Christmas Wishes

 Charlotte and Big Ted join me in sending Happy Christmas Wishes to all. Ted is wearing a new outfit and Charlotte loves the net skirt Ted is wearing so they are both happy.

The worst/funniest Christmas gift ever?? That's me on the left, my sister on the right and we are wearing the sun hats given to us by our paternal grandmother many years ago. The hats really can't be considered the worst ever gift if we are still laughing about them so many years later. My grandmother had so many grandchildren we were lucky to get anything at all. Some cousins in the same age group would have received the same gift.

Some sad things have been happening in my blog world and 2015 might not be much better but I am determined to do lots more posts next year. One exciting event to look forward to is Charlotte's 20th birthday in February. Still waiting for your party guest list Charlotte!!

More Royal Embroiderey

 Found on eBay, a Royal Visit 1954 cushion cover. Haven't seen this design before and I've framed it but it can revert to a cushion cover any time as I did not cut into any of it. I bought the frame at an op shop sale months ago, knew It would be perfect for something one day. By a bit of shuffling around I even found space on the wall for this treasure.

 Love these little embroidered coronation brooches and the one on the far right is new in my collection. Top left is not embroidered. I could stitch some of these brooches myself as I have old embroidery transfers. It's on my 'to do' list. The brooch bottom right has a loop for a chain so could also be worn as a necklace

 A compact from the Silver Jubilee still has the Max Factor face powder intact. I could use it but the shade is a little too dark for me. I've had the other compacts for a while, one even has an embroidered cover.

 This little collection of coloured cups and beakers is growing and I know there are more colours out there to collect. The two on the far right are from the 1937 coronation and are made from Bakelite the rest are plastic and are either coronation 1953 or royal visit 1954.

My William and Kate wedding cross stitch is coming along slowly though I have been working very hard at it. Trouble is there are so many odd stitches and I keep losing my place. Now I have to mark off every stitch as it's worked. I had even thought maybe I could just do William and not Kate but her hand is already in the crook of his arm so she will have to be stitched too. Do not attempt this sampler unless you are a real lover of Royalty like me.

Now I have 3 dressmaker models. The first were bought at the op shop and were not cheap to buy. I found the latest one at the side of the road put out for rubbish collection. It was in my car in the blink of an eye and dressed in a T shirt I already had. I also had some more Charles and Diana wedding panels and quickly made a skirt. The skirt now matches the curtains and bed quilt in that room.

The models are perfect for displaying aprons. The latest apron with the scalloped edge was bought from an Etsy shop in Canada, Vicki over at Saffron's Strawberry Patch alerted me to it.

Can you believe it? Edward VIII abdication speech printed on a silk scarf. I have seen two of these of different colours so perhaps they weren't so rare in 1936 but I am pleased to have one in my collection.
Next post I will give an amazing household hint of how I am displayng this scarf and the Queen Victoria one from the previous post.
Prepare to be amazed and no the ceiling is not being used.

Royal Baby News and lots More

 Great news from the Palace, I'm sure this baby will equal Prince George in being so cute.

 Charlotte shares my excitement.

 There will be more samplers to stitch and souvenirs to collect for the new baby. Meanwhile I have taken on a huge stitching challenge. William and Kate in their wedding clothes. This will take me a year or two to finish and there will be more baby samplers to stitch. Charlotte I wish you could sew and help me.

 Beautiful new apron arrived today for my collection. Hand embroidered of course. I think this is the one I will choose to wear on 'Tie One on Day' ( an apron I mean) November 26th.

 An interesting scarf is now in my collection, made for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria it shows a lot of detail about her family and the highlights of her reign. On the 9th September 2015 Queen Elizabeth II will pass Victoria's record reign

 I know the house is becoming a bit crowded Charlotte but the swans stay. Don't worry I will find space for new Royal Baby souvenirs.

 Went to a cat show on Sunday. The judge has declared this British Blue a winner.

Oh No. Shock Horror. I think a flea was found on this cat. The shame of it all. Will the owner ever recover. I think the cat is receiving counselling to cope with the disgrace. Cat and owner will never be able to show their faces in public again. But I still love you White cat.

Coronation 1937 and Apron Embroideries

 Life is a bit stressful and busy right now and not much blogging is being done but I must show a few new treasures in my collections. This beautiful Coronation 1937 cushion cover arrived today. I have framed it but it is still a cushion cover, the excess fabric is taped to the back of the frame. I think it will display much better on the wall. When I find space for it that is.

 From the same seller this pretty apron. A bit like Bo Peep looking for her sheep.

 Another lovely apron in striking colours, both aprons expertly embroidered.

 This eBay apron advertised as 'quirky' and it is that. An old apron but someone at a later stage has edged it with black nylon lace. An interesting addition to my apron collection.

 Went to my craft group today and found I had won this very pretty and warm rug crocheted by a clever member who produces a lot of these rugs for raffle prizes.

 I had to move a display of 'royal' bears from this table so Charlotte could have her bed there on a day with no sun. The hot air from the air cond. comes right down on the spot where she is sitting.

Charlotte and I were admiring this rainbow from the back door and while we were arguing about which one of us us should go and pick up the pot of gold rumoured to be at the end of every rainbow it disappeared.
Your fault Charlotte.

Catching Up and New Blog Friend

 A while since my last blog post but I have been busy and I have met a new blog friend. Vicki from Saffron's Strawberrypatch lives not far from me and has an amazing collection of Australian pottery. Vicki invited me to her lovely home and trusted me to open her cabinets and touch her precious collections.

I love the Kookaburra jugs Vicky has in this cabinet, you can see them on the left.

 Lots of Pokerwork on display again my favourite was a Kookaburra. Pokerwork was very popular in the 1930's.

 Another cabinet with some Aboriginal designs on the pottery, very popular in the 1950's.

 Vicki also paints and this is some of her work. Then we had a cup of tea together and though our collection are so different we had a lot to talk about and soon Vicki will come to my house to see my collections.

 This is my small collection of Australian pottery. I love lustre ware and Vicki kindly gave me the lustre vase with flowers you can see in the middle. Thank you Vicki, I love it. I stopped at an Antique Centre on the way home and bought the small lustre vase on the right.

My growing swan collection most of them lustre ware.

A Wedding Anniversary

Today would have been the 80th Wedding Anniversary of my parents. Stanley Oliver and Ella Kate. The others in the wedding party are the younger brother and sister of the groom, Les and Elva, and the flower girl is Joy, a niece of the bride. I love the long train mum has which I think is coming from her veil, not the dress. Wish I knew the colour of the bridesmaids dress but if I ever knew I can't remember.
The wedding was held at the local Methodist church with the reception at the bride's parents house. There was no honeymoon, they moved straight into a nearby rented cottage.
Remembered with Love.
UPDATE: A family member had a newspaper report of the wedding.
The bridesmaids gown was apricot georgette with cape to match. She carried a bouquet of blue lupins and sweetpeas with tulle and streamers to match.

Surprise Gift and Bargains

Arrived in the mail yesterday, a pretty mug rug made by Gina over at 'Patra's Place of Stitching and Vintage Linens'. Gina mentioned on her blog that it was being made for someone who loves cats and London and I thought then that it has to be for me. Thank you so much Gina, I love the musical cats.
The mug on the rug is a Saturday bargain from the Salvos. A queen Victoria mug, perfect. The daffodils are from the supermarket and my first bunch of the season.

The other side of the mug rug shows views of London and also the other side of the Queen Victoria mug.
The rug is expertly made, thank you so much for thinking of me Gina, I won't know which side to use first.

Charlotte still hibernating.

While at the Salvos on Saturday morning I spotted these Damart shoes, brand new and just my size a bargain at $4

The first stitches are in my William and Kate wedding outfit. So far it's all shades of white and cream, looking forward to stitching William's red jacket.

Teresa Gil Queen Cross Stitch Finished and More

 I am so pleased with myself for having finished this beautiful Teresa Gil Queen design in only 7 months. It is a complex design but very forgiving of small mistakes and changes. Once I started I just wanted to keep going and watch the stunning Coronation dress grow under my fingers. Once started it is not difficult to stitch.

 For the neck line and sleeves I couldn't get the 5 strands of white twisted to my satisfaction so I used the 'whisper' thread instead.

The wattle representing Australia should have been French knots but I used wattle coloured beads as French knots for some reason are beyond my skill level. I loved all the beading involved though it doesn't show up well in the photos. I think I have proved this design works well on 14 ct Aida cloth.

 Before framing I nervously washed my masterpiece, just a swish around in tepid water and a bit of NapiSan then a quick spin rolled in a towel in the washing machine.

 Hanging in the sun room to dry before framing. Still not really happy with my framing as I think this sampler needs expert framing. I am saving up. I meant to show the back of my work, maybe next time as it is nothing to be ashamed of.

 I never take my cross stitch to my craft group, too hard to concentrate with all the laughter and cups of tea slopping around. J, one of our members  grew up in a country that concentrated on hard work and education and didn't learn to knit and sew when young. J is now very proud of her knitted bed socks which we all helped with. I did some casting off and sewing up. Hope your feet are now warm in bed J.

 A family get together for a family birthday. ( not mine) and the men of the family admire the view while daughter S and I slave in the kitchen. They won't turn around as they don't want to be on my blog.
From LtoR grandson T, son D, MrL, R the father of the 2 grandsons and grandson A.

Caught you grandson A, you couldn't resist turning around. A will be 17 in August.

Big Ted and Me Share Fame in the Movies

 Yes, we are in the movie. Big Ted and I have shared a lot over many years and now we share a movie. Only for a few minutes but fame is fame and we are pleased. Ted is in because of the child's Royal Visit 1954 T shirt  she is wearing. I am in showing a couple of souvenirs from 1954. You deserve the diamond! necklace and ear rings you wearing. Well Done Big Ted.

 I am seen  in the movie holding and talking about my Royal Tour Surf Carnival ticket from 1954. Held at Bondi Beach the Queen attended. I was there with my sister.
A tea cosy I knitted is seen in the movie when I pour a cup of tea.

 To my shame when the camera crew were here they put these glasses up to photograph and I hadn't dusted them. I think the cameraman used his shirt tail as a duster. But the glasses can be seen in the movie.

 I can be seen talking about this sampler from 1954.

 This banner is not in the movie but I took it to the Premiere just to show off a bit.
I had a wonderful trip to Canberra and the movie is a 'must see'.
Not because I am in it only for a very short time but because of all the old film footage from 1954. Australia was a different place then and almost the whole population tried to get a glimpse of the Queen somewhere. And the Queen worked so hard to admire everything we had to show. The museum in Canberra has the original Daimler the Queen used in 1954 and is raising money to restore it to it's former glory.
The movie is called "When the Queen Came to Town". I think it is in cinemas this weekend.

 Now to 1937 and a beautiful and I think rare  embroidered sampler from the Coronation of George VI. The sampler shows animals from the Empire. The kangaroo is just below the G. Another one I am very lucky to have in my collection.

Another addition to my collection, this one is for the Coronation 1953. Strange how some samplers like this one come with no spare fabric around them which can make framing difficult. Others come as if they have been stitched in the middle of a sheet and I have to cut away spare fabric.