Seasonal Greetings

Dear all,

I wish you all and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and may 2013 brings lots of happiness, love and success in all your projects.

Cécile x

My local charity Raystede

Recently, we visited our local animal rescue centre Raystede to drop off bags of goodies for them to sell.

Raystede helps dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, horses, donkeys and all types of birds from exotic parrots to mallard ducks. It is very popular with families and they always organise events.

It’s a lovely place in the country, where you can wander around and feed the ducks, geese and swans and other birds around the large ponds.

The dogs’ pens are very roomy where they can run at their hearts’ contents.

The cafe is also very popular and always busy (very tasty cakes).

Please support your local charity organisations; some people and animals are not so lucky and need your support and donations especially in winter. Thank you.

http://www.raystede.org/

Cécile

Dainty Vintage Beaded Purse

Hi everyone,

I found this beautiful and delicate vintage purse embroidered with sequins and beads in an antique shop. It is handmade and the person who made it was very talented. The fabric is satin. I couldn't resist buying it.
I leave you with those pretty pics, enjoy!

Cécile

September News

Hello everyone,

I haven’t been very active on the blog sphere recently so here‘s a quick update of what’s been happening:

I went home early July and I could celebrate my mum’s birthday, which I haven’t had the opportunity to do for years. The weather was great and I spent quality time with my sister as well.

I visited the new exhibition at the CNCS (National Centre of Costumes) . This season was the costumes designed by Christian Lacroix for La Source ballet. The collection was of course magnificent, I leave you with pictures and explanations in English:

http://www.cncs.fr/expositions/a-l-affiche/christian%20lacroix,%20la%20source%20et%20le%20ballet%20de%20l'op%C3%A9ra%20de%20paris/37/en

I visited the Mantin House in my home town of Moulins. This huge house was closed for 100 years at the owner’s request. He didn’t have children so he gave his house to the town, which is a fantastic heritage present! Even the BBC, the National Geographic and the Daily Mail have talked about it in 2011!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12214885

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/02/pictures/110209-maison-mantin-french-time-capsule-mansion/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1362103/French-chateau-Maison-Mantin-opens-100-years.html

For me this house represented mystery as it’s always been closed through my whole childhood. I never actually realised I would get the opportunity to actually see inside. It was a great pleasure and I will visit it again in the future.

We watched the Olympic Games every night and even though I am not the sporty type, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s such a positive event where people give their best of themselves constantly. It was beautiful to watch all those winners on the podium.

My sister came to visit early August so we went to Brighton and spent a day in London during the games. It was very busy of course but we always felt safe wherever we went.  My boyfriend cooked them an English breakfast and they absolutely loved it!

I will be back soon with more updates.

New Business Cards

Hi all,

I'm very happy with my new business cards, I ordered them at Genie which is a Brighton based print and design company (keep it local!).
They did a great job and were really helpful. http://www.geniedesignandprint.co.uk/

I'm off to work on my new little projects (to be coming soon!)

Have a great weekend and enjoy the sunshine,

Cécile

Pictures at the Big Bead Boutique

Picture inside the shop and my bag and purses in the window,

  

Artists Open Houses, Brighton weekends 5-27 May 2012

Hi all,
I have a fantastic news to share with you: I am exhibiting my work at the Artist Open Houses this year to the beautiful Big Bead Boutique situated 12 Dyke Road, BN1 3FE from today until Sunday 27^th of May.

The Artist Open Houses (commonly called AOH) is at the same time than the famous Brighton and Fringe festivals. It is a wonderful opportunity for all artists based in and around Brighton to exhibit their work in galleries, shops, cafes and independent houses around town.

If you want to grab yourselves handmade and unique creations of all sorts, this is the best opportunity for you to support talented local artists and you have 3 weeks to do so.

The atmosphere is great and there are most of the time cakes on offer (always a bonus after walking up and down the Brighton streets!)

A free booklet is also available in most shops where you can find details of all the houses you can visit (95 pages of it with detailed maps).

Joanne at the Big Bead Boutique has been really welcoming and she’s so enthusiastic and passionate about what she does. Pop in and browse the wonderful choice of beads, jewellery, vintage buttons and delicate lace and more that are on offer.

Here are a few links for you to check out:

http://www.aoh.org.uk/home

http://brightonfestival.org/

http://www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk/

http://www.bigbeadboutique.co.uk/

Hope to see you there! - Pictures soon to come!
Cécile

Daisy

I sold this bag before I even had time to advertise it!

It is made with this gorgeous genuine vintage brown cotton with daisy print designs. The lining is apple green with 2 inside pockets.
The bottom is a mustard cotton that matches with the yellow of the flowers.
It is ready to be shipped to France.

Matching accessories available soon on Folksy.

Vintage finds

And the winner is...

me.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my blog!

It is 2 years now and still very young but I can say I thoroughly enjoy updating it with news and pictures. It’s really fun to do. I want to take this special opportunity to celebrate it with a free giveaway. I shall give the winner the chance to receive either a Minxy purse or a make-up bag: the choice will be yours!

Here are the designs the lucky winner will choose from:

 

If you want the opportunity to receive one of those items, here are the 3 easy steps to follow:

-          Follow my blog (I will follow yours in return).

-          Pick one of the designs and put a comment on my blog explaining in a few words why you prefer this particular one.

-          Favourite my Folksy or Etsy shop (or both if you fancy)

http://folksy.com/shops/minxybags

http://www.etsy.com/shop/minxybags

I will pick a name from a bag on Saturday the 14^th April (in 3 weeks time).

Good luck!

Cécile

Folksy shop up and running with brand new creations

Hello all,

My Folksy shop is up and running again.

You can find some of my accessories such as the roomy Minxy purses, the very useful Make-up Bags and my brand new creation: the Lolita brooches.

Here is the direct link: http://folksy.com/shops/minxybags

Thank you for browsing,

Cécile



Heart Felt Brooch from Dizzykitty

Hello all,

I bought this gorgeous yummy red heart felt brooch from Cat at Dizzykitty, you can visit her shop on Folksy here: http://folksy.com/items/2298677-SUPER-SALE-Heart-Brooch-Various

There is so much more in her shop but I just love my brooch, it was made with care and taste and it looks amazing on my cardigan.
Thank you Cat!

Cécile

New Trésor clutch

Hello,

A new addition to my Trésor clutch bags:

For those daring ladies who want to add a “Rock Chic” touch to their outfit with the leopard print fabric. It is made with 100% cotton.

It has an inside pocket and the flap closes with a magnetic clasp fastener.

To be purchased on my website: http://www.minxybags.co.uk/10.html 

Yummy!

I found this picture of a gorgeous cake in a magazine and I thought it to be too beautiful and yummy not to share.
Hope it will inspire the cook in you.
Cécile

South Downs under the snow

Just came back from a walk in the beautiful East Sussex countryside so I thought I'd share some pics with you:

Enjoy,
Cécile

New ideas for Brooches

Inspiration is a strange thing, one minute is there, the next is gone. So, I always make sure I have a pen and a pad in my bag to draw doodles; write down ideas, interesting websites and blogs to follow etc.

I have been experiencing a lot lately for new ideas on brooches as I don’t want to go for the usual flowers. I am proud to say I have designed some pretty good bits!
Lots of funky and colourful brooches are on the making right now.

Keep warm and have a lovely weekend.

Cécile

La Marelle en Papier

Hello all,
I would like to present La Marelle en Papier or Paper Hopscotch:

http://www.lamarelle.net

La Marelle en papier is a French website where you can find lovely accessories such as jewellery, bags, home decoration, stationery and more but the main difference is that all the designs found on these items are from very talented French designers/ illustrators.



And the good news is the website is also in English (and in Japanese).


If you want to check out the designers, you need to swap to the French version and click on “les illustrateurs” (bottom left hand side). Their profiles are in French but if you want to look at their designs, then click on “voir ses produits” to view what’s available.

Personnaly, I would like them to introduce handmade products.

They are doing a massive sale of 60% so I strongly advise to look around.
You can nevertheless browse and view inspirational, funky, colourful and definitely original designs!


(If there is anything you fancy or want to know but can find it only in French, give me a shout, I would delighted to help).
 

Enjoy and have a lovely weekend,
Cécile