The Vintage Magpie

Variable ...

That's what the weather in the South West of England has been this weekend.  Variable.

Ranging from icy cold spur of the moment showers through to torrential rain :( resulting in very muddy football pitches ...(and players and spectators :o )

to bright beautiful spirit raising bursts of sunshine :)

Still - that, so I am told, is what keeps Devon gloriously lush and green so we mustn't complain.... just pack your wellingtons and macs, sunhats and sunglasses - grab your camera - and get on with it!

which is what we did.  From getting completely soaked through and covered in mud at the Saturday morning football match to revelling in our fortune at the sunshine on Sunday at Cockington.

There it was sunshine and flowers... not showers!

The signs of spring all around us... oh it couldn't come soon enough!

and this sign was also very welcome after a lovely morning walk around the country lanes!

soaking in the views of the countryside...

and its residents!

Oh and most important of all... someone turned 4 over the weekend! 

Happy Birthday darling sweet Florence! 

Have a great week everyone!

xx

 

faLLiNg iN loVe aGain...

Time after time this little guy has fallen head over heels in love ... literally.  He is a poet from Falmouth, so it goes with the territory, and .. ahem.. rather helps his prose...

So, hence his rather tatty appearance and holes in his trouser suit.  He just can't resist being in love, and has had his heart broken (as well as his trouser suit) many times over.  He continues to pour his heart into his work, though these days is a little more cautious who gets to read it.

Thankfully, his handsome face, more distinguished with age and experience, has managed to weather the choppy seas of love.

 

These days his heart needs a safe place to settle, so he needs to find a nuturing home and a comfy chair to spend the rest of his days.  Oh, and a good supply of scrap paper and pencils, should the mood take him... 

This bear has been newly handmade by me, with my new traditional bear shaped head design!  His outward appearance has been gently distressed by me give him a well loved appeal! 

If you would like to offer him a home he would love to meet you, pop over and introduce yourself .. he is waiting in my Etsy shop.

Have a great weekend everyone !

xx

lOOkinG fOR LovE

My newest design!  This little guy will be looking for someone to love him tomorrow....

 

See you then ! xx

The Perfect Head

Illustration by Berkeley Ilustration

Over the weekend I have been studying the perfect bear head. 

As with my White Rabbit.. I am drawing and sketching and studying the perfect shape.  Tweaking here and there.  Then studying again... hoping for perfection!

Etsy is such a wonderful source of inspiration.

These have always been a favourite of mine...

The very talented Eloise

of Hide N Seek.  They melt my heart.

Illustrated by Donna of Corella Design.

Sometimes illustrations help me more than photographs... other people can see different lines that I might not see from a photograph.

So, I am working on a redesign of the head of my bears.... watch this space!

Have a great week everyone! x

 

 

 

 

Taking some time ...

for more of this today...

My eldest has a school day off so we are heading into Totnes for some Mum and eldest daughter time :) before the school holidays commence.  We are looking forward to coffee and cinamon toast to kick off our shopping trip!

Good times!

Have a great weekend everyone x

A Guest Appearance..

Isn't this just the most amazing photograph?  That baby!

And can you spot a familiar face in the photo?  One of my bears!  I am so thrilled to have one of my bears in such a beautiful photograph :)

You just have to see the amazing photography of Jackie Baughman of Blowing Dandelions Photography, it will blow you away..  

If you get a chance I beg of you, grab a cup of tea, sit back and take a look through her gallery.   The images will make you smile from ear to ear!     'Seeds and Sprouts'  is my favourite, they make my heart melt ...

Just beautiful.

xxx

tHe bOOkwOrm ..

This lil' guy is a huge bookreader.  He loves to read.

This is one of his favourites... birds.   He loves to sit at a window and study the birds in the garden.

And his favourite bird? ...

the owl.  No particular owl... any owl.  Only problem is you can normally spot them in the daytime :( 

So on the occasional weekend he likes to stay up late - owl spotting.  Usually with a blanket, a hot milk and cinamon and a few custard creams.

If you share his passion for owls and would like to offer him a new home please pop over to my Etsy shop and introduce yourself, he will be waiting!!

 

ADOPTED, Thank You xx

xx

 

 

Romance by the sea ...

It's Valentines Day and the sun was shining (for a change) so Mr F and I took off to the seaside and left the chores at home for a day...

time to breathe in the countryside and the life in the country lanes..

and then enjoy the smell of the sea.

and the smell of a new book!  This is our new book club read... one chapter in and I'm hooked already... anyone else read it?

This is a week of clearing and spring cleaning starting tomorrow :o

Oh, and this little guy will be looking for a new home here tomorrow too.

See you then! xxx

roManTic Old soUL....

In his younger days this handsome old soul adored the great outdoors and loved nothing better than to go sailing down the river on a sunny day with his fishing rod, and a few corned beef and mustard sandwiches stashed in a basket :)

On his return, once he had caught a fish or two, he would present them to his lady friends, as gifts from the heart.  Happily this would usually prompt a fishy supper to be cooked for him and some good company ;)

But now, in his twilight years, he prefers life at a slower pace.  Although a little tatty, his heart is still as big and soft as ever.   He rather enjoys views from a windowledge or shelf and listening to the shipping forecast on Radio 4, oh.. and he still enjoys the odd corned beef and mustard sandwich with large glass of milk.

He is looking for a new home with a comfy spot for him to settle into it.  For now, he is sitting in my little Etsy shop, waiting patiently.  If you would like to offer him a new home, click on this link , pop over and introduce yourself!! xx

ADOPTED - THANK YOU XX

Also, I have had some requests from collectors who would like to be notified when one of my bears is going up for adoption on my blog.  If you would like to be given advanced notification please email me here and I will add you to the list :)

Have a great weekend everyone! xx

I lOved YoU YesTerDay..

I love you still,

I always have,

And I always will.

 

This guy is quite the romantic.... and he will be looking for someone to love tomorrow.

See you then ! xx