Teresa Gil Update and Shibella

 I have finished the cross stitch on my Longest Reign sampler except for the gold and silver threads which I will stitch last. I have started on the back stitch so still a fair way to go. The beads and letters will finish this project. The Queen's face is finished because I don't like unfinished faces.  No problems stitching this sampler and love the colours.

 Shibella has been such a big help and I couldn't have managed without her. Here she is holding my chart steady and watching for mistakes.

 Now Shibella is looking annoyed because I put needle and thread down for a quick bathroom break. Shibella is not a lap cat but always sits on the arm of my chair while I sew-or knit.

 I have the urge now and then to knit even though I rarely finish any knitting I start. I am knitting this bed cape from a 1933 book. It looks a bit like an apron and I think it's knitted sideways. I am using 5ply wool and 4mm needles. the pattern calls for finer wool and needles but this is not 1933 and I do have other things in my life.

This is the book, full of lacy bed jackets. I am knitting the easiest one

 Another bargain brand new from the Salvation Army shop. A very pretty apron labelled Asiana Airlines.

A member of cabin crew wearing the apron and looking so pretty Oh how I love my Salvo bargains!

A Very Royal Anniversary and Royal Knitting

 Sixty eight years ago today, 20th November 1947 Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip were married at Westminster Abbey. Congratulations to them both, they have a lot to celebrate on this special day.

 This is what some other women might have been doing on that special day in 1947. The dress is completely hand knitted including the frills and shoulder pads in 3/4 ply "Daphne" crochet wool. While knitting or wearing this masterpiece you must not gain weight or eat or drink in case of nasty spills or get near a cat or rose bush in case of snags. I found an add. for the wool in a 1947 newspaper. 21 balls are needed and cost 9 pence halfpenny a ball old money. Please do the sums and send me the answer. There were 12 pennies in a shilling and 20 shillings in a pound. To wear the dress you must also be clever with your hair. A true masterpiece and the dress is not lined so best not to sit down or you might get a baggy seat.

 The booklet with the instructions for the dress. The add. in the news paper listed some very pretty colours for the wool but like the booklet it was all in black and white.

 Found this amazing book on Amazon, Full instructions included for everything, even the flowers.

 This is me! or it might be me when I have knitted the corgi slippers, pink twin set even knitted pearls and sash

 And when/if I adopt a corgi he will be wearing this smart coat and have a royal cushion.

 My bathroom will look like this. Don't worry I will reverse the feet as no male would ever be allowed in.

 If I had a man in my life I would knit him this smart jacket with knitted medals. I do have a son so wonder if I could knit this by Xmas and surprise him.

A knitted English breakfast complete with knitted sausages, bacon and egg. I might be able to knit an egg or sausage by Xmas. If I wrap these knitted treasured nicely I'm sure my family will love their knitted gifts.

A new knitted crown tea cosy in my collection and I didn't even have to knit it. This mini cosy was an eBay purchase and is so pretty.
Now back to my cross stitch. I'll learn to become an expert knitter tomorrow

Teresa Gil 'Longest Reign' Cross Stitch Update and Catching Up

 My Longest Reign cross is powering ahead, fun and easy to stitch. Soon I'll start on  my favourite part and do some beading.

 A recent addition to my collection is this small hand embroidered calendar with 1937 calendar attached.

  An unfinished tapestry from Charles and Diana's wedding. I have a large stack of UFO's of my own and now I buy more from eBay to add. This one was a Family Circle design and I might or might not finish it. The red plate is also a Charles and Diana wedding souvenir from my local Salvo's shop.

 A handkerchief from the Royal Tour 1949. Cancelled when the King became ill.

A bath towel from the Coronation 1953. Another eBay bargain.

 A bedhead that was being tossed out when a store room at my local Senior's hall had to be emptied. I had it in my car in seconds as I need all the display space I can get. It only needed a wash and even the built in light works. Looks so good in my spare room after about fifty years stuck in a store room.

 A bush fire on the small island opposite my house. Called a 'suspicious fire' it was left to burn itself out.
The island is named Bull Island because a bull once lived there and a small stone commemorates him. Why he didn't swim across or walk over at low tide no one can tell me!

 Another op shop bargain, this red top with Prince of Wales feathers. Looks a bit pink in the pic. but it is bright red. Once again I was in the shop at just the right time. I might even wear it to my Melbourne Cup lunch tomorrow. Teamed with white pants and my blue shoes and hat I will look like a walking flag

No use pleading with me Shibella you need grooming. The hot weather is here and you will get knots so I must brush and comb more than just your pretty face.

Shibella and Her New Toy

 Shibella inspecting her new toy.

 The red bit she has her paw on spins around but she has caught it already.

 Not hard to catch is it Shibella? Your size helps as you only have to sit on it.

 Keeping control of that toy is exhausting and a short power nap helps.

I'm coming, coming with the new batteries. This will be the 3rd set of batteries but the toy does keep you busy Shibella.

Shibella and Her Big Adventure

 Shibella is exhausted because 8 days ago when I opened my front door she shot out and disappeared. I did see her after a few minutes but Shibella was frightened and I panicked. I tried to pick her up but she is a big cat and fought, bit and scratched and ran away. Next day I had to go to the doctor for a tetanus shot and anti-biotics, my damaged hand is slowly recovering. Then I walked the streets, put up signs, letter box dropped, forced a friend on a bush walk with me and all the time banging a spoon against a food dish. Listed Shibella as lost with the RSPCA as she is micro chipped and registered to me.

No Shibella no use looking for a way out. You will not escape again. Shibella has lost no weight so what were you living on? Endangered species rat? I started leaving food and water out and she eventually ran inside when the weather turned cold. Clever girl to know your own home when you have lived with me such a short time.

 Here Shibella is seen leaving a counselling session with Big Ted. Ted has been mentor to many bears and cats over the years but I was told privately that Shibella will need more help than most.

 I was hoping to put catnip on the scratch post for encouragement when I accidentally spilled it, Shibella is having a great time rolling in it.

No I won't vacuum the catnip up yet,enjoy it while you can.

Elizabeth II Longest Reigning British Monarch and Teresa Gil Design

 On behalf of all the household bears, myself and Shibella, Bling Bear and her Consort would like to congratulate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on today becoming the longest reigning monarch in British History. Long may she reign for many more years.

 Teresa Gil has released her latest cross stitch design to commemorate this great event. Lots of beads and pretty colours, I have already made a start using 14ct Aida cloth. I have all the DMC colours and the beads are on their way from SewandSo in the UK. Like all Teresa's designs they look so impressive but are not that difficult to stitch.

 This tapestry (printed not stitched in 1952) shows the famous Dorothy Wilding portrait and Teresa has based her design on the dress. This portrait is up near the ceiling so not possible to take a better pic.

Not sure at first but I have come to like this new Queen portrait.

Shibella if you are not going to use the top level of your tower can I rent the space from you?  Today I'm displaying sweet peas from my daughter's garden. Tomorrow it might be something royal. I think I had in mind a smaller slimmer cat when I bought the tower.

Royal Collection and Me

 A book I received for my recent birthday about a very interesting man. Next to the book are two photos I took in the Mall, that could even be my hand trying to grab a corgi to take home for a souvenir. Not sure if  these are photos from the QM's 100th birthday or her funeral as I was at both occasions.

 I found this bargain at BigW reduced from $50 to $10 and apart from being a lot of fun, underneath my bed has never been so cat hair and dust free. I want robot everything now.

 Shibella is guarding her food and water station from the manic robot.

 The Queen and Philip are Sheena Rogers designs and were meant to be mini cushions. Janice in New York first alerted me to them, I decided to frame them together and add the words Elizabeth II Longest reign. The Queen becomes the longest reigning British Monarch next week.

 I am keeping busy with small projects as I know Teresa Gil is releasing a new cross stitch for the longest reign and I will drop everything to start stitching her design. No, Shibella won't be neglected!!

 Not a good time to start this Charles and Diana tapestry, think I will put it away for another few years.
Hard to believe it was 18 years this week since Diana's tragic death.

More luck at the Salvos' op shop, I found a Royal Visit 1954 towel on a rack with other towels and only $2. I do love a bargain, I already had one towel, now I have two. 100% better.

Shibella Updates Again

So what has Shibella been up to lately? Bird watching, the tide is out and there are always lots of birds to watch from seagulls to pelicans and all sizes in between they keep her entertained.

 Collapsing exhausted to the floor after too much bird watching.

 Attacking the cat tower I bought for a lot of money and trouble.

 And again. What Shibella refuses to do!! and that is allow any grooming sessions or sleep on my bed!!

This is the cat show I went to only a week before I adopted Shibella when I knew I had to double my efforts to find my own cat before I grabbed one of these and ran. Forgetting for the moment I can't run far or at all.
The man holding the cat is Fabrice, one of two French judges that came to judge the cats. Both French judges were very well dressed and not worried about cat hairs on their smart suits.
They came all this way to judge a suburban cat show??? That's the cat world.