The Vintage Magpie

Last Minute Shopping in Totnes

Last Tuesday evening  (after having done no Christmas shopping whatsoever) we found ourselves as the gorgeous Totnes Christmas market.

The street entertainers were amazing, lots of singing and dancing and drumming...

The atmosphere was amazing.

and so were the many, many stalls.  Handmade crafts, handmade jewellery, hand carved wood, lots of spices and soaps and loads of other wonderful things.  The spirit of Christmas was everywhere.

And lots of yummy things to eat, mulled wine by the barrell load, hot chocolate, roasted chestnuts.. you name it.

It was truly magical.

And I got to wear my hat all night!!

Well, as I still have a million and one things to do before Christmas Eve (which is my favourite part) I am going to sign off now for Christmas, and wish you all A Very Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart.  I hope Mr Claus brings you all your heart desires!  We are having a blissfully peaceful and quiet Christmas at home this year, and then we are revving up for a huge family wedding on New Years Eve... oh the excitement is mounting!!

  HAVE A TRULY WONDERFUL PEACEFUL YULE

see you in the New Year,

Lots of love,

Nicky xxxxx

Last Posting Date

My fingers are sore and my sewing machine is groaning... but all the bunnies that have been ordered are now on their way to their Christmas homes.... and I (and the ladies at the post office who have taken to ducking when they see me approach) are thankful!

Thank you to everyone who ordered a little vintage bunny for your own or someone your love this Christmas.  I hope they bring you joy and happiness!

And now to concentrate on some merry making... lots of cooking and wrapping and a Christmas Show going on over the next couple of days.

Hope you all get festive this weekend xx

Carols In The Yard

On Monday night we went to the children's school to sing carols with the school choir around the Christmas Tree.

My it was cold, but it was worth it.  So heart warming to see all the children singing their hearts out, oh and of course there were the mince pies afterwards to look forward to as well!

Its on nights like these that you find the true spirit of Christmas.  Thank you to all the children for warming our hearts (even though our feet were freezing ;))

Birthday Girl

Christmas was well and truly relegated this weekend, as we had Lolly's 8th birthday to celebrate.

She had a fun packed 48 hours of fun parks, riding Pojo and tea parties.... oh and lots of pressies!

and of course... lots of cake!

and I am thrilled to tell you that I managed to finish my first ever quilt in time to give to her for her birthday!

which came in very handy for snuggling into whilst watching Elf on Sunday night!  I will post some more pictures of it tomorrow.

Ok... now its fast track to Noel.... do you think if I asked real nicely Santa would bring me any valium???!! (or failing that a flask of brandy might take the edge off!!)

And the winner is .....

As it is Lauren's 8th birthday today (and as I cannot work the random number generator!) I asked her to pick a number between 1 and 126. 

She picked number 118 which is Reuben.....

Comment:
Please enter me too. Would love for Bunty to become my new friend.

Well done Reuben, Bunty will be packing up and on her travels to you very soon.

Thank you to all who entered.  Maybe we'll have a New Year giveaway too.

P.S.  We realise that the child in this image looks a little freaky (something about the eyes) ... Lauren, however, does not look freaky in any way!  And also for the record, I would never be able to grow my nails as long as that and I never have time to paint them.... we just thought you should know :)

Have a good week everyone x

** CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY **

Sorry for the lateness of this post, but I got swept up in the magic of James' Nativity Play, and have been blurry eyed for the remainder of the morning :)

However, I am now very excited about the Christmas Giveaway!  Bunty is made from 100% mohair and a beautiful Liberty fabric.  She is part-filled with dried lavender so smells dreamy when squeezed.  She is a very friendly little rabbit with a nose for a warm mince pie!  She is raring to go and ready to travel to a new home for Christmas... just leave a comment on this post by midnight Sunday GMT, and I will spend the weekend working out how to do the random number thingy.

We have lots of birthday excitement to look forward to this weekend, Lollipop (Lauren) is turning 8 on Monday and is stringing out the celebrations by starting tonight!!  That's my girl.

Have a great weekend everyone!

xx

Decking the Halls

So ... most of the decorations are up!

I love this heart, made by the very talented Lynn at Sea Angels, and my little festive birdie!

As we are feeling in the festive mood, I have a little vintage rabbit that has been begging for a new home for Christmas and she is now very excited to be taking part in a little Christmas giveaway here on Friday. 

Hope to see you then x

Santa's Little Helpers ...

The tree is up...

The important letters have been written

 

The cards have been sent...

and the house is starting to look festive ..

We had a little Christmas party on Saturday with some friends, which was wonderful... and now I need to put some finishing touches to the decorations and then start to enjoy the Christmas plays and late night shopping to come.

If anyone is interested the Christmas late night shopping in Totnes is now on... Tuesdays nights only in the run up to Christmas... oh my.. I can feel a rash coming on in the excitement of it all!!

Have a good week x

Home Needed...

Does anyone know of a suitable home for a very sweet old fashioned bear?

Florence (so called because her eyes remind us of our Jack Russell Florence when she is pleading for something) is looking for a new home.  She has enjoyed her time here, but finds it all a bit too noisy (especially since the Christmas Tree went up) and needs to settle somewhere warm and cosy before Christmas. 

Florence is made from 100% pure German mohair and filled in the traditional way with woodwool and steel shot.  She has a rather full (but saggy) belly, and worn parts on her arms and legs.  Florence is an old fashioned girl at heart and pleaded with us to wear some vintage lace and a vintage china brooch, all of which she refuses to take off so will be travelling with her.  She also has a name tag and a vintage bell. She measures 12 inches from head to toe, but cannot stand unaided.

 

The adoption fee for Florence is £95.00 plus travel fare, and she is ready to hop in a box and be on her way to you immediately.  If you would like to offer Florence a new home please email me at : nicky@thevintagemagpie.co.uk .... she can't wait to meet you.

Have a great weekend everyone...

and wrap up warm if you're on the Island!!

xx

In Love...

Could it be wrong to be in love with soup bowls? !

I picked these up in a charity shop when I was up in 'The Big Smoke' (London) this weekend for £4 the lot, and was determined to get them home, despite taking several people out with my heavy bag on the tube...

It was love at first sight.  My mum had the very same soup bowls when I was little in a tan colour, but I just adore this blue...

Now.... off to hunt down some delicious soup recipes!!