The Magpie's Daughter

Owl Love

2012-01-12T04:00:00.001-08:00

I have a bit of a thing for owls (doesn't everyone). Here is a selection from around my home.

This lovely little ceramic owl sits on my bookcase.

This year my calendar is a free download which you print yourself, from the lovely Owl lovers blog, The Owl Barn.

Some cute socks I was given as a present.

Sweet little owl earrings from my shop (I kept a pair just for me, shhh, it's our secret).

These little lovelies sit on my desk. The left-hand one is from the British Museum and the right-hand one was given to me by my Mum when I was small.

Cool Yule

2011-12-21T02:38:00.000-08:00

..and Happy Holidays from the Magpie's Daughter (and my little cat).

Chandelier Crystals

2011-11-17T09:43:00.000-08:00

I spent a lovely day yesterday hanging up these beautiful antique chandelier crystal decorations in the studio window.

...and they are all for sale too! ;)

A Little Lot of Vintage

2011-11-02T04:39:00.001-07:00

I love vintage things, and mostly I love vintage useable things. Brooches, as you probably know if you've ever read my blog or met me! Tea sets and mismatching plates...

Here are a few items from recent months:

1950s milk jug that feels very Scadanavian to me, and some Victorian silver sugar tongs.

This is a brass biscuit cutter. I looked up the stamp on it and found out that it is from the Australian goldrush.

Little brooch that I originally thought was Russian but is actually Ukrainian.

My pride and joy! A beautiful petite 1950s watch that still works. It's windable. I'm in love.

Mini-Sale

2011-10-12T09:05:00.000-07:00

Special Link. ;)

I love Manchester

2011-09-21T07:36:00.000-07:00

Some pictures of hearts and bees (the symbol of the city) taken in and around Manchester.

Studio 25 in the Craft Centre

Northern Quarter graffiti

Pretty paperclip from Oklahoma

Blue skies on Market Street

A picture of a picture of the Town Hall floor mosaic

Beautiful card by Charlotte

Lampost bee

A burst of colourful hearts by Witty Hearts

A present I got for my lovely Hubby, Adopt a Beehive

Arndale love

Woodland Squirrel

2011-09-14T14:16:00.000-07:00

Woodland Squirrel brooch

Ah lovely Autumn with its beautiful colours and snuggly evenings. In honour of my favourite season I have a new collection called Falling Leaves (chocolate pearls, pretty leaves, beautiful feathers) and this sweet little squirrel fits perfectly. I can't help smiling whenever I wear mine. Tee hee.

Tiffin cat

2011-08-23T09:45:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we adopted the sweetest tortoiseshell (and white) cat from an animal sanctuary. She very distracting as she does many cute things and is aways available for snuggles.

Here she is meditating on her feet...

...and just before she came for a snuggle with me.

She is called Tiffin, which is a yummy biscuity chocolatey treat, perfect for with tea. ;)

Eye Spy

2011-08-08T06:50:00.000-07:00

I spotted this beautiful shop front in the Northern Quarter (Manchester). It's now a pizza place.

Stamp Love

2011-08-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

I have a new stamp for my jewellery boxes and whatnot. Handmade by Skull and Cross Buns. Clever lady. ;)

Tatton time!

2011-08-02T08:30:00.000-07:00

Last week, mister magpie and I went to the big flower show at Tatton. Gorgeous gardens and flowers and of course a picnic and Pimms. Tee hee.

Even the tickets are pretty.

Wellies used as a planter on the lovely, gold award winning Oxfam garden 'When the Waters Rise'.

My colour of the show was definately purple! I was treated to one of these amazing agapanthus by the mister.

Yum!

Oklahoma

2011-07-12T04:17:00.000-07:00

This weekend I dropped off a few new items to the lovely folks at Oklahoma.

Such a cute shop, I can't help peeking around whenever I visit. :)

Corvus

2011-07-05T09:58:00.000-07:00

As you could probably guess, I'm fond of the beautiful Magpie, so I was happy when this arrived on my post...

Another feathered member of the family was on some posh tea from a lovely lady. A gift from the Tower of London, the bird here is a raven.

Two for joy!

New Brooches!

2011-06-27T08:14:00.000-07:00

New vintage brooches now in stock!

I've been busy adding some lovely new vintage treats to my shop, more to come in the following days too. Peek at the whole collection here.

Amber Acorn

2011-06-21T09:37:00.000-07:00

My little Amber Acorn necklace...

...was featured on the Folksy front page this morning, see...

Yay!

New Business Cards

2011-06-14T08:52:00.000-07:00

Yay! My new Moo business cards are here.

Business cards are not usually the most exciting things, until you discover Moo! They even put a cute little 'yay' sticker on the box. Tee hee.

Playing with Cute Buttons

2011-06-07T08:29:00.001-07:00

I recently got these gorgeous buttons from a fellow stall holder at a craft fair.

...and I made this necklace from them. I thought I'd keep it simple to show off the red hearts. :)

I'm always in awe of ceramicists. So clever and tactile!

Long Weekends

2011-05-09T06:45:00.000-07:00

In Britain we've had a few long weekends in a row due to Bank Holidays, Royal Weddings, Easter and an extra one for me as it was our 1st Wedding Anniversary. :)

Here's what I've been upto...

Heart shaped eggy bread on our anniversary.

Cream tea and beautiful views from the Hilton tower in Manchester.

Later that day we went on a tour of the underground tunnels in Manchester which was amazing, but not great for photos as it's so dark.

Cheeseland!

A sunny day in Hawes, North Yorkshire.

Cute ducking in Bakewell.

Beautiful old penny slot machines in Southport and old pennies that you can buy to play on them.

Record Store Day at Manchester, Piccadilly Records. Yes, I was in the queue.

We also had little cakes on the Royal Wedding day and lunch at Trof with some friends we hadn't seen in ages. Hope you all had fabulous times and are looking forward to the next Bank Holiday at the end of the month. ;)

A Lucky Girl

2011-04-18T11:32:00.000-07:00

I'm a very lucky girl. I was recently featured in two lovely blogs! :)

The first was the gorgeous Ellie from Pretty Much Penniless who wrote me this amazing feature:

The second was Angie from Art Angel, who featured my key necklace as part of a Etsy feature post.

Thank you lovely ladies! :D

Craft Fair time!

2011-04-14T02:39:00.000-07:00

I'm almost ready for a lovely Craft Fair this Sunday!

Finders Keepers Craft and Vintage Fair, 17th April, 11-5pm at the Moor Suite, Heaton Moor, Stockport, Cheshire, SK4 4PB. Please pop along and say 'Hi!' ;)

W is for White Blossom!

2011-04-04T06:35:00.001-07:00

Spring has certainly sprung in Manchester. There is beautiful white blossom everywhere I look...well almost everywhere. This is a city after all. Tee hee.

This beautiful tree was in the park on my way to the post office.

Folksy Friday

2011-04-01T14:23:00.000-07:00

My little volin necklace, The Colour of Music...

...is featured in today's slection from Maria Devine.

I love the beautiful music theme she chose. :)

Family

2011-03-07T06:38:00.000-08:00

Look what Lush have...it's a bigger version of my Little Mushroom necklace!

They are so similar! I had to grab one. Very nice bubbles too. :)

Of course I'd reccomend that you put the lush one in the bath and keep my little necklace away from the water and such.

I like a nibble

2011-02-21T06:53:00.000-08:00

The past couple of Mondays I have had a little treat delivered to my door from Graze. They have such lovely little nibbly things. Flapjacks and japanese crackers and some yummy nuts.

The boxes fit through the letterbox too. So easy!

Fancy a free box? Use my code DHMJXCC3 and enter it here yum!

Yay for the UK

2011-02-15T06:23:00.000-08:00

My English Summer umbrella necklace...

...was featured in this great blog feature about UK Etsy sellers...

Feel the UK love. :)

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T08:28:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day from the city of love...

Manchester! :)

Top picture: Piccadilly records
Bottom picture: The Cupcakery Northern Quarter

Make a Wish

2011-02-04T12:13:00.000-08:00

My little Wishbone necklace...

...was featured in a Folksy Friday selection by Court and Spark.

Take a peek at the link to see the other items she chose. :)

Little Owls Back in Stock! :)

2011-01-23T14:19:00.000-08:00

Little red and orange sleepy owls are back in stock! Yay!

Sunshine

2011-01-18T04:15:00.000-08:00

My Two Suns necklace...

...was featured in this sunny treasury (yes yes I realise it's not called that, but it is so sunshine-y, you have to agree)...

...from the ever sweet fionadesigns. :)

I was in the Etsy email! (sort of)

2011-01-11T10:40:00.000-08:00

Reading a recent Etsy picks email I saw my little Silver Leaf vintage brooch peeking at the bottom of the email. This treasury was a feature on that very email. Hurray! :)

V is for Vintage!

2011-01-10T03:48:00.001-08:00

I love vintage! You can get such special and well made objects, plus it's fun to shop for vintage as you never know what you'll find. I have a particular fondness for vintage scarves and brooches.

This was my very first vintage brooch purchase. I bought it around 15 years ago from Afflecks Palace in Manchester and it's still one of my favourites.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T00:53:00.000-08:00

It's one more sleep till Christmas Day!

Have fun everyone...see you on the otherside in a flurry of wrapping paper and yummy food! :)

A New Leaf

2010-12-21T09:13:00.000-08:00

My Silver Leaf vintage brooch...

...is featured in this beautiful leafy selection full of UK shops...

...created by the very gracious ZitzieG. :)

Countdown to Christmas - 4

2010-12-05T10:33:00.000-08:00

20 days to go!

Fourth Task - Put up the Tree!

The first weekend in December is always the time I put up our tree. I love getting out the decorations from past years and adding a few new ones. I love the way my little house looks with all the warm colours. And I love knowing that over the coming weeks I get to share some lovely memories with friends and family.

If you haven't already, get up your tree and decorate your little corner of the world. :)

Vintage Colour

2010-12-05T10:26:00.000-08:00

My Silver Stag vintage brooch...

...was featured in this gorgeous slection...

...by the very creative Emmamaha. :)

Countdown to Christmas - 3

2010-11-22T10:42:00.001-08:00

33 days to go!

Now we have our lists and wrapping sorted onto something very important...

Third Task - Check post dates

I'm in the UK and here are the Royal Mail post dates for this Christmas (last post dates to arrive for 24th December):

First Class (UK to UK) - 21st December
Second Class (UK to UK) - 18th December

International Airmail - dates start from 4th December (depending on the desination)

Make sure to check with your own post people and whilst you are checking also check how many stamps you have/need. Make sure to buy a few extra stamps. ;)

I'm getting excited about Chistmas now. I'm looking forward to seeing all my shiny decorations and snuggling with friends. :)

Monochrome Flower

2010-11-16T07:36:00.000-08:00

My Snowflower necklace...

...was featured in this pretty selection...

...by the fun loving PopLove Designs. :)

Countdown to Christmas - 2

2010-11-15T09:06:00.000-08:00

40 Days to go!

Now we have our wrapping sorted let's move onto...

Second Task - Make a List

Make a list of everyone you want give something to over the Holidays. Be that a present, some baked treats or a card. Everyone!

Now you can write ideas next to the names and even tick them off when you've got their pressie ready. ;)

Some (dark) Photos and a Thank You

2010-11-15T01:56:00.001-08:00

Thank you to everyone at the Finders Keepers fair yesterday. I had a lovely time! Special thanks to the special people who came to say 'hi' you really lifted my day you lovely amazing lovely wonderful lovely people. :D

I took pics of my new set up. They came out quite dark but the room really wasn't! Ooops.

I got rid of the hanging tags from my last fair and used little butterflies for the prices instead. Much neater. :)

Craft and Vintage Fair Tomorrow

2010-11-13T09:32:00.000-08:00

I have a craft and vintage fair tomorrow (Sunday 14th November) so have spent today (and most of this week) preparing.

New Keys

Flowers and buttons for bobby pins

It's from 10am till 4pm and is at The Moor Suite, Heaton Moor, Stockport SK4 4PB.

Countdown to Christmas

2010-11-09T00:42:00.000-08:00

Apparently it's only 46 days and one payday till Christmas!

I'm looking forward to putting up my tree and getting all my decorations out. Some of them I've had since I was a child and each year I buy just a couple to add. ;)

I intend to get organised this year! So I'm going to post my To Do list on my blog and we can work through it together. :)

First task - Wrapping

Check for wrapping paper, brown paper (for things that need posting), sticky tape, ribbon and tags.

Rainy Day

2010-10-22T10:48:00.000-07:00

It has been a very rainy day here today. Very Autumnal.

Now a post, in honour of this misty rain...

My Raindrops earrings...

...have been featured in this prettily appropriate treasury...

...by the vintage styled Addy. :)

My Favourite Things - Part Seven

2010-10-05T03:25:00.000-07:00

A Good Post Day!

In amongst the usual post this past week have been these lovely things...

I won these juicy orange earrings from Kylie at earlybirdcreations when she ran a Facebook competition recently. Like a ray of sunshine posted from the Australian Spring to the English Autumn. Tee hee.

These sweet birdies are from DollyCool, I plan to put them on a cardigan. ;) I have a few DollyCool things, I particualrly love her gingham tea towels.

In my DollyCool package I had an extra little surprise. These cute hand drawn earrings featuring one of my favourite past times. I'd better get out the best china.

Oh how I love a good post day! :)

U is for Umbrella!

2010-10-02T05:46:00.000-07:00

This is my lovely umbrella with birdies and branches. The past week has been very Autumnal and rainy and I've been glad to have such a pretty 'brolly to carry with me.

Folksy Friday

2010-10-01T00:29:00.000-07:00

My Apple Locket necklace...

...has been featured in this yummy berry blog feature...

Take a peek at the rest of the blog too. There are some gorgeous photos! :)

Flutter

2010-10-01T00:17:00.000-07:00

My One Day I'll Fly Away necklace...

...was featured in this woodland creature themed selection...

...by the rather lovely earlybirdcreations. :)

Lovely Blog Feature

2010-09-24T00:39:00.000-07:00

As part of her 'Friday Features', Veelana has chosen me! :)

Why not read my feature and then enter her competition to win a colourful window star. ;)

Silver and Gold

2010-09-24T00:26:00.000-07:00

My Heart of Gold necklace...

...was featured in this shimmering collection...

...by the always colourful TanjaDesign. :)

Of Deer and Tea

2010-09-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

Remembering the weekend. :)

Last weekend I had a family trip with Mummy Magpie, Daddy Magpie and the lovely Mister Magpie to the gorgeous Dunham Massey estate. We had a little guided tour with a very nice ranger gentleman and then had a little picnic under a tree...trying to ignore the rain. Tee hee.

Dunham Massey is famous (among other things) for the beautiful deer that live there. They wander everwhere. Look closley, there's a stag in front of this building.

The building pictured is made up from pieces of a few others. Old style recycling!

View of the forest on the estate from a building in the forest, now not used.

Amazingly beautiful old tree.

The weekend also involved a trip another of my favourite places to indulge in one of my favourite past times...

Oh yes there was tea...

...and absolutley there was cake!

Lovely, lovely weekend. If a little damp!

Tea party

2010-09-21T08:15:00.000-07:00

My Rose Petal necklace...

...was featured in this charming selection...

...by the sweetly natured poplovedesigns. :)

A little catch up

2010-09-10T12:29:00.000-07:00

I'm a little behind with all my news so I'll just jump right in and start with the Finders Keepers craft fair I did a weekend or two ago. Ooops.

Thank you to all the lovely people who visited me, ate my sweets (sherberts and caramels if you're interested) and to my fellow stallholders. :)

As it was my first actual real craft fair in a real hall and everything (eep) I was a little nervous, but had a surprise visit from a friend at 8am to help set up.

When we went into the hall we found my spot...

...and started to set up. The organisers brought me a cup of tea! Hurrah! So civilised. Tee hee.

I liked my teacups and flowers but think that next time I'd like some more layers and levels. I'll see what I come up with!

I also got all flustered and forgot to put out most of my cut out butterflies. Doh!

A super special mention goes out to the lovely lady who shared my table. Her name is Sasha and she makes the most amazing origami flowers!

She made the day go very quickly by keeping me and mister magpie complany. Very good company she is too! :)

Fiona's Beautiful Crystal

2010-09-01T04:29:00.000-07:00

My Beautiful Chandelier Crystal necklace (made from real antique chandelier crystals) was featured on the lovely Fiona's blog.

So glad you like the necklace sweetie.

BTW I kept a silver one for me, shhh, it's our secret. ;)

One Day to Go!

2010-08-27T05:15:00.000-07:00

Just one day to go before the Craft Fair. Eeep!

Alongside the various shiny things that I've made for my table, I will also have hand drawn tea themed pin badges, pretty hair clips and vintage finds such as brooches and these teacup trios.

Keys to the Kingdom

2010-08-26T12:14:00.000-07:00

My Simple Key necklace...

...was featured is this gorgeous selection...

...by the ever artistic earlybirdcreations. :)

My Favourite Things - Part Six

2010-08-24T08:20:00.001-07:00

Buttons!

I recently aquired this cute button tin from Cath Kidston for my button collection, but it's getting full very quickly. Tee hee.

Softie

2010-08-24T02:42:00.000-07:00

My After The Rain earrings...

...are featured in this romantic treasury...

...by the big softie that is rengalsa. ;)

Cupcakes and Cocktails

2010-08-23T04:50:00.000-07:00

This past week has been my birthday week.

It involved lots of cupcakes at the Cupcakery in Chorlton...and quite a few cocktails in two cities. Tee hee. This one is a rhubarb and chilli something. It was very yummy. :)

Thank you to all my family and friends and especially the lovely Mr. Magpie. :)

Nature is changing...

2010-08-17T10:20:00.000-07:00

My Golden Fern necklace...

...has been featured in this gorgeous Autumnal themed selection...

...by the sweet Dalim. :)

Didsbury Craft Fair

2010-08-17T10:14:00.000-07:00

I will be having a little table at the Finders Keepers craft and vintage fair in Didsbury. It's on the 28th August, 10am till 4pm at the Emmanuel Hall on Barlow Moor Road.

Hope to see you there, I'll have sweets and shiny things. ;)

Blue Blue Buttons

2010-08-09T13:49:00.000-07:00

My little blue and white Delft Button necklace...

...was featured in this super cute treasury (I've 'hearted' most of the other items)...

...by the very proper atticspace. :)

Veg. Box 2

2010-08-09T13:42:00.000-07:00

My second Veg. Box was just as exciting as the first! :)

New potatoes
Fritatta
Layered with the round corgettes in a cheese sauce then baked

Bunched red onions
In pretty much everything!

Round courgettes
Layered with the potatoes in a cheese bake
Fritatta
In a lasagne with red lentils and tomatoes

Batavia lettuce
In a salad with the spinach and some herbs from the windowledge (lemonbalm)
In a rice salad with chickpeas

Vine tomatoes
With a simple vinegarette to accompany the leafy salad
Baked with herby breadcrumbs and served on seasoned linguine

Bunched beetroot
Roasted and served with mint and mozzerella

Spinach
With the lettuce in a green salad
In a risotto

Nibbled:
Nectarines
Apples
Bananas

Eggs
Frittata
Coconut buns

We also added Basil onto the order and made yummy fresh pesto.

We're getting a little over run with eggs now though so we may have to have them monthly rather than fortnightly. Either that or the neighbours are going to have to eat a lot of cake! Tee hee.

Beautiful Rain

2010-08-07T09:20:00.000-07:00

My Beautiful Silver Key necklace...

...was featured in this pretty summer rain themed selection...

...by the gracious fionadesigns. :)

So, what did I make with the crystals?

2010-08-07T08:41:00.001-07:00

This is what I made with my antique chandelier crystals...

I love it! :)

Making me blush...

2010-08-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

My vintage Amelie brooch...

...was featured in this pretty treasury...

...by the super sweet fionadesigns. :)

Chandelier Crystals - work in progress

2010-08-02T08:54:00.000-07:00

I found these pretty antique chandelier crystals recently and snapped them up to make some jewellery with.

Not sure exactly what to do, but I'll have a play and post the results. ;)

Green Jade Loveliness

2010-07-29T09:50:00.000-07:00

My jade necklace, One Day I'll Fly Away...

...was featured in this lovely selction...

...by the arty sigalsart. :)

Organic Veg. Box

2010-07-26T02:43:00.001-07:00

We recently signed up to have a Veg. box delivered fortnighly, from Riverford. I've always fancied having lovely veggies delivered and I am perhaps a little over excited! Tee hee.

We signed up for a mini-veg. box with fruit bag and half a dozen eggs.

Here's what we got in our first box and what I made with it all:

New potatoes
Boiled and served with sage-y herby butter (sage from our window ledge)
Paprika stew served with red rice
Fritatta (omlette with bits in)

Bunched carrots
Boiled and served with sage-y herby butter
Paprika stew served with red rice
Made into noodles for a stir fry with tofu (really easy to do, just use your peeler)

Broad beans
Feta, broad bean and red chilli pasta

Salad pack (leaves)
In falafel wraps with lots of houmous
Mixed in with the stir fry veggies

Pointed cabbage
In a rich tomato sauce with green puy lentils and pasta

Cherry tomatoes
In toasted falafel wraps
With the salad for the non-toasted falafel wraps

Courgettes
With pesto, pasta and butterbeans
Made into noodles with the stirfry

Eggs (free range of course)
Chocolate brownies!

The fruit we simply nibbled our way through...

Apples
Grapes
Nectarines

The second box has just arrived..and yes...I'm very excited! :D

Guests

2010-07-20T02:26:00.001-07:00

My Bedouin Princess necklace...

...was featured in this lovely selection...

...by the welcoming miriadmoni. :)

Strawberries

2010-07-20T02:05:00.000-07:00

These gorgeous strawberries are from our friends allotment. *nibbles*

As a cheeky bonus we found some rasberries in the brambles to the side of the plot too. :)

Sleepy owl is famous!

2010-07-12T07:22:00.000-07:00

My little Sleepy Owl...

...was worn by the lovely Kasmira of the What I Wore Today blog in this post...

...and yes, I am a fan! She's fabulous! :)

Soothing

2010-07-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

My Blue and Blue Ceramic Button necklace...

...has been including in this soul soothing treasury...

...by the calm and collected ChloeANDMaddie. ;)

My Favourite Things - Part Five

2010-07-09T06:53:00.000-07:00

My favourite things - part five

Fresh flowers!

If I was rich I'd have fresh flowers every week. These beautiful peonies were bought for me by my lovely mister. :)

The Secret Garden

2010-07-05T08:05:00.001-07:00

My Athena necklace...

...was featured in this pretty treasury...

...by the rather arty Biberta. :)

Facebook Group

2010-07-02T09:25:00.000-07:00

I've taken the plunge and set up a Facebook group for The Magpie's Daughter.

I hope you'll join me to read my little updates of pictures of new items and titbits of news, but for now you'll have to suffice with a cup of tea *pours* and a biscuit of your choice whilst you ponder...

My website: www.themagpiesdaughter.co.uk

My online shops: www.themagpiesdaughter.etsy.com AND www.folksy.com/shops/themagpiesdaughter

Oh do have a biscuit too, it is Friday afterall. ;)

Nautical...

2010-07-01T09:15:00.001-07:00

...but nice. Tee hee. ;)

My The Adventurer necklace...

...was featured in this treasury...

...by the rather super earlybirdcreations.

Life is good in Emma World

2010-07-01T07:02:00.000-07:00

This morning I got a lovely email from Emma (of Emma's World) to let me know that she had popped a little feature about me and some of my butterflies on her blog page.

This is Emma...

...and these are the necklaces she features...

Flutter

Mother of Pearl and Filigree Butterfly

Thank you lovely lady. :)

T is for Turquoise

2010-06-29T07:23:00.000-07:00

Pantone's colour of the year for 2010 is Turquoise. Whilst these graffiti hearts may be a touch too blue for the Pantone Turquoise I thought they were too lovely not to post. :)

Monochrome Roses

2010-06-16T00:23:00.001-07:00

My Monochrome Roses earrings...

...are lucky enough to be featured in two treasuries! :)

Firstly, a lovely selection for the Modern Bride.

Next, some Daily Inspiration.

I am part of a lovely little team which tries to list a new item in our online shops each day, the Daily Sweets. It's quite motivational. ;)

Thank you to lindatrentjewellery and opheliasapothecary for including me. :)

S is for Sunflowers

2010-06-15T09:07:00.001-07:00

These are my little sunflower seedlings at one week, two weeks and three weeks.

I'm now on slug patrol. Good luck little flowers!

Do excuse the overgrown pot. These are crocus and daffodill leaves that haven't died back yet. I think my little yard is very pretty. The wooden box that the sunflowers, crocuses and daffodills are in is an old box from the Library I work at. A friend gave it me when we first moved.

Next to the wooden pot is a little red Acer.

I also have a strawberry pot...

...strawberry hanging basket, rosemary, lavender, raspberries, clematis, bluebells...lots of things in their own pots. Not bad for a little concrete corner of Manchester. :)

Tea Time

2010-06-07T08:05:00.000-07:00

My Little Blue and White Owl earrings...

...were featured in this little blue and white tea time treasury...

...by the rather super dreamingstardust. :)

Thank you for including me. ;)

Craft Fair preparation

2010-06-07T07:53:00.000-07:00

My Craft Fair preparation is in full swing. I've been making extras of all the jewellery items I can and collecting together teacups and silk flowers for the displays. I've also been stamping little paper bags for the items to go in...

My dining table is like a patchwork of brown paper, little bird stamps and little leaf stamps. Tee hee.

A Sweet Treat

2010-05-26T13:53:00.001-07:00

My Wildflowers necklace...

...was featured in this happy selection...

...by the super smiley earlybirdcreations. :D

New Online Shop

2010-05-25T07:09:00.000-07:00

I have now opened a new online shop on Folksy. I still shop internationally and I still have my Etsy shop of course, but it means that UK buyers can view my items in pounds sterling.

www.folksy.com/shops/themagpiesdaughter

Enchanting

2010-05-25T01:49:00.000-07:00

My Verdigris earrings...

...were featured in this oh so pretty treasury...

...by the super duper kmaylward. :)

These earrings are also available in my Folksy shop. ;)

Sunny sunny days

2010-05-24T06:01:00.000-07:00

It's been such a beautiful few days here in Manchester. Looking out of my window at blue skies and blossom in the trees. Gorgeous.

Now back to the craft fair planning madness...

Natural History

2010-05-22T00:45:00.000-07:00

My Apple Locket necklace...

...was featured in this amazing treasury...

...by earlybirdcreations.

I love this idea for a collection! :D

The Manchester Banksy?

2010-05-17T11:10:00.000-07:00

I was passing the site of the recently uncovered Banksy in Manchester (it's near the Craft Centre which I visit pretty much weekly) and so I thought I'd take a piccie.

The image is of a poodle with a sort of lions mane and a bulldog face.

The council have put a bit of perspex up to protect it. It seems a bit odd to protect what is essentially graffiti, but interesting that it is accepted as art.

I'm a lucky girl

2010-05-11T01:43:00.001-07:00

One of my favourite shops (and people) has featured me in three treasuries! Thank you earlybirdcreations!

My Sapphire Bouquet vintage brooch...

...was featured in this delightful treasury...

My Heart of Gold necklace...

...was featured in this lovely selection...

...and...

My Pink Blossom necklace...

...was featured in this recycling themed selection...

I'm such a lucky girl. :)

R is for Reading!

2010-05-10T09:25:00.001-07:00

This is my current read, A.C. Grayling's 'The Mystery of Things'.

What are you reading at the moment? :)

Three's a Charm

2010-05-05T10:09:00.000-07:00

The lovely CoryellDesign has featured me in three treasuries!

My Emerald Chandelier Drop necklace...

...was featured in this green themed treasury...

My Spring Romance necklace...

...was featured in this sweet and dark themed treasury...

...and...

My Beautiful Key necklace...

...was featured in this sky themed treasury...

Phew. Thank you amazing lady! :)

Spring Morning

2010-05-04T09:53:00.001-07:00

My Spring Willow necklace...

...was featured in this treasury...

...by the sweet Go2Girl.

Thank you for including me sweetie. ;)

Q is for Queen!

2010-05-04T08:02:00.001-07:00

Oooh that's a lot of stamps!

(This is a continuation of my pictorial A-Z, I had a very busy April but I'm back now with planty of tea to fuel me, tee hee).

Red Roses

2010-04-28T00:19:00.000-07:00

My Scarlet Red Rose necklace...

...was featured in this treasury...

...by the ever floral BeadFloraJewels. :)

Apple Blossom

2010-04-27T07:51:00.001-07:00

My Apple Blossom necklace...

...was featured in this beautiful treasury...

...by the oh so fruity KimsCraftyApple. Thank you sweet lady. :)

Better late than never?

2010-04-26T10:10:00.001-07:00

Earlier in the month I was featured on the amazing blog More Design Please in a super cute piece about one of my favourite things, Russian Dolls.

My little Matryoshka necklace...

...was quite at home among some very sweet finds.

Thank you so much for featuring me. *blush*

Rock me!

2010-04-26T03:24:00.000-07:00

Just before my Wedding Day (eep) I was featured by the lovely Cheryl of Design Rocks...

Thank you for my little mention lovely lady.

Please read the rest of her blog too, she has some beautiful finds and sells beautiful cards and stationary designed by her own fair hand! :)

Mrs. Magpie

2010-04-26T02:27:00.000-07:00

The reason I haven't posted for a week or so is that I am now a Mrs. Magpie! I got married to my lovely Mr. on the 10th April in the library of an old house. It's like a dream now.

We had little birdy themed table plan...

...our wonderful friend made my flowers and my Dad made the cake and favours (all the tags are hand stamped of course)...

...and yes, I made my necklace for the day, though I did wear my Mum's pearl earrings. :)

Sophia necklace

I had such a lovely day and want to thank everyone who shared it with me, you really made it! :)

Birdies

2010-04-07T01:16:00.000-07:00

My Little Owl earrings...

...were featured on the very creative Kila Rohner's blog.

She has an etsy shop too. ;)

Oooh chocolate!

2010-04-05T08:36:00.001-07:00

I have had chocolate hot cross buns for breakfast two days running, a chocolate rabbit, some praline chocolate eggs, chocolate egg and soldiers (yes really)...and I'm still not tired of it.

Cup of tea and a chocolate cow anyone? ;)

Golden Egg

2010-04-01T13:42:00.000-07:00

April's featured item is this beautiful Golden Egg necklace. The egg is enamelled with pink flowers and green leaves on a white background. Placed simply on a gold chain.

Happy Easter!