Linens and Royals

GeorgeVI Embroidery and Doll Club Win

2012-02-12T10:29:00.009+11:00

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.
I think it is a tray cloth but I have framed it to keep it safe for many more years to come.
Thank you Margaret, I am very interested.
I always put thin padding behind my framed embroideries to stop the stitching being flattened too much.

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.

Does anyone know more about it??

Charlotte and Emily's Seventeenth Birthday

2012-02-08T12:33:00.011+11:00

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.
Galina is the Russian Blue on the right. The girls also received a card from more family members.
I am very lucky as Margaret also included a very special and amazing gift for me, it will be on my next post and I am very excited about it. Emily is excited about her gift but I am even more excited.

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.

Charlotte and Emily have been with me for 4yrs. 6yrs ago my himalayan cat died age 16 and I thought I could never have another cat. After 2 yrs I starting to think maybe I could and had just started looking for a suitable cat. My criteria; an older desexed female indoor cat. I wasn't thinking about 2 cats. Then I heard about Charlotte and Emily and just knew they were meant for me. I rang the number, tried to sound like a loving, experienced and knowlegable cat lady and I was chosen to take my girls home. It was love at first sight, on my part anyway. Charlotte and Emily took a few hours longer. When they realised they could sleep on or in my bed, there would be good food, spotless litter trays and all whims catered for, then they decided I was OK.

A big Thank You to Margaret K for allowing me to take over and love your sister's girls.

Diamond Jubilee Day

2012-02-06T11:06:00.009+11:00

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.

The sampler above has a matching tablecloth and I missed out on the matching tea cosy on ebay.

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.

I already had the magazine on the left then found the tapestry finished on ebay. The back of the tapestry has a sticker 'Worked by Marion Chaplin 1953 for Coronation of ElizabethII'.

Thank you Marion wherever you are now, your tapestry has found a good home.

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.

8th February is another very BIG day for me. Watch this space!!!

Diamond Jubilee Tapestry from Tempest

2012-02-03T10:38:00.011+11:00

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 cushion also comes in a smaller size.

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'm starting to have visions of all my Jubilee stitching pushing and shoving in a long queue screaming 'stitch ME, no I was first stitch Me, no Me Me what about Me, you promised I was first'. When I do make a decision and pick up my stitching that's when Charlotte or Emily want to lap sit for a while and nothing gets done.

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.

On a tour of Scotland about 12yrs ago I looked for a souvenir brooch to buy. Didn't find one I liked so bought the one on the right on ebay.

The middle brooch is the one I wear all the time because I love cats and sun dials. I bought it in York in the U.K.

No, I do not have a brooch collection.!!

Australia Day for an Anglophile

2012-01-26T11:39:00.008+11:00

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.
The idea behing this gift was that I would use it to fatten up my patient who lost so much weight during radiotherapy. Yes it works!! I am being fattened up very well but I'm not the patient!!
Hope I don't get a gardening book next xmas. I would rather cross stitch than cook or garden.

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.

Tonight I am cooking Sausage Casserole from the book. There will be enough to last 3 nights.

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.

The family seems to have moved around a bit until Francis opened this Bakery in a Northern N.S.W town. Francis is standing in front of his shop here. There is a small hard to see dog behind him and perhaps one of his sons on the left. My grandmother is on the verandah to the right and an unknown woman (though I have my suspicions) on the left.

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.

Emily's Beauty Tip #???. Always sleep with your chin resting on the edge of the bed. This will prevent a double chin in old age.

Wish you'd told me sooner Emily, I think it's already too late for me.

Royal Doormat Diamond Jubilee Bears and More

2012-01-20T18:57:00.011+11:00

A perfect doormat for a Royal household such as mine in Jubilee year.
The mat was a gift from Ruth at http://britsamplers.blogspot.com/ who was passing through my area last week and called into to see my Royal samplers and show me photos of some of the beautiful Royal samplers she has in her collection. We had a very enjoyable visit and hope we can do it again one day.

More Royal bears are joining my collection, The 2 bears at the back are just arrived Diamond Jubilee bears. The little one in front is a Golden Jubilee bear.

This bear is a rescue bear from the local flea market. I'm sure he has a sad story to tell about how he ended up there. He started life as a smart Harrods bear and things went downhill until I spotted him, paid $1, took him home, washed and mended his woolly jumper and will sew a flag on his foot to cover the Harrods name. They don't deserve to have their name displayed after selling him to such an uncaring owner.

I bought the cane chair for 50 cents at the same market and smartened it up with a coat of red paint.

Really bear! don't get too pushy, the other bears won't like it. I don't know how you managed to get your picture in twice. you must already know I'm no blog expert and don't know how to delete one photo. I need more lessons.

These very pretty plates were an op shop bargain, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw them and at a bargain price. They show the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. Later King GeorgeV and Queen Mary. The Duke and Duchess visited Australia in 1901 to open the first Parliment after Federation.
I think the plates must date from that visit.

Another op shop bargain, this time found by blogger friend Gina in Melbourne. A Beswick Coronation Mug, I don't think my camera shows how very nice it is and such a pretty colour.

Gina has been blogging for a long time but has just started a new

blog http://earlyaustralianlinens.blogspot.com/ to show some of the linens she will be displaying at an exhibition in Melbourne starting in August. I hope to be there to see her amazing collection.

Just to show something a bit different, this was a beach wedding I saw on my walk last week, very pretty. Later the bride was sitting on the beach. I must be getting old because all I could think about was how she would get rid of all that sand from her legs and clothes.

Diamond Jubilee and Coronation Samplers

2012-01-08T11:36:00.008+11:00

Thank you to everyone for your Welcome Back comments. Now back to the serious stuff of samplers and The Diamond Jubilee.
I stitched this Jubilee sampler last year and posted it on my blog. It was originally for the Silver Jubilee in 1977, then was released again for the Golden Jubilee in 2002. I bought the kit on ebay and decided to stitch it for 2012. I was waiting for official colours to be released before I finished the letters and numbers.
I decided on red and now it is finished, framed with a frame from the op shop and on the wall at last.

This sampler shows the official Diamond Jubilee logo. The chart was a free download from Ruth's blog http://britsamplers.blogspot.com/ Easy and quick to stitch, I chose a red background simply because I had some red aida cloth I had bought from the op shop. I love the red but it could also look good on blue or white fabric.

I love this just released kit from Riverdrifthouse. I bought it on ebay as soon as I saw it. Arrived on Thursday and I started stitching on Friday and will do more this afternoon.

The only change I made was to use aida cloth I already had as I like softer cloth. The dark lines on the cloth are pulled out later.

Ruth at Britsamplers sent me this lovely Diana memorial tapestry to stitch. As the correct wool wasn't available I am working it in 6 strands of DMC stranded cotton and this works well. I had hoped to get more of it stitched during the hours spent in hospital waiting rooms. But really the waiting room turned into such a friendly and chatty place and for a while patients and carers were like family or new best friends, then we parted hoping never to see each other again.

I have done it again!!! My enthusiasm has overridden my commonsense and I am trying to knit a Union Jack bed throw. The wool was expensive and I had to buy it from the U.K so I must finish this at some time in my life. Forget that I can't really knit and rarely finish any knitting I start. It's knitted on 12mm needles and worked from a chart using a method I had never heard of and had to google it. Now when I knit I have a huge tangle of wool following me. My goal is to knit one row a week and I will be finished in less than 2 years.

A coronation sampler worked before EdwardVIII abdicated. I bought it on ebay from Canada, it has the Maple leaf in the centre so a design for the Canadian market. The colours of the flag, leaf, lettering and shield are printed on the fabric and then embroidered around. It is a cushion cover, looks never used and I think it will be better preserved in a frame. This is the second EdwardVIII I have in my collection.

This coronation sampler from 1953 is really a cushion cover too. It has been well used and washed and some of the stitches have worn away. Much safer framed in this pretty frame. I bought the sampler on ebay and the frame from the op shop.

My Motto for 2012
KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON COLLECTING

My already broken New Year Resolution for 2012.

KEEP CALM AND FINISH WHAT YOU START

Happy Diamond Jubilee Year

2012-01-06T20:09:00.008+11:00

Speaking on my behalf Charlotte and Emily want to wish everyone A Very Happy Diamond Jubilee year and to say we are back in blogland.
Charlotte would also like to complain about Emily being a queue jumper as she was about to sleep on that chair.

You can see what an exciting christmas I had. Three male family members are asleep, a fourth is reading a book and yet another one not pictured is asleep on a bed. I think I am with my daughter in the kitchen.

The bookworm reading is suffering from an inherited family trait which means he can never go anywhere without a book and will read any chance he gets.

I did receive some very nice gifts which I will show later.

Some of my christmas reading from the library, four autobiographies and two fiction. All very good though 'Harbour' was a bit strange. 'The Exotic Rissole' is about a family from Bangladesh and their schoolboy son who is longing for the bland Aussie food his schoolmates have, not his mother's spicey cooking. He did grow up to be a doctor so he didn't suffer too much.

Remember that dolls' house I bought at the op shop two years ago??

Still a work in progress and it's taken me a long time to get this far but I think it is starting to look good. I divided the attic and now I will be able to have a sewing room on the left and a nursery on the right.

And last I will show my very brave patient who endured a nine hour operation on his face and 33 sessions of radiotherapy and is slowly recovering and having a New Year walk on the local beach.
His face is forever scarred and changed. His back too has a huge scarr from the same condition years ago. He is paying the price for a misspent youth playing tennis and going to the beach.

This pic was taken at 8.30 in the morning as he must stay out of the sun as it was most likely the culprit for his problems.

I have a message for any young people reading this blog (unlikely I know) Stay out of the sun, it is not always your friend. As the latest TV add says, You Know What to Do So Do It. Which means Cover Up.

My next post will have to be back to my stitching and Royals as I have lots of new stuff to show and tell.

A Long Long Tea Break

2011-10-29T17:04:00.002+11:00

I'm taking a long break from my blog while a close family member undergoes treatment for an aggressive facial cancer. An extensive operation performed 5 weeks ago now being followed by six weeks of every weekday hospital visits for radiotherapy leaves little time for blogging or commenting. I might pop up now and then but I don't expect to be back before Christmas. I will still be following my favourite blogs as some give me a much needed laugh even if I don't have the heart to comment.
Charlotte and Emily are being very supportive at this time and I will try to keep up with my Royal stitching.

THE QUEEN Has Arrived in Australia

2011-10-19T19:06:00.008+11:00

The Queen arriving in Australia just 2 hours ago and looking as ever very Queenly in a pretty blue colour. I took these photos off my TV as the news was broadcast live.

Meeting our tall elegant Govenor General who curtsied to the Queen. In the background on the right is our not very popular and hanging onto govt. by a thread Prime Minister wearing unfortunate blue/black stripes, no hat and clumpy shoes and did not curtsy but only nodded so please diregard this last long sentence as I am only being mean and don't want to discuss politics on such a great day or on my blog.

See, already I'm over excited and should put myself to bed..

Accepting flowers from schoolchildren.

H.R.H landed at Fairbairn RAAF Base in Canberra where she will stay the night then onto Melbourne, Brisbane and then Perth for the C.H.O.G.M meeting. Sydney is not included in this visit and family commitments prevent me going to Canberra so I'm a bit sad about that.

The Queen's last visit here was in 2006 and I was sitting on the steps of Sydney Opera house when I took this pic. I think I sat there for 3 hours and it was January and so hot I stuffed the newspaper I had with me up the back of my shirt to keep the sun from cooking me. I don't know how the Queen managed to inspect yet more troops in the heat and I think she was treated badly on that day.

The Queen steps ashore in a very different Sydney in 1954, the first visit ever of a reigning monarch. On the 1954 trip she came by ship and was away from home and a very young Charles and Anne for 6 months. This latest trip is her 16th visit to Australia and many people say her last trip here, I hope not.

I still have my ticket from the Surf Carnival arranged for the Queen in 1954. I was still at school then and went with my sister. The tickets must have been bought by my mother as I think 20shillings was a lot of money back then.

Tomorrow I will be watching TV for mor Royal Visit news.

Thank You to Racquel

2011-10-12T13:19:00.005+11:00

A few weeks ago I sent Racquel who lives in Manitoba Canada some of my old royal cross stitch patterns and look at the surprise I received in the post today. Racquel knows what I like and has stitched my initial, a daffodil and The Gold Coach in a sparkly thread all with a cute cat fabric background. Even the pretty thank you card has a crown. I will hang these pretty stichings on door knobs.
Racquel emailed me to ask if I knew where she could buy charts for some of the samplers I had stitched and I jumped at the chance to help a Canadian as Shirley in Alberta had sent me some beautiful samplers. Aren't Canadians wonderful!!!
Thank you so much Racquel...you shouldn't have, but I'm so happy you did, I love my gift.

In the same post I received the 1/12 scale doll house plate of the Queen Mother I bought on ebay. I think I'll put the plate on the wall of the doll house. I already had a small collection of the 100th birthday china and now my doll house is going royal.

Now for something completely different, a jelly fish stranded in the lake when the tide went out on Sunday. There was just enough water left to keep him in good condition till the tide came back in and he was able to swim away.

Detective Inspector Charlotte

2011-10-09T17:37:00.010+11:00

Some unscrupullous villians came by last night, saw my little boat at the side of the house and put it in the lake for a joy ride. This morning I saw my little boat waiting for me on the other side of the creek and brought it home again.

No need to call the police as I have D. I. Charlotte working on the case and here she comes now.

Look up and to the left Charlotte the Paparazzo are here. This reporter is most likely from one of the big Sydney papers, not the small local rag. T.V cameras are on the way I think.

No the oars were locked in the shed last night so the rascals must have used their hands to paddle.

Check for fingerprints and D.N.A too. Lucky that little piece of rope wasn't stolen.

Yes go and get Emily and see if she heard any bumps in the night or strange noises. If you have finished looking for clues I will have the boat pushed under the house where it safely lives. I only had the boat out so a workman could get under the house.

Are these your witnesses Charlotte? I think they are ready to make a statement now. I'm sure you will soon solve this terrible crime.

Charlotte and Emily doin' it tough.

2011-10-03T18:04:00.007+11:00

Charlotte and Emily have begged me to get back to blogger and do another post. They are fed up with my domestic dramas and family health issues. They want the rest of the world to take some of the burden of ME off their shoulders. Because I have not posted for 3 weeks they have had to admire every new stitch in a royal sampler, all my so called ebay bargains and exciting op shop buys. Because of the stress this is causing them they have had to fit in even more sleeps, hard to do when each day is only 24 hours long. This post is dedicated to easing the hard life of my 2 girls.

Another coronation embroidery from ebay. This is a cushion cover, a bit worn as it has been used and washed often in it's life. I will frame it as this will help to preserve it. Shows Commonwealth/Empire countries with emblems.

I think this embroidery would have been done for the 1953 coronation too. It is on a small piece of worn fabric, I will stitch it onto a stonger piece of fabric and frame.

I have had to set aside my Kate and William cross stitch after seeing this design on Ruth's blog

http://britsamplers.blogspot.com/ This is the official logo for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and Ruth has turned it into a free download cross stitch chart. Ruth has lots of great links on her blog and on one link I saw the Jubilee design with red background and as I already had some red aida cloth in my stash (an op shop bargain) I decided to use that.

I haven't forgotten about my apron collection and this pretty hand crocheted apron is my latest addition. I have seen similar patterns in 1940's magazines so think it safe to say it is a vintage apron from that era. My collection is really about embroidered aprons but I now have 2 very special crocheted aprons.

Charlotte is threatening to swipe this object to the floor with her paw if I don't show this to the rest of the world, then shut up about it. But look-an EdwardVIII coronation teapot in 1/12 scale to go in my doll house, how exciting is that?? I already have a coronation biscuit tin and a Queen Mother 1/12 scale plate on it's way from ebay U.K.

Is that enough for now Charlotte and Emily? can I go to bed soon and read my library book???

Lake Views and Op Shopping

2011-09-12T15:23:00.007+10:00

Once again real life has interupted my blog posts but my Lake views give me something to blog about. Sunday was a bit windy but perfect for skimming along the Lake with a mini parachute or kite, fun to watch but something I would never do. Not sure what this sport is called and mostly done in the ocean but perhaps these were beginners practising on the Lake. There were three kites in total.

Today a professional fisherman was out with his nets and he always has a following of pelicans willing to catch any falling from the net. Behind the pelicans is an island, you can see a white boat going through the channel then I will see that boat again when it comes out from behind the island.

Now for the Op shopping display. I bought these casserole dishes at different times because I love the colours but have since been told some people love to collect these old dishes so now I want more and have another item to look for when Op shopping.

Bought the cardigan last week at the Salvo's store, a brand new bargain still with tags though the size had been cut away but the Keynote Made in the U.K brand was attached. I think Keynote was a Littlewoods brand. I did a google search and found the same cardigan but in a pretty green on ebay advertised as vintage 60's if that's right this cardigan has been stored unworn in someone's wardrobe for many years.

Another new item with tags this very pretty dressing gown Made in Italy I bought last year and still haven't worn it. I think I'm afraid Charlotte or Emily will catch the silky fabric with their claws or I will spill my morning coffee down the front but it was such a bargain I had to buy it.

A queue for tunnel fun, Emily is first in but always has to take time to think about going through to the end or backing out and walking away. Charlotte waits for Emily to decide. Charlotte always goes through and out the other end.
Emily never goes through to the other end, I think she is just teasing Charlotte.

Comment Problem Solved by Genius Grandson

2011-08-30T20:03:00.011+10:00

For many weeks I have been frustrated by being unable to leave comments on some blogs. I would compose what I thought a clever comment then want to throw myself on the floor and scream when my clever comment would not go through.
At last a visit from tall, talented and very handsome grandson who found and solved the problem in only a couple of minutes. I won't show his face as I don't want him mobbed in the streets by others with problems. I want to keep him to myself.
The answer for anyone still having problems is......Third Party Cookies.
Here are some of the blogs I want to apoligise to for being out of touch. Sylvia at Cosiness, Fran at Being Me, Mary Anne Tate at Tate Gallery and Cat Mandu to name just a few.
Still busy while not blogging I have finished the Kate and William engagement sampler. This one is pretty and was easy to stitch and came as a kit from Majesty Magazine. Now stitching a much bigger Royal Wedding sampler which will keep me busy until the patterns for the Diamond Jubillee come out next year.

My walls are becoming a bit crowded but still space in the bedroom, the latest sampler is on the right. My mother's wedding photo is left.Look closer and there a two more cats in the mirror. Emily always falls asleep waiting for me to come to bed. Some furniture upheaval recently and the little desk you can see had to find a space in my elastic sided bedroom. The cute little desk has a total of 16 very tiny, very sweet and totally useless drawers in it.

Charlotte heard about International Cat Box Day on Cat Mandu's blog and though she missed it this year she is showing she will be ready for next year.

A family day last Sunday as some birthdays had to be caught up with. I think " 'Elf and Safety has also caught up with us. So, my household tip #789, place the candle in a strawberry or similar, blow candle out, sing Happy Birthday etc, throw strawberry (or similar) out and eat cake. If any of the birthday revellers has a cold there will be no spreading of colds, or similar, easy.

A book I have just finished reading and can thoroughly recommend. Set in Nigeria it is so well written I could see the scene before me in only a few words, the type of book I love and better than TV any day.

Doll Club Day and Luck at the Library

2011-08-20T14:55:00.011+10:00

Last Saturday was Doll Club day and this beautiful limited edition Hermann bear was on a trade table along with a note saying that as he was a royal bear I was to have first look at him and of course I had to have him for my collection. He is #5 in a limited edition of 500 made to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the coronation. I bought him for a bargain price, made in Germany from mohair he has the Hermann tag at the back of his head.
I would have been able to take a much better photo if Charlotte hadn't insisted on posing with the latest bear for my bear/royal collection.

The first section to enter for a prize on the day was a room of doll house furniture with limited pieces of furniture. No prize for me but I had to lie and tell Charlotte I won or she would be upset on my behalf.

This very nice sewing room won a well deserved prize and now I want a sewing room for my dolls house.

Next section was a bear in a cot. Mine is #9 and I think my bear outgrew his cot but at least I tried.

Luck at the library today when I picked up the latest Ruth Rendell along with some great autobiographies. Called a Fast Back because as it's a new book I only get two weeks to read it instead of the usual four but if it's a good book two days is enough for me.

The book on the left is a new book of cross stitch charts based tattoo art, not my type of stitching at all but fun to look through.

Well I was warned, it does say not for grandma on the back of the book. The book is by Don Ed Hardy and they are his designs. Another quote from the back "Grandma can't wait much longer for that flaming skull tea towel" I don't think so, anyone thinking of stitching for me; remember I like cats...

Here's my tip for anyone thinking of getting a tattoo. Work it in cross stitch first just to make sure you really really like the design.

To be fair to the book it also includes a very colourful butterfly chart but I only have time for Royal stitching.

Royals,Census and My Birthday

2011-08-11T13:28:00.010+10:00

9th August was my birthday and also Census day when all Australians had to fill in a form and be counted. Charlotte helped me fill in my form. I wish you had made me sound a bit more interesting Charlotte. Daffodils were on special at the supermarket as they often are for my birthday so I was able to have a treat of my favourite flowers.

A bit of bad news on my birthday when I read that Janet's Royalty rooms are closing next month. Perhaps the largest collection in the world, Janet lives not far from me and her displays are always fully booked and very popular. No I don't think Janet will have a garage sale, she is closing next month then will decide in a year or so what will happen to this wonderful collection.

Janet always serves a delicious morning or afternoon tea to her guests. my collection is miniscule compared to Janet's and I could never cook those cakes she serves.

I bought a cloth panel and made my Charles and Diana dolls some time ago and didn't do a very good job. I was pleased to find another panel on ebay and this one will be left intact. I'll remove the cat and cat hairs later.

I bought this cute little cupboard at the op shop a week ago, it was varnished and oiled in a very dark colour and had chicken wire across the door. A good little project to keep me busy. Three coats of paint, wire replaced by curtains and now a little display case. It will go back to the op shop when I have had enough of it. I wish I had remembered to take a 'before' photo.

This large Royal Visit 1954 tablecloth arrived from Gina in Victoria this week.
I think a rare cloth partly embroidered and with a mix of australian wildflowers and the flowers of Britain. Some sprigs of Wattle can be seen embroidered.

And some of the wording has been worked. The crocheted edge is very pretty.

A Royal Visit tablecloth I have had in my collection for some time. I think Gina has this one too fully worked.

Charles Diana 30th Anniversary and Me

2011-07-29T18:28:00.008+10:00

Charles and Diana were married 30 years ago today. I was there and still think it the most amazing event. The procession was much more spectacular than William and Catherines and though Catherine was elegant and beautiful there will never be a bride or wedding to match Diana's.

The two tapestry samplers above commemorate that spectacular day. They were not stitched by me, I bought them on ebay for my collection.

Ruth who commented on my previous post alerted me to this fabric at Spotlight. Thanks Ruth, I only bought half a metre but had to have some for my fabric stash.

Today I was at Hobbysew and found even more had to have fabric. This half metre will go in my cat fabric stash.

When I went to pay for my fabric I spotted these cat embroidery scissors to go with all my other scissors. I hope this is not the start of another collection.

Also bought all the threads for the next cross stitch sampler waiting in the queue. this is a chart from Cross Stitch Collection magazine. Lots of half stitches, back stitch, gold thread and some gold beads. This one should keep me busy until the Diamond Jubilee charts start to come out next year.

Charlotte, you are not after that hat again are you?? Just because I forgot to put it away after my last collection open house.

William and Catherine Finished Cross Stitch

2011-07-20T16:16:00.010+10:00

William and Kate, finished and framed at last. Am I the first stitcher in Australia to finish this sampler? Do I get a medal? Or a round of applause? I think I started my stitching about the middle of March so four months of stitching but I was away at the wedding in the middle of that, so I wasn't too slow. I am going to have a coloured surround made to go in the frame and I moved another sampler out of this frame to make way for Wills and Kate.

The back of my stitching, not too bad as there many colour changes, blended threads and half stitches and a tiny bit of back stitching. There was also a generous amount of fabric and threads in the kit.

This is a sampler I stitched for the Golden Jubilee in 2002. This sampler willingly gave up it's frame and wall spot to William and Kate and moved to a cheaper frame.

Here's Wills and Kate on the wall but I think they deserve a more prominent position. I will deal with that upheaval tomorrow.

Already started on my next project, a sampler bought from Majesty Magazine and much quicker and easier to stitch. This one will show the Engagement date.

Charlotte and Emily are showing their usual interest and enthusiasm for my projects.

Rain and wind all day and this is what happened while I was immersed in my Royal sampler display dilemma. A tree from the opposite creek bank fell on my shed. No damage and willing workers soon had it cut back away from my fence. Now they need to take the tree out of the creek before flooding occurs.

Special Lace and Doll Club

2011-07-11T17:58:00.009+10:00

This special peice of lace was sent to me by Gina a very generous blogger friend in Victoria. I hope to find out more about it, I think it is most likely needle run lace made in Nottingham for the 1937 coronation but am still doing my research. Too precious to use I will tack it carefully onto fabric and display. Thank you Gina for sharing your 'find'.

Doll club last Saturday and I entered the 3 competions. One being for a doll with blue eyes. Above you can see some of the stiff competition I was up against and received no prizes at all.

My old blue eyed doll usually wears a school uniform made many years ago by my mother. For this comp. I dresses her in a skirt made from Charles and Diana wedding fabric and she was able to wear the school blouse and underwear with it. Oh well, back to the school uniform tomorrow.

Next section was a bear with a ribbon round it's neck. This 'Gund' bear usually wears a cape but I tied some Charles and Diana wedding ribbon round it's neck. Perhaps I overdid the ribbon and there were lots of very nice bears that won.

Next section was a milk jug cover, my Royal Visit 1954 cover is on the left and once again I must admit some nicer covers won.

All was not lost on the day, I won a raffle prize. This table top fountain, as soon as I saw it I was hoping I would win and below you can see why.

I have always resisted buying my 2 girls a water fountain as they are expensive and Charlotte and Emily might walk away and ignore it. But this one is ceramic so no taste in the water, easy to change the water every day and Emily is giving a demonstration of how good it is.
Charlotte and Emily are always happy when I bring them home a present, but I never mention the great afternoon tea served at Doll Club.

Princess Diana's 50th Birthday

2011-07-01T15:54:00.003+10:00

Today would have been Diana's 50th birthday. A beautiful woman whose circumstances caused her to lead a sad and lonely life which ended too soon.
I think Catherine will be much better looked after and made happier than Diana ever was.
'Pax Vobiscum' Diana

Coronation and C and D Fabrics

2011-06-29T19:00:00.005+10:00

First an update on William and Kate to show I am still working hard and another few months should see this project finished.

Found this duchess set on my op shop/market hunt on Saturday, a great find for my linen collection.

I now have nine of these Charles and Diana wedding panels plus two in navy which I made into a quilt. Each panel is 3feet square and I have no idea what I will do with the panels but a great addition to my collection. Charlotte just happened to be walking past checking out my activities,

Rare (I think) fabric from the 1953 coronation, this cotton fabric has pictures of Phillip and a young Charles and Anne. I have four repeats of the coronation, 48inches wide and 3 yards long.

Yes I know we went metric years ago but these are old fabrics and imperial measurements
apply. This was an ebay bargain and I was the only bidder.

Also I did mean to show this pic. first but I have been so lazy with my blogging lately I got mixed up and everything is the reverse of how I wanted.

William Kate and Catching Up

2011-06-14T18:50:00.007+10:00

These cardboard cutouts of William and Kate were on a magazine display stand in a local supermarket. Lucky for me I have connections in the right places and carried them home when the display was finished. Emily is once again looking worried by my enthusiasms, Charlotte is still making up her mind.
And where have I been for the last 3 weeks? In a Blogger won't let me comment on other blogs/Post Royal Wedding/Post London Trip and now it's Winter SLUMP. Hope Blogger and Me are both over it!!!

HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY Prince Phillip, sorry I missed it last Friday.

Last Saturday was Doll Club meeting and we have moved to a new hall, this was our welcome to new premises cake. Very pretty and delicious with a cup of tea. I think all agreed our new hall a great success.

I said this was a catching up post so I have to show my winning entry in the previous Doll club meeting. I received first prize in the Miniature book section with my tiny coronation book which can also be worn on a chain.

Emily wants to show her new bed. This one has ears and a tail and Charlotte has a matching one.

Of course they share my bed at night but the girls like a bed that can be placed to catch the sun in the day.

Queen Victoria's Birthday

2011-05-24T13:31:00.007+10:00

Queen Victoria's Birthday, Empire Day and My 200th Post. Well it used to be Empire Day when I was at school and there was still some Empire left. The Empire was in it's heyday when Queen Victoria reigned and the little cup below has printed around the edge "Queen of an Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets". Queen Victoria souvenirs are hard to find and usually out of my price range but I love the few I do have. The little cup is from the Golden Jubilee 1887 and the mug from the Diamond Jubilee 1897.

Sometime in the over 100year history of the mug someone has cared enough about it to mend it with a little metal cage and new handle. I love it and now It's mine to care for.

I think my first love though has to be this solid silver bangle from Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee 1887. Hallmarked Birmingham silver 1887 it also has a little hard to see inscription 'From A.J June 87.

I have worn the bangle a few times as it has a very strong clasp but mostly I just leave it on display.

Also have a penny with Victoria's head dated 1895 and a little metal badge given to me by a neighbour, it has V.R Jubilee on but no year.
I found the little book of Patriotic poems published in 1908 during the reign of EdwardVII at a garage sale for 10cents.

When I was at school Empire day was always a half day. In the morning we would sing all the patriotic Empire songs such as 'The Maple Leaf Forever' and the Welsh national anthem and lots of other British songs most of which are in the little booklet. Then we went home to get our bonfires and fireworks ready to celebrate as soon as it was dark. I' m sure we would have song some Australian songs too but I don't remember which ones.

Congratulations to me on my 200th bloggiversary. I think I promised my 200th to Charlotte and Emily, didn't know it would clash with another important day. Next one girls, really 201 will be the best one.

Royal Wedding Fabric and More

2011-05-21T14:25:00.007+10:00

Made by Makower fabrics I bought a metre each of the navy and the white royal wedding fabric (with the unfortunate W.C initials) from Peter Jones dept. store in Sloane Sqe. The red fabric, I have had for years and it has the initials C.D and is from Charles and Diana's wedding. Not sure what I'll do with the fabric yet, might just keep it as it is. The red C.D fabric has been made into curtains in my Diana room. I also have the C.D fabric in navy as a valance at the top of my bedroom curtains. Not sure I have a spare room for a William and Kate room, they might have to share.

On my long 'to do' list when I arrived in London was to visit a Kath Kidston shop. Very pretty fabrics etc. and very expensive. I bought half a metre of this London fabric. It's a heavy furnishing fabric but I could make a bag or cushion perhaps. The blue fabric, not as shiny and bright as in the pic. is to make my own Kate engagement doll.

The Kate doll in Hamley's Regent st. for 35pounds was very dissapointing, the Franklin Mint doll is very nice but too expensive so I must try to make my own.

A wedding souvenir shopping bag and another paper doll. Now I'm looking for a paper doll in the wedding dress.

Have always wanted some of these brass buttons with the Royal crest, maybe from a police or fireman's uniform and look where I bought them.

This antique shop is just across the Thames from Hampton Court Palace. Many years ago, when I lived in the U.K for a few years this was a Chemist shop and I worked there as an assistant. I only worked 3 hours a day 4 days a week to cover staff lunch breaks. The pay was so poor I don't know why I bothered but the job was such fun and perfect as I had school age children then. I sometimes served people who lived in the Grace and Favour apartments at the Palace, even a Countess once. I was always very willing to deliver prescriptions to The Palace but the pharmacist always kept that job for himself. I used to ride my bike to work and prop it against the wall where those mirrors are now.

Some Wedding Souvenirs

2011-05-17T16:18:00.005+10:00

Before I show some souvenirs I must tell about another very good start to my flight to London.....I was upgraded to business class for the first leg of my flight from Sydney to Abu Dhabi, the longest leg. And what a treat that was. I had a sort of little cubicle to myself and my seat turned into a bed and I was able to sleep away the long hours. No idea why I was chosen but a big thank you to Etihad Airlines. I din't think my pic. does justice to this Lilliput Lane limited edition of Westminster Abbey. The little plaque on the side has the names and wedding date of the royal couple. The model came very well packed in a large box and was too expensive to post home so I bought a bigger bag and got it home safely.

The bigger bag then allowed me to buy this teapot. Still had to leave my coat and a pair of shoes behind-well who needs a coat in Sunny Australia?

I bought the lovely wedding cushion on my day out to Windsor Castle. I had to throw out the insert so I could fit it in my bag. It is a standard 18" size and I bought a replacement in Kmart.
This morning I'm off to a nearby large shopping centre where one of my well trained spotter friends has alerted me to some Royal dolls.
More souvenirs soon.

Home From The Wedding

2011-05-11T15:05:00.022+10:00

Arrived home from my wonderful and exciting Royal Wedding trip on Sunday and am still recovering from a bad dose of jet lag and now trying to find space for wedding souvenirs. Had to buy a larger bag to bring them home.
Charlotte and Emily were very pleased to have me home again and haven't left my side since my return. I was lucky and didn't have to stay overnight in The Mall to get my front row spot. I walked down from my hotel at 5.30am with my little stool and was very lucky to get a perfect position.

And here is the beautiful bride, I thought the dress perfect and I waved and cheered with the rest of the crowd.

The Queen looked lovely in yellow and special cheers for her.

And a thank you to Bridget, a very nice young woman who was standing next to me in the crowd and emailed me some of her photos. Bridget took this one of the Queen, I took one the same but mine was fuzzy.

Here I am cheering and waving at the balcony. I was almost at the front in that huge crowd and once again I was lucky, I am not very tall but a tall young man behind me grabbed my camera, took some photos and then handed it back to me. Everyone was so nice that day, tall young man thank you, whoever and wherever you are.

My daughter and a neighbour watching the wedding on T.V in Australia saw me walking down The Mall. I was wearing a new coat which I had shown to both before I left home. Sadly I had to leave the coat behind to make space for souvenirs.

An equally exciting part of my trip was meeting up with blogger friend Gattina in Brussels. Gattina met me at Brussels station and took me to Brussels 'Grand Place' and what a friendly and interesting tour guide she was. We then sat at an outdoor cafe and how sophisticated I felt drinking coffee and chatting to Gattina. I think blogging wonderful to make the world such a small place. More of this later.

I travelled to Brussels on the Eurostar, only a 2hour trip from London and because of my confusion when booking my ticket I only had 2 hours in Brussels but Gattina made sure I packed a lot into my 2 hours. Thank you Gattina.

Off to William and Kate's Wedding I Go

2011-04-26T07:43:00.007+10:00

Buckingham Palace and Royal Wedding, here I come. My big day has arrived. I leave home at 3pm to get train to Airport in Sydney. Iwill be put on the train this end, then son D will meet me at the airport to make sure I am on the right plane, then I am on my own for that long, long flight to Heathrow. Book into my hotel, then next stop Buckingham Palace and the souvenir shops. Can't wait.

Thought for one mili-second this might be my Wedding invitation, but even better it's a "have a Happy Trip" card from daughter S and family.

Includes a message from H.R.H and a little bag of Maundy money. Maundy money is given out by the Queen to the poor and elderly on Maundy Thursday before Easter. I'm sure if I had been there in time I would have been given some by the Queen and this little bag of English pound coins from my thoughtful daughter is to make up for my dissapointment.

I might not have the time or be clever enough to blog on strange computers in London, if not I'm sure I'll have lots to blog about on my return in 2 weeks.

Happy 85th Birthday EIIR

2011-04-21T14:27:00.006+10:00

Today is the Queen's 85th Birthday. Happy Birthday Ma'am. Long my you reign.
I will see you at THE wedding next week and give you an extra special wave.

I think Kate will have lots of competition for Best Royal Bride. The Queen looks beautiful in her wedding dress.

I ordered one of the mugs with Harry's picture put on by mistake instead of William. I'd heard about these mugs on the news and tracked one down. I thought I ordered it from China but it arrived today from Stoke on Trent. A rare collector's item? or a clever marketing ploy? not sure but I had no trouble finding one.

This is the back of the mug. "The Romantic Union of all The Centuries" I hope so,but time will tell .

Also arrived in the post today, an ebay purchase. A beaded milk jug cover from the Royal Visit to Australia 1954. I always seem to be outbid on items like this but my luck held this time and I was the only bidder.

The Countdown Begins

2011-04-19T19:00:00.006+10:00

Exactly one week from today I will be at the airport waiting to board my plane for the start of a 24hr flight via Abu Dhabi To London for THE WEDDING. Today I went to have a look at the plane. I wonder if I should have chosen something just a little larger??
I have added a clock showing London time to my blog so I can start to adjust my thinking.

Yes! Yes! I will stay away from the propeller. I have enough bad hair days as it is without my head being rearranged.

I have homework to do and thanks to today's International Express I can study the route and timetable.

Luggage must be checked, I would be sad if I arrived in London with no cat hairs on my clothes.

This will be my 9th trip to London for a Royal event and I know how to travel light. I will follow my usual plan of wearing old clothes (well, I didn't get an invite to the Abbey did I?) then discarding them and packing lots of souvenirs to bring home. Also being too mean to catch a taxi from Heathrow to my hotel (less cash for souvenirs) I must struggle on the tube with my luggage.
I think I feel exhausted already, come on Charlotte and Emily lets go to bed early, I have new library books.

Stingray Alert

2011-04-13T16:19:00.007+10:00

I have been waiting such a long time for a stingray to come close enough for me to take some pics. I see them going past my house sometimes with just the end of a barbed tail or flaps showing but today my patience paid off when this one came close to the steps. Stringrays can be curious and docile (according to Google) and this one seems to be looking me right in the eye.

I didn't run a tape over him/her but I think it would be about 30" or 75cm across.

He does blend in a bit so could easily be stepped on which is when he might whip his tail round and sting.

Here his flaps are moving and the end of his tail is just out of the water and can be mistaken for a stick.

Love you Stingray, come back soon and please, bring friends.

I was so excited and wanted to share my news. Here's Charlotte, not in a mood for thrills. Emily is there too. She is the lump to the right of Charlotte. Under the bedclothes.

Doll Club Day

2011-04-09T18:21:00.008+10:00

Doll club today and there were the usual three sections to enter. First section was 'Doll Holding Easter Egg' and I entered my old Palitoy 'Patsy' doll. I bought her pink suit at the markets and added the fur collar and made felt rabbit ears for her. No prize but I did have fun dressing her up and playing dolls again. Second section was a Rabbit Ornament, I bought the one above for $3 at the Reject shop just so I would have one to enter, no prize but now I have a cute rabbit.

Some of the competion above. #7 won second prize and second from the right at the back won third.

As it's Royal Wedding month third section was Royal Memorobillia, I took along my Charles and Diana slippers but no prize for me but it was good to see the souvenirs other members had.

I did have some luck though with two raffle prizes, the one wrapped in cellophane is a large chocolate rabbit surrounded by small eggs.

And look what I was given for my collection from very generous Doll Club members. The mug on the right is from the Royal Visit to Australia 1954 and the other mug is a Charles and Diana Wedding mug. Also a coronation postcard, a fold out booklet from the coronation, a first day cover and stamps from C and D's wedding and a card showing the gates of Sandringham with information about the history of the gates. All very much valued treasures for my collection and a big Thank You to the members who gave them to me.

I know the are lots of Beanie Kid collectors but I've never taken much notice of them but when I heard a Royal Wedding one had been released-well-I couldn't rest till I had one.

They are a limited edition and hard to come by but a friend spotted some in a nearby suburb and I rushed over and bought mine.

One of the younger members of Doll Club has one and entered hers in the Royal section today.

Not long now till we find out what Kate's dress will really look like. Simple and easy to copy I hope.

Early Easter Bunny?

2011-04-05T16:21:00.007+10:00

Is this the Easter Bunny paying an early visit? No sign of eggs though. I looked out this morning and there was a beautiful white rabbit on the grass. I rushed to ask the neighbours if they knew anything about a lost pet but they didn't.

No way out here. Then it hopped away and I haven't seen it since. After the heavy rain and near evacuation panic of 2 weeks ago I thought I should have a second cat carrier for emergencies. I bought this one at the markets but Charlotte has had enough of my second hand market bargains and has made it plain, emergencies or not, she won't go in it.

Never one to make a fuss my sweet little Emily said she will travel in it. Thank you Emily, like me you appreciate a bargain. Working hard on William and Kate. I hate to leave faces unfinished so must finish Kate's before I leave for the Wedding. The countdown is on, I fly out 3 weeks from today. I loved this book and sorry when I finished it today. Nella Last wrote for the Mass Obsevation project in Britain in the 1940's and 50's and this is her 3rd book from that project. She lived a very ordinary life but that makes it all the more fascinating as she writes about her day to day life including meals and prices. I think there are no ordinary lives and everyone has a story to tell and Nella tells her story well. I bought the book from Amazon.

Knit Your Own Royal Wedding

2011-03-29T12:45:00.008+11:00

Arrived in the post today, my copy of 'Knit Your Own Royal Wedding' from Amazon books. Complete with full and detailed instructions for the whole wedding party including outfits for guests and even a couple of corgis. Here is the balcony scene with Charles, Camilla and Harry on the left, the Queen and Philip on the right. The happy couple are in the middle watched by a corgi. I think the Queen has her hand over the corgi's eyes to protect him from THE kiss, Camilla is holding her hat on.

The coacmen can be knitted too but you will need to find your own coach.

Kate and William's Engagement clothes are included and of course a knitted Archbishop of Canterbury.

Included is a cardboard balcony so you can arrange your own balcony scene. I might never get to do all this knitting but what a fun book to have in my collection.

I bought this cross stitch kit from Majesty Magazine and it looks an easy one to do. There is a choice to make it a wedding or engagement sampler. I will put the engagement date in as I have lots of wedding samplers to stitch.

My travel documents are all in order for my trip to London for THE wedding, I even received a bottle of wine from the travel agent who booked my trip, how civilized is that?

I know I should really stay home and do all my Royal knitting and stitching, I can't even knit or stitch during the very long flight to Heathrow - no needles allowed on board - but William might notice if I'm not there. He might turn to Kate and say" where's that woman who gets over-excited in the crowd and has to be carried out".

Just dreaming again...and no, I haven't drunk the wine.... yet..

"Of Droughts and Flooding Rains"

2011-03-22T18:37:00.007+11:00

We have just had 3 days of torrential non stop rain here which has caused floods and chaos in my area. I've marked on the map where Charlotte Emily and I live, right on the edge of the lake.
The lake does have a small opening to the ocean but the rain water wasn't runnung away quickly enough and combined with an extra high tide last night caused a lot of anxious moments. The State Emergency Service told us to be ready to evacute but in the end that didn't happen. The picture shown is fron this mornings Illawarra Mercury.

Charlotte and Emily inspect the damage this morning after the tide went out, they did promise to help with the clean up but asked for another sleep first.

This thick mess of mud, lake grasses and rubish was left behind by the tide for me to clean up. Nothing compared to the damage left behind by earthquakes, floods and tsunami's in other parts of the world so I mustn't complain and I'm sure Prince William won't be coming to inspect the damage.

All serene on the lake now, even a bit of blue sky.

The postman was kind to me today and bought me the William and Kate paper doll book I ordered from Amazon. I know I'll be tempted to cut out the dolls and clothes to play with, but no, I must keep the book intact for my collection.

Guess Who's Going to William and Kate's Wedding

2011-03-20T11:37:00.009+11:00

I know I said I wouldn't, couldn't and shoudn't go to THE WEDDING but now I am so excited. I am going. On Friday I happened to be walking past a Travel Agent, went in just to enquire about airfares to London, minutes later I had signed and booked airfair and hotel. Perfect.

See you soon William and Kate. I leave in 5 weeks and only stay for 9 days so will do a lot of rushing around London to get the most out of my stay. William is in Nth Queensland right now but I thought it too far and expensive to fly up and see him then suddenly I am going to London for his Wedding, work that one out. I do love London and Royal parades, that is why I must be there.

Look at this embroidered map of the British Empire from the coronation of GeorgeVI 1937. The distance between the east coast of Australia and Britain looks not far at all. The fact that I am flying with an airline I have never heard of before, a brief stopover in Abu Dhabi,- the airport there is new and looks very nice- and the first leg of the flight means I will be in the air for 15 hours the second leg only 8 should not worry me... It does, I hate flying, take offs and landings terrify me and I never sleep on planes as I feel someone (me) should stay awake and check the plane is still in the air. I suffer all this for Royalty and sometimes wish I had chosen an easier enthusiasm. The hotel I am staying at is perfect for me and is in a top location.
No more episodes of Air Crash Investigation on T.V for me.

Emily is refusing to show any interest in the trip at all. I have assured her she will be staying here and well looked after by Mr. Linens and will hardly know I have gone. He will have full instructions and a training manual to study and exams to pass before I can leave my girls in his care.

I had thought I might take my beach shelter to use in the Mall on my overnight stay before the wedding but Charlotte agrees with me that it is too large and unmanageable and could cause trouble in the crowd.
I tried to avoid Wedding Fever but it got me as I suppose I knew all along it would......

Catching Up

2011-03-14T18:06:00.007+11:00

Catching up after a busy week. Last Tuesday was International Women's Day and I was invited to a breakfast at a nearby beach suberb. Breakfast, speeches and a fashion show were all enjoyed. The only man present was the poor man whose face you can see on the right peering through the curtain and trying to fix the computer presentation while remaining invisible.

The great Dame Edna was there ( I hope it wasn't an imposter ). I'm sure everyone worldwide knows the Dame, she is the role model for all Australian women and we all aspire to be like her.

I was surprised to see her there as I know she is a close friend of The Queen and helps H.R.H organise large Royal events and there is a wedding coming up.

I need new glasses soon and hope to find ones similar to the Dames at Budget Specs.

Dame Edna noticed the kangaroo brooch I was wearing (bought at the markets $4 two weeks ago)

and came rushing over to me to admire it. We agreed we have a lot in common as we both love colour and sparkly things and think the colour beige should be banned.

I am checking out the op. shops for a cardigan like the Dames.

Doll club on Saturday but I wasn't able to go. Two of the catergories where I might have won a prize were 1. A koala, these 2 jugs were the only koala's I have. 2. A coffee cup, I only have this pretty one, not even a royal one. Now I will never know if I would have won a certificate. 3. An Oriental doll. I don't have one so no hope there.

My William and Kate cross stitch kit arrived from the U.K and I've made a start. The kit seems easy enough to stitch, all the threads came ready sorted on a card but I prefer my plastic bags on a ring method with the colour numbers written on the front. Easier to use and less waste.

I think this mother duck has done well to keep 9 ducks safe. This group look half grown and were out in front of my house this week.

Bargains Galore

2011-03-05T19:03:00.006+11:00

Sad that a very large chain of bookstores has gone into receivership and all stores are closing down. Good news for me today as my local branch had 50% off all books and I was able to buy the book above that I have wanted since it came out last year. The soft cover version would have been even cheaper but I wanted the hard cover and bought the only copy in the store. The book has lots of old photos and over 1,000 pages. The price on the cover is the full price.
Books here are expensive and often are released months after overseas releases and I have been guilty of buying books cheaper from Amazon or browsing bookstores and then reading the book I want from the library so I take a small amount of blame for the closure.

I couldn't resist this gold teapot from the op. shop for only $2, yes the lid is missing, BUT it's a Sadler teapot made in England and Sadler teapots are very expensive and collectable so I am thrilled with my find. I have put a royal bear inside to make it a bit Royal but it would look good with flowers or a plant too.

The book in front is a coronation autograph book with steel covers made for the coronation 1953 by Steel Company of Wales Ltd. Sadly there are no Royal Autographs inside.

I am making progress with my knitted Kate doll, don't judge her and laugh I have a long way to go yet. Bought some pearl trimming today. The pattern doesn't mention pearls but It's a Royal wedding and there are sure to be pearls involved.

Took this photo this morning, don't know what the things the men are paddling are called but they seem to be getting popular on the lake. Doesn't look much fun just standing and paddling. The man on the right has his dog with him and at least the dog can sit down.

To complete this post of odds and ends we have bad cat behaviour #1065. Well who am I to stop an older cat drinking from whatever she likes?

William and Kate Stitching Marathon

2011-02-27T14:25:00.008+11:00

I'm stitching as fast as I can but I keep finding more Royal Wedding items I must do. The knitted W and K dolls are a free download pattern I found on the net and the instructions are easy to follow. I'm not a very experienced knitter but once again enthusiasm wins over skill and the dolls will be knitted.

A keen start has been made on the wedding tapestry. I'm trying to work without a frame but think I will have to use one for the background.

To show I can manage a small social life too, I went to see a local production of the old classic Guys and Dolls yesterday. Today I went to a very early session at the movies and saw The King's Speech. What a great movie, I was prepared to be a little dissapointed because, well , it wasn't the real King, but I loved it.

A view of the local theatre, we always take cushions to sit on as the seats are so uncomfortable but the shows are always good.

Had lunch with friends before the matinee at a Thai restaurant overlooking the small harbour and ocean.

Enough of enjoying myself, back to stitching. This cross stitch kit is on it's way from the U.K. It's a John Clayton design from Heritage and will keep me busy for a while. Also on it's way to me is a Kate and William Wedding sampler kit I ordered from Majesty magazine.

World of Cross Stitcher magazine #176 and Cross stitcher magazine #238 both have Royal wedding charts. These mags. will be released in March in the U.K but won't arrive here till May.

Doll Club Win

2011-02-13T10:48:00.007+11:00

Doll club meeting yesterday and one of the categories was a souvenir bear, I entered Pink and we won 3rd prize certificate. Well done Pink.Then trouble. Pink saw her little sister Pinkette for sale on a trade table and begged me to buy her. I said no as like Pink she is made of mohair by the same club member who made Pink and was too expensive. Pink cried. The price was reduced. I weakend, handed over lots of$$$$ and Pinkette became ours. Pinkette was a bare bear but a very kind and generous club member insisted I take the red spotted dress for her as she looks so good in it.
Pinkette is wearing a bow on her head of Charles and Diana Wedding ribbon and Pink has a bow of the same ribbon on her wrist. On Pinks feet are cloth badges frim C&D's wedding.
Charlotte insisted on being in the photo because she thinks the prize certificate is meant for her.
No Charlotte, I'm sure if it was for you it would have been 1st prize.

The two other sections for prize certifcates were; a doll holding flowers and a paperweight. I put some flowers in the hand of one of my old childhood dolls and entered a Charles and Diana wedding paperweight. No winnings here as the competitors were just too good.

I had hoped Charlotte would wander off for another sleep but no, she wants to help with my next photo arrangement.

I allowed Pink to borrow my new Kate and William charm bracelet to wear to Doll Club and next to it is a mini Kate and William cup and saucer surrounded by Charles and Diana wedding ribbon.

This is how I got Charlotte away from my display. I took the cover off the doll's house and she was instantly distracted. Easy.

Charlotte and Emily's 16th Birthday

2011-02-08T17:37:00.010+11:00

Charlotte and Emily share their 16th birthday today. Here they have blown out the candles on their cake. Well done my beautiful girls.

The girls each received a birthday parcel in the post from their cousin Galina.

Emily is excited but a little suspicious of what might be inside, but she does love the pretty paper.

You can look now Emily, that is a lovely toy for you to play with, and look, a handmade card from Galina. Galina chose the blue toy for you because you are a blue point Birman.

Now Charlotte's turn to open her parcel. Do you need help Charlotte?

Look Charlotte you got a hand made card too and that toy is the perfect colour for your seal point colours. You must both write thank you cards to Galina tomorrow. You will have lots of fun with the new toys I'm sure.

Here is the beautiful and talented cousin Galina. Galina is a Russian Blue and very elegant. I know Galina would have come to the birthday celebrations if she could but Charlotte and Emily are both so pleased she remembered their special day with gifts.

Here is little fun filled Roxy who would love to be friends with Charlotte and Emily if they weren't always asleep when Roxy calls.

Roxy is 4yrs old and after a hard first 2yrs of life was lucky enough to be adopted by near neighbour Fay and now lives a very happy contented life.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY my beautiful girls, may you have many more happy healthy years.

GeorgeVI to ElizabethII

2011-02-06T14:20:00.007+11:00

Today marks the anniversary of the death 59years ago of King GeorgeVI and the start of the reign of ElizabethII. The Queen, then Princess Elizabeth was in Africa on her way to Australia when told of her father's death. Above are the only 2 souvenirs I have been able to find of that cancelled visit.

The Queen arrives back in London for the funeral of her father.

1952 was the year 0f 3 Queens. Above are Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth the Queen mother and Queen ElizabethII ready for the King's funeral. Queen Mary died the next year and Queen Elizabeth lived as a widow for the next 50 years as the popular Queen Mother. ElizabethII celebrates her Diamond Jubilee next year, the length of her reign will soon pass Queen Victoria's.

Was going to find something individual to show for the King but then remembered A-yet to be explained ladder issues B-there might be a large spider behind anything on the wall C- there could be a VERY large spider behind anything on the wall so this is a bit of an overview.

The king can be seen top left on a framed embroidered cushion cover sent to me by Gina at http://patrasplace.blogspot.com/ and also top right.

Nothing to do with royals but had to share this anyway. I never much liked Gok or his 'How to Look Good Naked" T.V show and almost didn't bother to choose his book at the library. So glad I did, his story is so interesting and I will watch his T.V shows now with a new respect for him.
I recommend his book to anyone and will be sorry when I finish it tonight.

They're Baaaack

2011-02-04T16:30:00.006+11:00

Well I've been expecting you spider. I mean today is 4th February, the middle of summer and we are in the middle of a heatwave with high humidity. So what took you so long? Very clever of you to stay up near the ceiling out of my reach. Yes I know you are a supposedly harmless Huntsman and if I feel a bit hunted in my own home that's just my paranoia kicking in. You are in a spare bedroom by the way so I don't have to sleep with you tonight, hope you are not a nocturnal spider.

You are right above my sewing machine Spider but that's o.k I'll give up sewing for the forseeable future. I'm busy with my Kate and Wills wedding tapestry anyway. If you go to the other side of the room Spider you will see the ceiling slopes up and is much higher there and I will never get you because of my ladder issues which I have yet to explain on this blog.

This is the breakfast I ate right before I saw spider or I might have lost my appetite. I like some sliced banana on my cereal and this might be the last banana I have for some time. I keep hearing on the radio that the floods and cyclone in Queensland have wiped out most of the banana crops and prices will rocket up maybe out of my price range. If that's the only problem I have after all the disasters then I am lucky and should not complain.

My treat for the day to take my mind of spiders and food prices. The latest copy of Majesty magazine. Oh no, another complaint coming up. This mag. is the December issue. Most English magazines take 2 months to arrive here so the official pics are all in the next issue so I have another month to wait.

Big Ted This is Your Life

2011-02-01T18:28:00.007+11:00

We start with a brand new Ted in his/her very early days.
When asked what I wanted for my 18th birthday many many years ago I requested a big yellow bear and so Ted came into my life. I could have asked for a more sensible or useful gift which I'm sure would have been gone and forgotten by now. Ted is a Merrythought bear made in England where all the best bears come from, he is wearing the original red bow. When new Ted had a very large growl, sadly worn out now.Pictured above when new Ted is with the beautiful cat Twink I had at that time.

We are growing older together Ted and you have always been a favourite with all my cats. No this cat isn't Emily, it's my lovely Himalayan colourpoint nicknamed Best One (real name Ranee) who died 5 years ago aged 16. Ted is starting to show a little wear on the paws here.

Here is Emily sleeping with Ted for company. Note Ted is now a royal bear.

Charlotte useing Ted as backdrop for her posing. Note Pink before her transformation to Royal Wedding bear.

Ted providing comfort to a grandson on a sleepover. The waistcoat Ted is wearing was one worn by my daughter when she was two.

Ted helping newer bears to settle in and find their place in the household.

Thank you Ted, I think you might be the best gift I ever received and thank you for always being willing to model any clothes for my blog or entering Doll club competition in whatever category decided.
I think we will have many more years together Ted and lots more adventures.

Australia Day

2011-01-26T12:30:00.010+11:00

Yes, this is me and perhaps the only pic. you will ever see of me. Taken in central west Queensland a couple of years ago I had been on a very long very hot walk to see the billabong written about in 'Banjo' Patterson's Waltzing Matilda 1895. Some say Waltzing Maltida is Australia's unofficial national anthem.
It's a story about a swagman boiling his billy by a billabong under the shade of a coolibah tree.
Then putting a stolen jumbuck in his tucker bag. The squatter on his thoroughbred rides up with three troopers on horseback. The swagman jumps into the billabong, drowns and now his ghost can be heard. Fate of the jumbuck (sheep) not known. For translations or more details you will have to Google.
Meanwhile back to me. I had been told the billabong was not far from the road. Well it was a long way, off through those trees and I was wearing a hat but when I got back to the car I thought I would expire with heat hence the cool damp cloth on my face and the sunglasses to keep it in place. Don't know what I was searching for in that bag but it must have revived me as I'm am still here. This trip confirmed my opinion that I am NOT an outback Australia person.
The prescription sunglasses were lost somewhere soon after. I did not go back to search.
This is the billabong, now I can say-been there-done that and cross it off my bucket list.
There was a kangaroo at the billabong, he hopped away before I could get a photo.

Here is my son aged 2 many years ago cuddling a kangaroo. Not all kangaroos are so friendly but this one was in a wildlife park and very tame.
Son was at that lovely age where he wanted to cuddle everything.

I think this was taken the same day, my daughter - now the mother of my talented, good looking and perfect grandsons- patting a koala.

This pic. was emailed to me, perhaps that explains the size.

Today is all about Australia and this is one of our favourite foods. THE LAMINGTON. Sponge cake covered in chocolate and rolled in coconut, Delicious. I will have this one later with a cup of tea.

This cross stitch is part of a much larger piece I stitched for the Centenary of Federation in 2001. It shows Captain Arthur Phillip arriving with the First Fleet on 26th January 1788.

Australia Day was known as Anniversary day until about 1935 I think. This photo was in my late mother's album and on the back is written. 'The Mob' Anniversary day 1928. I recognise no one and this photo should be a warning to all to label photos properly. This mob has long departed and I wish I knew who they were. The background could be the Blue Mountains west of Sydney.

New Collection Additions

2011-01-23T14:26:00.007+11:00

This scarf has to be my favourite recent addition. An ebay purchase it came from Donegal in Ireland and my first purchase paid in euros. The only item I have ever seen with the accession date which is also the abdication date for EdwardVIII. Lovely pictures of George and Elizabeth with emblems of commonwealth coutries around the edges. I think this scarf deserves a frame and a place on a wall-if I can find a space on my ever more crowded walls. This EdwardVIII coronation 1937 jug has to be close runner up for new favourite. Bought at an antique fair yesterday it is Shelley china and in perfect condition. I managed to beat the stallholder down in price but it still broke my budget, well worth it, one of those "had to have" items.

New arrivals from ebay and two seperate sellers, these Goss miniatures from the coronation of

GreorgeV and Mary in 1911. Goss miniatures are very collectable and usually say things like ' Souvenir of Blackpool' etc. I think other Goss collectors must have been out partying on New Years Eve when I snapped these up for a bargain price.

Another EdwardVIII jug for the coronation that never happened. Now I have three in my collection, I like jugs and will be on watch for more.

A Wade coronation dish from 1953, interesting because it has animals from Commonwealth counties around the rim.

Bought this brooch at the Antique fair yesterday because it looks Royal and has the usual

Dieu Et Mon Droit under the shield. I haven't seen the shield with 4 stars? before. Can't find it in my books or google, perhaps it represents a city. Does anyone know.

A Huge confession here. I know I have some descriptions on top of the pics. then a gap and descriptions underneath. But I only type with two fingers so I can't erase and do again or if there is another way to move the desc. around I don't know it. Also Charlotte is usually sitting on part of the keyboard or mouse. So you can see my life is sometimes very difficult But I do try to do my best.

William and Kate Wedding rumour

2011-01-14T16:07:00.008+11:00

Somehow a rumour started in my house this morning. There was to be a Royal Wedding parade and it was going past my house. I tried to explain it wasn't possible, the wedding is in 3 months and a long way away in London. Too late, there was a rush to the barrier and even Charlotte was caught up in the rumour Emily was a bit more cautious, she just wasn't sure what to believe.

Charlotte promised to alert Emily at the first sign of horses coaches etc.

Not yet Emily, not sure which way the Parade will come but i'm keeping you a spot at the front of the crowd.

Oh no! I can't belive the Queen Mother is wearing THAT hat again, she should know by now I don't like it and won't leave it alone....but pulling at the hat fills in the waiting time.

Still waiting and minding your spot Emily. Yes, you have something to eat and drink and bring me a snack if you are going to the kitchen.

Royal Wedding HUGE disappointment

2011-01-06T18:24:00.003+11:00

Announced on the news tonight, Kate will be going to her wedding in a car not a coach, how dissapointing. Next channel news said William and Kate will travel back to the Palace in a coach. Who and what to believe??? I want coaches and lots of horses and lots of bands and cheering crowds and me in the middle of it all. I mean, really, it must be just as easy to hitch a couple of horses to a coach as polish up a car. Also more difficult to see the bride in a car. I must take a deep breath, have a cup of tea, then write a protest letter to the Palace.

New Year Resolutions and Pink Bear

2011-01-01T11:15:00.009+11:00

Happy New Year and a hope that 2011 is good to everyone. Resolutions? I've never kept one yet so this year is resolution free. Pink bear is eager to show off her Kate and William jacket. For a few days pink bear was worried there was no place for her in my crowded home but now she has become part of a Royal Collection and with a bit of shuffling of furniture has now secured her forever spot. With the jacket she is wearing pearls as all Royal Ladies do and on one wrist a coronation bracelet. Pink is sitting on a silk coronation scark from 1953. Here is a better view of the jacket, worked with more enthusiasim than skill. Cherubs on the collar, Queen buttons and Diana badges, the one on the left showing William as a baby with his mother. Charles and Diana wedding fabric on the edge and William and Kate and the wedding date cross stitched on.

I have yet to embroider Pink's paws as I am waiting for that rare day to arrive when skill and enthusiasim coincide.

The back has Charles and Diana wedding fabric and a guardsman cut from a piece of fabric.

The large bow on Pink's head is also made from C and D wedding fabric. The red hearts are stitched on.
I can see spaces on the jacket for a bit more sparkle so maybe it's not finished yet.

Below you can see the jacket before. It's a childs's size3 I bought at the op shop for only $1.50 so am very pleased with my bargain, everything else on the jacket I already had.

Nothing to do with bears and royals. This party boat drifted out of the channel and into shallow water 2 days ago, the tide went out and all the pushing couldn't move it. I don't know why it is flying the Scottish flag but the boat spent New Year's eve tied up to the edge of the lake in front of my house.

7am this morning a high tide came in and party boat was on it's way having missed the biggest night of the year.

But wait! I can see a problem with that party boat. No Ladies room. So no glass of wine or cup of tea for me at THAT party. Well I wasn't invited anyway.

Charlotte and Emily say Merry Christmas

2010-12-22T15:02:00.006+11:00

Emily would have said Merry Christmas to All but she's too busy right now having discovered some rainwater in an abandoned pot plant which must be investigated. Charlotte is also too busy as she is wondering if she should do something about that lizard at the bottom of the steps.Charlotte and Emily want everyone to know they do care about all those snowbound Europeans and people stranded at Heathrow and can't get home To Sunny Australia for Christmas but they have had it tough too.
Last week there was a very sudden and noisy hailstorm, Charlotte was terrified and even though the storm only lasted a few minutes she had to spend an hour in the wardrobe to recover. Emily only looked slightly annoyed by the noise. Then one day this week it was so windy they couldn't get out of the door at all and had to spend the day sleeping.

My very first William and Kate souvenir has arrived from the U.K, only a metal badge but i'ts a start and I've ordered a wedding tapestry, hope it arrives in time for me to stitch before April 29th.

Look at the big pink bear behind Charlotte, I won it at the Doll Club Christmas raffle. Made from mohair by a clever club member I think this bear is just asking to be made into a William and Kate bear. Look at the large paw pads, I could embroider names or dates there and today at the op shop I bought a little denim jacket to convert and stitch with royal stuff. A great idea and one I hope will make it out of my head and onto the bear.

Happy Christmas to all in Blogland from Charlotte, Emily and Me.

Royal Wedding Date

2010-11-24T10:19:00.007+11:00

"Oh to be in England Now that Aprils there." Robert Browning.
The date has been announced and can now be printed on souvenirs. There will be a public holiday for the wedding and I think it will be an exciting event.
The daffodils will be out in the London parks. Below is a cross stitch I worked years ago because I love daffodils, the colours are better than shown in the pic.
I finished The Kiss and it is framed and on the wall.

And while I look for William and Kate patterns I am working on my U.F.O* of the Queen. This chart is hard going which is why it might always remain a U.F.O. The pearls and tiara will be hard stitching. I can only hope Kate wears very plain clothes and no spakley jewllery.

Charlotte and Emily are already bored with wedding talk, royals and souvenirs. Please note Charlotte sleeping in that cane bed she was so suspicious of.

*U.F.O unfinished object and I have lots of those.

CONVOY

2010-11-21T18:55:00.011+11:00

I love big trucks and today was the annual children's charity convoy. The convoy started with hundreds of motor bikes then then came the trucks horns blaring, the noise was deafening. I think seat belt laws were suspended for the day day as all truck cab were full of children bouncing around and waving madly. I stood and watched for 2 hrs but could hear the noise for another hour. I love just about any parade or convoy even if it's not Royal. There were trucks on trucks.

Trucks coming.
And a view of the out of control crowd in the distance watching trucks coming.

Trucks going.

A wave from a police truck.

Red trucks going.

Trucks with cranes.

My favourite? A dust control truck. Well I waved and shouted and pointed toward my house and jumped up and down hoping this truck could break the convoy and come and control the dust that has settled on my collections. I can't even see a driver in this pic. was he hiding from me under the steering wheel?
I can just make out his web add. on the truck so I will catch up with him yet.

Join Gattina at Writer's Cramps for "What Did You Do This Weekend?"

William and Kate Engagement

2010-11-18T14:03:00.004+11:00

Congratulations and a toast to William and Kate on the announcement of their engagement. A very nice couple and you have my total approval. Now I want the souvenirs and I want to be in London for the wedding. Please announce the wedding date soon.
I had intended to have a longer blogger break, I haven't been away just catching up on other things but this Royal event is too important to stay away from my blog.
I have ordered you a new shirt Ted. we need to move on and you must now wear a Kate shirt.

New Problem; where do I find lots of $$$$ so I can go to THE wedding?

Shall I sell Charlotte and Emily, after changing their birth date and making them 10 yrs younger,on ebay? They don't eat much.

No! Charlotte reminded me it is illegal to sell cats on ebay and has threatened to report me to everyone from H.R.H to the local R.S.P.C.A if I try to sell her and she is going to keep a sharp watch on Emily!
Take ??decades of my age and sell myself.....maybe not, cat women who are also collectors and hoarders aren't in high demand.
Take in a lodger? see above re. cat women etc.

A note here, Charlotte and Emily usually eat in the dining room off bone china plates, it was their choice to eat outside and catch a cool breeze. They have not been banished outdoors.

See you at The wedding William and Kate XXX

Blogger Break

2010-11-09T06:10:00.002+11:00

Announcing a short blogger break....... But I will be back. Watch this space!!

Guy Fawkes Day

2010-11-05T19:23:00.006+11:00

Today is Guy Fawkes day, a day in 1605 of gunpowder, treason and plot when Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the British Parliment. I don't have much to show for G.F but this little piece of cross stitch is part of my millenium sampler.

I showed this cross stitch sampler last year but as you can imagine there are not many souvenirs around for me to show so here it is again. Bonfires and fireworks are now banned except for public displays and anyway no one here remembers or even seems to know about the date except me. Here is my pathetic lone commemoration of the day: a couple of sparklers and very pretty they were too.

Now I just need to get that awful sparkler smell out of the house.

Refreshing my memory in the pages of a book I have.

I am so pleased Charlotte shares my interest in British history, or is she trying to tell me I should have no other interests but her.

Monster Moth Mayhem And Beautiful Thoughts

2010-11-03T10:38:00.009+11:00

This monster moth was on the side of my verandah, don't know what type he is and I know there must be bigger ones in the world but to me he looks very scary. The mayhem will start if he/she gets into the house. Picture this scene; me in bed with a good book, the lamp on my bedside table casting a glow, then a loud fluttering of wings and a large monster banging into the lamp. A loud sharp scream, me and the cats running from the room, and as I said mayhem and chaos. Meanwhile I am trying to think beautiful thoughts about.........
Gold Coaches.

And more Gold Coaches.

And another Coach, this time embroidered on a tablecloth.

And a Handsome Charming Prince. Hello William XX

And very pretty cats. Hello Charlotte and Emily. XX Well I think I feel better now, though it will soon be dark and I will have to turn lights on and we all know moths love lights, I hope this isn't some belated Halloween Horror

Weekend of Bargains and Wildlife

2010-10-31T15:34:00.011+11:00

Every year Doll Club has a huge and very popular Fair and today was the day. One of our talented members knits very detailed bedspreads and clothes for doll houses. This year I was lucky enough to get this one. Done to 1/12 scale on fine needles and cotton so fine hard to belive she can even see what she is knitting, I have watched her so I know it's possible. The pattern is a classic and looks beautiful in my doll house, wish my own bed was as elegant as this. Also knitted by Denise and bought by me, this pretty doll outfit with tiny pearly beads knitted in to the dress and edging the matching shawl. The outfit even included a knitted nappy all so tiny I had trouble tying the bonnet and fastening the buttons at the back. The work is so delicate and the prices so reasonable I can only think it a labour of love.
The length of the dress is only 7cm or 2 and three quarter inches.

Bought a new dress for my old doll too and she is offering me a "thank you" coffee. Emily was helping but she fell asleep halfway through. Would like to say I found this doll at an antique shop but no I have had her since new #* years ago, I think I got her for Christmas 19*!. Is there a slice of cake to go with that coffee? I think I have spent the grocery money again this weekend!

Between markets and fairs I managed to fit in a visit to an op shop and found this bargain bracelet. The coins show the Queen's head one side and crown the other. The bracelet was very dirty when I bought it and hot water and detergent wouldn't shift the dirt and I had no jewellery cleaner so here comes household tip #1025. I soaked the bracelet in Napisan and the dirt fell off, how good is that?? now I want commision from Napisan! The bracelet is on a piece of wallpaper, I bought a whole roll of it at the markets on Saturday to use in a doll house I am renovating.

Not sure what these birds are, they are smaller than sparrows and I hope they don't want to build a nest there, the days are getting hotter and I'll need to lower those blinds. Thought Charlotte and Emily might warn them off but as usual they are asleep.

P.S The birds are swallows.

More little ducklings outside today, they have both parents to guard them and I didn't want to disturb them by getting any closer. The last lot I posted must be very grown up by now.

Visit Gattina at Writer's Cramps for "What Did You Do This Weekend?"

Weekend of Odds and Ends

2010-10-24T17:09:00.011+11:00

No this is not my bathroom. Sad as it sounds the highlight of my weekend was buying a craft book published in 1972 at a charity stall. Full instructions are given for the pretty toilet seat and cistern covers below and they are not for the novice crafter so I won't be tempted to try this craft. I've heard the '70s was the decade taste forgot so that could be right. The same book has the pattern for this pretty poodle bottle cover, perhaps to hide the fact you have already drunk the contents or to hide the contents from the drinkers, who knows?

And why not make a cover for that ugly old fry pan, if the neighbours drop in and you did not wash it after last nights fry up, well pop the cover on and all is hidden.

Please email me if you feel you must have the pattern for these retro treasures. Patterns free to the first 250 emailers. Lots more very interesting items in the book I might show at a later date.

From a much earlier decade when women felt obliged to stitch a cover for just about everything these are from my linen collection. Three bag holders for string, in the 2 on the left the string is placed in the bag with the end coming out of the mouth.

A bag for gloves and on the left a holder for matches and on the right a holder for a note book all hand embroidered.

No need to explain the ones below as the have their uses embroidered on them so no mistakes can be made. For example the shoe polish won't be mixed up with the dusters or stockings.

Another match holder, two doyley holders a pot holder cover with embroidered pot holders inside and a pocket for matches at the top. Also two book covers, one with a matching bookmark.

And then we come to my craft. I am making great progress with "The Kiss" so it is unlikely to end up as a UF.O. I need to get it finished as William and Kate could announce their engagemant at any time and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee is getting closer so I must be ready to stitch Royal samplers again.

I hope that in years to come no one will mock my stitching (apologies to the toilet seat cover) and wonder why I didn't spend my time in more noble pursuits. Perhaps learning a second language, studying the Greek classics, learning to play a musical instrument or even how to change the oil in my car, this list could go on but then I wouldn't have time to cross stitch and I don't want to get oil on my hands.

Visit Gattina at Writer's Cramps for "What Did You Do This Weekend?"

Weekend of Bargains

2010-10-18T17:00:00.008+11:00

This cane cat bed bought at the markets on Sunday, my first bargain I thought it would be a comfy summer cat bed for one of the girls. Not sure about that look on Charlotte's face; is she thinking 'how nice of you to buy me a new bed at the markets when you are always buying yourself rubbish!' or 'do you really expect me to sleep in a pre-owned 2nd hand cat bed possibly slept in by some old stray?? But Charlotte I made the foam base and covered it myself with pretty bargain (new) fabric. Well that's a start Charlotte, feel the softness off the cushion, you might get to like it.

Look here's Emily willing to at least sit in the bed.

Caught you napping Charlotte, admit it, you do like the bed. Say Thank You.

Handy prize winning hint #907.

An electric knife is perfect for cutting foam of any depth. I already had this piece of foam stashed away so marked the shape of the basket and cut around it. I've had my knife for years and with a good wash it will next cut the Christmas ham

At the market I also bought a large bag of fabric off cuts for a couple of dollars and in the bag was the perfect piece to cover my recliner chair. This is the one chair I'm trying to save from being used as a scratching post by my girls. So far it has been covered by an old sheet and looks awful.

Now it looks like I have turned it into a perfect Granny chair, that's O.K I'm a Granny who loves florals. Could have done with a bit more of the fabric but with clever cutting out I think it look good if no one inspects it too closely. I'll finish the chair tomorrow but for now I think I'll just sit in it for a while.

A Right Royal Mix

2010-10-15T18:02:00.009+11:00

Charlotte and Emily refused to do anything interesting for the camera so it's back to the Royals. A collection within a collection, these colourful plastic cups are from the Coronation 1953 or the Royal Visit to Australia 1954. Except the two on the right, they are from the Coronation of George VI 1937 and are bakelite, an early type of plastic. I know there are other colours out there somewhere and hope to add them to my collection one day.

Not sure if the tablecloth below is from the Coronation or 1954 Royal Visit. Made of a type of plastic on flannel I think is oil cloth it shows Elizabeth and Phillip and the flowers in the centre of the cloth show some Australian wildflowers such as wattle and flannel flowers. A very unusual tablecloth for my collection.

A GeorgeVI Coronation sampler this one is machine made tapestry, perhaps from an English mill it was an ebay purchase and I know nothing more about it except I like it and it is very impressive.

Another unusual item is this Coronation brass letter rack bought from an antique fair, the words at the front read. With charm irresistible and happiness serene

A Woman of Britain Yet verily a Queen.

Charles and Diana badges, a new purchase fron ebay arrived this week from a seller in Canada.

Displayed on a paper napkin I almost used to wipe jam from my lips after having tea and scones at a teashop in York after I had been to The Wedding in 1981 then remembered in time to save it as a souvenir.

Just consulted the diary I kept of my Royal trip in 1981 and of my day in York I wrote"Had a nice lunch in one of the tiny old shops,all old wooden beams inside and a tiny twisty staircase upstairs to the toilet" wish I had been more articulate but I know that's where I got the napkin.

Weekend of Luck

2010-10-10T19:21:00.006+11:00

Doll Club meeting on Saturday and the usual competitions were held. I entered the 'Doll Chair' section and won first prize with my little Limoges chair. The chair on the left was the prize winner, I could only enter one chair; not the whole set. The win was a nice surprise as there were some very good and some vintage chairs entered. I have a small collection of 'Limoges France' china which has long been overtaken by Royalty. Another piece of very good luck. Rosemarie, a doll club member gave me some royal souvenirs to add to my collection, they belonged to her mother and she knew I could give them a good home. The souvenirs include a Wedgwood money box (left) from the Royal Wedding 1981, an Adams England pottery money box from the Queen's Silver Jubilee 1977 a souvenir tin box that once contained Cadbury's Dairy Milk chocolate from the 1981 wedding and a Poole Pottery mug.
I had none of these items already in my collection and had never seen money boxes like these two before so am excited to have them in my collection. Also a first day cover from 1998 with Princess Diana stamps Thank You Rosemarie.

Sunday I went to the local Trash and Treasure market where I found neither trash nor treasure, a bit disappointing but fun looking anyway.

After the market I went to a nearby Quilt show, never sure if I feel inspired or depressed by the shows. The Quilts are beautiful and so much work has gone into them I feel I want to rush home and start my own using my stash of cat fabric. Then I feel depressed because mine will never be as good and would I even finish such a project? So I pick up my cross stitch and continue to plan the quilt masterpiece in my head. The quilt below got my vote as best in show because I love the rows of houses and the colours.

Gattina is asking "What Did You Do This Weekend?" Go over to Writer's Cramps and take a look.

New Collection Additions

2010-10-08T17:37:00.007+11:00

Gina over at Patra's Place spotted the Coronation hair pins at a haberdashery shop in Melbourne and very generously thought of me. The middle pin has a crown and lucky for me all the pins are in place and perfect. Gina then found the perfect card to post them in with a picture of a Birman cat on the front. I'm sure Charlotte must have done modelling in her younger days; she says not! Thank you Gina, I love the card of hair pins, at the moment displayed on my dressing table. A new apron for my collection with a design of koookaburras. A 1950's design and even has the price of 1shilling and threepence pencilled on the side. Complete but not made up, when I received it I saw it was machine embroidered, not sure if the ebay seller knew this, I am still very pleased with the apron and happy to have it in my collection.

The apron on the left was bought at an op. shop this week, it's almost identical to one bought years ago from another op. shop so I'm showing the back of that one. Both aprons have hand embroidered flowers.

Had to have a cat in the mix, here is Emily already under the doona warming up my bed for me.

Only problem is the weather has warmed up a lot so I would rather not have a pre-warmed bed but don't want to hurt Emily's feelings by telling her.

Weekend of the Freebie and Gloomy Introspection

2010-10-04T13:28:00.012+11:00

First I'll explain about the freebie. I went into my local pharmacy to buy some Panadol. No I didn't have a headache but discovered the painkillers I had were two years past the use by date. I am not a regular at this pharmacy and as I was walking out the door I saw this yellow cat on display. Stopped to admire the cat, no price displayed so the assistant said she would find out the price. The pharmacist came from the back of the shop, said I could have cat, suitable thanks followed, and I left the shop. Then the question came into my head????

1. Had the cat been there so long no one else has even looked at it and the shop was glad to get rid of it.

2. Do I look like some sort af mad cat woman?? Yes I was carrying a cat shopping bag and cat wallet and might have had a few cat hairs on me so was I given the cat so I would leave quietly and not scare paying customers away?

3. Did the assistant suspect I might stage a hold-up with a weapon hidden in my cat shopping bag and demand all the corn plasters or something equally boring tipped into my cat bag.?

4. Would this trick have worked as well if I had admired an expensive bottle of perfume.?

I could go on with more conspiracy theories but I want to go and play with my new toy.Adoring Swains. Shakespeare ends with the line To Her let us garlands Bring but chocs and wine are O.K too

SWINE
Holiday weekend here and the start of the swimming season but it has rained all weekend and I was going to post about the gloomy Victorian poetry I have been reading, I'll leave that for another day. Fran over at Being Me wrote about the name she would have liked. I am going to write about my name which is Sylvia. A name I like and have had for a very long time. But the next person who says to me "who is Sylvia? what is she"? without knowing the rest of the words or that it was written by Shakespeare- Well here are some more of the words-

That all our swains commend her

Holy fair and wise is she

The heavens such grace did lend her

That she adored might be..

Having said that I can't be bothered with adoring swains hanging around and will chase them off with my broomstick. Adoring swains often turn out to be useless and I know Charlotte and Emily won't like them. I have tried to explain the concept of adoring swains to them but I have a feeling they are mixing them up with swines and swans. The girls have seen swans, the closest they get to a swine is a ham sandwich so here are some pics to help anyone else who is confused.

SWANS

Oh dear this post is all out of order and not as clever and witty as I hoped. My computer tech. support (grandson) is away on holiday and I must struggle on alone. I hope anyone who reads this can make sense of it all. Come back soon Family you are needed!!!!

Gattina at Writers Cramps is hosting "What Did You Do This Weekend?" and I am joining in.

Weekend of Responsibility

2010-09-27T10:02:00.009+10:00

Meet Fred and Butter. Family are away on a touring holiday and I have been left to babysit grandson A's two budgies for two weeks. It's a big responsibility but Charlotte and Emily aren't very interested and at times Emily looks annoyed when too much chirping interupts her daytime sleeps. Charlotte had a little look at the birds then wandered off, but I am being very careful never to leave cats and birds alone together. Mother duck and five little ducklings swam past my house on Saturday morning, have not seen them since but am still watching and hoping.
My weekend reading: A new biography about Pearl Buck and her life in China. Born 1892 D1973 Pearl grew up and lived most of her life in China. Her most famous book 'The Good Earth' won her The Nobel Prize for Literature in 1938 and was made into a movie. I think all her books are equally interesting though some are now out of print and harder to find.
Please Note; no chocolates or wine consumed during the reading of this book.....

This was taken at my local Woolworths supermarket on Saturday. Not a good pic but I felt like a spy and only had one chance at a photo while no one was looking. The FIRST Christmas decorations on the shelves NOW Sat. 25 Sept. I am going to my local Westfield Mall later and I'm sure the decorations will be hanging up, having been dusted off from last year. I am almost afraid to go and look.
Sunday I went to a friend's house for a barbecue, always a fun day with lots of laughs.

This blue tongue lizard wandered around friend's garden. A common lizard in bushy gardens and harmless his blue tongue was flicking in and out but never at the moment my camera clicked.
Weather was perfect all weekend with warm sunny days.

Im joining Gattina at Writers' Cramps for "What Did You Do This Weekend?"

Spring Teddy Bear Picnic

2010-09-22T18:05:00.007+10:00

Perfect spring weather today so the bears decided to get together and have a picnic. The Royal bears came too and here they all are posing for a picnic pic.

My best mini teasets were borrowed and the bears promised to take good care of The Golden Jubilee Teaset. I made them a tablecloth from my Guardsman fabric. Emily dropped in to say a gentle hello.

Then disaster! Charlotte wanted to join in too but then she saw that the Queen Mother was wearing THAT HAT that she just cannot leave alone and always wants to get her teeth into the veiling.You win Charlotte, the hat has been put away and I think the picnic is over. Perhaps tomorrow we will have a picnic for Cats then you won't have to gatecrash the next bears picnic.

Weekend of Much Ado About Nothing

2010-09-19T15:37:00.008+10:00

The first mangos of the season are now in the shops, here is my first one and it was delicious. Best eaten when alone, sleeves rolled up and lean over the kitchen sink as mangos are so juicy. I will most likely look like a mango at the end of summer. My mother always said mango skin is good for the complexion and would sometimes put the skin on her face, haven't tried that yet.As this was a weekend of nothing much happening I read a very interesting book and ate chocolate.
Watched sunset over the Lake with glass of wine on Saturday night.On Sunday I cleaned out the shed and took a load of rubbish to the local council tip. Doesn't take much rubbish to fill up my little car but the shed now looks tidier.

After the trip to the tip had lunch then spent the afternoon watching mindless T.V and working on my latest cross stitch project. And it's not even ROYAL but a design I love called THE KISS it has some sparkly threads and will have pearls sewn on the hat at the finish.

Charlotte and Emily had a quiet weekend too, here they are catching the first of the Sunday sun.

That was my weekend and tonight I will go to bed early and finish that book.

I'm joining Gattina again at Writer's Cramps for "What Did You Do This Weekend?"

My Weekend of Variety

2010-09-12T17:51:00.012+10:00

My busy weekend started on Friday with a visit to the local Embroiderers Guild Exhibition. A very impressive display of needlework and the morning tea served is worth a visit for that alone. The cakes are all homemade and we were served by a volunteer wearing a vintage apron embroidered with a teapot and teacups. I bought the pretty pincushion, made to look like a cupcake the top is all hand embroidered and the base is one of those plastic mini muffin cases that can be put in the oven. It's a sort of rubbery stuff I can't remember the name of but what a good idea for a pin cushion.Also bought this denim bag for a friend whose birthday is next month, the handmade card and a scissor holder. Then it was off to the op shops and I found this old chenille bedspread for only $6. Made by Supertex Australia so in its day a very good spread. Now for anyone wondering why I would want such a thing let me explain that there are chenille collectors out there and also chenille squares have become popular in patchwork and are expensive to buy. I might share my find and add some to my fabric stash for that wonderful quilt I will make oneday.

Saturday was Doll Club day and I won First prize for my Royal nesting dolls. Bear dressed for winter was another section, sorry you didn't win Ted even with that smart jacket I bought for you at the op shop. I really don't like to mention this Ted but you DO have fat thigh syndrome and couldn't wear the pants to match the jacket and had to make do with your old skirt, but thank you for being such a willing participant in your section. My mulga wood napkin rings did not win either but as always it's fun to enter and see what other club members have.
The theme for show and tell was tea cozies as fancy knitted ones have become so popular, I took my GeorgeVI cutwork embroidered one along to display and talk about.

Sunday I went to a local cat show, the variety of cats on show and being judged was amazing and my favoutrite judge was there. He is very flambouyant and a lot of fun to watch, cats seem to like him too.

It was an All Breeds cat show and here is one beauty waiting to be judged.

And then we have Emily. Does not want to hear about cat shows, will never enter a cat show and is looking annoyed because she wonders why I want to look at other cats when I have her and why don't I stay home and watch her have another long sleep.

I'm linking to Gattina at Writer's Cramps for "What Did You Do This Weekend?"

Flag Day

2010-09-03T11:38:00.010+10:00

Today is Australian National Flag Day. I am a proud Aussie as well as being such an Anglophile and lover of all things British, Australian flags can be seen in my sidebar pics. so I am showing my Royal flags. The flags are all 1953 coronation flags bought at different markets, all large and difficult to get decent photos as they are all hung up near the ceiling and I am having severe Ladder Issues just now, but that's a story/post for another day. The flag below is my favourite as it shows the Royal Family at the time of the Coronation.

The three flags are shown in the Robert Opie 'Royal Scrapbook' I have. The book contains some souvenirs I have, some I am forever hunting for and some I know will be forever unattainable by me but I do have fun looking.

This flag below is from the Coronation of EdwardVIII in 1937 that never took place. Still looking for that elusive and affordable GeorgeVI coronation flag.

Here is my lovely guardsman doll, found one day at a local market I found a job for him holding smaller royal flags. Any more flags I collect will have to be on the ceiling, not just up near it as the ceiling is the only clear space not yet used. Charlotte and Emily will need to be fitted with tiny crash helmets to be ready for Things falling off the ceiling........

Princess Diana Remembered

2010-08-31T14:30:00.006+10:00

Thirteen years today since Pricess Diana was tragically killed in the car crash in Paris. Diana will forever remain young and beautiful and never forgotten.
I bought the cross stitch portrait below on ebay, already expertly completed I can't claim it as my own stitching as all the crosses face in the opposite direction to my own cross stitches. This one below stitched by me from a kit bought in the U.K

The chart for this interesting Diana portrait was bought on ebay, was easy to stitch and I think looks impressive. Sometimes less can = more with stitches.

Below, a very pretty commemorative sampler I would like to think I will finish one day. For now it is in my too hard basket as there are so many half stitches, quarter stitches, shades of colour too similar and lots of back stitch. Not much fun to stitch but hope I can complete it....one day.

Pretty Diana plates, the one on the left has a chip which I don't mind as chips and cracks can sometimes bring items into my price range.

Tall and elegant Diana looked stunning in all the clothes and jewellery she wore and set a standard I don't think can be lived up to by anyone. She will always be remembered.

Who's Running the Country?

2010-08-28T17:53:00.008+10:00

One week since a Federal election was held and still no winner. Some people-ok maybe only me- think the Queen should visit and declare a winner. Meanwhile we Australians are an ungoverned and ungovernable rabble running amok and having fun in the sun. Standards are slipping, have a look at that chinese takeaway and bottle of wine as an example. Whatever happened to salad and a glass of water and my no alcohol policy??

You can turn around Charlotte and look at the Lake. Sea levels won't rise and there will be no Climate Change until we have politicions in power to tell us all about it.

Doesn't get much better than this. Three boys in a boat at sunset, hope they caught some fish.

My op shop buy of the day, a knitted tablecloth! whoever knitted this must have had me in mind as yellow is my favourite colour. And so life is going on in the usual way.

I'm participating in "What Did You Do This Weekend?" with Gattina at Writers Cramps.

Click on the link.

http://gattinawritercramps.blogspot.com/2010/08/what-did-you-do-this-weekend_30.html

Weak Weekend

2010-08-23T09:19:00.007+10:00

Well the election is now over and we have a hung Parliment. Emily refused to appear on camera and Charlotte only had one comment to make when I interupted her sleep in the sun. "We live in interesting times" I don't think that quote is original Charlotte but it does fit the times we are in. I arrived at the local school at 9am to cast my vote and found a very long non moving queue, stood for about 30 sec. in the strong cold August wind and left thinking I would come back after I had been to the shops. Already feeling a bit down because I had to go back and vote went into BigW to buy vacum cleaner bags and instead~feeling in a bad mood~cheered myself up buying a C.D and a book, then at another shop found stickers with crowns on-perfect. Forgot the vac. bags and had to go back for them. Drove past the school on the way home,still a long queue and I needed a cup of tea so home for lunch. One of the songs on the C.D is The Village People singing Y.M.C.A and I'm sure no one can stay down for long listening to that, so much cheered, I danced around the kitchen eating my sandwich and the mini chocolate cheesecakes-yes all of them. Should have sat down to eat the sandwich though as it contained a slice of tomato which promptly fell out onto my pink top so when I went out again to vote had to cover tom. stain with cleverly arranged scarf. 1pm found me back at the school to vote, the wind had dropped and the much smaller queue was now in the sun. Things that annoyed me in the queue, I have low tolerance for queueing!
1. People in front of me who didn't move up with the queue making me wonder if they are in the queue at all or just standing about having a chat.....
2. The woman behind me who kept sniffing. didn't she have a tissue? or even-dare I say it-a pretty,nicely ironed hanky in her pocket!!!! Kept my queue rage under control by thinking of my new purchases. Sunday was a perfect winter day, lots of sun and no wind. Went to the markets and my only buy was the Charles and Diana tin, the one in front, to add to my tin collection. Oh and this time I didn't say No to the sausage sandwich and cake so bought them too.
To sum up my weekend I was weak willed and spent too much and ate too much but enjoyed my self and have already finished the book I bought.

Charlotte Emily Election Advice

2010-08-20T10:09:00.010+10:00

Charlotte, tomorrow is a very important day for Australia. A Federal election is being held and voting is compulsory, so would you like to say a few words to the voters in blog land and tell us which political party you will be voting for?
Oh! really, that candidate-well I think that's a very wise decision and I might follow your advice. Let's head to the polling booth early. NO, vote early, vote often is a joke we won't really do that. You are right Charlotte, no election promises have been made for better health and dental care for cats and nothing mentioned about more education for kittens.

Who will you vote for Emily?

NO!! not the donkey, there isn't really a donkey running for office. I explained the donkey vote to you yesterday and it is only called a donkey vote if you mess up your vote at the ballot box.

Yes we do love donkeys, we just don't know any and we are sad we have no donkey friends.
One last question for you Emily; do you think William and Kate will marry soon???

We are sad too about this article in this weeks International Express, but Emily we don't have space to give all the homeless donkeys a home.

Do you have any more comments for the roving reporter when you have finished your drink Emily? may we come back for your insights on the winning political party? I'm sure you will have more to say then, even if the donkey doesn't win.

Thank you for your insightful and intelligent comments Charlotte, I can see you have had enough for today.

Doll Club Win and My Weekend

2010-08-16T13:38:00.010+10:00

Won second prize in 'Old Handbag' section at Doll Club on Saturday for this beautiful hand worked petit point coronation 1953 bag. Other side of bag shows coronation procession. I have displayed both sides on an earlier post.

There are always 3 sections in the competitions at Doll Club and next month one sect. is serviette holder. I didn't have any serviette holders, not even Royal ones but found this pair of mulga wood holders at the markets yesterday so am hoping they are a prize winning pair.

Also bought the length of fabric shown, was told it was bought in Paris, it was a bargain and I will add it to my fabric stash. The 2 cat bags are another market bargain I could not resist though I did say no to the sausage sandwich and the cakes on offer.

Another section in the comp. next month is Russian nesting dolls and I'm sure my Royal set will win. Watch this space.

Third section is a 'Bear Dressed for Winter' and though I have lots of willing volunteers I don't think any of the above lot look quite good enough. Still a few weeks to go so perhaps if I knit a scarf and hat one of the above might romp home with a prize, but I've warned the bears; competition is fierce.

Emily is helping with the bear selection, she has not been well. I was only out for a couple of hours yesterday at the market, arrived home for lunch and found Emily a bit distressed with a bad case of cystitis. I have a very good Vet. nearby, open 7 days a week so was able to rush Emily in to start on a course of antibiotics. Today she is much better but a blood test showed her kidney function is not good but with a slight change of diet and careful nursing we will have a lot more time together still. The girls were 15 last February and impaired kidney funtion is not unusual in older cats

Arrived in the post today, a belated birthday gift bought for me on ebay. A coronation apron from 1953, It's made of a sort of rayon fabric and I don't dare iron it. A great addition to my Apron and Royal collrction.

Bought this for myself on my birthday last Monday and also arrived in the post today. A hand embroidered handkerchief from the coronation of EdwardVII and Alexandria in 1902. The hem is also hand stitched with very tiny stitches and it is another item I won't risk ironing, I think the fabric is silk. A very welcome addition to my small collection of EdwardVII souvenirs.

EdwardVII Coronation and ME ME

2010-08-09T17:59:00.009+10:00

Big day for me. Today is my birthday, my 150th post and the anniversary of the Coronation in 1902 of Edward VII. The cake has to double as birthday and celebration cake for 150 posts, my age being somewhere between the number of candles and the 150, any more candles might have set off the smoke alarm. Have had a wonderful day celebrating and was able to meet my two children in Sydney for lunch. Son D. is a shift worker and today was his day off. My gift from him and partner T. was the book about London, a very interesting book about the history of London from Roman times to the present day. A perfect gift for me as I am such an Anglophile.

Another perfect gift from daughter S. and family is this book about a London family. First published in 1933 then reprinted in the 1970's I read it years ago but was never able to find another copy. Thanks to the internet and clever S. I can now reread it. Do a google search on the author, she is very interesting. Enough about me and back to the Royals. I bought this plate on ebay and is the only souvenir I have of EdwardVII with the wrong date. The coronation was set for 26th June but 2 days before the King become ill with appendicitis and the coronation took place on my birthday 9thAugust 1902. ( no I was born later)

A very pretty pink lustre tea pot from 1902 decorated with Edward and Alexandra.

I bought the coronation saucer then rembered I had a pretty cup I had bought months ago even though it had a crack I was going to do something clever with the cup, perhaps a candle or pincushion in it, but it matches the saucer so well they are almost made for each other.

The wording on the saucer reads 'Coronation year 1902 Edward and Alexandra King and Queen of the British Empire'.

Two souvenir plates from 1902. Alexandra's plate has been broken in half and badly mended at some time in its long life. Edward only had a short reign and died in 1910 aged 68.

King GeorgeVI Cushions

2010-08-06T16:16:00.007+10:00

Arrived today from a very generous blogger friend Gina in Victoria, this hand embroidered cushion cover from the coronation of George VI. I think it's too good to be a cushion cover and think I might frame it. It will be framed as is so it can revert to a cover if need be. Thank you so much Gina at http://patrasotherplace.blogspot.com I am thrilled with the cushion cover. Pictured below is another hand embroidered cushion cover I have in my collection. This one has been framed but can still be a cover if I change my mind.

This one below came as a tapestry/fabric panel and I made it into a cushion, can't think why I didn't frame this one, lack of wall space perhaps???

A cushion cover waiting to be embroidered, hopefully in my lifetime; join the queue George...The embroidery has been started by someone at sometime, wish they had finished it, they gave up too soon.

Cushion cover below is a velour/velvet type fabric and the only one showing GeorgeVI and Elizabeth, but look closely and you will notice the cushion is mirror reverse to all other King G photos etc. The Kings medals are on the wrong side of his chest!!!!

I have shown 2 of the cushions before but this time they are on display without my beautiful Charlotte sitting on them and being a distraction, I'm doing this post while both cats are asleep.

Queen Mother's Birthday

2010-08-04T16:38:00.003+10:00

A small tribute to a favourite royal, the Queen Mother born 4th August 1900. The souvenirs are from the Q.M's 100th birthday, except the flower brooch on the left with crown on top which is from the coronation 1937 and the tiny figurine is on a thimble.

Charles Diana Wedding Anniversary

2010-07-29T14:40:00.007+10:00

Twenty nine years ago today Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer were married in St Pauls Cathedral London in a ceremony watched by millions around the world. The weather was pefect and I was there having spent all night in the mall to keep my place at the front of the crowd.
I kept a diary of the three weeks I stayed in London for the wedding and I read in my diary that one man changed into pyjamas and slept in a sleeping bag in the Mall. I managed about ten minutes sleep on my little folding stool. I also note that the 3am queue (the last time it was possible to leave your spot, others in the crowd willing to mind you spot) for the ladies toilet was hundreds of yards long and with an Amercan woman I met we went into the men's toilet which had no queue, after that the crowds were so deep impossible to move. A perfect day.
Below is one of the many samplers embroidered for THE day This one is the design of the Radio Times for the wedding week. It's an ebay purchase and has been expertly hand embroidered on Linen

The sampler below is a Royal School of Needlework design and also expertly stitched, this one has the name 'Worked by Zandra Grindley in California 1982' though it was an ebay purchase from the U.K. I was silly enough to get into a 2am (my time) bidding war with a bidder in America on this one and paid a bit too much as there are a few of this sampler around. Still I am very happy with my purchase but I never bid at 2am now. Lots of wedding china around, the Wade bell on the right would have been full of Bell's Scotch Whisky, I bought it empty at a market. The african violet pot was spotted at a local florist about 10 years ago and the ginger jar from an antique fair.
A very unusual china lamp below Made in England by Derek Fowler Studios. There is a hole just above the faces where the light shines through.

One of a collection of posters I have from THE day. So sad the fairytale wedding ended so badly.

Grey Track Suit Slump

2010-07-24T11:31:00.008+10:00

FOUND; the cause of my mid winter slump and the reason I have been unable to post for the last 8 days.
I blame this grey (or gray in some countries) track suit. I always swore I would never wear a track suit but I weakened this winter and bought this one. It was on special and Big W only had grey in my size and I thought how comfy it looks, but how depressing it has turned out to be. Yes it is comfy and doesn't show cat hairs but it also drains all my Royal thoughts and seemingly any and all computer and photography skills I might have.
I have had no option but to turn to my favourite comfort food. Tea and toast dripping with butter (in this case I had no butter in the house and made do with one of those non artery clogging spreads) and honey. Couldn't waste too much time on photos as the toast was getting cold.

My slump didn't stop me going to a large market last week and I found this pretty supper cloth in a box of junk and it was only$2. It was in a terrible state with black marks and stains all over it and crumpled like an old rag. I love a challenge and rescue mission and look at the cloth now. It had a good soak in napisan and then the sun bleached out the last of a stubborn stain.

The cloth is all hand embroidered and has no signs of wear, I hate to see someones hard work go to waste. I also don't like ironing but when on a rescue mission I make an exception. I wish I had thought to take a BEFORE photo.

My new tapestry stand and I think this one might be easier to use, still stuck on that tapestry cushion I started 3 years ago for the Queen's Diamond Wedding Anniversary and one of the reasons I don't have time to slump and frump around in grey tracksuits robbed of even sewing skills.

I am now wearing pink and slowly with the help of the toast and honey coming back to life.

I offered the tracksuit to Charlotte and Emily as warm bedding in their winter day beds but they've refused outright and will only accept something pretty and with flowers as you can see in these pics.

Now for the vexing question!! should I keep that grey thing to remind me of my worst ever fashion mistake, or get rid of it now so I can forget I ever made such a mistake????

Vintage Embroidered Aprons

2010-07-15T10:01:00.007+10:00

Showing some of the recently acquired aprons in my collection and the one below has to be my new favourite. The clothes and skin of the dancers are filled in by tiny hand embroidered stitches and I love the suave expression on the faces of the couple. Like so many of my aprons this one has never been worn or washed, just stored away for years. The stitching at the back of the apron is almost as good as the front.

The apron on the right I'm sure was done by the same embroiderer as the dancers as the crocheted edges are identical. Dutch boy and girl scenes were very popular in the mid 1950's so I think that dates both aprons from that period. The Dutch scene apron also looks unworn.

The Charles and Diana apron is a souvenir from the Royal Wedding 1981 and is made from PVC. I don't have any hand embroidered Royal aprons (sigh..) but I know they exist and one day..........

The unworked apron below also I think dates from the 1950's. I would like to be able to say I will show it fully embroidered in a few months but I'm sure those beach girls will be put away again with all my other unworked aprons and join the long queue of items I will never embroider.

I think Gina at patras aprons has a similar girls at the beach apron.

That was lucky, I finished my photography just in time then Emily got out of bed to help.

She is wearing her "what about me" expression and needs some cuddles.

Grin Grinned Grinning

2010-07-09T13:37:00.005+10:00

For some strange reason unknown to me I cannot tolerate the word GRINNED: or grin even though I can skim past other four letter words in a book and hardly notice. And as for Grinning, that should only be done by Cheshire cats.

I can be settled with a good book by a well known author and come across the word Grinned, usually the Prosecutor or Detective does the grinning, (as in- "zxzxzx", she grinned.)

First time I come across THE word I tell myself to move on and forget what you just read.

Second time, I become nervous and on full alert, my blood pressure rises, as does my heart rate, and there are health and safety issues.

Third time, if he/she have Grinned again, that's it. No matter how good the book is I slam it shut and would throw it across the room, but there are three reasons why I can't do this.

1- I might hit Charlotte or Emily and never be forgiven.

2- I might break a 'never to be found again in my lifetime royal treasure'

3 - As it's probably a library book I might do major damage and have to pay lots of dollars in compensation.

I can accept a Smirk a Chuckle even or a small smile but NOT A GRIN. All this happened to me again only two nights ago and as you can tell I'm still suffering and the offending book has now been returned unharmed to the library.

Gina, over at http://patrasotherplace.blogspot.com/ said she finds the word grammar awful and I think I agree and am sure there are other people who dislike certain words, as for me-I never grin, only smile...

My One Year Blogiversary

2010-07-04T15:49:00.008+10:00

Flowers for me on my First blogiversary. The flowers are in a pretty Charles and Diana Staffodshire vase. I've had lots of fun this past year with my blog and a few tears and tantrums if things did not go to plan on my blog. If I gave myself an end of year report card I think it would read something like this.
Enthusiasm: High.
Computer and Photography Skills: Low, much room for improvement.
Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar: Abysmal-have you no education??
Imagination: Vivid and Creative-too bad those great award winning ideas never leave
your head.
Level of Interest in Blog: Well I'm fascinated by it, I could sit and admire my collections
posts all day. And those posts showing Charlotte and Emily I think are works of art.
Meanwhile the real Charlotte and Emily sit with me feeling neglected, unloved and
hungry and time might be better spent doing a bit of dusting of that collection.
This Royal Doulton figurine is named "Happy Anniversary" and was a gift from my daughter some years ago so I thought it a perfect day to put it on a post. I even gave it a slight dust first and felt a bit like "Mrs Bouquet" showing Royal Doulton.

A coronation apron from 1953 I'm showing today so I can cover all my collection in one post. This I think comes under linens, royals and aprons.

YES! I'm almost finished admiring my blog then I'm coming to bed, please don't lose my place in my book.

I should mention here another anniversary, I gave up having my hair cut one year ago and now I look like the mad cat woman I always was. I call it my Doris Lessing look, now if I could only have more cats and write best sellers about them I would be famous too. Charlotte and Emily will never allow me to have another cat so I suppose the best seller idea will have to go as well.

I gave up haircuts because they were always dissapointing and I was tired of being asked "what did you do on the weekend?" and even if I could remember what I did it probably involved cats, hunting down rare royal treasures at a giveaway price or cross stitching something royal and it all sounds a bit mad even to my ears, so no more haircuts.

A Birthday and an Anniversary

2010-07-01T13:34:00.008+10:00

Today would have been Princess Diana's 49th birthday and above is a lovely portrait of Diana made of Nottingham lace. I bought the lace in London and mounted it on a purple background but I don't think my photo shows just how pretty the lace is.

Today is also the 41st anniversary of the Investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales at Caernarvon Castle in 1969. The half apron above is a souvenir of that day.

A child's hanky (unused!!) from the day.

And a mug I found recently at a bargain price in an op. shop. I only have a total of 5 souvenirs from the Investiture, another mug and a childs apron shown on a previuos post.

Here is a picture of my very own little prince, my son sitting in the very chair that Charles sat in at Caernarvon Castle in Wales for the Investiture. The pic. was taken a few years after Charles had been there and it's quite possible I dragged a few small children away and sat my own son in the chair.

I think those other tourists (not known to me) might be glaring at him.

We've had a few very cold mornings here and Charlotte and Emily got out of my (our) bed a bit too soon so they've had to sit by the heater and wait for the sun to warm up my litte sun room. Won't be long now girls...

Another Great Love Affair

2010-06-27T18:20:00.006+10:00

I'm ashamed to say I've neglected to mention another great love in my life and that's my little car. We've been together for eleven years and could not survive without each other. We've had lots of adventures together, visited markets, op shops and antique fairs and my little car willingly holds all my bargains no matter how large or small. Friends sometimes have to squeeze into the back seat but they manage. The back seats can fold down so even furniture can be carried home and armloads of library books and bags of cat litter are no trouble at all. Yes I'm going to wash you tomorrow my sweet little Starlet. (maybe) Today car and I visited a new market starting nearby, no bargains to be had as it was mostly craft and food and I prefer trash and treasure markets, but a perfect setting for a small market.

The poodle is not wearing a coat, It's fur has been dyed pink and purple, I'm not a fan of animals having their fur dyed but I don't know what type of dye is used and they did look cute. They were not for sale, just there helping their owner who had a pet supply stall at the market.

I have not given in yet and bought Emily a cat water fountain (they cost $80 and what if she still preferred the laundry tub) so she has to make do with the laundry tub with the tap just dripping a bit. There are three water dishes on the floor but they are not good enough.

I made the mistake here of opening a wardrobe door to look for something and Charlotte immediatley leapt to the top shelf via my back and shoulder as she does on occasion when Im silly enough to open a cupboard door when she is nearby. I had to get a ladder to get her down-and no Charlotte I don't want the christmas paper yet, still six months to Christmas.

Sorry I'm not very tall Charlotte or you might be able to make it to those very top cupboards I'm sure you have not explored yet.

Prince William's Birthday

2010-06-21T15:44:00.002+10:00

HAPPY 28th BIRTHDAY PRINCE WILLIAM

Is this the year a Royal Engagement will be announced??

Market Day

2010-06-20T15:20:00.006+10:00

Perfect winter's day and I'm off to the local trash and treasure market. Here's Charlotte watching me get into my car and looking so sad I almost didn't go but I did promise to be home for lunch and she was o.k with that. More trash than treasure today, walking around markets counts as excercise for me so the day is never wasted

Could not go home empty handed, also if I don't buy SOMETHING I might be tempted to buy some of the homemade cakes that were for sale. I already have a crown identical to this one but two crowns are better than one and it was a bargain.

I try not to buy any more Royal china unless it is very unusual, the mug was another bargain and even cheaper than those tempting cakes. The mug is for the Queen's Silver Jubilee, made by Staffordshire Potteries and has-Presented by-The City of Stoke-on-Trent on the base, perhaps it was a gift to schools or groups at the time of the Jubilee.

Spent the afternoon sitting in the sun with Charlotte and Emily and we saw this go past.
Not the first time I've seen one, it looks like a surf board but you have to stand up to paddle along, looks like hard work to me and would be even harder if you fell off and got wet.

Queen's Official Birthday Holiday

2010-06-14T13:05:00.007+10:00

Public holiday Monday to celebrate the Queen's birthday. Her real birthday is 21st April but I will say Happy Birthday again Ma'am and show a cross stitch portrait I worked of the Queen. The chart was in a magazine and was an easy one to stitch as she is not wearing pearls or a tiara, the very things that always give me trouble when stitching.

Above, a very pretty hand embroidered coronation sampler, this one an ebay purchase.

I could choose one of these mugs to drink tea and think royal thoughts on this special day.

Perfect winter weather for a holiday and Lake Illawarra is full of fishing boats hoping for a catch.

You'll have to take my word that there were lots of boats, I could only fit two and a pelican in my camera lens, I'ts a big lake.

Some wattle trees are now coming into flower and this pic was taken yesterday in a park just around the corner from my daughter's house.

Was going to say more but 'The Queen at 80" pt1 is now on the Bio. channel-must go.....