Friday Folksy Finds - Linen

I am working on a doll for a customer at the moment and she is all in French linen, it is a joy to work with, so this week I am minded to look at linen available on Folksy.  I love the look and feel of linen, indeed some of my favourite shirts are linen.  I am creased beyond belief within minutes of putting them on but I think that is part of the charm.

By Charlotte Macey

I am drawn to linen tableware and have several sets of linen napkins.  I love Charlotte Macey's embroidered tableware, she has a very pretty lavender embroidery but my favourite are the chickens.  Her styling is very primitive but she captures the chicken's attitude perfectly.

By Linen and Lisle

I like the design of this  little linen pouch but it is the fabric that has caught my eye. You could do so many things with such a simple yet elegant pattern.  It is the sort of sewing accessory that I hoard and love.

By Lorna Bateman Embroidery

All of Lorna Bateman's work is stunning and beautifully executed.  Her kits are a wonderful gift for a keen needlewoman.  I particularly like the ribbon work and embroidery onto linen, it sets of the threads and ribbons so well.  Have a peep at her shop, nothing is cheap but it is generous and well packaged.

By Pantsandpaper

There are lots of tablet cases and ebook cases but I thinks that this design by pantsandpaper is one of the best.  The appliqued linen works so well, the detailing is excellent and the overall design is delightful.  I heartily recommend having a peep at the shop, it will be worth your while.

By namolio

Had to finish off with a piece by the home of beautiful linen accessories, namolio.  Last week I highlighted their crochet pieces and this week I really like this set of linen needle cases, all of their work is understated and charming.  A real pleasure to share.

Well, we are off this weekend to Reading - not the most obvious tourist destination - as Becca is attending a workshop by Ostinelli and Priest.  She is both thrilled and terribly nervous.  Her Dad and I are touring around the vicinity visiting National Trust properties that amazingly are open this weekend.  Have a peaceful weekend and warmest wishes.

Friday Folksy Find, on Saturday - Crochet

I must first apologise for being a day late, we had an electrical problem yesterday and it snowballed but all sorted now.  So here are my Folksy Finds on Saturday.  I have wanted to look at crochet for a while now and here are my choices.  I can crochet, indeed I crochet all my dolls hats but not well.  It has been a challenge to improve.  I can go round and round but struggle to get decent edges when trying anything else and I cannot follow a pattern for love nor money but I keep trying.  These pieces are just lovely and I hope you like them.

By namolio

These are scented lavender sachets from a range of crochet items by namolio.  They are all wonderful, I love everything about their work.  The colour, the styling and the finish.  For some reason crochet colours can get wild and I prefer a more restrained palette, you can see the details so much better.  Check out their shop, it is well worth it.

By GunaL

Have absolutely no idea what crazy wool technique is but love this shawl.  Really enjoy the quiet colours and the crochet daisies just lift it.  This is my favourite piece of this lady's work and it is something I would buy but never have the confidence to wear. It would look so good as a summer shawl over a white cotton dress.

By Craftbox

I don't use doilies but I grew up in house full of them.  My grandma crocheted wonderfully and she and her friends made pieces as technical as this.  Very much admire this lady's skill and love the colour choice.  This is crocheted in linen and I think it is splendid.  To see more of Kristina Normante's amazing skill just check out Craftbox.

By Creations by Nina B

This is just the sort of cardi I would have put Becca in when she was tiny.  Warm, practical and easy to get on and off.  Again it is the colour that has drawn me to this piece but this lady makes wonderfully lacy cardis and jumpers for little ones, as well as more simple pieces like this.  There is a little linen lacy sun top and panties that is so sweet - have a peep at the shop.

By namolio

Had to finish with another piece from the glorious namolio.  All their pieces are so stylish and charming.  This garland is so delicate and would look wonderful gracing a wooden bed head. They crochet almost exclusively in linen with just a touch of gentle colour every now and then to warm their colour palette. For a gently elegant gift try their shop.

There are so many crochet finds on Folksy, we have some very talented craftswomen and designers in the UK and it is a pleasure to browse their work.  Colour is a real issue with me and crochet.  The more restrained the better, I think you can see the lovely patterns so much easier and admire the craft.

Well have a great weekend and thank you for looking.

Tiny Marie Amalia

Just thought I would share my little Amalia, couldn't resist having a little play yesterday afternoon.  It is an absolute delight to play with something so small, she is just 5 inches from stand to feather tip!  I used to make peg dolls with my Aunty Irene and my Mum on a Sunday afternoon in our warm farmhouse kitchen and when Rebecca, my daughter, came along we continued as a foursome for many years.  

I have made some peg doll kits which have gone so well and now I am selling the peg dolls themselves.  They come in a tiny recycled card gift box and make a sweet present, they have been so popular, which is very satisfying.  I have always liked fiddly and working small so these little girls are keeping me happy. Have a good afternoon, keep well and keep warm on this chilly Monday.

My Marie Antoinette inspired doll - Marie Amalia

I have gone heavy with the rouge, apparently
they wore so much that it appeared as two circles
on their cheeks, like a china doll.

Here is my attempt at a Marie Antoinette French Court lady - I have called Marie Amalia, who was Marie Antoinette's sister.  All her sisters' names were prefixed Marie after their mother, the formidable Empress Marie Terese.  My girl has to be Amalia because she is too fat for Marie Antoinette!
I have gone for a day dress in floral cotton and embellished in the style of the day.  The dress is my attempt at a polonaise, my version is too simple and the next doll I will try something a little more 1770.  The sleeves were fun and the shoes, in fact I have had a great time playing and quite like the results.  She looks better in the flesh than on the photos but thanks to Becca I have any photos at all. Her new camera which I cannot work.
The embellishments have been such fun, when you look at the court dresses of the day some are so over the top they make you smile.  Would love to try one on though, just for half an hour or so.  One or two of the Princesses of the Blood where so large I am sure they could have found a dress to fit me!

 I have spent many a happy hour reading about Marie, her story and the crazy life at court.  When reading her story you cannot help hoping that the outcome could be different.  She seems to have been such an engaging and genuine soul who was misrepresented and misunderstood at every turn.  All the time you are reading about her you are a little sad because her fall is so absolute.  The Jacobins and Girondins where ruthless in the extreme and treated Marie much worse than even the King.  She had to be made an example of, to justify their actions.  So sad and so cruel.



Mustn't get maudlin and remember the heyday.  I have loved making this doll and it has spurred me on to make others in a similar vein.  I want to try different versions, look at English costume of a similar period. Particularly that of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire.  I fancy a Madame Du Barry and a Madame Pompadour even a Lady Elizabeth Foster. I am fascinated by women in history and how, for better or worse, they have made their mark in the history books.  Great modern female biographers of historical woman include Antonia Fraser, Alison Weir, Alison Plowden and Anne Somerset, to name just a few. There are some truly great ladies of history.
Becca wants me to make a court gentleman but I am not sure how to even start with one of those extravagant frock coats.  Simply put I am having fun and as long as I make my deadlines for orders I am going to indulge myself!  It does the creative spirit good to let rip every now and then.
I have a little fabric left, enough to make a peg doll so I might treat myself this afternoon
I hope you like her and would love to hear your comments.  Keep well and warmest wishes.

Friday Folksy Finds - Lucky Charms

Good evening to you all, hope Friday the 13th hasn't been too grim - with that in mind I have been seeking out lucky finds.  Lots of really interesting items and some very talented designers and makers. I have to say I found fun, spooky and some quite odd ideas but have brought you my favourite finds.

By Inky Prints Originals

With all things lucky my absolute favourite is a black cat, our darling PussPuss is jet black and even though he is an avian mass murderer I wouldn't be without him.  Really liked this beautiful and unusual print of a black cat by Inky Prints Originals.  Love lino cuts, been lucky enough to try the technique once or twice and you can get interesting results.  Love the colours, love the textures of the fur and his expression is just great.  Have a peep at their shop, worth a look.

By Nanfan Jewellery

This is a sterling silver lentil bead pendent with gold highlights, it is inscribed with Norse runes and harks back to the creator's Viking ancestry.  I think this is stunning and is my favourite find this week.  On the back the gold has been added in a spiral for good luck - it is where it touches the skin.  These pieces are made by Nana Louise Neilsen and I think she really has the golden touch.

By ClareMcCrory27

These are individual hand painted caligraphic letters and this one is illuminated with pretty scrolls of shamrock for luck.  This lady creates all kinds of different personalised letter forms and each is hand painted.  So very delicate.

By sianuska original art and screen prints

This screen print appealed because it is a collection of lucky things - I particularly liked the pigeon pooing on you, which my grandpa always told us was lucky but which I could never see!  It took me a second to work out the rabbit's foot and not the rabbit and I never knew ladybirds were lucky.  Enjoy her work, its eclectic and fun.

By Silver Birch Hill

Just loved this idea of a lucky charm for my lucky black cat - glow in the dark cat eyes are just wonderful.  PussPuss won't even come into the main part of the house and I think if I tried to put a collar on him it would go down as well as the day I tried to brush him.  He gave me three warnings, clawed the brush, bit the brush and then he bit me.  But for gentler felines out there I think this would look stunning.

Well I hope everyone has had a hazard free day and that Friday the 13th has passed without event - I have enjoyed bringing you a little good luck. My Antoinette doll is finished and as soon as I can get a decent photo I would love to share her with you - had some lovely comments, would always be interested in your views.  Can't get the hang of our new digital camera and will have to wait for Becca to help me out.

Whilst looking over my shoulder my daughter, Becca, shared this image of a lucky witchy cat  brought to you by papercards.com.  I have to agree with her it brought a grin to my face.  Long live cats!

By PaperCards

Friday Folksy Finds - Baroque

Hello and welcome to my Friday finds, it has been a good week and I am hoping to have this weekend to finish my Marie inspired doll.  Got a couple of orders out and got a new one in, so very satisfying.  I have gone all baroque this week and am loving the opulence and over the top gilding.  One or two of my finds may be a little bling but I am pleased with them all.

By ZippityDoDahs

In the right spot this baroque patterned ribbon could look just right.  It comes in several pretty shades, this pink, a green and a blue.  It would be a welcome addition to adorn any period doll.  Not a big fan of crossgrain ribbon but would like to work with this one.

By Shropshire Natural Products

What could be more decadent and luxurious than rose petal soap, I imagine the smell and the texture would be heavenly.  The amount of rose petals used at the French Court was astounding from strewn as decorations to the by the ton in perfume - a natural rose essence is one of my favourite scents- fresh and so floral.

By leeski

This totally over the top bead is just wonderful and so baroque in its styling.  It is Venetian Murano glass and this type of bead is known as La Dogaressa.  It is tiny only 2cm by 2.2cm and has 24crt gold foil applied lavishly and can hang on a chain.  It is truly evocative of the 18th century, very appealing.

By HarrietsImagination

Totally different but with strong baroque or rococo styling is this elegant print from Harriets Imagination.  It come in a striking white decorative frame which suits the period providing a pleasing overall effect.  She looks a little sad and strikes a pose as a ship sinking siren.  It is the colour used in this piece that I find exciting, the strong reds contrast so well against the black and grey - very pretty.

By Luxe Tiaras

Freshwater pearls in all forms seem to be reminiscent in designers' minds of baroque styling. There are some ravishing beauties on Folksy as bracelets, earrings or necklaces, in stunning colours but this delicate winter piece caught my eye.  I like the selection of the crystal beads and the flat white pearls, it makes a pretty combination.  Have a peek at their other pieces, they also have a delicate restraint to them  - worth a look.

Hope you have all had a great week and are looking forward to a pleasant weekend, these are my finds for this week and I do hope you approved of them.  I am constantly amazed a what is available on Folksy from all these talented UK artists and designers.  I think we are a very clever and creative little island.  With best wishes and warmest thoughts to you all.

More Marie Antoinette Doll Finds

By Rococo Barocco

Still enjoying making my own Marie doll which I will look forward to posting as soon as she is finished.  I didn't quite get my weekend all to myself but it was lovely to see godchild unexpectedly.  There are some really interesting Marie dolls out on the net and I wanted to share some of my favourites.  These charming ladies funnily enough are all in the UK and can be found on Etsy - real variety that makes them so individual.

By The Bread and Circus

Cute, flamboyant and even a little sinister no two are alike, which is what makes them so endearing.  I love the Gainsborough lady made by Rococo Barocco, the colours and the fabric choices are so lush and decadent.  The hair is just magnificent, all her ladies are grand and theatrical with sumptuous detail.

I find the piece by The Bread and Circus rather sinister but adore the painterly style of the doll.  The detail is quite something and the overall finish is amazing.  This lady's dolls are all unusual and worth a peek.  The form is very simple but the features and intricacy of the painting is really special.

By  SketchInc

I am drawn strongly to cloth and fabric dolls, they are my greatest love but I think this little wooden girl is so pretty.  Again the painting is so tight and simply conveys the impression of Marie Antoinette and the court dresses of the time.  There is an elegance to her form that is so very pleasing.

As I said, if you are interested there are a lot of versions of Marie , some good and some not so good.  I was amazed to find so many on Etsy and not a single one on Folksy.  I am enjoying my Marie so much I don't think she will be a singleton, when I have the time I am sure I will want to make more pegs and more cloth dolls in my own style. I don't think my tubby girls could be Marie Antoinette but maybe they will have to be court ladies.

By Whisper of the Pipet

I am always amazed at what people do with wool felt, there is a lady who blogs as Gingermelon Dolls and her creations are the cutest things.  So are the dolls made by Whisper of the Pipet.  This little Marie is so delicate and yet the detail is adorable - am very tempted by this little beauty.  Her hair is so appealing as are the dark eyes and rosy cheeks.  This lady has some very sweet pieces on her page.

I have had great fun looking at all the dresses, hats and shoes of the period.  The embroidery is amazing and the skill of the embroiders of the day was stunning.  I can imagine that with the corsets, hoops and powder spending a full day in a court costume would be a hot, sticky affair - the mind boggles as to how these ladies went to the loo!  But there is something so inexorably romantic about these clothes, they touch the imagination.