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

Here come the Girls

When we went to Holland, we often spend the days visiting family & seeing friends. It is always a busy time, this year especially as we hadn't had a chance to go over at all this year until Sinterklaas.

I find myself strangely missing my trips to see The Wonderful One when he lived in Holland. I miss strolling around Amsterdam, visiting museums, sitting in Cafes watching the world cycle past, & taking a million photos of the stunning Dutch canal houses.

One of the highlights of the airport is the tiny Rijksmuseum, We went last year, newly married and saw these beauties. This time we had a extra little Pip to show around!

As I walked toward the museum I looked up and saw these wonderful ladies...I was like a child at Christmas...the excitement as I walked up the stairs made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

I am a huge fan of portraits, and to be in a room filled with the most beautifully painted ladies...well, I was in heaven!

She was my favorite...a navel captains wife, his safe port. She was dripping in pearls, and had the most intricate dress on. I wanted to hold out my hand and touch the lace in between my fingers.

She has the most sparkling ring on her pinky finger...I could have stood in front of her all day... One day I will own my own beauty like her, I shall greet her every morning like an old friend.

Even the frames on these girls are a work of art...I could almost smell the roses in this one, hear her silk crinkling as she posed for her painting...

I can imagine her thinking...'will he paint a good likeness, will be make my nose smaller, my cheeks rosier?'

The details are breathtaking... I wish I had a fraction of their talent.

Pip also loved these girls...s/he was bouncing around merrily. 

Maybe Pip will paint me my own beauty, who I will greet every day

Only time will tell.

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 

Coming home for Christmas....

...Well Sinterklaas really!

We have just come back from a trip to Holland for Sinterklaas. It was a busy few days...

Tiny florist shops, with beautiful wintry wreaths and lovely front gardens, with stylistic Christmas arrangements.

Family celebrations, and a Dutch warehouse occupied a 4 year old boy for most of the evening...The Wonderful ones Mum makes a different one each year to hold the presents....last year it was a train!

 This warehouse had a working gable, the presents could be lowered to the floor for the Zwarte Piets to load the boat full of presents.

Tim and his handmade Crown...feathers and all!

Boys will be boys

A soft, happy bear was much loved by little Chris...everyone got cuddles and smiles...I just didn't catch them on camera!!

Pip got her/his first Sinterklaas presents...a very spoilt baby indeed! Our bags were slightly overflowing on the return journey!

Talking of that lovely over active Pip....the bump is really showing now...24 weeks, it is going so quickly! The back flips and star jump are making our day...The wonderful ones face lights up whenever he feels them...it really is amazingly mind blowing what my body is capable of...I am one lucky girl!

The wonderful Dutchman's much missed giant beer...I know the way to my mans heart!

A happy afternoon spent watching the world go by in an amazing cafe...with amazing friends.

I blame the baby...a bag of heaven...

I however I miseds tucking into slightly seared tuna, herring, & rare steaks....and generally watching and asking whether I can eat this!!

The Wonderful one has promised me a fridge full of Pate, Soft Cheese, & Parma ham after our little Pip has arrived....now you know why I love him so!!

A beautiful few days off...now back into the madness that is Christmas in a flower shop.

Have you bought all your pressies?

Put up your tree? Is it Real?

I cannot get enough of that pine smell...divine! 

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?

Lest we Forget

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Tales of Pip The Pickle

Our little Pip is proving his/her self to be a right pickle!

Pop over to Pip & the Magpie's to hear the tale & a scary scan photo!!

xxx

Remember, Remember

Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot...

I am just like a small child when there are fireworks about...I love them so much.

I remember the joy of bonfire night, the hot dogs, the smell of fired onions and gunpowder in the air, gloved hands while writing your name with a sparkler, the heat of the bonfire, the amazement of the fireworks, the ground shaking booms, the whizzes, cries, Ohhh's & Ahh's.

Although I am growing a babe in my belly, have a ring on my finger, & a handsome man by my side, time flashes back....as I stand in that school field, I revert back to being 10..... the joy etched across my face.... Pip jiggling in my tummy.....Life is wonderous right now.

Vintage Magpie Courses 2012

This year I have discovered a love of teaching. Passing on my knowledge has been an incredibly positive part of this new journey I have been on.

As I'm sure you are all aware, we will be having a little bundle of joy in March. This is something which I have been waiting for all my life; to be a Mum. I cannot wait for the challenges that wait for me. 

However, I also ADORE my creative life, and get a cold sweat when someone asks me whether I will give up work. Although my bespoke work might be reduced next year due to Pip, I want to be able to grow Vintage Magpie throughout this time, to create a fantastic business that will work around Pip, So I can fulfill my dreams of  being a creative working Mum. 

So this got me thinking whether to offer some lovely VM workshops...

I honestly do not know whether this something you; my gorgeous readers, would be interested in?

So this is me dipping my toe in the water...

...please feel free to let me know what you think!!

Firstly I would be looking to hold a 'DIY Bridal Course' where you will learn how to make a silk fabric Rose Bouquet. All the materials will be included, just bring along some of your treasured vintage items to work into the bouquet. This would be a Day course. The cost of this course would need to be confirmed, but around £200 with lunch & wine included.

This would be happening around May/June 2012. It would only be open for a small amount of people, So if you would be interested please either comment on this post or email me at;

 emma@vintagemagpie.co.uk

The second course will be 'The Vintage Magpie Masterclass' an intensive 2 day course designed for the professional, who either would like to set up their own business or add a string to their bow and offer an extra service to their existing business.

It would give you a complete over view into the process of making an Heirloom bouquet...from the first crystal wired to binding off the bouquet.

A kit will be included, all you need to bring is some lovely Vintage Sparklers, a note pad & your happy face!

I stress the word INTENSIVE for this course! It will be a challenge but well worth it.

Again the cost will need to be confirmed, but around £850 Lunch & wine included on both days, Plus endless tea & coffee!!

This would be happening around July/August 2012. It would only be open for a small amount of people, So if you would be interested please either comment on this post or email me at;

 emma@vintagemagpie.co.uk

I am open to your ideas & your thoughts.

Growing Vintage Magpie continues to be my dream, I cannot wait to share my world with you. My aim is pass on my knowledge in a fun and exciting way. To help others who want to lead a creative life.

Will you be a Vintage Magpie Master?