The Riverdrift House cross stitch is finished and I managed to fit in a couple of corgis from the second chart. Love the corgis, should be more of them. Square frames are hard to find so for now I have placed it on an artist board.
Op. shopping again, I bought this very pretty sheeting. Wide enough for a queen size bed I have lost count of how many metres I have. I kept going back to the shop and they had more and more of this brand new fabric at a giveaway price. Now I have enough to make sheets, doona covers, some curtains and even a nightie for me so I can be lost in plain sight and Chatlotte and Emily won't be able to find me in bed.
Stop plotting against me girls!! no, you can't stop me op shopping, I'm going again tomorrow.
Half price day at the op shop and I bought this pretty pink doll chair.
All the bears wanted to sit in the chair but Emily rightly chose a Diamond Jubilee bear. Good thinking Emily, the other bears can have a turn next year.
Never one to resist a bargain, I found this Tower of London Beefeater on ebay. I already had 2 cows from Cow Parade, a china Golden Jubilee cow and a Bovingham Palace cow. The Beefeater is from Cow Parade too and a lot cheaper than the china ones.
Yesterday I had a break from cats, bears, sewing and ebay and had one of my favourite days out, lunch and a matinee with friends.The actors didn't go quite the Full Monty, but enough to give us a lot of laughs. 
The Diamond Jubilee is here, I am stitching as fast as I can and now I am going to need more wall space to display my treasures. That air con. is taking up space-this summer hasn't been very hot!! but no I'd better keep it. Charlotte and Emily sometimes need it on.
Do I really need double doors leading into the Diana room? No, I have a builder coming to give me a quote to build a wall so there will only be 1 door into that room.
I think I have a new space for all flags and posters.
Son D is taking this hall stand but if he changes his mind I might cut the top off to release the space behind it. I have a bit of a reputation for turning bits of furniture into something else.
Look at all this wasted space. Flags and posters can go here. I will need a tall ladder and someone on standby to dial 000 when I fall off.
The door that Charlotte is walking through was a window a few years ago and now I have 5 doors to the outside. So you can see I do like to change things a bit but I would never have a wall knocked down. I am looking around to see if there is space to build a wall.
This rare GeorgeVI embroidery came as a gift for me. From Margaret K, it came in Charlotte and Emily's birthday parcel, the note inside read 'was going to throw this out but then thought you might be interested'. Expertly embroidered and look at that beautiful crown crocheted edge.
A similar design in tapestry wool on canvas, I think the design might have appeared on many different items.
A bit the same, this one is machine woven with the addition of warships and helicopters as war in Europe must already have been a possibility. I might have shown this one before but I think it's worth another showing. It came from the U.K in the original frame but no glass.
Another one, this time embroidered on linen and has E.R in the centre. This was done for EdwardVIII who then abdicated. How annoying for all those needlewomen who had just finished their ER samplers, then had to do it all again with GR.
Doll club day yesterday and one section to enter was 'A bear wearing a hat'. I bought the Queen Mother a new flower and feathers for her hat and of course she won first prize certificate. Well done QM and now I must hide that hat from Charlotte as we know she won't leave it alone.
This sweet little guardsman figurine was given to me by a Doll Club member for my collection. She only knows it is very old but has no markings on the base. It has the look of Mabel Lucie Atwell's work and was possibly made about the time of the 1937 coronation.
I had just published this important birthday post when a parcel arrived from Charlotte and Emily's Aunt Margaret K. and cousin Galina so I've added this photo. I should have known they wouldn't forget such an important day. Charlotte is asleep, Emily has opened her gift and is now thinking about it. Yes, you do like it Emily and look at the lovely card Galina made for you with her picture on it.
Can you beleive it?? Yes! my beautiful girls are 17 today. Happy Birthday Charlotte and Emily. Here they are greeting their cake with great enthusiasm, delight and excitement.
All these photos were taken today so you can see how good the girls look at 17.
You still have a beautiful profile Emily, I think we all need more of your beauty tips.
Charlotte is checking to make sure I haven't dumped her from my screen saver and replaced her with a picture of the Queen or even a grandson or two.
Charlotte is completing her favourite form of exercise. I have three doors opening onto the verandah facing the lake. Charlotte likes to choose a door, usually one that's closed so I have to open it, then walk along the verandah and around the corner of the house,
I run through the house and open the side door and Charlotte walks in. That way we both have exercise.
Here the Birthday Girls are sharing a drink. Their little fountain expired but they still like to drink from the base. I have three water dishes around the house for them as I want them to drink lots of water and remain healthy.
February 6th 1952. George VI died and the long reign of ElizabethII began. A headline from the International Express this week.
Overnight Princess Elizabeth became Queen. Elizabeth and Phillip were on their way to Australia and had to return home for the funeral and the Coronation in 1953.
Women around the world picked up needle and thread and started to embroider souvenirs. Large tablecloths to handkerchiefs and beautiful samplers were all embroidered with varying levels of skill.
Magazines all had something to stitch for the coronation. Embroidery transfers could be bought or came free with a magazine so you could design you own royal sampler, make a brooch or stitch a crown on your underwear.
Many different types of china appeared in the shops for sale. Pens and pencils, matchbox cover for a patriotic smoker and a powder compact. The small book is a New Testament given to schoolchilren.
Three different types of tablecloth, perhaps for the non-embroiderers. Lace, oilcloth and damask. The damask cloth also has Charles, Anne and Prince Phillip embossed.
Love this new Diamond Jubilee cushion design from Catherine at http://www.tempesttapestry.co.uk/. It can be bought as a kit or an easy to follow chart.
I have the chart and both DMC and Anchor wools are listed though the Anchor colours are recommended and having seen both I agree. I had trouble finding Anchor but after a google search I found Marguerite at http://www.embroideryden.com.au/ in Victoria, phoned in my order and the wools were posted the same day. I have made a start on the cushion and will get back to stitching as soon as I finish this post.
The latest Riverdrift House kit arrived in the post this morning. Amanda at http://www.riverdrifthouse.co.uk/ has more in the same series still to be released. I've almost finished the first one.
I did manage to leave cats and stitching for a trip to the local Antique Fair and found this small Royal Visit plate from the cancelled visit 1949.I bought the milk jug and sugar bowl from ebay a few years ago and maybe if I search long and hard enough I will have a complete teaset.
From the same fair I bought this 'Royal Souvenir Casket' well that's what it states on the lid but I would call it a biscuit barrel or if I was American, a cookie jar. A casket reminds me of something to keep ashes in.
On the other side of the casket/barrel is Queen Elizabeth. I think it's a very nice 1937 Coronation addition to my collection.
Nothing to do with stitching or royals, I want to show these pretty brooches. The one on the left I bought at an op shop this week at only $1.50, so cheap and pretty I couldn't leave it behind.
Just to prove I am also a proud Aussie I am showing the cook book I got as a xmas gift. It has 400 recipes from Country Women's Association members all over Australia. All the recipes are simple, easy to cook and contain no exotic ingredients that I have never heard off. I am showing the Tuna and Mushroom casserole I cooked Monday night. The recipe said 'serves2' right, was still eating it 2 days later after freezing a portion. Most of the recipes are meant to feed farm and station workers and men from the shearing sheds who have been tossing sheep around all day and need a huge meal.
One of the recipes I have put in 'the too easy' basket for now. Basically it is some boiled mince with a tin of spaghetti on top.
I'm keeping this one in mind for one of those days when I feel the need to serve rat bait to a guest or family member.
Am going to visit son D on saturday and will take along a plate of these Ginger Crisps. Well I'll have to now, if he sees this post he will demand Ginger Crisps.
Here is the ship and the journey that one set of great grandparents took to arrive in Australia as free settlers in 1862. Born in Somerset, Francis and Susan Wakely left Liverpool on the Ariadne with sons William3 and John a baby. The voyage took 120 days and during that time William died and was buried at sea. The Ariadne was the first ship into Maryborogh Nth Queensland and carried much needed workers and single women. Francis and Susan went on to have 7 more children in Australia, my grandmother was the youngest.
The last years and early death of my great grandmother is a very sad story I will leave for another day except to say all hidden family skeletons eventually come out of the closet.
Emily is very keen to pass on her latest beauty tip. I've told her it's out of context for my Australia day post but she insists, so here it is.
