Category Archives: Photos

Miss Zena Dare

Some time ago, I posted some of my collection of movie photographs.  As you know, I love the vintage stuff – especially the vintage films!

While I was thumbing through the lovely Old Postcards shop (as you’ve probably noticed I love these too), I came across a ghost from the past – namely Zena Dare (in this case, pictured with her mother).

Now, as you will have seen from my old posts, for the most part the stars of the time are usually recogniseable.  Zena Dare however, was a name that I hadn’t heard before.

Zena Dare (born Florence Hariette Zena Dones) was born in 1887 in London, and in 1899 along with her sister Phyllis had her first performance on the London stage.  They both took the stage name of Dare.  From then on, her career was to last over six decades – only having a break when she married and raised 3 children.

Zena died in 1975, her sister following 6 weeks later.  Both their careers are well worth looking into, and there are some amazing pictures of them still in existence.  Here a just a few of mine.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Antique, History, Photos, Theatre

Merlin, the Thundersnow Cat

We have been following the work of Mrs Murray’s Cat and Dog Home for some years, as they rehome a huge amount of dogs, cats and other small animals throughout the year.

We have also been thinking for quite some time of adding another cat to the family, as we were down to just one.

So, he chose us during the worst weather we’ve had for some time – including thundersnow.  Welcome, Merlin…

2 Comments

Filed under Pets, Photos

November Creature Update

It’s time to release the latest creatures by the Mum on the unsuspecting public…

It’s Snowmen, Penguin and Robin time!  (Sound like superheroes, lol).

Leave a Comment

Filed under Crafting, Photos

Bunny Sorry

Ooops!  I forgot to post an Easter update of this year’s creations by the Mum.  Cue pic:

You will be pleased to know they all found new homes in time for Easter…

1 Comment

Filed under Crafting, Photos

Monumental

Just ‘cos I’m in a postcard kind of mood.

The tomb of Queens Elizabeth and Mary at Westminster Abbey.  I love tombs, and I love wandering around them at the Abbey!

Following on from tombs, here is the Guard’s memorial.  A beautiful thing, not dissimilar to the Cenotaph – at least to me!  Got to love real photo postcards too.

4 Comments

Filed under Architecture, History, Photos

Why Am I Haunted by Venice?

For some reason at the beginning of this week, for at least three nights in a row I dreamt about Venice.  Why?  I just don’t know.  I haven’t watched, read, looked at or otherwise done anything remotely involving Venice.  Yet, here we are.

I should explain my relationship with Venice, such as it is.  Years ago, I think it was when I was in my mid to late teens my maternal Aunt bought me a book called Tregaron’s Daughter by Madeleine Brent.  My Aunt, it should be said was, and is, a fabulous book and trinket supplier :smile:

Tregaron’s Daughter is a mystery story set in Cornwall and Venice.  I don’t know what it was about it exactly, as the book isn’t about to set the world on fire, (though I still love it anyway) but it instilled in me a deep desire to visit Venice myself when I was older.  By the age of 20, I had fulfilled that dream.

I visited museums and galleries, including the Basilica San Marco and the Doge’s Palace, I took boat rides – including one on a gondola – and walked the length and breadth of Venice.  Sadly, I didn’t take very many pictures, and I think they are rubbish, so I won’t include them here!  The fact is, when I left all those years ago, I didn’t feel that I needed to return.

So why now?  No idea, not a clue.  I hunted out my photos (eek), found a couple of guidebooks, and most importantly – remembered my Venetian Palazzi book – which is gorgeous indeed.  Even while writing this I remembered my Venetian mask that I bought (I was enthralled by the mask and costume shops), but it doesn’t seem to be enough.

I suppose time will tell, but I cannot see myself getting to Venice any time soon, time permitting, never mind anything else!  So, I have ordered myself a second hand copy of Tregaron’s Daughter (no idea what I did with the last one) and a DVD of Francesco’s Venice which is supposed to be very good.  All I know is that for now, my subconscious mind will have to be content.

2 Comments

Filed under Architecture, Art, Books, Costume, Photos, Places to go, Travel

There’s Somebody (Squeaking) in the Room!

Well you know what they say about famous last words.

Both the Mum and I really felt the loss of Gilbert the last rat, and the Rat Palace had been tidied away.  The house just wasn’t the same…

So…I arrived home from work to discover…

The rats

Namely, nine week old MacDonald, Wilberforce and Cuthbert.  Obviously the Mum was weaker than I, and went in search of them.  There was supposed to be only two left, but one had hidden himself in the pipe.

Baby ratties could warm even the coldest of hearts.

5 Comments

Filed under Pets, Photos

Mmmm, Marcasite

I’ve loved Marcasite for years.  I think it must be because I saw people still wearing the sparkling brooches made of it when I was a child, and just maybe I saw pieces in the jumble (junk) sales I used to be drawn to then too.

I remember when I was very young owning 1920s and 1930s handbags, necklaces and earrings.  But, they were my dress-up, so I don’t have them now.  Just goes to show how your character and taste is fixed even at that young age.

Over many years I have been gifted and bought quite a few Marcasite pieces, I have a few necklaces and earrings, but mostly rings.  As I said in a previous post, the only vintage Marcasite I have is two rings that I bought fairly recently.

Below is a group shot of my Marcasite rings, then my 1920s Deco Marcasite ring, and lastly the Marcasite ring I bought a few weeks ago.  I think this one is 1930s.

Marcasite group

1920s

1930s

3 Comments

Filed under Antique, Jewellery, Photos

Knitted News

Time for another knitted update from the Mum’s latest creations.

The Mum has been busy this year, not only with her own creations, but with some commissions.  First up was a request to provide bats for sale at some bat walks in August:

A Basket o'bats

She also was in a witchy mood:

Wanda the Witch

and then decided to mix the bats up a little bit and go funky with different colours:

Pink Bat

But, as they say in infomercials – that’s not all…she has been hard at work with two sets of Christmassy creatures, and two further commissions.  Watch this space when all is revealed!

If you’ve missed the other knitted news, here are some reminders:

There Be Mice In This House

Boo!

Christmas Creature Projects

Easter Chicks and Spring Frogs

4 Comments

Filed under Art, Photos

Catch Up With the Wombat

After hosting the lovely Travelling Wombat in July, I’ve been keeping up with his exploits.  A little bird told me he’d been staying in Lincolnshire.

Pop over to the fabulous Duly Moated to find out!

You can see the latest at the Wombat’s Blog too.

Wombat and the Unfortunate Cannon Incident

5 Comments

Filed under BlahBlahBlah, Photos