wonderful....polka dots are a firm favorite of this Magpie!!)



I adore this soft cornflower blue in these wired flowers....do they fit your colour theme?



I'm feeling the lovely feel of Spring and it is making me very creative...our flat is basked in glorious sunshine...the first of the year...blue skies and chatty sparrows on the beech hedge, are what I can see from my window.....

Inside there is beautiful flowering blossom

J'adore Spring!!

Are you feeling the beauty of the season?

Our Wedding ~ Mini Moon

Today was another grey January day, so I thought I would post something sunny and happy to raise all of our spirits today.....

We went on a Mini moon after our wedding to my favorite county in England...Somerset.... a tiny village was our home for 4 nights, and our little studio summer house was a little gem!

We wanted to relax and have nothing to think about or do....after 12 months of planning our wedding I was delirious with happiness about this small fact....left over prosecco from the wedding and chilli olives were small details as I could manage....a wonderful Birthday hamper was supplied by my Beautiful Ma...

....Look sunglasses......swoon....where is the sunshine now? Our blooming bliss of relaxation written all over our faces!...

....My favorite garden is the most stunning National Trust house....The garden was planted with all white flowers including lots of camomile which we had on our wedding tables...



As a child I lived on a farm.. I.played in bull pens....never did they look this divine.... ours were metal and concrete....these beauties where brick built, wooden gates, and rose surrounds....what happy bulls they must have been...

Dahlia heaven...simple things are so effective on a grand scale....

A happy pair of feet.....a lily pond with lily pads the size of a dinner plates...

The house used to belong to Sir Arthur Lyle, of the Tate & Lyle sugar fame he restored it wonderfully, and had added dutch tiles to every bathroom a lovely coincidence! It is the only National Trust House that I have been to where there is no furniture....it is totally empty...and it really makes you see the house in all its glory.

....it had the most stunning stone lions....a glorious kitchen garden, which supplies the restaurant, where we has a scrummy lunch....



We had the most relaxing, happy and gentle time...bathed in love and sunshine....

Mini Moons rock!!

xxx



A Divine New Image

Every girl needs a new image for a new year....right?

I am in the process of update my website too....but I'm impatient, and thought I would go ahead and update my little blog.

Let me know what you think....Do you like it? I really hope so!

xxx

Proud ~ Part 2

Who is this gorgeous photo of I hear you cry?? This is my fantastic friends Nats, I have posted about her before HERE

Last year I chatted about her Wonderful Black Country boy Luke HERE .

They are T.H.E M.O.S.T talented couple I know. When I saw this picture of Nats I thought never has a photo summed someone up so well....Strong....Gorgeous....Skillful....and someone who has a huge passion for the past.

She is making chain in this picture....yes that is right....she is one of the last female chain makers in the country. She is also a super fabulous Artist who is working on a children's book as we speak.

Later on in the year, this stunning couple are tying the knot in a rather exciting way....you will have to wait to hear more about that.....but her bouquet is going to be AMAZING!!

Pop over and see Natalie Gore's work HERE
An article of Brian Griffin's exposition is HERE...you might be able to spot Luke as well!!

My First Sinterklaas....

Sinterklaas is the Dutch form of our Christmas. Celebrated around the 5th of December, It is based on St Nicholas. Children, including big children!!, put their shoes by the fireplace and gifts are magically placed in the shoes by morning....St Nicholas is as busy as our very own Santa! You can read about it HERE

But instead of reindeer's, he has Zwarte Piet. Funny and helpful chaps who are black by the chimney soot.....this was all my knowledge of December the 5th in Holland....2010 was the first Sinterklaas for me.....





...After the snow that brought England to a stand still, shamefaced, we walked on to our flight with no problems....everyone around us sleeping on floors, angry over cancelled flights, and tired after 3 days stuck at the airport.....we had luckily booked the only plane going to Schipol that day....How amazed were we!!



Holland covered in a thick blanket of snow, we woke to shoes surrounded by pressie and chocolate euros. The family gathering was held at The wonderful Dutchman's Aunt and Uncles home.....coffees passed around and excited children buzzing about with pure glee....awaiting the pressies.....



After a wonderful dishing out of presents....general chat and baby holding....I heard this almighty knocking on the windows and doors.....kids screamed.....parents giggled....and two Zwarte Piet came noisily into the house....Crazy hair, black faces and very bright outfits.....I was busy trying to take photos...but I thought in the mass of Dutch one sounded slightly familiar....hmmmmm....



Then the voice was recognised....The Dutchman's wonderful best lady Mel....His best friend....we has no idea this was planned...we couldn't stop smiling!

Zwarte Piet sits every child on his/her lap and asks them if they have been good....our Zwarte Piet told funny stories of what had happened during the year to every child...including many grown children....and yes the Wonderful Dutchman was one of them!! I was the last, and as Zwarte piet didnt speak English, her questions were translated.... (even though Mel is an English teacher!!! ) She asked me about the wedding and if i thought it weird that my wonderful Dutchman had a girl as his best man.... too cute!!










They carry sacks of sweets and gingerbread biscuits called pepernoten.....The dutch have a very sweet tooth....The wonderful Dutchman was in his element!!



It was so funny....Mel was fantastic and the best surprise we could of had....she never fell out of character though, and rushed off to the next family without so much as English word spoken...a true professional!!





All in all the day was fun, funny and brilliant to see.....Laughter surrounded us....and even though my Dutch is dreadful....a hilarious moment is universal......and some game instructions written in English always helps!!

Bread Anyone?? Dutch bread is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G...that Wonderful man misses it more than anything else!

I hope your Christmas and Sinterklaas was as fun filled as our first Married one was.

Thank you everyone who made it so fantastic....yes that includes you Jeanette! ;)

xxx

In Love

Image; Boodles.com

Do you like it?

Well if you don't have £32,000 you can't have it........Boo Hiss.....Why, oh why, do I have such expensive taste.....No amount of subtle hints will put this beauty on my hand...

...well maybe in my dreams....

..........But a girl can dream right.........?

xxx