Odds and Ends

Happy Christmas to All,hope everyone got lots of cards and parcels. Keep warm those in the Northern Hemisphere and cool those of us living South of the Equator.

Visited my daughter on Sunday for my grandson's birthday (sorry I don't have permission to show the birthday boy) and found this rock doorstop wearing a crocheted cover. Is she turning into her mother or worried about climate change???

We had a celebration brunch at a local restaurant and back at the house I had this very nice cup of tea (she knows I hate mugs) with the birthday cake.

I accidentley left the door of the small bathroom open, Charlotte knows she is not supposed to go in as it gets too crowded with me and 2 cats so she is looking to see if I noticed.

Yes that's you Charlotte, looking beautiful as usual.

I think this is her "throw me out if you dare look". Emily didn't notice the door was open so missed it all.
The next few posts were supposed to be Royal but once again I have been sidetracked by cats.

My 100th Post and it is ROYAL

By far the most expensive item in my collection is this beautiful figurine of the Queen made for her Golden Jubilee in 2002. Made by Royale Stratford in Staffodshire England it is hand made and hand painted and No.56 in a limited edition of 500. I bought it in Sydney, just one of those HAD TO HAVE items, almost afraid to take it out if it's display cabinet to photograph-safely back now.
The statue is shown on a coronation tablecloth.

A very pretty sampler made for the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977, hand embroidered on linen it is displayed on a Nottingham lace Silver Jubilee runner.

One of my favourite samplers because it shows the GOLD COACH which I love so much. Made for the coronation in 1953 the last 2 lines of the poem pictured were quoted by our then Prime Minister Robert Menzies when the Queen visited Australia in 1954.

I was lucky to win this sampler on ebay as it is so unusual and very well hand embroidered, there was a similar one up for auction at the same time made for the Festival of Britain in 1951 but I had to let that one go.

My 100th post (who said it wouldn't last) and it is all about the 3 major events in the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Starting with her Coronation, then her Silver and Golden Jubilee. I hope the be in London for the Diamond Jubilee in 2012, less than 3 years to go now so I'm sure plans are well under way for the celebrations. I was there for the Golden Jubilee and it was so exciting..... I have lots more samplers and embroideries to show so please come back.

Charlotte and Emily wanted to be on the 100th post but I said no (well that was a rare event, even I am shocked I said no to them) but the next few posts will be ROYAL

Lake Hovercraft

Three hovercraft went past my house and as usual I rushed out to wave, just like a 2yr old always hoping one will stop and give me a ride.

Charlotte is looking to see if they are coming back and the pelican is watching from his precarious perch. He's seen it all before and unlike me he no longer get's excited.
NEXT POST is my 100th. Watch this space.

George VI Embroidery

Two embroidered samplers showing the Coronation route for the coronation of George VI May 1937. The embroidery below is the same as the smaller sampler but it has been used to make a bag, perhaps a sewing or pyjama bag. The embroidery on the bag is not quite finished but came with the left over old cottons for me to complete. (one day)
The transfer for the smaller sampler and bag was given away with the magazine 'Modern Woman' May 1937 and then you could use it in different ways.
These were all ebay purchases from the U.K.
Some samplers I receive show a lot of damp, mildew or watermarks and I am pretty good at bringing old samplers back to life but I havn't yet tried to remove the watermark on the larger sampler. (Napisan is the secret)
Off to another Christmas lunch now, Doll club this time. No competitions today so I won't feel bad if my dolls or bears don't win a prize.

Charlotte and Emily being models.

Charlotte and Emily think these pics may get them jobs as chocolate box lid models though Charlotte is not looking cute enough I think.
Emily is crashed out on the verandah but Charlotte is staying alert for the local bird life.

Here's Charlotte trying her old "look I've lost a leg" trick. Sorry Charlotte I only fell for that one the first time. She is sitting on the lace tablecloth I bought at the op shop and dyed blue and I love the china fruit bowl which my family make fun of but which may have to go soon to make way for royal "stuff".

Another Christmas Lunch

Women's Group I belong had a Christmas lunch yesterday in the private dining room of a local club, this is the table before the rest of our rowdy group arrived. Twenty one ladies came to the lunch and we needed the private room as we can be a bit noisey when we get together.
The 2 pics on the left show the large Hamper raffle prize which we have all been donating goodies too the past few meetings and I DID'NT WIN, did not even win 2nd prize the fruit basket pictured right. The winners are popular members and we were all pleased for them(yes even me). Money made from the sale of tickets was donated to the women's auxiliary of a local hospital.