Hi everyone! I hope you're enjoying a beautiful Sunday. I am here to share something a bit different today - a cross stitch project in memorial to The Queen of England. I started this piece on the day she passed away and I finished it up this Friday. It was a quick stitch, and a meaningful one. It will be a nice remembrance of her in our home. Her funeral is tomorrow, so I thought today would be a good day to post it. I think we were all aware that she could pass at any time, especially since her beloved passed last year, but it was still a somber and sad occasion. I feel like she was the world's grandma - classy and caring and warm. She was a woman of great faith, and a woman who loved her country with everything she had. I think those are all such admirable traits. She stayed out of politics and loved her family. We definitely need more people like that!! We've lost a good soul here on earth. I am happy for her that she is now reunited with her husband and with her savior. The world will be a little different now, though. As with most of us, she was a fixture for my entire life - you know - the Queen.... The one and only!
I've always been an Anglophile too - and one day I hope to make it to Great Britain! My family history traces back to Wales, so I also feel that connection. I remember staying up all night to watch Charles and Diana get married, and I also did the same when William and Katherine got married (I wrote a blog post about that!) I really am a person that loves traditions and pomp and circumstance. I am an old soul for sure...
I went on Etsy and found this cross stitch pattern that was for her recent jubilee. I changed up the dates and the center bottom of the piece to make it a memorial. I used all the called for DMC threads. I left out some of the white backstitching at the top (personal preference), and I used 14 Count White Aida fabric. The piece is about 6 inches x 6 inches. The pattern is called Platinum Jubilee by Not So Modern Millie on Etsy!
The part in the center on the pattern says "70" for her jubilee. I changed it up to put her monogram inside that part. I had to research it... ER stands for Elizabeth Regina (Regina being the Latin word for Queen and NOT her middle name) and the II stands for her being Elizabeth the Second. I like how the pattern has white backstitching on the leaves and the French knots on top.
The pattern only calls for four colors of floss - making it super simple to get started!
You know I love to do my project photos - and I really get into it. I have a "Prop Department" at my house near my photo area stocked with items by season...but then I also wander around the house finding things to put in my photos. I tried to think of things that were related to the Queen... So I got out my Bible, and my pearls from the jewelry box, and some red flowers, and a little crown that I keep on my makeup table....
When I was looking for props, I also came across this historical artifact!!! It's a bandana from The Who concert I went to in 1982 at the Oakland Coliseum! The opening band was The Clash. I remember I wanted a souvenir so badly, and this Union Jack bandana was all I could afford at the time (I was a freshman in college)... It must have made an impression on me, because I saved it for 40 years!! I was really into British punk and new wave music back then and we went to so many awesome concerts. What great memories!!
Okay, guys, that's my tale for today and a project too! I have to work tomorrow so I will be taping the Queen's funeral to watch when I get home. Are you into the royal family and the Queen? Do you like following them?? And, are you a cross stitcher too?? I just finished up a fun witch cross stitch that I'll be sharing soon for Halloween. Take care! I have posts up on Wednesday and Friday this week too!! XOXO
Wanda, what a beautiful tribute to the Queen. She was an amazing lady. You are so talented! Thank-you for sharing today!
Posted by: Christine Dol | 09/19/2022 at 02:34 PM
I really enjoyed reading this post while drinking tea from my Starbucks England mug. I purchased the mug near the Tower of London in October 2019. As a fellow Anglophile and cross stitcher, I love your project so much. I do want to encourage you to travel to England. Fall is lovely there, and you'll see ER on every red post box! My own family hails from a little town named Wooton Under Edge in the Cotswolds, but I still need to visit there. I think you'd love Bath, Oxford and Dover Castle. All three places were close to London by train. Stonehenge was a quick bus ride from Bath and far exceeded expectations! I will miss the Queen, but her memory lives on.
Posted by: Mary Koby | 09/19/2022 at 09:30 AM
What a lovely tribute. I think she is such an amazing woman and have always admired her and her love for country. Hope things will stay much as she left them, however, who knows whats next. I did cross stitching for many years and moved on to quilting, and now cards. Love that adorable crown from your table and the pearls are too appropriate. Thanks for sharing and I look forward to seeing your witch too! Hugs
Posted by: Anne Sturgeon | 09/18/2022 at 01:33 PM
This is such a nice post, Wanda! I don't do Counted Cross Stitch, but embroidery in general I have tried. I have been following the royals some. I too watched the weddings & a few YouTube Video's of what has been going on. It really is a sad time for England. Your stitching is BEAUTIFUL! SO ELEGANT! AND yes, you have staged your photos PERFECTLY! A BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE to the Queen!!! HUGS DEAR FRIEND! ;)<3
Posted by: Becky Green | 09/18/2022 at 01:05 PM
Your tribute to HRM is lovely and your stitching is impeccable. I have enjoyed watching the royal family over the years. I am also a cross stitcher too. I look forward to your fun witch cross stitch. Thank you for your inspiration, dear Wanda.
Posted by: Veronica Fairbrother | 09/18/2022 at 11:01 AM
What a wonderful thing for you to do, Wanda! You do such beautiful work!
She would have been impressed, for sure!
Bless your heart.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful tribute.
Posted by: Connie | 09/18/2022 at 10:21 AM
Wanda this is a lovely make and a beautiful tribute. I share many of your feelings about the Queen. Art is a wonderful way to process grief. Thank you for sharing
Posted by: Elizabeth Motyka | 09/18/2022 at 07:14 AM
Wanda- what a beautiful post and very lovely handiwork! My DNA too shows I am 90% Scottish/ English. Deep roots in the UK. Lifelong fan of the Queen. What a woman! Her faith, her quiet dignity and her loyalty. Not all want a monarchy - not mine to speak to. I just admired the Queen as a person. Thank you for sharing!!
Posted by: Jules L | 09/18/2022 at 06:54 AM
Hi Wanda
I have been following your blog since just before last Christmas, you have given me so many ideas.
Your blog today of the memorial cross stitch is a fabulous reminder of HMTQ and I love the way you have staged it.
I have had Covid for the last two weeks, which has been horrible, however, it has allowed me to watch all the pomp and ceremony following HMTQ's passing. I have learnt so much. I am also truly grateful HMKC has allowed the television cameras into so many areas of this period of mourning, which none of us have seen before. I too have only ever known Queen Elizabeth, so it is a big change for us all.
Take care and please keep sharing your ideas.
Jackie (Warwickshire UK)
Posted by: Jackie2711 | 09/18/2022 at 06:16 AM
Hello Wanda,
What a lovely tribute to a great lady. You gave her something that is only yours to give, a piece of your heart. If only we had more people in the world in our own country like her. I'm trying hard to think of anyone else that can be described in such a way. With all the division in our country, it seems as if some love the rhetoric more than they love our country. We've lost our way. Thankfully, God is in control ! I used to do counted thread cross stich as well as those sweet little iron on embroidery pillowcases and kitchen towels etc. All of your handiwork is so well made and inspiring. Have a great week Wanda, give Lucky an extra kiss. IrissavedbyGrace
Posted by: Iris Shubert | 09/18/2022 at 06:12 AM
I so enjoy reading your posts Wanda. You have a welcoming style that pulls a reader right into your world. Your warm exuberance feels like I am there in your home as you offer a cup of tea and motion to the cozy chair to pull up and sit awhile as we chat.
Your cross stitch piece is a beautiful tribute to such a lovely Queen. We mourn here in the US with the world.
I love how you stage your photos and the thoughtfulness you put into each post speaks volumes of your unique and delightful creativity.
Here’s wishing you a lovely day!
~ Sharon
Posted by: Sharon Ware | 09/18/2022 at 06:01 AM
Beautiful and loving tribute to a woman who affected so many. I used to follow the royals much more closely than I do now. Still, I was very saddened to learn of the Queen's passing. I think it's beautiful that you made this beautiful cross stitch project in her memory. You have a beautiful soul, Wanda. I am a cross stitcher as well. Have been since the 80s, let it go in more recent years and just picked it up again after Nichol Spohr started sharing her Flosstube videos. Big fan! I have so many finishes that I need to fully finish. :) Thank you for sharing, Wanda. Have a lovely week.
Posted by: Jeanne | 09/18/2022 at 04:50 AM
So beautiful!
Posted by: Marisela Delgado | 09/18/2022 at 04:34 AM
I always enjoy reading your blog posts and love your beautiful tribute to the Queen! I am a cross stitcher too. Back when my eyes were a bit better I was into making samplers - replicas of vintage samplers! They all spoke to me. I look forward to your Halloween witch! I still do a little stitching just have to pull out my glasses and use a bigger thread count! 😉
Posted by: Nancy Bogart | 09/18/2022 at 02:53 AM