Tie One on Day- An Apron

 Yesterday 27th Nov. was Tie One on Day in America and with my large apron collection I thought I would wear an apron to my craft meeting. After much thought I decided on my Mae West apron. The apron was admired but somehow I don't think the day is going to catch on here in Australia. I will try again next year but some members were a bit puzzled by it all.

 Another part of the day is to cook something and give it to someone who needs cheering up. Cook! Me!
I went to the supermarket! and took this little feast along for morning tea. Not much craft is done at this craft group but we do like to drink tea , laugh and gossip.  The apron day is always the day before Thanksgiving in America and was started by EllynAnne Geisel who has written a book about aprons.

 I took this apron along for show and tell because it is in the book by Rosemary McLeod.

 Three of my favourite books. The top one is The Gentle Arts, 200 Years of Australian Women's Domestic and Decorative Arts. Although the making and collecting of aprons is popular in America the are mostly fabric ones. With a couple of exceptions I only collect hand embroidered aprons. Gina in Melbourne is the only person I know who has a larger apron collection than mine.

 Featured in the book Thrift to Fantasy is this beautiful hooked wool rug made by Lucy May Dunbar in Auckland NZ. Based on a wedding portrait of the Queen and Philip on their wedding day in 1947.
Mrs Dunbar's family loaned the rug to Auckland War Memorial Museum in 1954 and it has only been displayed once, in 2003. If the rug is displayed a second time I will be there. Rug measures 1905x1254 mm.

I have the pattern for this little sampler, knew I would never get around to stitching it so was pleased when I was able to buy one completed.
Now the HUGE??? excitement of apron day I will get back to my stitching challenge.
Happy Thanksgiving America XX

George V Child's Tea Set and Lots More

 A child's tea set from the Coronation of George V and Queen Mary in 1911. Still in the original box. An amazing find on eBay in the U.K  and I love having it an my collection.

 Finished decorating my latest doll house, this one has a more Royal theme. I used some of my precious coronation wallpaper and I made the curtains and bedspread from Charles and Diana wedding fabric from 1981. A William and Kate engagement picture hangs on the wall.

 The rest of the house is furnished from the doll house I sent to the op shop. I only have space for 3 houses, the stairs make a good display unit for my small collection of Limoges miniatures.

 All these papers are 12th scale doll house size papers bought on eBay and scattered around various rooms.

Update on chairs. No law states my chairs must all match so I covered 2 to match the curtains and 2 with London fabric I bought from the Cath Kidston shop at Covent Garden some years ago. I only bought half a metre so have at last found a use for it.

 I bought this pillowcase a few weeks ago thinking it was perfect for me. Charlotte thinks it was meant for her. After a long battle we have agreed to share. Charlotte is having her turn.

The first stitches are in my Teresa Gil challenge, I couldn't wait till next year. Lots of half stitches back stitching and beading to be done.
The beads and more hard to find threads I bought from Lucy at www.threadedneedle.com.au who has been a great help. I still have 3 lots of beads on order

George V Charles Diana Samplers and Queen Curtains

 I think I bought this stamped and waiting to be embroidered sampler from America about 2 years ago. I have just finished and framed it. I made an educated? guess and decided it was meant for the Silver Jubilee of George V. I printed on calico with the help of my computer the picture of George V. It covers up a maple leaf so the sampler probably originated in Canada. Sorry Canada you missed your chance and the maple leaf has gone. The frame is from my favourite frame shop, the local Salvation Army op. shop.

 A beautiful Charles and Diana tapestry, a recent ebay purchase it has lots of interesting stitches, I was the only bidder so it was a bargain. Has everyone forgotten Charles and Diana? Not me.

 Another ebay bargain, I'm sure there are lots more C&d samplers out there waiting to join my collection.

 Was feeling my house is still not Royal enough. Example, boring dusty curtains hanging limply for at least 10 years.

 Boring matching chair. Well I made the curtains and covered the chairs so only myself to blame.

 Now look what I found in Spotlight. Fabric that looks like British 16p stamps with the Queen's head. I bought what was left on the roll, only 4.5 meters but enough for my plans. Old curtains in the bin and new ones hanging in no time at all. My ladder issues were forgotten as I nimbly leapt up and down the ladder and didn't fall off once.

Four chairs covered to match curtains, easy to do with my staple gun.
This makes my house even more ROYAL and will keep me happy for a little while.
Now, if only Charlotte would let me have a Corgi.
I will have another talk with Charlotte when she wakes from her 12 hour power nap.

Teresa Gil and My Cross Stitch Challenge

 This is my cross stitch challenge for 2014. This stunning design by Teresa Gil of the Queen in her Coronation robes. I am a very experienced cross stitcher but not an expert so this design will really test me. I have set aside the whole of next year for this challenge, anything else not finished by 31st Dec. will be added to the UFO stash.

 Teresa was featured in Majesty Magazine and when I first read about it I knew I wanted to stitch this designs so was thrilled when I saw the chart for sale.

 The chart is large and clear, there is a lot of backstitching, beads, sparkly threads, some petit point for the face and of course the dreaded french knot. I am having more french knot lessons this week and will be an expert when this heirloom is finished. There are lots of threads involved and I use the small plastic lunch bag method to keep them tidy and labelled. I am stitching on 14ct aida to save my sanity though I know it would look better on linen or evenweave which I think Teresa used. Teresa lives in Spain but I know she is only an email away if/when I strike trouble with my sampler.

Almost finished this easy to stitch Riverdrift sampler for Prince George. Then I have another knitted crown tea cosy to finish then I will be able to start my challenge. I love the little Prince George bear in the photo.

 This is a One Off design that was easy to stitch and is already on my wall.

 This is a little baby carriage charm meant for a Pandora bracelet. I don't have a suitable bracelet but I do have this necklace sent as a bonus gift by a generous ebay seller. I added the cats and now the little carriage.
It says Royal Bay 2013 on one side and a gold crown is featured on the other.

The Queen and three future king - love it - wish I had space to frame it and put on my wall. Sadly all available wall space must be for embroidered samplers only.