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

2010.....what a Fabulous year!

This delightful year started with a gathering for New Years eve....four people and a Bump....the bump is now the gorgeously chunky Esme... a wonderful start to our year.

The stunningly lovely Vintage Magpie brides, who's bouquets have been some of my favorite so far in the 4, nearly 5 years i have been creating these beauties.

My Ma has been, as always, my inspiration, my friend and the most wonderful wedding confidant in the world!!



Simple simplicity has been my focus this year.

....that and helping brides sparkle on their wedding day.....

.....or should i say Bloom? Flowers have been back in my life with a huge bang....they still take my breath away, it amazes me how beautiful something can be.

...talking of gorgeous.....Our Wedding...the highlight of my year without question.... it seems like ages ago....but everyone is still talking about it ....there has been 3 engagements so far...2011 is looking like wedding heaven for us...all without the stress....BLISS!!

2010 was seeing dear friends achieve dreams, create divine babies, get engaged, turn 30, buy houses, enjoy the fruits of their hard work and being happy.

I enjoyed making new styles of bouquets....helping dreams come true.... and realising new dreams for Vintage Magpie.

....and new dreams for the start of our marriage... Martin & the Magpie is happily settling in nicely.....maybe a slightly stressful and busy, but very happy!

..It is wonderful, new and exciting....i cant wait to see what it brings and where it takes us.

My New Years resolution??? To make a patchwork quilt on Olive.

Vintage Magpie wishes you all an amazing New Year. I would also like to thank you for your kind words of wisdom.....your support.....and your love for the work of this little Magpie.

Here's too 2011.... may she be special, exciting and happy for all of you

xxx

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

Until 2011......

I'm bidding you a festive farewell....wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.....

This year Christmas come to our home; on a table....our new flat is still not quite home...so a festive table with just my favorite decorations, is working wonders.

A few new acorn decorations from Holland this year, are sparkling nicely in the candle light....

We sang along to Christmas tunes, I beautified our table while the Wonderful Dutchman made us dinner..... Married life suits us well!

I hope you all come back in 2011 ..... there are going to be some exciting changes.... and some wonderful opportunities for you and little Vintage Magpie.

Be Merry Everyone.....xxx

Love My Dress

Photo by Rosie Parsons

Our lovely little wedding has been featured on the wonderful 'Love My Dress' Blog....

....I feel so proud of our handmade wedding....and it means so much that you want to know all about it.... It has all the links to all our suppliers too, as well as some 'unseen' photos!

....Thank you Annabel 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