Tea Stained Hands

                 

A project which started with and old dictionary, some teabags, and glue...oh and a patience pair of hands!

                     

I came across this page which was very apt! I still have the tea stained hands to show for my hard work.

                 

I hung up the pages on a makeshift washing line, ie the curtain pole, it was raining when I started, but when I came back from dealing with August's toddlers adventures; the beautiful sunlight was dancing over the pages...the effect was quite stunning. The curling pages, the written word and bright winter light, I love it when mother nature hits you with her awesome power!

                   

The project is a simple one, you roll the pages to make cones, glue and repeat...A LOT!

                 

Starting to take shape

                 

                 

Then out came my trusty glue gun and on a cardboard wreath I glued, and glued, and glued....then I needed some slightly smaller cones, so made some more with a page torn in half. I then glued and glued once more!!

                        

There were some happy coincidences....Perfect pair!

                 

then with some ruffles of halved pages, it was complete!

Ready for the shop window... What a lovely happy project.

Handmade Christmas

                                   

Every year I try and make some of the presents I give.

Now that Auggy is getting bigger, I am feeling the need to start some traditions. As kids we always has a stocking each Christmas morning. It was filled with little things like nuts, fruit,colouring books, socks, chocolate and games. It was a fantastic way to start Christmas, add in the wonderment of how Santa got into your room and you never woke up!

                     

Our stockings were normally a pillowcase, but I thought I would make Auggy and my niece their very own special stocking. One they can hang on the end of their bed every Christmas Eve.

                     

Felt is always my friend in these situation....Dutch canal houses, a tree and shining stars for the Pickle

Fat robins and flowers for my Niece. I used my beloved Pinterest for some scandinavian embroidery inspiration.

                     

I lined them with a simple linen and a gingham top! all they need is a ribbon loop and they are done!

I am thrilled with the results, and hope to fill them full to the brim for Christmas morning.

                     

Are you creating anything for your loved ones this year?

There is nothing quite like the sense of achievement you get out of making something with your own hands...not to mention they cost me only the price of the silk...Win win!!

Cheers!

Wishing you all a 

Very Merry Christmas

I thank you all for supporting me and Vintage Magpie through 2011

May 2012 be one to remember for you all

Smile, Laugh, Love & ENJOY!!

Much Love

xxx

Happy Doors

Over at our little shop we have been embracing the festive period by decorating inviting big country homes for Parties. 

To humble little homes like ours!

After dinner photo of the Bob...stealing Pips thunder...Maybe I should think on what to decorate this bump with this Christmas...Pip is growing at a alarming rate!

How are your plans coming together?

Have you wrapped the pressies yet?

xxx

Festive Special!!

Hello Lovelies! 

Well the tree is up, most of the pressies are brought, the Christmas music is ringing in my ears & the shop is awash with festive beauty. Therefore I am feeling in the Chrismassy Spirit.

To honor this happy holiday season I am offering an amazing...

 10% off my Gorgeous Amelia Bouquet.

She is a true Christmas Cracker....Simple, Stylish & a Classic Beauty!

She would twinkle away at a candlelit wedding whilst getting admiring glances from all your guests...

Or... She would happily be whisked away in your hand luggage for that stunning destination wedding that we all crave this time of year!!

Will she sit waiting under the tree for you this Christmas?

Miss Amelia would love to walk down the aisle with you & make your day truly Magical.

Merry Christmas

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

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....