Last Bouquet of 2010

A Festive plum pudding of a bouquet for you!!

This colour is set to be popular next year....different tones of Plums and Heather....perfect for a January wedding!!




A Mothers wedding dress...her veil....and a trinket box of treasure helped to make this lovely bouquet....and 4 Bridesmaids bouquets as well..... I used every last bit of the fabric......

....Even the empire line lace trim was used on the binding of the handle....touching history....feeling the memories.....

...and all finished off with a locket....maybe for the next bride to fill with old family photos....the term Re-use, Re-cycle, Re-make is still this Vintage Magpie's motto.

Enjoy your Day Jane!! xxx

Sitting pretty

Found; Charity shop
Description; Yuk, Yuk, Yuk!
Colour; Off red...slightly orange....hmmmm not good
Price; £10
Price I was going to pay for new draughtsman's chair; £65 + P&P
Thoughts; BARGAIN!!




Now here she is after A bit of Vintage Magpie love.....

So much better than a new £65 chair and I got to choose the fabric! It took an afternoons work, with radio 4 chatting in the background.... a few sore fingers.... but one huge smile!

Once the studio/workshop is not a bedroom/workshop, things are going to look gorgeous.... Can't wait!!

Upcycling and drain driving

Wikipedia says..."Upcycling is a component of sustainability in which waste materials are used to provide new products. It is generally a reinvestment in the environment. "Upcycling is the practice of taking something that is disposable and transforming it into something of greater use and value."

I think this 'new' word shows just how far we are coming in the world of recycling. Like my Eco-Warrior friend, I have a hoarding habit, and never throw anything away. A trait I have discovered that my Dad has also. Having to move him into a new house last week, I now understand who I get it from!

But saying that, a few of his junk items I could have used yesterday, when I found that one of our drains was blocked and the water level was rising rather rapidly. We have an enclosed drain and the only way to get to it is through a window in the kitchen. The water was about 2 foot away from the window still.... and I could see it rising with the horrid rain...

Panic....Panic...Panic!!

I tried everything to unblock the drain, but couldn't remember exactly where the drain was!! frantically trying not to break my neck in the process, I has a long umbrella, a broom, and my bread bin holding the window open.... it was at this moment I wished I had dads galoshes, his long steel, heavy spike. The need to unblock this filthy drain was very high on my to-do list!

But the equipment was nowhere to be seen.

Drain driving was not an option... but would have been with Dads faithful galoshes!!

The call was made to my Wonderful Dutch Man. With me holding his legs while he dangled himself out of the window. He managed to poke and prod, and save the day! He is my Hero!!

We hoard things for a reason, and Dads words echoed in my ears "you never know when it will come in useful".

So I have to thank my Dad, if I didn't have his trait Vintage Magpie, might not of happened.

Remember if you have items that are tucked away in a drawer, broken, unused. Vintage Magpie can use them, making your bouquet more personal, and cheaper in the process!

Re-Use, Recycle, Re-Make. xxx

Green thinking

Now in no way am I an Eco Warrior....I'm not like the lady who walks Brighton seafront, in her dungerees splashed with the words "The Eco Warrior is here", pulling out cola, and beer cans from the bins, and recycling them....she has dedication... but not something I would ever consider doing at 7am in the morning!
But it did get me thinking.... That my lovely Vintage Magpie is my own eco warrior business. I recycle, reuse, remake, I use a limited amount of new good in my designs... and they come out looking better than the new bouquets you can buy.
I was directed to a website story of stuff and although it is Amercian, the message is still valid on our little island... we simply buy too much, and throw away too much, simple but true. If we go back 50 years, or just ask our Grandmothers, we can see how much we have changed.

When I told my Grandma that I was starting to make my own clothes because I was fed up with the amount of choice, but never finding anything I like, she was delighted!! She told me that she ALWAYS made her clothes, right down to her undies... a true War child! But saying that, my mother was an art student, and she did the same (just not the undies!) and that was only in the 70's!! Why have we lost this way of life? I personally think it is a shame, but then I love to make thing, not everyone is the same, and I understand that.

But if we just thought about our consumser attitude it might get someone to just DO something to help for our future..... maybe not going through the bins though.....like I said pure dedication.... but hey she is a warrior!
I'm quite proud to say that my business is doing it's bit to help... not totally a green product... but no-one is perfect!!