A Gift for Her Majesty

Some time back in February, SB one of our members famed for her free machine embroidery skills, was asked by a local WI to submit a design for a birthday card to be sent to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

The draft and sewn sample had to be sent off, approved and then the real one made by the end of March! A daunting task.
We were allowed to view it, under cover of glass, of course and I was privileged to be allowed to take photos (minus glass) once everyone had departed, that can now be finally revealed on line.

The reason for keeping it 'under wraps', was that it was unclear if the card was for the Queen's Actual Birthday on 21st April, or her Official Birthday which falls on the second Saturday in June, this year being 8th June.


The card had to be no larger than A4 size and so measures 10 x 7 inches and is landscape in orientation.
And here it is.........

Balmoral Castle and Grounds

As Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands, is the holiday residence of the Royal Family and is said to be the favourite place of our Monarch,  it was a good choice.

Here, below, is a close up of the 'house' and that lovely large 'red' tree.

First the sky and grounds were painted with fabric paint on a man-made fabric called Evalon. The castle was painted on a separate piece and applied later.

The free machined trees, above and below, were stitched on soluble fabric and applied after the details on the building and turrets were completed.

I cropped this group of trees and lawn as it looks so fresh and inviting. Here it is in close up (flash version) below, as this better shows the detailed stitching.

And once again, the whole picture. I rather fancy that this looks like a photo of Balmoral Castle in the late evening, though in actual fact it is taken without the aid of the flash in front of a window in late afternoon (the first photo in the post was the flash version that better showed the bright colours of the thread used).

After all that work, our talented stitcher, made sure to get a good photocopy of her piece and put that into a frame for herself as a memento. 
The original, of course, was sent off to The Queen. I am sure that she will be delighted with it..... I wonder where she will hang it or will she have it on a side table or desk? She must get many gifts but I am sure that this one will touch her heart. 

God Bless Our Gracious Queen

and thank you to SB our 'queen of stitch'.