*Everything Alice: The Wonderland Book of Makes*

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Ooohh this is a book I'm putting on my wish list!

Everything Alice: The Wonderland Book of Makes.

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Welcome to the magical world of Everything Alice, where nothing is quite as it seems. Alice's fantastical adventures in Wonderland provide the inspiration for a charming and original collection of 50 craft makes, ranging from a Hand-Sewn White Rabbit Toy and Pompon-Decorated Slippers to Papercraft Tea Party Invitations and Cut-outand- keep Dress-up Dolls. Whilst this book captures the very essence of Lewis Carroll's popular tales - which have been translated into 125 languages and made into numerous films - each of the 50 'Make Me' projects stands alone as a gorgeous item to cherish. Who wouldn't be seduced by a Red Polka Dot Frilly Pinny to wear whilst baking cupcakes fit for a king, or a Heart-shaped Pinboard to house precious keepsakes, or an exquisite Beaded Napkin Ring in the initials of each of your dinner guests? Decorate your home and garden with the supremely simple yet highly effective No-sew Fabriccovered Teapot Planters. Serve your partygoers from a china cake stand made from mix-and-match vintage crockery. And create wonderfully scented candles that fill oversized teacups to present as handmade gifts. Alice's world was full of extraordinary characters and peculiar insights so interspersed between the projects are snippets of Wonderland lore and instructions for fun party games, such as How to Become a Queen, How to Run a Caucus Race and How to Play Musical Chairs, to keep your tea party guests entertained. With Everything Alice there will never be a dull moment in your own personal Wonderland.

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Doesn't it sound like so much fun!

*A Tea Pot Garden*

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Charity shops are a wondrous source of lovely old-fashioned pots and bowls in ceramic and enamel. Line up your selection on shelves, indoors or out, the more eclectic the choice the better.

If you are planting herbs, mix gravel into the soil to help drainage and if you can drill a few holes in the bottom – without breaking it – that's perfect, but if not then be careful to water little and often.

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A really lovely idea from Country Homes & Interiors

Photography by Tim Young

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*Boutique Closed*

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Hallo lovelies.

Well as mentioned in the previous post the
Vintage Amethyst Boutique

is currently closed.

It was going to be for a week but as of this moment I'm not sure because ...

James & I went to see a business premises on Monday night & we have decided to go for it!!!

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It is a fab place, it is actually an old terrace house which is about 150 years old but it means that there is one huge room downstairs for Vintage Amethyst (*yay*) and a big room upstairs for James to use as an artist studio, then another smaller room which could be a little staff room *giggle* & a bathroom.

We are very excited to get it & may have the keys on Monday, but of course that means moving!!! But I don't think I will be able to move in straight away as we will need to put in a phone line & broadband. So until next week I don't really know what will be going on so I'm not sure if I will stay closed a little longer than the week or if I will just open next Wednesday as previously planned!

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Anyhoo we are off to Down Hall for 4 days for the family wedding which will be lovely but my head will be full of business with all this excitment, I'm sure!!!!
So until I see you next, keep lovely my cutie pies ...

*Having a little break*

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Just to let you know there is no *Product of the Week* this week as I'm going to be closing the shop on Wednesday for a weeks break.

We are off to Down Hall Country House Hotel on Thursday for my cousins wedding & we are staying for 4 days so I thought I would close for a week & make a little holiday of it & have a relaxing break away from work.

I really feel as if I need a little time to myself as the past few months have been really tough since my Mum passed away. I'm doing ok, it's just hard you know? I'm sure anyone who has lost their Mother knows this feeling.

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I am really looking forward to the wedding, it will be sad of course, as was my oldest Niece's wedding in May, but Down Hall looks beautiful & so I can't wait to stay there & have some lovely relaxing & fun times with my family!

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So the website will be closed from Wednesday this week & I will re-open again the following Wednesday, the 3rd August.

*eek* August already!

P.S I've a few little blog posts ready for whilst I'm away so do still pop by here through the week won't you ...

*Lemon Meringue Cupcakes*

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Oh my how good do these look?

(I think I've got cupcakes on the mind now after reading Meet me at the Cupcake Cafe ~ see previous post if you missed it!)

I saw them over at Martha Stewart & my mouth started instantly watering!!!

Ooooohhh I love lemon meringue! I am definitely going to have to try this recipe!

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Tender lemon buttermilk cake, tart lemon curd, and a lightly browned peak of seven- minute frosting combine in cupcakes inspired by Martha's mile-high lemon meringue pie -- one of her signature desserts.

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If like me you love lemon meringue you can find the recipe  for these lovelies *here*

*Meet me at the Cupcake Cafe*

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This week I've been reading this adorable book

Meet me at the Cupcake Cafe

by Jenny Colgan

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I haven't ready any of Jenny's books before & this one caught my eye, firstly with it's fab pink colour, (I'm like a magpie for pink sometimes!) and secondly it's name!

So cupcakes & pink what wasn't there to like about this book? Well ok the story could have been bad as we really shouldn't judge a book by it's cover ... but when it's such a cute cover ... *eek*

Anyhoo I wasn't disappointed, I really enjoyed this book. It's obviously a girly girls book I think & not to spoil the end, but I don't think I would be giving anything away by saying it's a happy ever after type ending!

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It's all about a 30 something girl who when she is fired from her job has the idea that she wants to do something she loves & that something she loves is baking cakes! So it will come as no great suprised that the Cupcake cafe is born! It really is a sweet tale about friendships, love & yes cakes!

The book is also filled with wonderful cake recipes as Issy's beloved Grandfather, who used to be a baker writes his recipes down & posts them to her & each chapeter starts with one of his recipes!

It is a lot of fun & if you are a girly girl who loves cakes this certainly is a cute summer read for you ...

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Linking to Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound & Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

*Shabby Chic Style Heart Hooks*

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Look what arrived again this morning!

*Hurrah*

These pretty vintage style heart hooks are terribly Shabby Chic in style & ever so pretty.

They are only £5 for the set of 2 & you can find them *here*

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These pretty vintage style hooks are also available in little birdies too!

So adorable.

They are the same price £5 for the set of 2 & can be found *here*

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These hooks not only really sweet for the home but are so cute for the garden too.

I have some of these hooks in the garden & they look really cute!

*The Garage Turned Garden Shed*

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Isn't this lovely?

I think so & such a great idea too!

It is from Country Living US & here is what they say about it ...

Tools lined up in satisfying rows, scissors and twine within arm’s reach, a sink just for arranging flowers—the potting area ranks up there with the mudroom as the ultimate country fantasy.

Don’t think you have space for one?

You may want to think again. Connecticut contractor Arnold M. Karp devised this dream “shed” by taking full advantage of the wall space in a suburban garage with shelves, cabinets, and peg rails. A poured concrete floor pleases the eye and provides a practical surface for parking cars. “My goal was to utilize every nook and cranny,” Karp says. Mission accomplished!

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Karp borrowed from kitchen design, outfitting one corner of the garage with lower cabinets, a granite countertop, and an apron-front sink to create a zone for cutting blooms and washing muddy hands. Up top, ornate iron brackets give painted lumber shelves a lift.

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Now what do you think, do you like it too?

Linking to White Wednesday at Faded Charm

*Pretty Pink Lavender Scented Hearts*

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I absolutely love these Lavender Scented Hearts!
Of course they are a really pretty pale pink but they do smell divine!

These cuties are this weeks

*Product of the Week*

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This is a very pretty pale pink hanging heart made from natural linen.
The heart is scented with lavender infused beads for a long lasting scent & is hand decorated with a pretty white crochet heart.
A very pretty gift idea & perfect for a wedding too.
These are also available in Natural *here*

They are only £4.50 each & you can find them *here*

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*What are you reading?*

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I am currently readin Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë.

This is my pretty pink copy.

I managed to pick this little pretty up two years ago on a thrify shopping trip in a charity shop of all places.

They were selling these pretty 'classics', all new books 4 for a £1!!!

I couldn't believe my eyes at the price & the pretty colours!

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Aren't they just delicious?

Now I'm not saying a pretty cover makes a good book but it doesn't hurt at all does it!

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So tell me, what are you currently reading?

Linking to Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound & Show & Tell Friday

*Schools Out for Summer!*

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Looking for an end of term gift for a special teacher?

Well these cute Heart Shaped Chalkboards would be such a sweet gift wouldn't they?

They are only £4.50 each & so are not too expensive if you need to buy a few gifts!

Find them *here*

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There are so many other lovely chalkboard ideas at Vintage Amethyst too, just take a peek at the website!

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Need any chalk? Well this set of 12 sticks would be a perfect accompaniment to the heart chalkboard above (or any of the chalkboards) & both together would make a really sweet gift for a teacher wouldn't they?

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The chalk is only £1.25 for the box of 12 sticks & isn't the box the cutest!!!

Find the chalk *here*

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Another really sweet gift for teacher would be these fab retro style

Tea Time Mugs!

They are so cute & such a super bargain at only £2 each so again if you need to buy a few gifts for different teachers they are a fab buy!

You can find these *here*

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Even if you bought all three of these cute gifts for that special teacher it would only be £7.75!

And I'm sure the teacher would feel extra special!
Plus there are many more cute buys over at the Vintage Amethyst Boutique & you could pick up a cute gift for only a few pounds so pop on over to take a peek!

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Now if you are anything like me you are going to be singing
Schools Out for Summer

for the rest of the day!!!!!

*Vintage Amethyst on TV again!*

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Yes again! Remember this *post*

Vintage Amethyst was part of another Laurence Llewelyn Bowen makeover on This Morning yesterday!

I didn't really know I was going to be but I did know there was a chance but seeing as I wasn't informed of it this week by the This Morning team, I didn't think I would be, but this morning I remembered it would be on & so checked the This Morning website & there I was being thanked for providing one of these wonderful Vintage Style Birdcages!

*Yay*

Luckily I had This Morning on Sky+ as I had it on series link from the first makeover the other week & so I was able to sit down & watch it!

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I was so pleased to see the birdcage hanging from the ceiling with other birdcages all filled with candles in the sweet fairytale inspired living room.

Thank you again Laurence Llewelyn Bowen & the This Morning team for choosing Vintage Amethyst for these lovely makeovers!

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You will be able to view it online for a short while!
Click *here* to see.

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*Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic is coming to the UK*

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Have you heard the fantastic news?

Well the title may have given it away a little, but yes ...

Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic is coming to the UK!!!!

*YAY*

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Here is a sneak peek of some of the deliciousness from the House of Fraser press day!!!

Wonderfully pretty, but of course we don't expect anything else from Shabby Chic do we?

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The range is being launched in August, so not too long to wait thank goodness!

I'm really quite excited about it, are you?

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Linking to White Wednesday at Faded Charm

*Pretty Country Garden*

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A pretty garden idea from Ideal Home.

 Cream metal furniture is key to a country-garden look – it’s timeless and works well in small spaces. Add plump cushions in grape, pink and white, set out matching glassware, then sit back and soak up the sunshine!

Photograph by Simon Whitmore

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*Sweet Love Letters*

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I love these!

Newly arrived in the Vintage Amethyst Boutique are these really pretty cream

standing Love Letters which are this weeks

*Product of the Week*

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These cream Love letters are joined in a pretty design & are perfect for standing on shelves, bookcases, fireplaces, dressers etc. Really lovely for any home & they make a wonderful gift idea too.
Perfect for a wedding gift or your wedding day decor.
The letters are 12cms high at the tallest point & are 26cms wide.

They are £8.50 & you can find them *here*

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*A Pink Tea Time*

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There is nothing better than a fun & frilly tea time on a Saturday is there?

It's Pink Saturday today at How Sweet the Sound, so I thought I would join in with this cute tea time photo.

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Here I have my sweet pink tea pot, a cute cup & saucer which I have a set of 6 of which were an absolute bargain a few years ago 50p each! My Hot Paws & Trogg cupcake tea towel which was part of a birthday gift from a friend a few years ago which is so adorable & of course no tea time would be complete without Fondant Fancies!

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Make Your Saturday Pink!
Happy Saturday Lovelies ...

*A Vintage Vignette*

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The other day I was taking product photos of the new items that had arrived for the Vintage Amethyst Boutique & I thought while I'm at it I would take a few new shots of 'old' products to give them a little makeover as it were!

I wanted a new photo of the pretty birdcages & so created this little vignette which I thought was so pretty.

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The decorative birdcage is of course from the boutique, it sits next to a simple small white plant pot which I have filled with some pretty pink faux roses. They have such a soft pretty vintage inspired colour to them. I bought them about 7 years ago & still love them as much as I did when I bought them.

The mirror is a thrifty find from a charity shop. It was only £3.99 & I wanted one for my dressing table in the bedroom as we had just moved in to our house & so I was of course decorating & looking for new pretties. I painted it white & distressed it & aged it with tea bags too!!! So it now has a soft vintage look. It is actually upside down as it has a large bow at the bottom but it looks much better this way & as I only prop it up on the dressing table against the wall it makes sense to have the heavy part a the bottom, you can't tell at all though.

The necklaces draped over the top are vintage necklaces which used to belong to my Nana, I had one which she gave me when I was a teenager & the others I received when she passed away. I think they look so lovely here & of course I get to see them everyday. They are not only for decoration as I do wear them too, I actually wore the pearl necklace with 2 rows to my Mums funeral in April & the 3 row pearl necklace to my Nieces wedding in May.

All these pretties are sitting on top of another fab thrifty find which I have blogged about before but I have since painted it so I think it deserves a blog post of it's own, don't you?

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Hope you liked this pretty little vignette ...

Linking to White Wednesday at Faded Charm Wow us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Primp your Stuff Good Life Wednessay at The Beach Cottage Show & Tell at My Romantic Home

*Totally Adorable*

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Oh my!

Look at what has arrived at Vintage Amethyst!

These really adorable Birdcage Memo Holders, aren't they just delicious?

Seriously, if you don't like these there is something wrong with you!!!!

*tee hee*

Look how cute they are, they are slightly domed & have 6 pegs to peg memos, cards, invitations or even simply just for displaying pretty postcards like above.

They also have a cutie pie little birdy on top too!

I'm going to shout it ...

*ADORABLE*

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They would also be absolutely perfect for small vintage style weddings for a table plan too.

Just pop in a peg your table plan cards with the names of each guest & their table but obviously only for tables of 6 or under!

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The Birdcages are only £16 each & they can be found *here*

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Sorry for *swooning* so much but I'm sure you will agree they are very *swoon worthy*

*giggle*

*Pretty Pink Butterfly Garland*

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For this weeks

*Product of the Week*

I have chosen these really adorable

Pink Butterfly Garalands.

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A very pretty pink butterfly garland.
The garland mesures 190cm long and features 12 butterflies and beads.
The garland has a loop at one end & a large bead at the other for weight for vertical use, the butterflies look pretty & delicate hung this way.
Alternatively you could just use the garland to decorate mirrors, bedstands, tables etc. by wrapping & draping the garland. A little double sided tape or blu tack will keep the butterflies in place.
These are just perfect for little girls rooms & are popular for weddings too.
Each butterfly measures approx. 10cm.

These pretty garlands are only £8 each!

Find the

Butterfly Garlands

*here*

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*Frilly Vintage fun*

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I simply love this frilly fun image from Cosmopolitan Magazine France May 2011 issue, don't you?

Frilly Vintage Fun indeedy!

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*Woven Wicker Hearts*

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These really lovely Woven Wicker Hearts arrived last week & I know some of you were waiting eagerly for them!

They are so rustic & country in style but are such a pretty piece for any home.

These are so popular for weddings too!

Tie them with ribbon to pew ends or church gates or hang from ribbon at your reception or simple prop on fireplaces & shelves.

They are also lovely to use as a prop for wedding/engagment photography too to hold in your hands for a really sweet photo.

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These wonderful Woven Wicker Hearts are only £5 each & can be found *here*