Thursday 14 June 2007

Regal Art - Tiara inspiration


I've been thinking regal thoughts these last couple of weeks, preparing myself for the tiara swap





Looking for inspiration I took out a large collection of my books on the Royal family. A collection that has amassed thanks to my late mother-in-law who had been following the family all her life and was a huge fan.



She loved the Queen and particularly the Queen Mother as we all did.



She kept alsorts of memorabilia and because she was a wren (they don't exist anymore) in the Royal Navy her path crossed with Royalty many times.
I even had a brief encounter with her when as an 11 year old I went on a school trip with the our head mistress she was a nun (imagine Miss Marple in a nun outfit:)))) -


25 busy body girls in silly school hats and big white labels with our names on (we were so embarrassed). Off we went to London to see the crown jewels, talk to Beefeater's, and visit Earls Court to watch lots of pageantry, fancy riding and events including a gun run by the Navy, where upon 2 teams of healthy young men race each other and run with these huge canons over obstacles, lots of noise, sweat but no swearing .... ooo nooooo.


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At the end of the show we were all lined up and the Queen Mother gave us an elegant smile and a delicate wave and off she went in her car. She was dressed in vivid pink and the photograph that I took just came out as a big blob of pink blur. I kept that photo of a pink blob for years telling everyone it was the Queen Mother ... ..


I could see her :)))))



Anyway back to thoughts of Tiara's

Well I have completed my Tiara now and tempting as it is I won't show it just yet but here is how my floor looks right now.
OK OK just a peek then.

12 comments:

MODERN COUNTRY said...

OH! How exiting! I have never heard about a tiara swap and i find it very interesting. Your floor looks like a heaven of iteams ready for lovely crafts. I am shure you wil make a very beautiful one and the pictures gives you the right and sophisticated inspiration. I can`t wait to see it :)

Lallee said...

It was fun to read about your brief encounter with the Queen Mum. Can't wait to see the tiara you create. I know it will be fit for a queen ;-)

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Ginny, how fun to read this. What a big impression seeing a real queen must have made on you cute school girls!!

Everything and anything you make is lovely...have a fabulous weekend, I hope the UK weather cooperates.
Lidy

Niki Fretwell said...

Hi Ginny,
All of those goodies on your floor look sooo delicious! I am sure your tiara must be stunning - I can't wait till you reveal all!

The Queen drove past our house once, (well she wasn't doing the driving!) on her way to Bath for the centenary celebrations! All the children came out of the Primary school to wave flags.

Have a great weekend,
Niki x

Naturegirl said...

You met true royalty how exciting!A tiara swap well if I were creative mine would be..
~a crown of butterflies~ today I am
~twinkling pinks~ happy day hugs NG

Cape Cod Washashore said...

That tiara swap sounds so lovely! I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with! My grandmother gave me a gorgeous pictorial book about the Queen Mother. When the U.S. had its Bicentennial back in 1976, my dad was in a reenactment military group which was chosen to be the colorguard in Boston for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip (when they visited here for the celebrations). My dad has fond memories, as at one point, he stood right next to Prince Philip and the Prince looked at my dad (who was in his Revolutionary War uniform) and gave him a wink. I don't think my dad had ever felt prouder! =)

Heather ~ Pretty Petals said...

Oh Ginny, you are not going to show it???? I can't stand the suspense!! It looks soooo divine in the little sneak peak shot! LOL
I am back from vacation and on my list is to finish my tiara for you! I have been gathering bits and pieces here and there... I will keep you posted when it is finished.

Love all the inspiration photos and your story about the Queen. I used to be obsessed with Sarah Ferguson when I was a girl...I collected everything I could get my hands on concerning her and made scrapbooks. Wish I still had them...I used to think she was so beautiful and didn't understand why anyone would say such mean things about her.

talk to you soon! Heather

Natasha Burns said...

Hi Ginny,
Just putting together the swap partners for the matchbox swap, could you please email me your postal address ASAP enquiries@natashaburns.com

Thanks so much,
Natasha

Ragged Roses said...

Hi Ginny, I bet that tiara is going to be beautiful! I met Princess Ann once when I graduated. I didn't want to go to the ceremony but my parents made me!!! All I remember is that she had beautiful skin! Enjoy the weekend.
Kim x

Sophie Honeysuckle said...

Ooh I cannot wait to see your tiara!!! Even your floor looks lovely scattered with delicious trimmings!!

Heather ~ Pretty Petals said...

HI Ginny! I am done with your tiara!! I am going to post pictures of it on flickr tonight or tomorrow. I just wanted to warn you incase you want to be surprised...then don't look! LOL I had so much fun making it!

Did you join the tiara swap flickr group? If you need help or have never used flickr let me know and I can help you. Here is the link to the group...you can see everyones photos of their tiaras as they make them.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/400122@N23/

:)Heather

Boxwood Cottage said...

Oh what beautiful pictures of the young Queen! Truly inspirational Ginny!