Positive & Productive

My walk home takes me past this beauty, with the azure sky....WOW!!

Some days can go in a flash and you wonder what the hell you have been up to...




Well not today.



I have cleaned and tidied my workshop, finding all sorts of things I had forgotten about. Like these lovely ladies... One has been adapted to hold needles, with a tiny cork in the bottom.

The Nest was filled with the dazzling sunlight of a gorgeous day waking up outside... The drawers were filled with rainbows.

I finished off 2 orders, and made a cake topper with fab cream butterflies. I also played around with a hair piece, feathers galore!!

Found the new May/June issue of You & Your Wedding has featured Vintage Magpie!! Isn't the photo so beautiful? A title WOW bouquets... who wouldn't be excited!!

Lots of positive comments on the nest, and a visit from a little lady who assured me my workshop was the sparkly-ist she had ever seen, and declared it beautiful! Well I'm glad she approved...I rather like it too!!

Opening Day!

The day started with rain...but my spirits were high and bright!

A gift from the wonderful Dutch man to bring me luck! Everyone always comments on these stunning ranunculus.




I was visited by my Dad, my best friend, and the wonderful artist Nat's. She came in to drop off these wonderful wedding cards!! Aren't they great? Totally unique...I love them!

The thoughtful and ever so useful Vintage tool box, that was giving to me by my Mum was quickly filled with all my sparkly pieces....so nice to have everything to hand.

Tea and Cupcake anyone?

I sit here all cup caked out, with a smile... I adore my new workspace!

Happy Weekend x

Doesn't time fly when your having fun!

Blimey! Time flies....

One year... 365 day's... Fun...love....happiness....joy....a removal van....challenges....

friendship....respect....laughter.... and true bliss.

Thank you for walking with me and always holding my hand.... Ik hou van je!

The Invitation ~ Oriah Mountain Dreamer

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon...I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life’s betrayals or have become shrivelled and closed from fear of further pain. I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy mine or your own if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning usto be careful, to be realistic to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself. If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty even when it is not pretty, every day. And if you can source your own life from its presence. I want to know if you can live with failure yours and mine and still stand at the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon,“Yes.”

It doesn’t interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children.

It doesn’t interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the centre of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

The Nest

Well here she is.... The Nest.... Vintage Magpie's first ever workshop!!




I couldn't believe my luck when I got to The Needlemakers this morning. I walked into my nest, and was hit by the most glorious morning sunshine. She has the most sparkling light... add in some Vintage Magpie sparkle and rainbows of light were dancing across the walls and floor... I took this to be a good omen!

An old child's chair is a great display. An old discoloured butter dish to hold my business cards.

Every girl needs to Wish....

The fabulous light, jars of buttons, and an old shoe shop mirror.

My huge worktable... Thanks to a thrifty Grandfather...Vintage Magpie has never had so much space!

I have to admit that I have had a few doubtful thoughts... Is it going to work? Will people come to see me? Am I doing the right thing, at the right time?

Then I just remember that life is not for the faint hearted....follow your bliss girl.... be strong... What's the worst that can happen?

So Vintage Magpie has taken another step into the unknown... And I'm going to enjoy the ride!!

Saturday the 4th April is the grand opening... come and enjoy a cupcake or three... wear something sparkly... you will shine like a star! xxx

Welcome Mr & Mrs Wortel

As I wondered what my opening window in The Nest was going to be, I found this cute pair.

Needless to say these bunnies have been given the Vintage Magpie treatment... a new frock, and a smart jacket! They sit with pride on their vintage ribbon cake.

A Easter window is in store...yellows...spring...bunting....pussy willow...tulips and daffs...lots of sparkle.... and Mr & Mrs Wortel in a prime position.

Ohhh, I'm getting excited!

Mr & Mrs Wortel... the happy couple

Lovely Lewes

Lewes is the new home for Vintage Magpie. The Nest is coming along well, just sorting all the boring bits now.

As I don't have any photos of 'The Nest' yet, I thought I would share a few of Lewes.

This is the side entrance to The Needlemakers. It has the most fantastic cafe... I fear it might be my downfall! Just the smell of coffee and cake all day is not going to do my willpower any good!

Lewes sit on the River Ouse, along side The famous Harvey's Brewery. The smell of hops are a regular thing, it is an acquired taste...I personally love the it.

Lewes is home to one of the oldest Castles in England, Anne of Cleaves House and Russell and Bromley was founded there!

The 5th of November is crazy in Lewes. The Marian persecutions of 1555-7 resulted in seventeen Protestant martyrs being burned to death in the town and in 1605 the plot by a number of Catholics to blow up the Protestant King was foiled. And so bonfire night in Lewes is in memory to these events. Great processions of people march through the streets of the town wearing incredible costumes, carrying flaming torches and letting off fireworks. As a finale, effigies of the Pope and Guy Fawkes are blown up. It is scary...But people travel from places as far away as America to see it! They take it very seriously and is a must see, once in a life time thing to do!

So I think we will fit in nicely. It is an artistic, strongly independent town. Which even has its own money...how cool is that!

Something to make a sickly girl smile!

Firstly I must apologise for my lack of posts recently.


I have caught a horrid cold from the wonderful dutch man...cheers for that darling! And my dear Dad, has been exciting us with trips in ambulances and such... but all is well now!


The Nest is coming along nicely. A tall and fabulous friend came to help me paint, so it looks lovely, fresh and more loved.


I had a fantastic email from Australia the other day, and was too busy to pay attention to it... So I have just re-read it and found some gorgeous photos of my stunning Aussie bride!!! Its always great to put a face to a name. (If you go to my lables you can see her bouquets under 'Little black Bouquets')




Isn't she beautiful?!! I love the softness that the veil creates.

I really can't get over how gorgeous these girlie are!! Classic and timeless in their black bridesmaids dresses.

Thank you for making a poorly girls day! xxx

Nesting in The Needlemakers

My sweet little window

Well the dilemma has been sorted...my heart won!

I have decided, after what seems like forever, to rent myself and Vintage Magpie a workshop.

It is in the beautiful town of Lewes, in an Old Needle making factory. It is now a craft centre with lots of different shops.

Now as with most things in my life, it comes with a story... When I was a young girl my lovely Mum had a shop here also! I spent many a happy time playing there and spending my pocket money in the tiny shops. So I think it is quite fitting that I have found my Magpie's Nest there.

My choice of name was based around her shop, Magpie's. So now 20 years on, Vintage Magpie has come to create new wonderful memories.

So if you fancy popping in for a chat, or to look at some of my work, please feel free.

I will be posting more about 'The Nest' when I have made it look gorgeous!

It will be open in early April... cant wait to see you all there. x

Ready to Wear in Pewter

Vintage Magpie has finished another 'Ready to Wear' Bouquet.





This classic compact Shower shape bouquet, has been given a very on trend colour combination...Pewter.



It has a beautifully soft grey vintage french ribbon, with faux pewter pearl, and grey crystal.


Mixed with the white silk, it is a dreamy match, gentle and soft but utterly chic!




I hope you love it...and at £115....who can resist? x