Mlle Magpie

A Very Special Snow Fairy

A very special Snow Fairy arrived at our house last week, from a very sweet, kind and talented artist blogger friend. Isn't she completely adorable?!! You can get an idea of the incredible detail in this photo.

This gorgeous paper mache Snow Fairy was lovingly handmade by the super talented Lori Karla of Faerie Window. Dear Lori, thank you ever so much for your kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity of spirit. I can't get over how beautiful she is! Just the friend I need to look over me while I recover from that nasty flu. Yes, "that" flu...

Mlle Magpie

My Ugly Duckling In Its "After" State

If you recall, my ugly duckling little armoire looked like this when I bought it.

 

Now, it looks like this.

 

After I took off the broken mirror, the surface underneath was uneven. For now I just painted over, but I'm debating whether to put another mirror on the door, or add fabric-covered corkboard. You can see the vintage glass knob that I added where previously there was nothing.

 

As for the inside, you might remember that there were crappy shelves inside.

 

Out they went. A few coats of fresh paint inside.

 

The addition of a hanging rod and my collection of vintage slips, some of which I've dyed.

I'm so happy my collection of vintage slips finally has a nice home. For now I've got several slips hung up on individual hangers, but I will be on on a quest for vintage wooden hangers...

Mlle Magpie 

My Window

This is the window above my computer, in "my" little room off of the kitchen.

 

In front of my aqua bottle collection, a recent find. Not very old, but love the rust and crack on that pink alarm clock. 

Oh, and a sweet little creamy dog. Whenever the kids ask for a dog, I tell them we already have this one, and he's no trouble at all :)

Mlle Magpie

Ugly Duckling Makeover Progress

When you're working outside the home, have three children with various activities, it is hard to find time for projects. Somehow, this week I have been managing to paint our main floor powder room and give that small Salvation Army Store armoire a makeover.

Before:

 

During:

 

I removed the shelves and shelf supports and primed her. She received her first coat of paint yesterday evening (I just used leftover creamy white paint that I had in the house) and will get her final coat tonight. Husband will install a hanging rod inside. I will add a vintage crystal knob for the door. And then... my vintage slips and nightgowns can be all together in their new home.

Mlle Magpie

p.s. I will be sure to show you the "After".

Junking on Monday for "Junkin' Monday"

As I woke up this morning, going through my favourite blogs with my two cups of cafe au lait, I realized that I had forgotten about Clara and Marcela's "Junkin' Monday". Well, I just could not let my friends down. Luckily for me, I've taken the day off to be with my two daughters for their Ped Day so I zipped over to my favourite store this morning with my two favourite girls, to go junking for "Junkin' Monday".

 

A white linen tablecloth for $4.99. An old sewing basket for $1.00. And about 15 (!) vintage French books, from the 20's to the 40's. A happy and lucky last-minute junking Monday!

Mlle Magpie

An Ugly Duckling

As some of you may know, I have a vintage prom dress collection and a vintage crinoline collection. What you may not know is that I also have a vintage slip collection. I've got them scattered here and there in the house so lately I've been on the lookout for a small armoire where I could hang them all up in one neat and tidy place. Voila, my ugly duckling!

 When I found her at the Salvation Army store, she was looking a bit rough and sad, but I could see the potential in her and thought she would be perfect for my slip collection. After a little bit of a makeover, that is. 

 There are currently crappy shelves inside, but they're coming out. A little bit of cleaning, a little bit of paint...

Besides, the price was right. 

Mlle Magpie

p.s. "vendu" means "sold" in French.

My Latest Salvation Army Store Finds

I just love thrifting at the Salvation Army Store. This is hands down my favourite place to shop. I love the search, the digging, the wondering if I'll find anything this time... Inevitably, I always do.

Mlle Magpie

My Cool New Flower Sock

I first heard about the Etsy Shop KnitStorm from Jeanne. Look what I got custom-made by Kate? 

It's a flower sock for my new white iphone. I didn't want a new cell phone, my old one was just fine, thank you. But my husband thinks this new phone will help me be "more organized". I'm not so sure about that :)  Anyways, I don't like new and flashy things, so this iphone sock from Knitstorm is perfect, don't you think? In fact, if you can imagine, I'm more excited about it than the phone!

Mlle Magpie

p.s. Kate of Knitstorm is amazing - she finished knitting my sock while having labour contractions! 

Weekend Finds for a Junkin' Monday

After my nine year old daughter's soccer game on Saturday morning, I rushed back to make it to the small church rummage sale in our neighbourhood. It's a very small rummage sale, but always a great one if you get there right at the beginning of the sale.

 

I was just thrilled to snatch up all of these laces, some doilies and small lace tablecloth.

Some embroidered napkins.

Vintage satin ribbons.

 

Plus a crinoline slip.

 

A long satin dress/nightgown with lovely lace.

 

A sweet pink bedjacket.

 

Two pairs of cotton bloomers, with lovely detail at the bottom edges.

 

Finally, a shabby green child's chair. 

Grand total spent = only $20! 

Now I'm off to visit with the hostesses of Junkin' Monday, Marcela and Clara, and everyone else...

Mlle Magpie

What I Brought Home From Warrenton/Round Top

The ceramic baby bootie I got from Christie Connelly's booth. I loved the photo of seven children and their dog. Whenever I start thinking that my three kids are a handful I will just have to look at this photo.

 

I found the old letters in a pile of junk in some guy's booth, along with the photo - thought the calligraphy was so wonderful. Maybe I'll use the letters for a decoupage project...

 

I also picked up this photo from the 60's of these three gals from the same pile. I had two best friends in university (in the 80's), so it reminded me of our friendship.

 

When I found the ivory baby bootie I also saw this baby shoe last, something I've never seen before. Since I have a shoe last collection and a nostalgic baby theme going on lately - perfect.

 

The turquoise mason jar is from Mindy of Primitiques 'N Poetry. Look at that beautiful plastic deer. I thought it would be perfect as a Christmas decoration for the mantel. I paid $5 for it, but the look on my husband's face when I showed it to him = priceless! So worth it :) 

 

Millinery flowers. I don't think I could ever have enough of those.

 

The little ceramic animals I got for my daughters. We're planning to use them when we make terrariums to put in their rooms. Vintage seam binding was high on my wish list and I was SO happy to score these rolls from Theresa of Garden Antqs Vintage.

 

A selection of vintage aprons that I had to some digging for in big damp piles, but the price was right - six for $5.

 

When I saw this pink polka dot top from the 50's, it made me smile. Only $5 and easy to fit into my luggage.

Of course, this frothy tulle hat with velvet bow will go perfectly with the pink polka dot top.

I also got this floppy hat which reminds me of a blue hydrangea.

This collapsible turquoise metal basket is fabulous for storing supplies. The oval grey frame and huge leather-bound ledger book are from Theresa again. Fab clock face from Carolyn Westbrook Home.

 

Finally, my little birdcage from Janet of Rubbish/Sweet Talk, sitting on my big splurge for the trip. A triple ruffle chair slipcover from Judy Hill, that will transform the ugliest chair into a romantic beauty. 

I love everything that I brought back home with me from Texas. It must be the best flea market ever, and for the inspiration alone, the talent and artistry of the vendors, is SO worth the trip. But the best thing of all was meeting all of my blogger friends there, who are even more wonderful in person (yes, it's true) and I just can't wait to go back in the springtime! I am now completely hooked on Warrenton/Round Top!

Mlle Magpie