Coronation and C and D Fabrics

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.