The Vintage Magpie

It's Showtime!

I can't believe that the Vintage and Handmade Fair is upon us so quickly, this coming Saturday to be precise.  So today has been spent in the studio, taking photographs of a few excited individuals who will be accompanying me to the Town Hall in Chipping Sodbury on Saturday.

First up, its Fred and Ginger!  After the all time greats, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, ohhh the wonderment of those films!

Fred is a true gentlemen, and loves to woo the ladies, and Ginger.. well Ginger is slightly bashful but does love a gorgeous frock and a spin on the dancefloor!

I will be adding photos of the new additions every day this week, so stay tuned! x

Remembering

"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".

(From "The Fallen", Laurence Binyon)

Recycled Scraps

Firstly, I must apologise for the terribly dull photographs, but the weather has been appaling and the light has been dismal.

Yesterday I could not look at these beautiful scraps of embroidery any longer, without making them useful again.  I picked up a scrap of embroidery (which had been previously cut up)  a while ago, for £1 - I had to have it because of the beautiful flowers that had been so exquisitely embroidered onto it.

 

It was one of those projects that languish in the back of your mind forever, but yesterday was the day.  I shouldn't have as I have so much else to be getting on with, but there you have it.   I managed to make two cushions out of the scrap, and I am really rather pleased with them.  I fully intended to take them to the Vintage and Handmade Fair next week, but now I don't think I can part with them ;0  That is my failing you see, I buy things to sell, or to give to other people as gifts, and then I can't part with them.  Not good.

 

And the crochet blanket, I hear you ask.... well that has to be given the title of 'My Charity Shop Find of the Year!'.  It has been knitted by a lady on Dartmoor, who knits several for the charity shops at Christmas.  Its a mohair mix, so its beautifully soft... and yes... I bought it to sell at the fair... and no... I don't think I can part with it :( 

We'll see.... I might, and then again you might have to fight me for it!!

Have a great weekend everyone xx

Joy Revisited!

I have begun my Christmas knitting... late in the day I know - knowing the speed at which I knit, but I remain optimistic - for now :)

Issy has asked for a shawl, exactly the same as the one I knitted for Lolly a while ago (which she wears around the house constantly and then sleeps with), and as I know it was such an easy knit I couldn't wait to start it...

The pattern was recommended by Soulemama a long time ago... and you can download here.

As her favourite colour of the moment is blue, Issy chose this wool, which is Sirdar Crofter Fair Isle effect.  I wasn't sure how it would work out but it is working out beautifully... The pattern requires a fingering weight yarn, but I have used DK as I want to be extra snuggly for the cold nights ahead.

So, inbetween frantically sewing for Vintage and Handmade Fair, every spare minute I am knitting this shawl and enjoying it immensely!  You never know, it could make it in to her Christmas stocking yet! 

We are looking for a miracle here people!

Fantastic Mr Fox

With the Christmas Vintage and Handmade Fair fast approaching, the studio has been filling up with new additions in preparation.

I have been thinking about making a fox for a while, mainly because they are James' favourite, and with the release of Roald Dahl's film of Fantastic Mr Fox, I thought the time had come.

 
So this ol' fella is now waiting patiently in the studio window, keeping one beady eye on the calendar counting down the days, and the other on the sewing machine...  eager to know who or what is going to join him!!

Have a great weekend everyone xx

Hi Jinks and Holidays

There has been a flurry of activity going on here over the last week, birthdays, followed by halloween birthday parties

 
Boys parties.... a whole different ball game to girls... I wish someone had warned me!  James only wanted four friends to his party, so I thought we would have it at home, how easy could that be?  Hhh Hmmm.  Not easy is the answer.  I think the noise level nearly broke some windows at some point, every animal in the house hid for safety and post party Lauren resembled someone who had just returned from battle.  I think we may take James' parties elsewhere next year ;o

I also met up with a lovely friend from blogland, Helen and her family are on their camper hols, and came to see me at the studio.  It was so lovely to meet up and meet her lovely family. 

And  back at the ranch this little one, our one remaining little soldier, has been up to allsorts of mischief.

but who can resist him, really.... far too gorgeous.

Have a great week everyone... xxx

Paris, Je t'aime ...

Lordy, this has been a hectic week, so I apologise for the lack of (a) responding to emails and (b) normal posting.  After the weekend in Paris we had to hit the ground running as it was little James' 6th birthday on Wednesday, followed by his party this Saturday and Sunday... I know... how does that happen?  Anyway, I love children's parties so although my eyes are held open with matchsticks, we are still smiling.. just.

So, enough of the weariness... here is Paris... in all her glory.  And I want to go back this weekend, and the next, and the following weekend.  Our whirlwind trip was not long enough but  I loved every minute of it.

 

We stayed just outside Montmartre, in Place de Clichy, in a beautiful bohemiam hotel along a back street, which had a courtyard garden to sit and sip coffee in, and a constant lovely bustle of people and things going on.

 

Parisians, they just know how to make it look like they make no effort, but its gorgeous.

See what I mean?

These were the bicycles you could hire to just whizz around the town on... I would have loved to but to be honest I feared for my life stepping out across a pedestrian crossing, (the traffic does not like to stop) let alone alighting a bicyclette and hurtling around the back streets of Paris.  Non, merci tres beaucoup.

Honestly, the colours, the streets, the little tables outside the cafes... oh my... my heart just stopped at every corner, and I could be heard squealing at Mr F to take yet another photo.

and to take photos of Parisians taking photos... well, we couldn't help ourselves.

Ohhhhhh

 
and then we found the Marche des Puces, an enormous flea market and antiques menagerie... yep.. HEAVEN ON EARTH ladies.... except for the prices.... mon dieu, the prices. But the eye candy was outstanding...

Voila...

Yes, I'll have all of that, thank you....

Oh, and that will fit in the boot, drive it in....

yes, and everything here please...

Mmmm, I might have too many of those already... oh what the heck .. I'll take the pig.

 

and we'll finish off with one of those, or maybe two, it's been a long day.

Ahhhhh Paris.... you have stolen my heart.... until the next time.

Have a great weekend everyone xxx

Sewing World

Not so long ago the lovely Katie of Textile Treasure Seeker contacted me with regard to an article for Sewing World magazine.  Obviously I jumped at the chance as I love the magazine, and  I am honoured to be featured in the November issue.  The article is wonderful, thank you Katie.

 

The article also features wonderful bloggers Viv from Hens Teeth and Manda McGrory from Treefall Design giving you an insight into their world.

It's a great read, and a great magazine,  go grab a copy!!

 

Celebrating French Style!

We have been doing a little celebrating over the weekend, celebrating our wedding anniversary (which was in fact in September) in Paris.

We left first thing Friday morning, and arrived at our hotel just outside the Montmartre district at about 9.30am. 

We went with our lovely friends, and had a truly wonderful weekend, whilst Nanny was shipped down from London to look after the little ones at home.

and I have lots to tell, about antique markets and old treasures, beautiful places, beautiful shops, oh la la, I fear I may go on about this trip for a while, suffice to say if I could have anywhere else in the world as a second home it would have to Paris.  I am totally in love.

So, as we only arrived back late last night I haven't had time to sort out my photos or my befuzzled head, so I shall get myself together and hopefully see you back here Wednesday for show and tell Paris style!!

Have a great week xx

Little Shop Update

I thought you might like a look at how the studio is coming along.  I have had some graphics put up in the window to make it more obvious what goes on once you step through the door which reads...

'Handmade bears and vintage collectables

Treasures for today and heirlooms of tomorrow'

and I have been tinkering about inside to make it look more homely.

 

more bunting has obviously gone up... a girl can never have too much bunting...

 

and it can even be found in the little kitchenette.

and bears and vintage trinkets now adorn the shelves.

 

and this is where the work takes place!

If you are ever around Chudleigh, please pop in and have a cup of tea x

Have a great weekend everyone xx