Teresa Gil Platinum Jubilee Cross Stitch

Congratulations to H.R.H Queen Elizabeth II on reaching such an historic Jubilee on 6th February. To celebrate Teresa Gil has released her latest cross stitch design. I love it and can't wait to put the first stitches in. This design is called a life in service.

First I must finish Teresa's previous design. I had to buy the special fabric for this cross stitch from America and had to wait 6 weeks for it to arrive.Stitching as fast as I can . The small scissors seen are Coronation scissors and are marked EIIR 1953.I am having so much trouble with blogger and my new computer, I can only hope when I press publish this post goes through.

Yet More Queen Stitching

I have a new computer and I am still a little afraid of it. I accidentally deleted my last post so this is a challenge. My two lovely children bought me the computer and I must prove I am up to the challenge.         I have finished my Andy Warhol cross stitch and I am pleased with the result though it took a while to stitch and by the end I was totally fed up with it.

You can see my cross stitch is a near perfect match for the picture. Had to buy this book as Joanna Lumley chose an Andy Warhol painting for the cover. Andy W. did 4 colours of the Queen, the other 2 colours are over the page in my book.

Now I have a small Andy Warhol Corner.

My next project is this large street party I am stitching for the platinum Jubilee next year. It's about 77 cm long and 20cm wide with lots of back stitches and half stitches.This will keep me busy for the next year or so.

One of the deleted items from the last post is my tapestry finished for the Jubilee next year It was a Diamond Jubilee tapestry I have had for a while. I only had to change 2012 to 2022, easy.
 

Queen Elizabeth II Royal Stuff Again

Here is one of my fashion tips, always have in your wardrobe a dress that matches your quilt cover. This is one of my royal outfits that actually fits me but looks so awful on that I will never wear it, not even to the supermarket. Displayed and never worn, I love it. No, I don't sleep in that bed, I don't want to mess it up.

Big Ted had to have a new outfit if he/she was to stay on the bed. I quickly added a piece of Diamond Jubilee fabric to a T shirt and made a matching skirt from the same fabric. I might embroider over the 6 on the shirt to make it a 7 for the Platinum Jubilee. The little red, white and blue bear I released from a cabinet so BT could have a friend. We are in lock down again and somehow that makes me want to dress my dolls and bears.

Found this beautiful crocheted jacket in an op shop and had to buy it  My large celluloid doll is once again dressed in the original clothes my mother made decades ago with the addition of the pretty jacket. The hat was an eBay purchase and can't remember where I bought the small bag she is holding. I've been told I can darken the white bag in cold tea and I might try that

The back of the jacket. Such lovely hand crocheting I felt I had to rescue it.

We are in hard Covid lockdown again and will be for another 4 weeks. My only outing is a quick supermarket trip or a short walk. Lucky I always have plenty of stitching to do and in the last few weeks I have been hard at work on this soon to be finished tapestry. I will change the 2012 year to 2022 To make it a Platinum Jubilee tapestry.

Then I must get back to working on my Andy Warhol Queen cross stitch. I love it but there are so many odd stitches and colour changes I needed a break.

Bought this fleecy throw for my lounge, it is very large so hope I'm not tempted to cut it down and make something else. I don't think anyone can say I won't be ready for the big Jubilee next year.
 

Royal Bangles, Brooches and A Disaster

My small collection (except for the ones on each end) of Silver Jubilee bangles, all hallmarked 1977. The bangle on the left is hallmarked 1887 for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. The wooden bangle on the other end is from the Coronation 1937. I sometimes wear the bangles and I also have to polish them as they are solid silver, a chore I don't like but must do for the Queen.

Another silver bangle hallmarked 1887 for Queen Victoria. I think this one is my favourite.

The rings are all royal replica rings. Princess Diana's ring now worn by Kate is there. Meghan's ring is in the middle and is on borrowed time. I think it should be hidden away somewhere. Camilla's ring is to the left of M's and on the thumb is a ring which is a replica of Princess Diana's tiara. The ring I haven't mentioned is from a local jeweller and is supposed to look like a crown. Well it does a bit and I fall for anything.

Here is the disaster!! I bought this lovely silver bangle on eBay, it is not royal and is hallmarked 1958. It is a bangle I might have worn a lot. There is engraving on the back "Mrs Dollie Smalley in appreciation of her service in the W.V.S"  I felt sad for Dollie that her bangle ended up on eBay so bought it and this is how it arrived, Squashed. Sent in an almost basic envelope with no box or padding. I immediately sent photos to the seller and did get an instant refund. Took it to a jeweller who just shook his head and said nothing could be done. So disappointing.

Another one for my embroidered brooch collection, bottom left  the same design as the one above but has been embroidered differently.

A crown tea cosy I knitted for the Diamond Jubilee makes a great place to display brooches. Nothing special about the brooches and mostly bought from charity shops but I do love sparkly things.

I've had the dolls for a few years but now I have the pattern to knit more. The pattern does state -for a competent knitter- and that's not me but nice to have the pattern.
 

Harry Meghan and Daughter

While the safe delivery of any baby is good news and good for Archie to have a sister as he can't play with his numerous cousins. If M&H want the Queen to be pleased about the baby's name a bit of research is needed. I was given this book a few years ago by my lovely niece Catherine and knew just where to put my hands on the right page.

So here is the proof, not a nickname from Prince Philip but a name the then Princess Elizabeth called herself when she couldn't pronounce Elizabeth.The name stuck throughout her childhood and here is the correct spelling

No it wasn't given to me for Xmas 1933, it was bought for me 2nd hand Thank you Catherine. X

And here is the cover, I won't lend it to you M&H but feel free to visit anytime and you can have a look.
 

95th Birthday for Queen Elizabeth II

About to pour a cup of tea to celebrate the Queen's 95th birthday. Please have a few more birthdays H.R.H, though this one won't be much of a celebration coming so soon after the funeral of Prince Philip.
 

Prince Philip - A Sad Day

 A sad day for the Queen and Royal family with the passing of Prince Philip. Just 2 months short of his 100th birthday he had been married to the Queen for over 73 years.

He will be missed.

 

The Meghan, Harry and Oprah Show Report

Big Ted is sitting in his/her office chair waiting for me. I have an appointment with BT soon as he/ she is my councellor/therapist. My mental health was destroyed after the huge whingeathon from Harry and Meghan last night with encouragement from Oprah and no hard or follow up questions. The acting and lies were first class. Poor Meghan being forced to live a life of luxury and not wanting to live. Obviously Harry or her mother were no help.Then pulling out the racism card and Harry saying nothing without permission. As for Oprah.....WHAT!!  Hope the Palace can come up with something to quieten this pair down. On my way BT have a cup of tea and a box of tissues ready for me, it will be a long session.

My souvenirs from That wedding and to think I wasted time stitching a sampler. Now the terrible two say they were married 3 days before (another lie?) how many weddings does this woman want. Not sure I can give these souvenirs space anymore. The nearest charity shop might take them.

For almost seventy years the Queen has carried on always doing what is right and along comes Meghan who captures and brain washes Harry takes him prisoner so he can help disrupt his family and cause trouble.

They need an appointment with Big Ted, he/she will sort them out. 
 

69 Years ago today 6th Feb.1952 George VI Dies and Elizabeth becomes Queen

I remember this headline and the day the King died 69 years ago. The Queen was on her way to Australia, she was then Princess Elizabeth but she had to fly back to London and the visit was cancelled.

I remember where I was and what I was doing that day. I should have been at school as the new school year had just started. My mother had hurt her arm and thought she should have a holiday and I think this is the house we spent 2 weeks in and it looks like the tide has gone out here. It had a row boat and a tidal rock swimming pool, top pic. shows mum and my 3 siblings, I took the photo. My father had a shop to run so came at night and weekends. Mum spent her 2 weeks stitching this supper cloth which is now mine. Different patterns in each corner, started and finished in just 2 weeks, amazing. The four of us had a great time but my school wasn't pleased when I turned up 2 weeks late.

Getting ready for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee next year and here is my new doona/duvet cover. Big Ted is a bit upset because now he/she has to sit on the side of the bed as it wouldn't be right to sit on the Queen's face.

A new/old handbag in my collection ready for the BIG Jubilee next year.

Working hard on my Andy Warhol Queen cross stitch, it must be finished before the Platinum Jubilee cross stitch charts come out as I'm sure they will. Sometimes I stitch for hours and seem to get nowhere as there are so many odd single stitches here and there. Makes me think this is a computer generated chart and some of those are very difficult to stitch.

I even found a matching bag to keep my cross stitch in.

I know I should be saving my money for Platinum Jubilee souvenirs. Couldn't resist this set of jugs from the coronation 1902 of Edward VII and Alexandra, so pretty and in near perfect condition. Now I wonder if there is another set somewhere in the world showing Edward.
 

Australia Day 2021 With Some Liverpool Australia History

I'll start with a typical Australian, my lovely koala now being used as a planter box. Also typical is the weather today, sunny with a top temp. of 41 deg C. I am staying inside with the air con. on, hiding from the heat and being forced for the first time to wear a mask at the shops. In my much younger days I would have been burning up at the beach.

I'm celebrating Australia Day with a bit of local history. St Luke's church Liverpool celebrated its 100th birthday with this photo taken in 1919.

100 years later in 2019 the same photo (well not quite) was taken. I am in this photo, you will find me near the front on the right if you look hard enough. I was lucky as people kept pushing me toward the front saying you are only small. In the first photo everyone was wearing a hat, no hats in the second pic. The dignitaries such as the Archbishop and the Mayor had seats in the pic and the children were seated on the ground in front.

For such a small church it is very beautiful inside.

Another great book written about early Liverpool and it's first cemetery. Gail Newman's research is amazing. The crimes of convicts and the ships they arrived on also cause of death makes interesting reading. This cemetery is now a park the headstones moved, some lost but the bodies are still there.

This is the "newer" cemetery after Apex was closed and is now known as the Pioneer Cemetery and was closed for burial many years ago. The church and cemetery are now separated by a very large Westfield shopping centre. This is the view from my balcony looking over at the grave of my convict 6 times grt grandmother and 2 of her grandsons.

The old station buildings parts of which can still be seen.

 Spanish flu in Liverpool 1918-1919, now we have Covid so not a lot has changed.

Thanks to Dr Brian Cowling and Gail Newman for the use of their books (without permission) Liverpool has such an interesting history as it was a very early settlement in Australia.

Liverpool was founded in 1810 by Lachlan Macquarie who named it in honour of the Earl of Liverpool then Secretary of State for the colonies.

Royal Collection Catch Up

Have your ever seen a pair of shoes you just had to have? I found this pair in a charity shop for a few dollars and my size. A perfect fit but sadly found about 60 years too late. If I wore them now I would need an ambulance on standby. Found in another charity shop yesterday, the perfect evening bag to go with my shoes. Sadly the Dress, Prince Charming, the Ball and Gold Coach are all missing.

A few new royal souvenirs, have had the pink teapot for years then found a jug to go with it. The yellow vase is also one I've had for years and now have a red one. Love the red vase with the Queen.

The red vase has a coronation portrait by Dorothy Wilding and is from the Diamond Jubilee.

A lovely royal fabric I bought from America, not sure what to do with it yet so it is waiting on the back of my lounge. Trouble is my guests insist on sitting on my lounge and crushing my display. They refuse to sit on the floor.

It is a large piece of fabric and now I am waiting for a duvet cover from the same seller.

Heard, read or was told about this superstition. If you have a gold purse at your front door your purse will never be empty. Worth a try and I found these pretty bags at a local charity shop.

A lovely old sampler commemorating Queen Victoria's death in 1901. So finely stitched it almost looks printed till you look at the back. The words are almost biblical in praise of the Queen. Too fragile to wash.  Sorry it is sideways but blogger is giving me trouble.

My new desk bought with being able to be used for display in mind. It came in a box so I got a very nice young man from Airtasker to put it together for me.

 A bit fancy for my coronation fabric dress but the shoes and bag have found a home.