Tales of walking, eating, watching and playing. Vintage treasures and simple pleasures ... the things that make her happy.

Friday 2 September 2011

Talent for Textiles ...

... at the American Museum in Bath was a fab day out.

Sumptuous fabrics, garments of desire, fun and frivolity.

Ancient embroideries, tribal colours, gossamer lace, faded florals.  Fingers feeling the history, love and stories in the weave.

Fineries and fripperies


Cleverly, creatively upcycled


Delights in drawers.  Caroline Zoob had the key to my heart.  I came home with three ... big, heavy, intricate metal keys, who knows what doors they open, whose hand has clasped them tight.


 And what else came home with me?  Woven French raincoat labels, a few buttons and a lovely white cotton flounced French tunic, made circa 1880 and still wearable today.  I long to know who wore it before me but it is a secret it will keep within its pockets and frills forever.  I shall wear it gently and its story will remain with me in its folds and turns.

We (that's VJ, little man, grandma and grandpa) had a tasty time-out and then headed for the exhibition of dresses worn by Marilyn Monroe (no photos allowed).  Her sad childhood and turbulent life story written down as a black and white reminder that the smile hid a little girl's despair and desperate longing for love.  

"I am good, but not an angel. I do sin, but I am not the devil. I am just a small girl in a big world trying to find someone to love."   Marilyn Monroe
 
The museum was next - a must for little man, who loves cowboys and Indians just as much as every other little boy, and certainly as much as his mama did when she was his age, and still does!

Geronimo - a face that lived a life

Tea on the terrace, a wander around the beautiful gardens and home.  A big thank you to The Washerwoman for the invitation. 


"Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world"  Marilyn Monroe

13 comments:

Angy is my name. said...

Sigh... Woven French Raincoat labels... How utterly delightful!

*Maristella* said...

Sigh...io avrei voluto essere lì, tra tutte quelle meraviglie! Sei una persona fortunata....un caro saluto, *Maristella*.

BusyLizzie said...

Fantastic pictures, so sorry I didn't realise who you were when you said Thank you for the tickets. I had a very stressful day as my great friend Sue was unable to be on her stall.. so I was running her stall in the lower room and helping Mr Mangle run our stand in the upper room.. totally bonkers as we were both so busy! I will know your lovely smiling face next time I see you. Have a super weekend. Lizzie xxx

KC'sCourt! said...

Isn't it a wonderful museum, I've been twice and would love to go again and again!
Julie xxxxxxx

Shortbread and Ginger said...

Sounds great! Good post.
Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

Rose H (UK) said...

What a lovely place to visit Marina...now if it only had classic motorbike stuff I could get OH to take me there!
Yor photos are super. I probably have a dozen old bars of green scrubbing soap hidden away, your lovely pictures have given me great ideas to get them out and show them off!
Enjoy the weekend.
Rose H

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello Marina:
Although we have visited Bath many times, to our shame we have never been to the American Museum. It obviously contains many interesting treasures and you sound to have had a lovely day out.

We agree that Caroline Zoob does have the most delightful things. Such an unusual name, we wonder if she is in any way related to the Kati Zoob who is a contemporary fashion designer in Budapest?

RDA Pony Tales said...

It all looks wonderful, how I would have loved to have been there. Glad you had such an enjoyable day.
Abby x

Unknown said...

It was lovely to see you, all be it briefly! Glad you had a nice day, it was great wasn't it. Can't wait to see you in the Tunic, sounds very nice,
Speak soon
Sophie xx

jill said...

Love your photo of Geronimo,I have always had a love for the american indians and Geronimo is my favorite,I have not seen that pic of him before,its wonderful, thank you for showing it.Love Jill xx

BusyLizzie said...

Hope you had a good weekend! Thank you for managing to leave a comment on mine despite blogger! Lizzie x

fabriquefantastique said...

what a pretty blog...American Museum sounds just up my line. I think it was closed when I was in bath 3 years ago, but I had a great time at the costume museum there.

Lorraine Young Pottery said...

I can practically smell the fabrics and the old bits and bobs!

Happy to be a new follower of your blog :)

x Lorraine x