Browsing the net

Sorry, these doileys are sold



Sorry but this hat is sold


Sorry but this dress is sold
Sorry about the 'net' pun - but all these items are made of some kind of net as a base or trim. There is the white summer dress, dating from 1930s, the black hat from the 1940s and the trio of doileys from the 1950s. They are all listed on my Ebay site - clic here for more info.

Incidentally, when I looked at my Ebay shop on Friday, I noticed that I'm now a 'Power Seller'. Well, I am surprised - I have never really taken much interest in all these buttons and logos - I just like to quietly put my finds on the site and if they sell fine, if they don't, well I can enjoy them in my home for a little longer! To me, it's one more thing I have to worry about. Oh dear!

Good for her!

Good for Princess Beatrice - over £81,100 for charity! I wonder who bought the hat...

Just for men?

Sorry but the blue cuff-links are sold



I recently bought some cuff links from a market near Montbron, Charente. I did buy quite a few - pearly ones, silvery ones and a few old 1920s pairs - memories of when my OH worked in the City and had to look smart. Back in the '80s, he even wore red braces...nowadays it's jeans in the winter, and shorts in summer, but I digress...

Don't you think that cuff links on a crisp white shirt just lift a man's outfit? Here are a few cuff links - and I have even opened a new Etsy shop to celebrate - La Cravate. I have still got loads to list, but this is just a taster - I am hoping to fill it with men's stuff, to keep my other Etsy shop, Vintagemaison, for my usual more feminine items.

Take a peek here (my son is the hairy one on the right - even hairier now as this was taken some months ago...)

Sign language - French

You know sometimes your kids do something that makes you gasp - in a good way of course - well, meet my daughter.

Here she is, helping her daddy with some brambles, whilst chatting away about a new boy in her school who happens to be deaf. She explained that he was a bit shy, so she and her best friend - both English - sidled up to him and asked him if he would like to sit with them for lunch.

He could lipread if they spoke in French, but she was fascinated to find he spoke 'sign language' at home and she asked him to teach her.

Well, she now knows all the alphabet, can greet and meet, and the best bit - can apparently swear like a French trooper - all so she and her friend can make this French lad feel comfortable.

And she's learning sign language - in French of course. Ooh, I could just burst with pride...

Some old needlecraft work for sale

Sorry, but this trim is sold
I love this lace/crochet trim - it forms a square frame 2 feet by 2 feet, with sweet corners perfectly turned - just right for decorating a bedcover, curtain or tablecloth - my Ebay auction is here.



sorry, this doiley is sold
This French doiley is amazing - look at the work - it must have taken hours to make. Read more here.


Sorry, but this cushion is sold
A pair of doves, sitting on a sprig of blossom - this wool work cushion is from the 1950s and has a burgundy velour base - see more here



This waffle weave hand or guest towel is a little shabby, but we can forgive that because it has an enormous monogram in red cross stitch 'LR'. You could use it to make a fabulous cushion or bag - or, if you don't mind the slightly shabby fringe it would be perfect in a guest room or cloakroom.
The Ebay listing is here.



Sorry but this item is sold
The ever-popular basket of flowers - hand embroidered on this table runner. SO pretty - and useful - you can read more here.

I just love these items - they're just simple, household linen that have been lovingly worked by a past generation - they're not museum pieces nor rare works of art, just nice, comfortable things to have around the home.

All these skills used to be taught at school, and girls learned by watching their mothers and grannies - such a shame that there is no time nor room in schools these days for such crafts. Thank goodness for a revival in interest in all things vintage and retro - and for places like Etsy and Ebay where we can buy and sell these gorgeous items from the past.