The British Theme Continues

It's been another week of all things British at my house, particularly in the television and needlepoint areas. I thoroughly enjoyed watching all the programs leading up to the royal wedding, the wedding itself, and the recaps of the wedding. I've watched wedding coverage on the news channels, TLC, E!, and followed the wedding online at the Daily Mail Online. Did you get up early to watch the wedding live or did you sleep in and catch it later in the day? I got up at 5:00 AM, fixed my tea and settled in for an early morning of wedding festivities. I thought Kate's dress was so elegant and so perfect for her. Did you know that the lace appliques on her dress were stitched at the Royal School of Needlework located at Henry VIII's Hampton Court Palace? Sarah Burton, who designed Kate's dress, was set up with a secret, temporary studio at Hampton Court where she and Kate held top-secret fittings. I read where the part-time embroiderers (aged 19 to 70) washed their hands every 30 minutes while stitching and changed their needles every 3 hours to ensure that they were sharp and clean. Their efforts certainly paid off. This dress has become an instant classic and their fine stitching will be preserved for generations to come.

I have to admit that I haven't taken that much care with my Queen Elizabeth while stitching her this week - no changing needles every three hours, anyway. I worked more on her bodice this week and, for the most part, finished that area. There is still a lot of work to do in the batwing area on either side of her head.

I started on the diamond eyelets in the "lacey" areas of the right batwing. It didn't take long to grow tired of tiny white stitches so last night while watching the last two episodes of the new Upstairs, Downstairs (I told you the British theme continues) on PBS, I worked on the gold ribbon rosettes around the red Rhodes stitches. I am using Gloriana 4mm ribbon for the rosettes that is gathered and stitched in place around the Rhodes stitches. It takes a while to do each one but I love the dimension it adds to this area of the canvas. I would love to think I might move on to the sleeve area this week but I think that this week will still find me stitching the batwings.

I took a look around the back yard this morning and was amazed at how many of my perennials are ready to bloom. My Easter lilies from last year are ready to bloom and some of the hydrangeas are starting to show some color. My Stella d'Oro daylilies are all starting to bloom as of this morning. A perfect way to start a beautiful May Day!

Hope your May is off to a good start! Enjoy your Sunday stitching!