Merry Magpie Photos

Thanks to everyone who popped along to the Merry Magpie Xmas Boutique on Saturday! And thanks to all our lovely stallholders - your stalls all looked fantastic!

 We are still adding up the funds raised for Dress for Success London, but we are hoping it will be over £250 which is great, so thank you! xxx

This Saturday! Merry Magpie Christmas Boutique.

I've been busy busy busy preparing for our event which is happening this Saturday in The Book Club near Old St! If you don't already know, we are holding a pop-up boutique with Y.E.S! London, to raise some cash for the charity Dress for Success London! I've just started to get in the Christmas mood, and I think this weekend I am most definitely going to be humming a few of my fave xmas tunes! (Step into Christmas: Elton John & All I Want for Christmas: Mariah Carey, if you must know!)
So why don't you pop along and join me?! :) Here's a little taster of what to expect, although we have around 17 stalls so this is just a small selection!

As well as some gorgeous stallholders with gifts, homewares, clothing & accessories, jewellery and baked goods, we will also have the lovely Lynne from Papermash running a gift wrapping stall - have a go at wrapping your goodies with some of her lovely stationery. 

Also, we will have a make up, nails and massage area, so you can pamper yourself in between shopping! And of course enjoy a festive drink and try your luck on our tombola!

So put it in your diary now - Saturday 26th November 2011 from 12pm-4pm at The Book Club,100 Leonard St, London, EC2A 4RH.  I'd love to hear if you can make it!

 PS, if that gets you in the mood for a bit of Christmas shopping, there are more events on in London this weekend too - On Sunday, check out Got Craft in Tooting Broadway and also on Sunday Bust Magazine Craftacular over in Bethnal Green.  A weekend of 'not on the high street' shopping awaits! 

xxx

Winners announced!

Thanks to everyone for entering the competition to win one of our 91 Magazine goodie bags! I've now chosen the winners, sorry there could only be 4!

So, here goes, I will try and contact winners by email/twitter etc.... please send your postal address to me by Nov 30th, otherwise I will have to choose a new winner.

 Congrats everyone!

xxx

Cake with Giants

Today I am loving these delicate and pretty illustrations by Amy Borrell, a Melbourne based Illustrator...

 

You can purchase her work as A4 or A3 prints from her online shop Also worth a look, her portfolio and blog

Enamel Addict

Is there anything you are automatically drawn to like a magnet when you go to flea markets or car boots? For me, it is enamelware. Any colour, condition, size, shape, I am pulled to it.  Its got that knack of working the romantic, pretty look, as well as the rustic, homecooked vibe....

 

There is a lot of it around, probably due to its durability, and its seen many a camper through a tough few days in the great outdoors! Scour flea markets and car boots for cheap finds, and Etsy is also great if you'd rather shop from the comfort of your sofa....

Etsy

Etsy

Etsy

Or if you'd rather opt for new enamelware, Falcon is the place to go....

 xxx

PS Don't forget to enter our competition to win a 91 magazine goodie bag!

Click here to find out how to win

Closing date Fri 11th Nov 12midnight

WIN a 91 Magazine goodie bag!

 

The 25th October seen the launch of our brand new online publication - 91 Magazine and on the 27th I held a small launch party with friends, Issue 1 contributors and future contributors and collaborators! A lovely time was had by all, you can view some more photos from the evening here  

I have 4 goodie bags from the party to giveaway, and all you have to do is go and check out 91 magazine by clicking here and then leave a comment on this post letting me know which was your favourite feature in the magazine! Closing date is Midnight on Friday 11th Nov when I will randomly select 4 winners.  It is open to international readers too, just make sure you let me know how to contact you if you win! Good luck! xxx

Craft Cafe Revolution

There was a day when visiting a fabric shop / haberdashery was a less than thrilling experience, often pokey with drab interiors, and usually with a choice of fabrics that left a lot to be desired.... but these days it is most definitely the age of the craft cafe! With bright, airy and quirky interiors, the many craft cafes popping up around London and the whole of the UK, is where many people are choosing to spend their weekday evenings, or weekend afternoons.  Learn a new skill, meet some new people, or just purchase some fabric for your own crafty projects at home - what could be more pleasant?!
If you haven't already, here are a few of the London based venues worth a look... 

 The Papered Parlour   (Clapham)

 The Make Lounge   (Islington)

Homemade London  (Marylebone)

 Sew It Over  (Clapham)

 Ray Stitch  (Islington)

Oh, and if you are in the North West London area, there is a brand new craft venue opening in Northwood soon! Shipshape Studio - follow them on twitter to find out about the launch! @ShipshapeStudio