lace and broderie anglaise

I never know for certain if broderie anglais/e should have that final 'e' at the end - if you look at dictionaries/Google etc, it varies depending on which site you look at.  The French always add the 'e' and I guess it is because 'broderie' is a feminine noun.  I prefer it with an 'e' as it sounds rather nice, although sometimes I do forget to use it!

Anyway, pedantics aside, I thought I would show you a few bits of lace and broderie anglaise that I recently  listed - some sold, some not.

A pretty little girl's dress - simple but with a border of lace at the hem.  It has a 1920s feel about it, with drop waistline.

simple, but quite sweet. dress now sold

A beautiful collar for a dress or blouse

there are little buttonholes to be attached to another garment - easier to wash just the collar when dresses were so bulky and hard work to launder
 

My favourite item for ages - a stunning pair of bloomers - with an elastic waist for easy wear!  Stunning isn't a word I use often, but these are really quite lovely.  I have replaced the elastic as it had withered away, but otherwise, the quality and condition are both excellent.
bloomers now sold 
 

The lace border is quite generous: over 5 1/2 inches deep

and to finish, a tiny monogram 'MM' stitched on the leg

This girl's petticoat is gathered at the waist, and the lace would allow ribbon to be threaded through
 

the ribbon is long gone, but the item is in very good condition .  Nowadays, a little girl could wear this as a dress, not under a dress - they must have been very hot in summer with so many layers albeit white cotton! Petticoat now sold

Slip now sold
Another very popular item - a lady's slip, or summer nightdress.  Perfect for the heat of the summer

and again, simple, but decorated with hand embroidery and a touch of lace on the top edge.

A piece of more modern palest salmon pink lace, machine made, but perfect to decorate a 1950s or 60s petticoat or nightdress.
salmon lace now sold

I really like the very pale salmon pink colour - very subtle

and quite sheer, with a nice floral design.  Even in modern times using modern manufacturing methods, lace is still so popular.

If you would like more information, just clic on my shops above or send a message.

Have a good weekend!

Little bit of recent vintage French stock

I thought I'd pop on some pieces of stock I've recently had - just to show that I have been busy and not spending too much time in the garden, now that the sun has finally appeared.

All the pieces here are vintage French - not modern copies.   I have laundered each garment - and starched where necessary:  I love pressing the linen - especially the tiny baby clothes!

 

Another one of my dramatic black hats, complete with veil.  Worn in mourning, and I suppose eventually worn all the time, this has a little ribbon ruffle for decoration.
    

hat now sold

Baby gowns all now sold

a little baby gown - just love the sleeves - handmade, warm and cosy without being too hot as it is made from cotton ribbing.

Here is a vintage version of the babygro - or growbag, as my brother used to call them.  It has little glass buttons 

and here is another, slightly different.  I sell lots of these to doll collectors, who prefer to have the real vintage item instead of a modern copy.

a French sewing basket - there are compartments inside, just waiting to be filled with reels of cotton, embroidery silks and buttons...

 

and another, in blue, with a handle (which pops out for ease of shipping!)

 

This trim makes a gorgeous shelf edging - or to use on a blind or curtain
trim now sold

or perhaps to trim a cushion?

A really beautiful baby's bib.  This is for a new-born - so much work, just for a little bib!
bib now sold

 

I've always found these sweet bibs popular both as gifts for new Mums, and doll owners - this is so gorgeous, I feel like framing it! bib now sold

This is a rare item - an AMICE - a cloth which a priest would wear around the neck and shoulders, with the little red cross at the back, and then tied across the chest: worn under the outer robes.
amice now sold

and, oh dear, I don't know if I should have followed up with a pink corset, but there you are - a little bit of ooh la la!

complete with original maker's name label!
corset now sold

As usual, if you would like any further information, please do clic on my page here, or contact me by leaving a message. 

A bit of a storm in Saint Mathieu

Had a bit of a storm yesterday afternoon - the power was off until early this morning.  Heard there was some damage at the lake at Saint Mathieu, and as we were passing, OH took some piccies on his phone.

The lake area is lovely - we often walk there with the dog.  There are little cabins which house the first-aid centre, refreshments, and a shower/changing area for bathers.  Some of the cabins have been completely smashed, and trees are damaged and toppled over. 

 

 

It looked as though a small tornado had passed through - some of the trees had lost branches, or had the tops ripped off but in a twisting motion, not merely snapped off.

Fortunately, no-one appears to have been injured

Some recent stock items

Just a few items sold or up for sale recently - hope you like them!

A gorgeous pair of metal handles, decorated with lions, but unusually silver coloured, not the normal bronze. Sold

A  nice little French fur muff to keep nice little hands warm - and the original box- Sold

 A couple of pairs of pinze-nez, and with cases both sold

Such a pretty candlestick, in white porcelain from Porcelain de Paris, decorated with the sweetest roses and forget-me-nots...

And from Limoges, a beautifully simple asparagus serving dish and drainer - but you'll have to be quick as the season is so short! Sold

An olive oil pot from Provence, glazed interior, for the rustic kitchen, or on display in the garden - Sold

A large terrine dish, in the shape of the cutest rabbit, with the text 'Terrine du Chef' decorated in blue and green sold

A wonderful cookery book - all the flavours of the Med  - from Marseille, with an authentic and traditional recipe for bouillabaisse

For anyone interested, deeply interested, in trees of the British Isles: this is volume I of a must-have set -Sold

A French book on the Chateau of Chambord - there is a huge brocante in the grounds of the chateau in the next few days...I would love to go, but there is so much going on right now at home - including welcoming our newest arrivals - two ferrets!  - sorry, book is sold.

If you would like any more information or enquire to buy, just send me a message.

Spring bulbs

Very pleased with this pot of bulbs - there is another identical pot on the other side of the door, but to get the picture, I had to take FIVE like this one:

The trouble with our animals, they are all so nosy and always want to see what I'm pointing the camera at!

Picnic area at Chateau d'Eveque

We had to drive down into the Dordogne this week - to Perigeux in fact.  Because OH can't always get the food he needs (type2 diabetes) we sometakes take sarnies/yoghurts/fruit etc when going on a little drive.

En route, we saw this little picnic area, just off the main road and stopped to eat.  It was a gorgeous little haven, with a running stream - clear as a bell as you can see.  It is lovely to be able to stop in such a pretty and clean area - although in this part of France, the countryside is just glorious and it's always neat and pretty - but sort of always taken for granted.  This area has been provided as a picnic stop and also for camper vans to sort out their, ahem, arrangements

We had to stop at the level crossing to let a train pass - unusual to actually see a train for us - and although I didn't get a shot of it, here is the ticket office, which shows the name of the village nearby.

 The translation of Chateau d'Eveque is Bishop's Palace, and next time we are down that way, we'll investigate the village.