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.

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

The One...

Since living in Hungerford I have admired the stunning houses, beautiful cottages, and glorious country farms. One of our Martin & the Magpies customers has the most stunning home. While sitting in her kitchen going through a Christmas order I was left fantasizing about what it would be like to own a house like that. It is a rambling country house...Horses in the stables and divine grounds.

It is lived in, with coffee cups in the sink, newspapers left half read on the table, a cat sat on the dining room chair....dogs snoring away in their beds, and children who have eaten all the 'good' biscuits!

Then when I came back into Hungerford with country home daydreams in my head...I walked past my favorite house.... I do not know if anyone lives here...it looks empty and unloved. 

I look at it and can see a family home, a sweeping staircase and a wide hallway are all I can see from the door when I sercretly peer in...!

The courtyard doors holds a secret....behind it is the church hall, they have tea and coffee mornings. The vintage residents walk the cobbles for a 50p cup of tea and a gossip!

I wonder if the church owns the house? I wonder if I could bear to paint those chippy blue doors?

I wonder if, one day, I will breath life into it?

The daydreams of a rambling country pad have left, a tatty town house has taken over....I could have a pack of hounds, a horde of babies, a big kitchen with an Aga, and the shop on my doorstep.

It is good to Dream. To Believe.

Do you have a fantasy house, one you walk past and imagine opening the front door?

Does yours have a Christmas tree above the door?

New Doors

Today I looked at what we were up to this time last year. A blog is great for this purpose!

I really couldn't believe that a year ago we were moving out of our divine flat in Brighton...onward to our new life in the countryside....was it really a year ago?

Time disappears in a flash. 

Next week we will have been in Martin & the Magpie for a whole year. We have learnt a lot, worked so very hard, even argued, but in the end have made it a big success, and we are so very proud. 

We have evolved over the year, working on our strengths as individuals, as well as a team.

Our courses have been a real joy, teaching others has been an amazing experience. 

It has been fun, and I cant wait for the next year of fun!

Looking back at our life before, I miss certain things, but I feel our life is so right just now and we are in the right place. We are content, happy & relaxed. 

Our beautiful Pip is growing nicely, the baby plans are all coming along well. I have exciting plans for Vintage Magpie in 2012, and Martin & the Magpie is looking forward to a fantastic Christmas...

I however will miss blue cheese, port, sloe gin and pate...but this bump keeps me smiling...next Christmas I will have all those things and a beautiful baby to share his/her first Christmas with!!

Change is good

When one door is closed, don't you know, another is open.
Bob Marley

Pale & Interseting

Sometimes a girl needs the calm of pure white... Delicious orchids in Martin & the Magpie

Soft shadow boxes

Iridescence of shells

Natural beauty

The lemon scent of the 'crocus' rose in our garden

Ruffles of peonies

Off white beauty with a special photo inside the locket

a Mothers veil,

The prettiest house decorated by Martin & the Magpie

That cool & calming wallpaper is divine

This week I have been relaxing while working, trying to find some peace from the hectic wedding season at Vintage Magpie & Martin & the Magpie.

There is always time for some silly-ness though!!

Happy weekend

xxx

Handmade Hungerford

Thursday night is the night for 'Handmade Hungerford'....will you be there??

After a lot of thinking I decided that I need to meet some lovely like minded people. Coming to a new area where you only have family to chat to I'm missing my happy friends being so close by. So when trying to find a class or group to join, I noticed that there is a lack of creative outlets in Hungerford and the surrounding cute villages, so a hatched a plan.

Empty shop in the evening....too many craft projects on the go....why not combine the two?

Handmade Hungerford is a chance to meet like minded happy chappies who love to craft, learn and create. 

It is free, fun and I hope informative....

It is happening every other Thursday at Martin & the Magpie at 7pm. Starting on the 16th June.

Bring your project, some wine, gin, juice, and your happy face.

I hope to see you lovely local crafters there!!

x

A Bouquet fit for a Princess

I have been busy over at Martin & the Magpie creating our window display for the Royal Wedding....we are all so excited!!

This dress is made from a gorgeous silk and pinned onto my gorgeous big bosomed vintage lady...i don't know whether i will have the heart to take it off her after the big day!!

Vintage Magpie's Royal wedding Bouquet is looking good in the window too

Why don't you pop over and take a look at the whole window? HERE!!

We hope you enjoy the Wedding of the year....What do you think her dress is going to be like?? Her flowers? I'm afraid I never got the call from Kate...hey ho!!

Free Flower Bridal Course ~ Martin & the Magpie

Over at Martin & the Magpie, we are offering a free floral bridal day course!!

Pop over and comment for a chance to win a place!!

FREE FOR FRIDAY!!!

xxx

The Reason....

Oh Hello......

I know, I know, it's been ages...but the reason is rather lovely....shall I fill you in on all the details?

As I'm sure you know The Wonderful Dutchman and I moved out of our flat by the sea....a huge and exciting step forward.....we have settled into the glorious town of Hungerford in Berkshire....

.....why you ask???

To have on of these.......





May I welcome you all to Martin & the Magpie......





We decided that we wanted some roots...and Brighton, as much as we love it...wasn't quite right for us.

Add into the mix The Wonderful Dutchman unfortunately got made redundant a month before our wedding, so it quickened our plans slightly. We knew we wanted to be in the countryside and combine our talents, but to do what?? then my Ma saw this place and it was perfect, the flash of ideas, the thoughts and possibilities....

My Divine Ma, is our huge helping hand, and as she herself is a trained Florist we thought it only natural to all work together....no pressure!!! New Marriage, New Business, New Area....!

But everything is coming together so wonderfully....I have a workroom out the back, and happily sit creating away while watching the hive of activity around me. We are encompassing all our talents in one gorgeous little shop.

My love of fresh seasonal flowers have never left me....and after creating for our own wedding, and a few friends in the summer the flame was lit again....the rest was in fates hand.

So we Three are Martin & the Magpie.... Fresh seasonal flowers, vintage furniture, gorgeous plants, celebrations, weddings, farewells, and parties!....oh and a Vintage Magpie!

I hope you all pop along to see us...read our blog...like our flowers....and maybe come along for a visit.....we do smell divine...but I warn you; it's cold!!

xxx