The Vintage Magpie

The Knits

Its a knitting orientated week this week, which had to start with my very first tote bag

made for my eldest daughter Issy, after she requested that she be taught to knit... and knit well!

and one has to have a knitting bag if one intends to knit!!

Its a great deal easier to knit, and watch kittens than to sew and watch kittens.  There being the method to this weeks madness.

So the knitting fever has commenced, and I have been lent a wonderful old knitting pattern by my good friend Asti, which I have started, but alas not yet finished.

 

Hopefully it will be finished by the end of the week!

Meanwhile, I had a wonderful find at Totnes market last week.

A pink candy stripe cotton pillowcase and sheet ... ahh bliss!

The Cutest Babies Ever!

We had the Happy Event, first thing on Saturday morning!

Tess gave birth to 3 of the most adorable kittens!  One black and white, very similar markings to Tess

One pure black

And the other one is black with little greyish legs

They are just the most adorable fluffy little creatures I have ever seen.  I can't keep my eyes off them.  Tess seems to want to drag them around the house, though, and keeps depositing them in the weirdest of places, so she is confined to the studio today, shame!!  I can just spend all day crafting and watching kittens.... I wish!

Congratulations our darling Tess xx

Introducing Emily

Ahem.

Let me introduce you to Emily, another Vintage Magpie bunny.  Emily is made from mohair and soft vintage blanket for her ears and pads.

As the weather has been so unpredictable of late, Emily has an 'all weather' wardrobe.

Firstly, a splendid sundress, made from a delicate antique linen, and trimmed with antique lace.

Nice and floaty, and just below the knee.

With an open back, perfect for those hot summer days that must be on the way..

And for those occasional chilly days ahead...

a soft snuggly embroidered cardigan, every girl's wardrobe essential.

And there we have it, Emily in full splendour, oh and last but not least...

the vintage lace scarf and pearl brooch to set it all off.

Splendid.
x

PS.

We are still awaiting the pitter patter of tiny paws. 

We're bored now.  There's a lot of finger drumming and heavy sighing going on at the moment.  Poor Tess, we are expecting great things... Come along dear!

Happy Event

This week we are eagerly awaiting a happy event.  Our beautiful pussy cat Tess is expecting, and due to my rough calculations, we should have some very fluffy kittens by the end of the week.  Its a big responsibility, and one I'm not sure I'm ready for.. never mind Tess!  We have all watched several 'birthing of kittens' videos on U Tube to fully prepare ourselves, but its a nerve wrecking week ahead.

I shall keep you posted!

A Few Vintage Finds

A few end of week show and tells....

Some gorgeous blue glass tumblers.... unfortunately there were only three, but they have become the childrens' firm favourites.

A beautiful pink glass candlestick holder.  I love coloured glass.   I have just the candle for this as well, as having rummaged through my nan's sewing box I found a lovely old soft pink candle, wrapped in its original tissue paper, so it will look perfect in this candlestick.... which was meant for Isabel's room, but hasn't managed to find its way up there yet ... ;)

And finally,

This gorgeous oil lamp.  Its not that old I don't think and it needs a bit of attention, as it is slightly drunk looking, but I love it... and know just the corner I'm going to put it in.

Have a great weekend!!
xx

Confessions of a shirker

Well, when I should have been a good girl and finished off this little lady,

who I have to confess has been waiting for her finishing touches for more than a reasonable time, I downed tools at the sight of a break in the incessant rain and took off on a jolly  to Maidencombe, a lovely secluded beach near us.

You have to go down quite a few (loads) of steep steps to get to the beach, but its worth it in the end.

Its beautifully secluded, with views around the bay.

And these two had a ball.  Seeing as all the children were safely tucked away in school, we were able treat ourselves at the little cafe in the cliff.

Two bacon sandwiches and two rounds of coffee... tremendous.

The little hamlet of Maidencombe is gorgeous too, and we had to tear ourselves away from this pub

but I couldn't resist buying some sweet williams from this doorstep of goodness.

Just take what you want and put your money in the honesty box on the gate.  How wonderful.

Now that's what I call a decent Monday morning !

Sweet Memories and Attention to Detail

As I had a slight absence from blogging whilst decorating the new studio, I didn't have a chance to mention my trip to London, Wembley Stadium in fact to see the fantastic George... George Michael former Wham boy.  I have been a fan all through the years, the Diana hair, and florescent gloves, the glasses and stubble .. you name it... I've loved that man.  Well my brother, gorgeous man that he is bought me a ticket to go and see him, not once but twice.  We saw him at Earls Court in November and then Wembley at the beginning of this month.   We had an absolute riot!  Straight back to 1984!!

Well. in to the bargain I got to stay at my brother's house in Kingston and sit in his lovely garden, (yes, it was when the sun was out at the beginning of June) and have proper 'tea and cakes' all set out for me whilst listening to Radio 4 in the sunshine... it was bliss.  Much as I love my children, the silence, the uninterrupted radio programme, the hot tea, have I mentioned the silence? Ahhh ... twas blissful.

Then we went shopping in the lovely town of Kingston Upon Thames, which actually proved quite painful as in this shop... Monsoon I think it was, I think I nearly wept at the gorgeousness of everything, and the emptiness of my purse!

Tea and cakes was then followed by a splendid barbeque, and a 'few' cheeky glasses of wine.

 

 

And to top it off these beautiful roses were in my room.   Ahhh, you might say a small gesture, but it gave me great happiness!  Attention to detail girls.... thats what its all about.  Its what makes my heart sing.   Attention To Detail....