Friday 31 July 2009

Unfinished golfer apron

One of many unfinished aprons I have, so much work has already been stitched so would love to know what happened in this persons life to so abrubtly stop sewing. Note the shoes so well done.

Pretty apron

Another unworn apron from my collection, expertly hand embroidered with crocheted edge. Apron has fold marks so I think it has been stored away for years. Wish I knew the story behind all these unworn aprons from years ago, did the perfect occasion never arise or did life turn out a bit too grim for such a frivolous apron?

Thursday 30 July 2009

my lake views

The lake view from my back door last night, aren't I lucky!!! and so quiet and peaceful too.

Amy Johnson apron

An interesting apron from my collection, this one commemorating Amy Johnson's solo flight from England to Australia in 1930. Bought at an antique fair it has never been worn, the wings of the plane are filled in with tiny hand embroidered stitches-just love it as i do all my aprons.

Wednesday 29 July 2009

Charles and Diana's Wedding

Here is the bride and a very nice tapestry bought on ebay, the cats are awake now and wanting to help so i'll leave more unusual souvenirs for another day.

Charles and Diana's Wedding

now an axminster rug, this one on the floor in my Diana room.

Charles and Diana's Wedding

Here we have Charles and Diana on a large black and white beach towel I belive was made in Australia-a limited edition of just 50 were made. The tapestry cushion with Prince of Wales feathers was worked by me and the cushion in front is the same as those used by wedding guests at St Paul's on THE day(or so i've been told) Vinyl shopping bags are each side of that cushion.

Charles and Diana's Wedding

Showing a quilt with Charles and Diana pictures made by me from fabric panels, cloth dolls also made by me from fabric panels and cushions with lace panels and cross stitch

Emily

Here is Emily reminding me that today is the big day, 28 years ago Charles and Diana were married in the fairytale wedding that went so wrong. The following photos show just a few of the more unusual souvenirs from the day.

Friday 24 July 2009

Emily


Hoping to post this picture enlarged and pretend it is my house, then Emily came to help so that can't be done. The little cottage is decorated to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee and perhaps I can post another larger picture later when Emily is asleep.

Thursday 23 July 2009

Royal Visit 1949

Souvenirs from a royal visit to Australia in 1949. This visit was cancelled due to the King's ill health, some souvenirs had already been sold including the silk handkerchief with picture of Princess Margaret who was coming too, and the pretty milk jug and sugar bowl.

Tuesday 21 July 2009

family



Today would have been my parents wedding anniversary and I am showing their wedding photos, the photo in front is of my maternal grandparents and it is my grandmother's engagement ring,which I now wear, displayed in the box. Other items displayed were worked by my mother and the crystal clock always stood on her dressing table and now stands on mine. Just behind the clock is a sewing apron embroidered by my mother in 1922 while she was at school and is now in my extensive apron collection.

Friday 17 July 2009

Charlotte

Here is my beautiful Birman cat Charlotte, she has her eyes shut in contentment as she knows she is amongst royalty and always chooses the best spot to pose.
Charles and Camilla are on her left, also the Queen wearing the robes of the garter, on her right are the Queen Mother and princess Margaret in her wedding dress. Charlotte's sister Emily is just a lump under the doona and will appear later when she finishes her long nap.

Melbourne Olympics 1956 apron

An interesting apron I have in my collection. This one made in 1956 for the Melbourne olympics, I can't see any signs of a transfer print and wonder if it was someones home design or even a school project for the olympics.

Tuesday 14 July 2009

Queen Mother sampler

Cross stitch portrait of the Queen Mother was stitched by me to celebrate her 100th birthday. Not an easy one to stich as there are lots of quarter and half stitches and blended threads so I was very pleased to finish and think the end result worth the time taken

Monday 13 July 2009

embroidered sampler

This hand embroidered sampler was an ebay purchase. Designed by the Royal School of Needlework for the tobacco firm W.D & H.O Wills to commemorate the coronation in 1953. I have never seen another one like it and think i am very lucky to have it in my collection. Please click on the picture to see more detail.

Saturday 11 July 2009

dolls

Went to my doll club today hoping to win certificates in the competitions. The categories were-doll holding pet, bear holding doll, and a scarf. Thought my old celluloid doll dressed years ago by my mother and my old bear stood a chance but the but the rivals were too good, but I did get second place for my Charles and Diana scarf. Also won a prize in the raffle, the pretty doll standing on the right in photo.

Thursday 9 July 2009

Queen china

Love this cup and saucer showing the Queen before it was known she would one day become Queen. I have other royal cups and saucers which will soon find their way to my blog but I think this one deserved a spot all to itself.

Wednesday 8 July 2009

just pretty things


Daffodils are my favourite flower and this is my first bunch of the season. The vase, soap dish, plate and jug belonged to my grandmother and the soap in the dish is handmade passionflower soap, a gift from a friend who bought it in Fiji.

pretty apron

Love the colours on this apron, it has been embroidered by an expert but never worn. This one came from Berry antique fair and I wish I knew something about the person who could do such fine work.

Tuesday 7 July 2009

Mae West apron

An apron from my embroidered apron collection, this one showing Mae West and her famous line " come up and see me sometime" Most of my aprons show full length ladies expertly embroidered but not by me, this one from an antique fair in Sydney. I wish I had more space to display them all but my other collections crowd me a little so this is a new forum for my displays which will over time be shown here.

Saturday 4 July 2009

Welcome

Welcome to my blog.


For my first post I'm showing a figurine I have of the Queen Mother. In August 2000 I went to London for the parade to celebrate her 100th birthday.







This is just one item from my vast collection of British Royal memorabillia. I also collect old embroidered linens and aprons, dolls and doll houses. As well as all that I am lucky enough to have two beautiful Birman cats, one bluepoint and one sealpoint.
So hopefully I'll be able to work out how to keep blogging and I'll be back with lots more photos and descriptions.