Krishenka

Searching for the History of a Bisque Socket Head Dolly Faced Doll - Armand Marseille

2020-09-13T15:32:00.006+02:00

The owner of this doll was born in South of France in 1897 and her name was Charlotte Timbert. So lets say Charlotte would be 4 or 5 when she was given the doll that would take us to 1901 or 1902. So when was the doll made?

I am thinking perhaps any time from 1885 when

Armand Marseille started producing these dolls up till the 1950's but the jointed bodies were bought in from I believe Germany

Her grandson is a neighbour of mine and a few weeks ago he came across a box in his attic and this little lady was inside. She is an a bit of a state as you can see

She has real hair and her eyes are gorgeous too, with the cutest little rosebud mouth and that dimple don't you just love her?

Gorgeous little boned Corset with tiny glass buttons to which I assume a skirt would have been attached. Sadly no clothes were found in the box.

Corset was made by Maison Miege Corsets

The little shoes are leather but one is badly damaged and they are tied with ribbon and one shoe has a tiny pompom. Socks are still intact.

Back of her head is marked with DEP 8, there is a smiggin of a label but nothing to be seen there.. She is also in need of a good hair do and some dental work!

If you have any information that would help me identify her that would be great. I am trying to find out what clothes she would have worn, all takes time but little by little.

When the wind Blows

2018-03-02T15:29:00.000+01:00

I am amazed that this tree which has 3 stumps (only one fell) and landed on our shack, no damage was done thankfully, the guttering smashed but only because the ladder hit it. This will keep us busy for a few days trying to work out how to get to it to cut it down. Might need to hire a cherry picker. Will at least have some extra firewood for next year.

Poppy builds herself a huge Insect Hotel

2018-02-24T09:07:00.001+01:00

My granddaughter Poppy wanted to make an insect hotel but decided she wanted a big one. Dad cut out the wood and of she goes. She has some little bird house lights to attach and also wants to add a sign. Love the fact that she doesn't sit with her eyes glued to her phone, in fact she thinks they can be very annoying. Wonder what she will be when she grows up? Think mum helped a little too.

In and around Andalucia

2018-02-23T14:46:00.001+01:00

We were on holiday the same time as a couple of our friends and they went to Cartagena for a trip out, below are a few fabulous pictures taken by Sue

Eating in the UK in the 50's

2018-01-24T09:49:00.000+01:00

Pasta had not been invented.

Curry was a surname.

A takeaway was a mathematical problem.

A pizza was something to do with a leaning tower.

Bananas and oranges only appeared at Christmas time.

All crisps were plain; the only choice we had was whether to put the salt on or not.

A Chinese chippy was a foreign carpenter.

Rice was a milk pudding, and never, ever part of our dinner.

A Big Mac was what we wore when it was raining.

Brown bread was something only poor people ate.

Oil was for lubricating, fat was for cooking

Tea was made in a teapot using tea leaves and never green.

Coffee was Camp, and came in a bottle.

Cubed sugar was regarded as posh.

Only Heinz made beans.

Fish didn't have fingers in those days.

Eating raw fish was called poverty, not sushi.

None of us had ever heard of yoghurt.

Healthy food consisted of anything edible.

People who didn't peel potatoes were regarded as lazy.

Indian restaurants were only found in India.

Cooking outside was called camping.

Seaweed was not a recognized food.

"Kebab" was not even a word never mind a food.

Sugar enjoyed a good press in those days, and was regarded as being white gold.

Prunes were medicinal.

Surprisingly, muesli was readily available, it was called cattle feed.

Pineapples came in chunks in a tin; we had only ever seen a picture of a real one.

Water came out of the tap, if someone had suggested bottling it and charging more than petrol for it they would have become a laughing stock.

The one thing that we never ever had on our table in the fifties ……………. was elbows!

Almost time for a Holiday

2018-01-18T09:53:00.001+01:00

Happy New Year to you, already we are half way through January, a very wet, cold one at that. Not that I am complaining as anytime I can't get out to the garden I can find plenty to do in my work room (wanted to say studio but that would be a lie and a tad pretentious on my part), it's just a big room filled with all sorts for me to dabble with.

Heading of to Spain for a month next week and really looking forward to having a break and doing lots of walking, reading, and generally having time to relax. Looking through the rental photo's, the main room has a collection of keys displayed on a wall. The house is called "Cortijo Papaico" I googled the name and it looks like Cortijo is (Farmhouse), think I prefer the Spanish version. I thought it might be a nice gesture to make up a sachet to take to the house and of course added a vintage key.

My neighbour brought round the above mushrooms called Pied Violet and gave me a recipe, made it up and have to say it went in the bin, the mushrooms tasted and smelled of bark, moss & wood and very strong. My neighbour was not impressed :( but then she did say it was an acquired taste (and I for one will never aqquire it)..

Grabbed some scraps and did a mad doodle all over it and then made a journal cover.

Grabbed some more scraps and thought I would make some ribbon, added the scraps to a muslin back and have have to say it was a fun and interesting project. I had no idea what I was going to do with it.. and then!

I decided to have a go at free motion stitiching and I used (yes indeed) the entire length of the scrap ribbon, bit rough but I will certainly try again.

This is a machine applique of three retro birds and have to say I do love them, you can make them any colour you like. The ones below were custom orders and have flown to their new home.

The other day I had a custom order for 30 sachets made up in a gorgeous toile de Jouy linen for a wedding.
Have to say I have had a lovely week, I am lucky, I know this. Maybe while in Spain I will be able to post a few pictures, but me and my phone are not always on speaking terms, but will try all the same.

Chinese Light Festival Gaillac

2018-01-05T14:06:00.000+01:00

Took the Grandkids to see the Chinese Lantern festival last night in Gaillac (right on our doorstep) and have to say was pretty impressive to say the least. Thought I would share a few of the amazing displays with you. I have to give credit to my girlfriend Sue for the photo's as she has such a good eye and takes cracking pictures. I think the peacocks were my favourite and each one took 50 days to construct and there were 3 of them. Would love to see a video of them assembling all of this.

Happy New Year wishes from Krishenka

2017-12-31T00:00:00.000+01:00

May all your troubles last as long as your resolutions :)

xxxxxxxx

What Keeps me Out of Mischief

2017-12-01T14:39:00.000+01:00

Loved making these gift tag sachets in silk and vintage lace. The labels were given to me by a lovely girlfriend (lucky me)

Another cow made, no name for her yet. Any suggestions?

A few upcycled keys

Painted bottles with labels prited from The Graphics Fairy

Mulled Wine Sachets

Made this to wear on my next night out.

Nest week myself and two girlfriends are doing the Christmas fair and I am just about done, I think!!!

Introducing Miss Marguerite

2017-11-19T12:15:00.000+01:00

I received a package the other day to create a cow called Miss Marguerite, who when finished is a mere 60cm tall, sporting her new dress, blouse, baggy pants and leggings so I have been a tad occupied with making her up, have to say the head was the worst part but after that it was all pretty much plain sailing. She is heading back home next week and I am hoping she will enjoy her new life and family in Paris. Time to have a tidy up and decide what my next project will be.

Happy Sunday

French Vintage Keys Upcycled + Worldwide Giveaway

2017-11-05T14:51:00.000+01:00

I have had these keys for sometime and said to myself, "One day I will do something with them" well that was a few days ago, and as I had put them somewhere safe it took me almost 2 days to find the little blighters. I have used white organza, lace, button, small flowers cord, printed some French labels and a few more bits, and I can see a few becoming presents for some friends who love old keys. As for the beer bottles I decided to have a go at painting them, then distressed them and put on a French label, think they would be good for decoration and maybe a candle would work too.

So I thought I would offer one of my readers a key of their choice. Just leave a number from one to eight as to which one you would like and a random name will be drawn via Raffleopter.

Open worldwide and the more times you enter the more chances you will have of winning.

Good Luck

a Rafflecopter giveaway

October in the Tarn - Chez Nous

2017-10-24T11:50:00.000+02:00

It has been an amazing month here in the Tarn as normally the fire would be on by mid September, this year though we are seem to be having an extended summer (yay) and still plenty of flowers blooming away in the garden. I am making the most of it as next week not only the temperature is going to drop, but the clocks go back and it's going to be dark by 6pm.

Dug out a new path to cut down on weeding

so far so good

Jan Knibbs Atelier19 Cheltenham - Award Winning Designer

2017-10-08T17:47:00.000+02:00

I had the pleasure of meeting Jan two weeks ago when my girlfriend and I popped into her shop in my old hometown of Cheltenham. I took a few photo's but some did not turn out as I had hoped, still the two I got were good enough to use to show you her fabulous work. A truly charming lady with immense talent, and when I discovered her on Etsy well I could not resisit showing of her work. In her own words below I agree with all she has said and I am hoping that my girlfriend takes her wedding dress in and lets Jan loose on it. You can see more of Jan's creations here, just follow the link which will take you into her shop... Atelier19Cheltenham enjoy.

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I have always been a complete magpie and hoarder and collected vintage clothing, lace and anything sparkly from a very early age. I love all forms of surface embellishment and have specialised in Embroidery all my adult life, constantly learning new couture skills to add to my repertoire of skills . I now combine all these techniques often incorporating vintage treasures which has become my signature style. i will basically make anything from a pair of earrings to a wedding dress as long as I can add some embroidery to it and have won many awards including the British Bridal Awards and the Hand and Lock Prize for Embroidery in recognition of my skills.

I devote the utmost care and attention to detail to all my creations, making each piece a unique, one-off work of art that will be treasured for years to come. They appeal to fashion aficionados and collectors of fine craftwork and indeed anyone looking for something distinctive to make them stand out from the crowd. My creative flair, imagination and fine craftsmanship lend everything I create an air of fantasy and romance.

a-pair-of-delicately-embroidered-white wedding shoes

a-cream-satin-and-gold-lace-floral embroidered necklace

These beauties were in the shop window display, are they not just gorgeous

Another beautiful display

The detail on this is stunning

New window display entitled "When Doves Cry"

Chinese Silk Embroidery Rescue

2017-09-12T13:31:00.001+02:00

Well what would you say if you found your girlfriend was sending this to reject heaven? I am guessing you would say "well in that case can I have it please"? and so it came home with me and it is totally gorgeous, seemingly it came from China and it looks hand embroidered on silk. The details are just equisite, children flying kites, carrying a large carp, to many to mention so I will let you feast your eyes. I am now looking to find the right place to hang this little beauty. Lucky me

Beach Thistles (In the Hoop Embroidery)

2017-09-10T12:06:00.000+02:00

I wanted to try out some ITH embroidery applique and came across PixieWillowPatterns on Etsy where I found this lovely applique design for Beach Thistles. I made these into lavender sachets but you could make them into hand warmers if filled with crushed walnuts or flax. You can let your imagination go wild re which fabrics to use, I choose to use wool, muslin, silk and cotton and added a couple of seed pearls on the leaf stems. Really easy to make and a delight to stitch.

Happy Camping

2017-08-31T15:03:00.003+02:00

This made me laugh out loud.

For sale: Beautiful Hobby Siesta 555 Motorhome. 2013. 5-berth. Only 13,000 miles. Excellent condition. £31k ono.

It’s a fantastic van, perfect layout for a family of 4, but please read on before you buy as I want you to be sure this is something you really want. We bought it a few months ago and, as you’re about to read, discovered the motorhome life is not for us....

Basically, it will suit anyone who hasn't tried motorhoming yet and is in need of a really stressful, totally exhausting holiday experience.

Yes, you too can have a try at driving non-stop at pitifully slow speeds with the stench of a chemical toilet wafting constantly under your nose. It will do 70-80mph comfortably and if you do decide to go above 55mph you have the added entertainment value of watching the fuel needle as it moves quickly downwards while reminding you that your holiday money is fast being whittled away on diesel.

This is described elsewhere as a ‘luxury’ motorhome although in order to really feel comfortable it will help if you’re not yet fully grown and have no history of claustrophobia. Our three-year-old found it perfect.

The ingenious 'Sleep-no-More' compartments which were introduced to motorhomes in the 1970's mean you get to spend the whole night trying to get some kip. The mattresses are as soft and fluffy as our patio and, if you keep the windows closed, you can experience 'a cheap high' due to the distinct lack of oxygen.

Wait, there's more... one of the truly great things about motorhoming is you get to spend every single spare minute of your holiday packing, unpacking and repacking boxes so that everything fits... and then do it all again when you realise you left your keys, your daughter’s crayons or your wife’s shoes in the bottom box. Bizarrely, most motorhomers think this is fun. Yay!

Oh, and you'll never be bored... there's always something to fix. Whether it's the window or skylight you left open before getting on the auto-route, the door handle that your children like to swing on, or any of the million-and-one crappy little plastic fixings that were put there with the specific intention of having you contact the manufacturer for a replacement at a stupidly high price.

As you’ll see from the pictures, it has a lovely shower room/toilet and a fitted ‘kitchen’. Our daughter has a 2-foot high wooden dolls house which has a similar sized kitchen but don't let floor space put you off - this comes complete with a sink in which you can fit a whole coffee mug and a hob on which you can practice the forgotten art of 'one-pot-cooking'. The oven is immaculate as it hasn't been used – we weren't able to find an item of food that would fit.

The shower looks great doesn’t it? And if you have the physique of a broom handle it will serve you perfectly. I’ll tell you about the toilet in a minute.

Driving this thing is a one-of-a-kind experience. Have you ever driven a cement mixer? I's very similar. It is also a chiropractor’s dream. After a few hundred miles you’ll soon notice you’ve developed a painful stoop from ducking every time you drive under a bridge, hoping and praying you don’t lose your bedroom.

But of course, the biggest advantage of a motorhome is the freedom it brings and this is where they really come into their own. After driving for twelve hours to make your ferry booking, you can simply pull over in your exhausted, weary state… and sleep in a noisy, shitty service station. Come on, what could be better? Erm, a hotel?

Finally, there's the toilet. Is this a joke? Are motorhome designers and manufacturers secretly pissing themselves having pulled off the prank of the century? For those who haven't experienced one of these creations this is the process...

The chemical toilet basically provides the means to not only relieve yourself without using public conveniences but also to perform Gillian Mackeith-style health checks on every traveller in the motorhome.

Yes, if you're the not-so-democratically-elected 'emptier' of this disgusting device (as is every man) you get to see, smell and even TASTE (unfortunately for me, I found 'splash backs' at the disposal points to be quite common) the faecal deposits of your entire family. It can only be described as a very shitty job.

So... on that note, if you'd like to try motorhoming and have a go at spending your next holiday in a luxurious but very smelly, slow-moving, cramped box on wheels, pm me (Rob).
Happy trucking

Chinoiserie Wristlet Giveaway - Worldwide

2017-08-01T10:10:00.002+02:00

I have been meaning to do a giveaway for sometime now and I hope you approve of my choice. It's a Chinoserie style wristlet in a medium weight linen, beige background with black, grey and white floral print and a gorgeous bow front. Coffee coloured lining in cotton.

Measures 23cm x 13cm (9" x 5").

So how can you win this you ask? well simple really using Rafflecopter below, this giveaway is world wide. Good luck everyone.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Exposition de boîtes aux lettres de Pierre Prévost à Villeneuve-d'Aveyron

2017-07-20T12:00:00.000+02:00

I think Pierre Prévost has a grand sense of humour, on wandering around the village you will see his creations, some are very amusing and I am sure the postie must have a good chuckle when delivering the mail....

Le Bon Pain de Margot

2017-07-19T13:30:00.000+02:00

Decided to go and spend the night here in Villeneuve d'Aveyron in our old camper as there was a Medievil Fair along with other various activities. We ended up spending 2 nights as there was so much going on a one night stop would not do it justice.

In 1073, Raoul de Tarente had a church and a monastery built on the causse to respect the will of his father, Odil de Morlhon. Margot, widow of a companion mason, kneaded and baked bread for the workmen. For Thomassin, the prime contractor, raising a semicircular vault, like that of Jerusalem, represents a major technical challenge.

In addition, Gaspard, the pilgrim, announces very bad news: the road to Jerusalem is cut off.

Will the vow of Odil be fulfilled? Will the devil prevent the construction of the abbey and the rescue?

For all those who hope to find in this new city the bread of each day, with peace and security,

the stakes are high.

Fabulous stage production and the sound effects were brilliant, the square was

filled with the sounds of horses galloping and whinnying in battle making it a a great spectacle.




A brilliant stage production, in full sun must have been hard going for them 



Margot with her good bread



The smell from these was mouth watering



Kids trying their hand at Caligraphy



Story teller and she was pretty good with the sword too

Missed the last parade as I was so hot had to go and have a beer....

Talk about a Challenge!

2017-07-18T16:51:00.002+02:00

On being asked if I could recover six chairs I of course said "Probably" little did I know that when they arrived three would be in pieces, still as I do love a challenge I set to and slowly managed to put them back together. All the webbing had to be replaced and one seat looked like it had a cannon ball dropped through it. Small pieces were missing and I had to layer up with wood putty and then smooth it down to match the chair shape, I enjoyed that. But the hard bit was matching the colour and on one chair I was not totally successful, nevertheless not a bad match. The first lot of fabric my client choose arrived and the minute I touched it I knew it was not linen (sold as Linen but was in fact polyester) so after a lot of emails with the seller I managed to get a full refund and went on the search again and found this lovely Toile de Jouy linen with country scenes. Phew is all I can say but overall I am pleased. Judging by the last photo on here so was the client. Now you know where I have been last couple of months.

Tada

Getting the dowels and old screw out was interesting to say the least

Was a bit like doing a large jigsaw

New dowels now to refill

The cannon ball seat

More glue needed

This picture though made my day :)

Gallery Le Novelle Special Castle Cakes

2017-05-03T12:46:00.002+02:00

I saw this (in my opinion) stunning cake on a Face Book post and decided to share it. The caption asked you to describe the cake in one word, and it provoked many comments like.... Ostentatious, tacky, over the top, pointless, Gay (like how can a cake be gay?), stupid, wasteful, expensive, breathtaking, horrible and the list goes on. For me I saw the skill and dexterity that must go into each and every one.

These Castle cakes are made by Le Novelle based in Indonisia and are special custom made to order.

Love them or hate them you can't deny skill, what do you think?

Read The F.... Manual

2017-04-25T18:06:00.000+02:00

Yesterday I saw some key holders posted on a craft group I am in. I had bought the design a few days ago and had not got round to making them. So this morning I went to make them up and to cut a long story short I must have left my brain in the breadbox. The design told you to cut two pieces of fabric 22cm X 12cm so I did, then it told you to fold in half (so I did) then what did I do? I cut them in half again, thought to myself why didn't they just say cut four pieces 11 x 6 anyway I made one up and thought the bottom was really difficult to turn up and as you can see from the pic below what a mess. Later that day I was speaking to a friend who is also a fellow crafter and turns out she had also bought the same design, so I was asking her how she got on with the hemming, if she was next to me I just know her eyebrows would be raised to the max, umm what hemming she asked! several convos later I twigged with a friendly nudge from friend that I was not meant to cut the ruddy fabric in half again as that makes the hem duhhhhhhhh. You live and learn. Oh well tomorrow is another day.... I can hear my DH quoting his favourite expression RTFM....:)

complete bodge

Finally I got it right

Lynne's Key Fobs

Moria's Key Fobs

So there you go so perhaps tomorrow my brain will be reinstated and I will be able to follow instructions properly:)

Missing in Action

2017-04-21T11:14:00.000+02:00

Thank you so much for the emails I have received asking me if I was well. Yes I am thank you but instead of giving excuses ( I could invent several) as to lack of blog posts lately I hold my hands up and admit it was shear laziness and bad management on my part. Something else always seemed to pop up and then I would forget about it for a few days, and then it turned into weeks.
But I promise you I have been busy with a few custom orders, doing appliques and trying to master Kanzashi petals.

Love making these cushions with a machine applique of retro birds with gorgeous curly tails

my first attempt of Kanzashi flowers

and another

A sweet little makeup bag

A few hair barrettes

I love Dandelions

Fun with Applique cats

This one was quite funny as I was to make a hairdressing cape with the name Eveyln, I made it up thinking perhaps it is a French way of spelling Evelyn. Client got it wrong and told me not to bother changing it and seemingly her friend thought it was hilarious. Wonder if she will ever use it?

Will be back soon with a giveaway have a great weekend xx

Happy Valentine's Day

2017-02-14T09:50:00.004+01:00

Secrets of Rose Cottage

2017-01-22T17:08:00.001+01:00

On looking through some old paperwork I came across this news cutting.

This is going back to 1986 when I awoke one morning to find a letter in my post box from my sister; on opening it I found a scrap of paper (above if you click the picture it will enlarge for you to read) and nothing else in the envelope. When I read the article I had a good chuckle to myself and then never really gave it much thought except to note that it did state my then current address, must have been a misprint!.
Later that day I got a call from my mum who started by telling me how disappointed and how disgusted she was with me! how could I do something like this! She went on and on and I could not get a word in edge ways so I ended up hanging up and immediately called my sister who had called my mum that morning to read out the said article. She also believed it was me in the article.😞

At first I was speechless and then was really upset that both my mother and sister thought that this was me!!!

As you can see the address is “Rose Cottage” and yes I did live there but I was 33 at the time not 51 as the article suggested (my sis and mum obviously missed this fact).

Turned out that there was another Rose Cottage at the other side of the village where this was going on.

I was forgiven but I stayed cross for awhile as you can imagine. Now I can have a good chuckle.