Stock time - no, not that sort! Our animal stock of course...

No, not a sheep - this is Charlie our poodle - the shepherd keeps threatening to shear him too, and Charlie keeps threatening to bite the shepherd...




Our teenage pigs: just like human boys...all strop and grunt...


Sorry I haven't written a new blog for a day or two - we've been sorting out a new home for our pigs, and tidying up the sheep ie shearing, dosing etc.

Lots of outdoor work has also been done, cutting and stacking wood for the winter (perish the thought...) now that the weather has changed for the better.

I'm going to be back tomorrow with lots of lovely new stock to list - of the vintage variety!

French monogramme stamps for linen

Sorry but both stamps now sold.

Don't you just love French monogrammed linen? The wooden letter stamps are highly prized here in France and are collected vigorously - each letter is sought after...

The monogrammes were sometimes sewn freestyle, but more than often, the French used a stamp as a guide, inked, and then gently applied to their sheets, tablecloths, napkins, towels etc, to be sewn usually in white or red thread.

There was a huge range of stamps to choose from...Gothic , embellished with flowers, Art Deco, and a range of sizes in proportion to the item being embroidered.

I have some stamps for sale - here are two large examples - you can see them here and here in my Ebay shop - both auctions are starting at £4.99 - great value considering the cost of modern stamps!

A whole sheet of Limoges vignettes

Both sheets were sold but found another in a drawer as at April 2011
This is a whole sheet of vignettes from the Limoges porcelain factory. The little country scenes with beautifully dressed courtiers, musicians and galants, were used to decorate the blank pieces of porcelain, then fired and finished by painting by hand.

In the Limousin region, the agricultural workers used to decorate the wares in the winter when they couldn't work on the land - the alternative was slipper or glove making - or starve...

They are such sweet little scenes: singing and dancing, flirting and sneaking kisses, gorgeous 18th century costumes and hairstyles - all so very French...

I've listed it in my Etsy shop here but the best bit is...I've got 2 sheets!

New Stock - Magical, mythical winged lioness...

Sorry but I'm sold...

Isn't this just fabulous? It's a celluloid handle for a purse or bag, 1920's I think, and just crying out for a crafty lady to add some period vintage fabric, maybe a velvet or brocade, and turn it into a stunning heirloom of the future...You can read about it here ...

Why do cats like baskets?

This is Felix - or Fatboyfat as we like to call him for obvious reasons - how the basket didn't topple over, I'll never know...

Here is Tiger enjoying a snooze. He might be Tiger by name, but not by nature - he is simply a coward, but a bit of a gent too.

Neither of them are supposed to be in the business part of the house, but do you know what? Although I run my business from home, the cats are part of our family too, and that's what our house is - a family home.

New French fabrics - my last remnants...

A beautiful rustic fabric with a cute little flower - or snowflake - your choice!



The alternative - a gorgeous rustic red fabric - with the sweetest little heart

Sorry but all striped is sold

This country style red is a plain stripe ticking...

Or, again, a cute heart - just perfect for heart-shaped lavender bags...

sorry all berry fabric is now sold

This is a beautiful berried canvas, with basket weave - a super basket lining...

The is a very tactile version of the country heart check - there is a sage green twisted thread, which makes it beautifully textured

And here is the gorgeous cream, white and beige version and again, very tactile and textured...


I just love French country fabrics - this group of fabrics came from the mountain region of France and a firm favourite of the French for decorating their ski chalets and mountain wooden huts...my clients have found them just perfect for making small items such as lavender bags, shoe bags, blinds and panels on rustic country cushions.

I am selling all my last few remnants of the fabrics I ave been selling for 3 years now - it all started with a little piece of a vintage red stripe - with hearts - and I managed to find a source of a new version which ticked all the boxes.

My best-selling fabric? Well, the red heart stripe of course!

You can buy a remnant here on my Ebay shop - just clic on 'New French Fabrics' for the full selection but be quick - when these have gone, they've gone - the supplier has run out now and says he can't find anymore! I'm still searching...

Beautiful antique French corset with broderie anglais trim

Sorry, but I'm sold!

Oh! I wish I had a 20 inch waist...This beautiful French corset is in the palest pink, in cotton coutil and with broderie anglais lace and satin ribbon round the top. Just gorgeous! You can read more and follow my ebay auction here.