Kiss me Kate - a William and Kate embroidery
March 6th, 2011
Somewhere between the Baby Boomers and the Gen X’rs is my group - the Diana Generation. We cut our hair like Diana (a complete failure for my friz-fro hair), we bought “Sloan Ranger” jackets, we traded in our Levi cords/Ditto jeans, biker shades and Wallaby shoes for preppy pleated pants, wild sweaters and sophisticated loafers. We coveted any magazine that highlighted our Diana, watched every TV show and news report that featured Diana. We stayed up into the wee hours of the night to watch her wedding, and recorded the event on VHS tapes - the cherished VHS tape… even though we not longer have VCR’s. We even had our children around the same time Diana had hers. Diana, our Queen Bee.
As the People’s Princess, Diana was not bound by the United Kingdom’s boarders… Diana was everyone’s princess. Diana didn’t just bestow us with her style and fashion - she taught us about humanitarianism, benevolence and charity - to take action, to think globally and to be good and active citizens of the world. She taught us by example and her goodness will live forever. We morn her death so deeply - as if Diana was a close, personal friend. And as mothers, in our hearts we feel like we became guardians of her children. And now it’s as if one of our children is getting married. What a fine young man Prince William is, and what a fine young woman Kate is. That William is marrying the love of his life… that is just gravy. William and Kate - our little love birds.
I LOVE royal kitsch. Love it. Put something royal or British on a plate or a dishtowel, add some swirly-ques and exaggerated cursive script… and I’m in. I thought I’d try my hand at making my own William and Kate wedding memorabilia, (because it’s much more fun than a saved VHS tape). I thought I’d share my embroidery with the rest us who didn’t get an invite to the weeding. We’ll be going to Westminster Abbey via our TV’s and our stitcheries.
I don’t know if anyone will even care to make it, but I feel like sharing it. I ironed freezer paper to the back to make it easier to trace with a Micron pen and coloring in the shapes (with everyday Crayola crayons) while atop something tactile to give the tinting some texture.
Before stitching (2 strands of floss for entire project, 1 strand for the lettering in the talk bubbles) - I heat-set the coloring with an iron on high and using some cotton muslin to absorb some of the wax (and protect my iron). I don’t know yet what I’m going to do with my stitchery, but I decided Camille and Bonnie’s Bliss would be the perfect fabric on so many levels to do it in. Though I still don’t know what “it” exactly is yet.
If you’d like to make the embroidery, you can download the Kiss me Kate PDF here. Be sure to set your printer to print at “scale to fit” to print the entire image.
If you make the the Kiss me Kate embroidery and/or make something with it, please post your pics to the HZHQ flickr pool. “Please” as in please-don’t-make-me-beg-you-please post your pics.
Posted in Make Something |
Farting around with needle & thread and then blogging about it.
You crack me up! So very cute Monica. I will download it for a future date but am in the midst of lots of nursery sewing for the new grandbaby due on May 28th. Crib skirt, lots of pillows for the window seats ( I did draw the line at recovering them but have spent lots of hours looking at upholstery fabric with my daughter) to say nothing of a quilt, burp cloths and some receiving blankets. Whew, what am I doing online, I have work to do!
March 6th, 2011I actually have tears in my eyes after reading this. I remember staying up for Diana’s wedding and I remember where I was when Brian Williams announced her death. There’s still an empty place in the world with her gone but it’s fun to see her boys all grown up and appearing to be nice men (and Diana’s ring looks so right on Kate). Thanks for sharing such a cute DIY memorabilia!
March 6th, 2011Really? You weren’t invited? I’ll bet if they had any idea how busy you’ve been making that sweet stitchery, they’d reconsider. I’ll mention it when we have tea. :-)
March 6th, 2011you summed up my generation to a tee! I still remember the phone call from my grandmother telling me that Princess Diana had been in the terrible car crash that took her life. Time seemed to really stand still…I was completely and utterly in shock, and yes, the first thing I thought of was her boys.
March 6th, 2011I remember getting up at the ungodly hour of something like 4 AM to watch the Royal wedding. I was 10 ish? I think it was the first wedding I ever saw so that made it even more thrilling! Until it was endless talk talk talking. I fell asleep and missed most of it. Boo.
March 6th, 2011I was (am) such a Diana fan I had the LP of the wedding ceremony … among a TON of other pieces of memorabilia. I’m hopeful her boy will find more happiness in marriage than she did. Thanks for sharing.
March 6th, 2011I love Princess Di and am a HUGE ‘fan’ of William and Kate. Your design just melts my heart!! You are our royal highness in the world of creativity. I’m sure everyone with agree with that, Princess Monica of Happy Zombie Kingdom. :o) xoxo
March 6th, 2011I was a little young when Diana got married, but enough to remember it well. My friend and I dressed up as Charles and Diana for Halloween in college one year–I was Charles, and everyone know who we were. I remember her funeral, though because it was the night before my first baby was born, and I stayed up to watch it in the wee hours.
March 6th, 2011Your design is cute!!
Ahh that is so adorable you should try and send them a copy. I mean it is worth a try right? I was three when Diana got married and I remember see it. I still have a vcr! I remember she was killed the year I graduated high school :(. So it is cool to see her boys grow up too!
March 6th, 2011This is great! How clever, I can’t wait to tell my sister, I am pretty sure she thinks she’s related to Di, despite the improbability. Since you’re talking weddings here, I think I’ll take this oppertunity to tell you our wedding colors were red and aqua! (’cause they are thebest.) Great minds!
March 6th, 2011Dude I totally still have my commemorative porcelain thimble and stamp w/ book from the Lady Di wedding to that guy with the ears can’t remember his name lol….I think I might have to make this for my crazed 9yo who is enamored with the young hip royals no boston tea party for that kid shes apparently fish and chips all the way lol lol
March 6th, 2011Love your comments about Diana. Darling pattern. Much better than anything those real Brits would create!
March 6th, 2011you crack me up. this is way more cute & cool than everything i’ve seen for k&w’s wedding…!!!
March 6th, 2011looking cheesy royal weddings is one of my guilty pleasures…:)
…of course i mean ‘watching’…it’s too early in the morning…
March 6th, 2011So cute! She really was an amazing icon. I remember seeing a replay of her wedding on tv. It didn’t even occur to me that William and kate’s wedding will be on tv, I will have to dvr it!
March 6th, 2011Liebe Monica,
March 6th, 2011yes, everyone is looking foreward to this royal wedding! I laughed while reading your words.
So wouldn´t it be nice to come over here to watch the great event??? But to be honest, I think it´s nearly impossible to get a small room to stay in in London during that time! So we all have to watch TV, don´t we?? While sniiiiiefing in our hankies! Right????
Ganz liebe Grüße
Sabine
that looks fab! i’m so annoyed as i’ve been living in the uk since 2003 and i’m moving back to america less than ONE MONTH before the big royal shin dig. go figure. . . i’ll just have to throw a party and watch it on tv in the states instead. :)
March 7th, 2011I love it! I can’t wait to see yours done. Gosh you brought all those memories flooding back. I too remember just soaking up every bit of her engagement and wedding I could, and crying when she walked down the isle in her fabulous dress. Sadly I remember when she left us… I thought for sure they were going to say they made a mistake and she was fine.
March 7th, 2011I took the day off from work to watch the Royal Wedding, but ended up going to work in the afternoon. One of the secretaries used to call me “Lady Di” and joked that I sure had had a short honeymoon since I was back at work so soon!
I, too, remember Brian Williams telling us that she had passed away and was sad for a long time missing her.
Thank you for the cute William and Katherine tribute - I’m printing it out now.
March 7th, 2011You’re hysterical. Yes, I think we’re the Diana generation. Like all great moments in history, I’ll bet you can tell me exactly where you were when Diana got married (well wait, you might have been in bed here in the states? we were in Germany and I was glued to the tv.)
Anyhoo, we did our part for the Diana generation — we had two little blonde boys around the same time — the older, more serious lad and the younger spunky-test-the-rules lad — my little princes who were often compared to the real little princes when they were all growing up.
And now you’ve done your part — Too Cute. oh Queen!!!
March 7th, 2011Did you know that a Princess Diana exhibit is touring the U.S.? It includes her wedding gown. Right now it’s in Kansas City till June 12 and then the exhibit will return to the U.K. for the summer.
Just search for “Princess Diana exhibit”. I’d link, but then I’d be spam!! HA.
March 7th, 2011I may be a Gen X’er but I am a total Royal groupie. I am thrilled be able to watch all of this going on over across the pond. A million times classier than our “Royalty,” Charlie Sheen anyone?
March 7th, 2011considering i’m the same age as prince william, i didn’t watch princess di’s wedding…
BUT i remember, quite vividly, her death :(
i just love this kiss me kate embrodiery.
March 7th, 2011so stinkin’ cute.
Oh MOnica, again with the totally cute stuff. You kill me with your creativity.
March 7th, 2011Have you entered the Today Show contest to win a trip to the Royal Wedding? I think it’s still going. I bet you would win!
March 7th, 2011I’m right there with you in the Diana generation! We were the same age and I surely did follow her all the years she was gracing the front of magazines. Love your tribute to William and Kate! So fun.
March 7th, 2011Love and adore your embroidery!! Wouldn’t this be this cutest pillow for the ring bearer to carry?? :) I am such a “royal groupie” myself … check that “Diana” groupie … yes, I cried the day she died and yes, I watched the whole procession the day they buried her. I have a pile of Diana memorabelia and think you honor her son with your wonderful stitchery. I’m wishing Wm and Kate every happiness his mother didn’t seem to be able to find. Thanks so much for sharing!!
March 7th, 2011I LOVE IT! I’m going to have to make that. I ADORE anything Royal Kitsch, hell I love the Royal Family. I’m planning on bagging Harry, I have a plan and everything :D
March 7th, 2011When the Royals see this they will email you a golden ticket to the wedding for sure. That is so ridiculously cute and kitsch - I can see them on Zazzle mugs & T’s…luv ya x
March 7th, 2011Too cute! What a great idea to commemorate the event!
March 7th, 2011Monica, that is Absolutely Fabulous! I love it! I too feel I should make something more substantial to keep, especially as it’s our children’s first proper Royal Wedding. I think I may just have to borrow your lovely pattern. We’re having a Wedding Party at our house with kitsch children party food to eat whilst watching it on our 42″ HD TV Huzzar!!! We’re not going to excite the little girls too much about a Prince marrying an everyday girl who becomes a Princess as they’ll expect something more akin to Disney (or maybe Diana and Charles) but I think this one will be more low key. Oh well, it’ll still be ‘bottoms up’, when the time comes. (Does that mean the same thing in the US?) Thanks for sharing your great pattern. ;)
March 7th, 2011You have such a way with words, and a needle, and color, and fabric, and……
March 7th, 2011Thank you for sharing:)
In 7th grade, I thought of writing Lady Di a letter, imagined her reading it and inviting me to the wedding. Instead, I woke up “early”- 5:30 am, and caught the tail end of it on tv.
March 7th, 2011I loved her red sweater with a bunch of white sheep and one black one and the file tape of her little boys running to hug her on a boat.
Thanks for the opportunity to share WAY to much dorky information about myself.
That is so awesome! I’m a little older than you but I remember staying up to watch the Royal weddding. Never will forget that long wedding dress train. Gorgeous! I still remember what I was doing when I heard that Diana had been killed in the car wreck…sad day indeed! Thanks for sharing your words & talent. I enjoyed this post.
March 7th, 2011Well, yes it is weird. But then normal is like totally overrated … isn’t it?! Thanks for the trash love. (And for stopping by) :)
March 7th, 2011wow… you are SO RIGHT… it IS like our own baby is getting married!!
March 8th, 2011YAY!!! I am definitely Diana Generation!!! I remember her wedding….awwww….and I know I will watch Kate and Willy!!! Cute, cute embroidery!
March 8th, 2011I was SMITTEN with Diana’s wedding, etc …. I even had the fake version of the blue sapphire engagement ring that Kate is now wearing ….. I wore it to my wedding. I LOVED her clothes and her HATS were to die for !!!! I wanted to be able to wear hats like that to work, but it didn’t go with my physical therapy outfit and I think the hospital would have frowned upon that ……
March 8th, 2011ANYWAY ….. I can’t believe “our William” is getting married !!! and your stitchery project is the PERFECT design to put on a t- shirt for a gift for the Queen !!!! Jolly Good Show !!!!
Yes and YES….I worked for Laura Ashley ( because Diana wore her dresses). Yes, I had THE cut and even wore hats on occasion. I collected Royalty teacups, books and all things Diana. They are now put away because they make me sad instead of happy. I will cherish Prince William’s wedding day and say a prayer that his oath to his wife will be sustained and honorable. I will hope that their lives will be filled with the joy that apparently his parents never realized. I am glad I am NOT alone…thank you for your post.
March 8th, 2011This has made my day! I was little when Diana got married, but I LOVED her. When I was in second grade, I had a little friend from England named Katie Huckerbee. We would always play ‘royal wedding’ at her house. Of course she always made me play Prince Charles… I need to make this, thank you!!! xoxokma
March 8th, 2011Blimey! That’s adorable. :) I watched Prince Charles marry Diana on a very tiny television set. It didn’t matter- that wedding was larger than life. I look forward to seeing William marry his beloved. You need to send them one so it can be attached to their getaway car!
March 8th, 2011Found your amazing site today after checking in at allsorts (where I have been lurking around a LOT this month). I have spent hours going through your beautiful photos/projects/blog and here’s the deal: I don’t even quilt. (I watercolor). So being evil enough to want my sister to get in trouble for surfing while at work, I sent her the link to Happy Zombie. Now we’re both hooked. At least she knows how to quilt! Carry on your good work. This old world needs spaces like this of light, good humor and beauty. Bravo
March 8th, 2011hi, i used this design for my pillow…an anniversary gift to my hubby…he love it so much…i do some alteration on the design…a little bit only…already put the picture in your flickr group…
thanks for sharing the lovely design with us…
regards,
March 8th, 2011Rose Craft
yea!!!! Another Diana and Royalty lover!!!!!! Yea!!
March 9th, 2011You have more creativity in your little pinky than most of the rest of us. So cool and cute, and how on earth did you DO that?!
I was 14 when she got married, and I remember thinking it was all sooooo romantic. Who ever thought it would end the way it did? It is wonderful seeing her son come into his own and hopefully enter a marriage that will be all the things Diana’s was not. And maybe we’ll get to see King William and Queen Kate! :)
March 9th, 2011I stayed up too! I remember everything about the ceremony including when she messed up
March 9th, 2011Charles’ name. I think I have every book written about her. I was married a year later and included 6 little girls all dressed in white in my wedding. In 1987 I gave birth to my William. He was actually named after his grandfather, but it wasn’t lost on me. Sadly I remember the day she died as well. Do you have the little Peter Rabbit commemorative plate made for baby William? Your embroidery is adorable. I may just have to make me one of those.
my dear sp! i married a year later and my mother designed and made my dress, the bridesmaids and flowergirl (my own little clementine) - i looked like the dark haired princess diana! around the time she died tommy and i were in the car (he was 3 or 4) and he announced that princess diana was killed by whales. i didn’t know whether to laugh or cry (probably cried) but it touched us all. this wedding seems so poignant.
love love love from the shakey land xxx
March 10th, 2011ps - love your embroidery x
March 10th, 2011awwwwwweeeee, sew cute!
March 10th, 2011You make me smile!
>^..^
How am I just now seeing this?? I am so lame!
March 11th, 2011But, yeah, I was totally into Princess Diana. Her wedding was on my 13th birthday! My parents too me to Victoria Canada, which was closer to us than England, so that I could watch the wedding on tv in a country that was at least connected to England in some way.
In Fact, my oldest daughter, India is named after on of Princess Diana’s bridesmaids, India Hicks. Yes, I was a fan.
Yes, I am watching the wedding. And yes, I just may be tempted to use your embroidery design to a fun pillow for my India. You are a hoot Monica! I am a fan of you!
Your royal quilt is fabulous! WOW! You are so talented and creative…thank you for sharing with us mere mortals…
March 11th, 2011How cuteeeee!!! i dont know if i can make it but i hope u dont mind if i downloaded it and try..I will post it once I know or finished making it and give credit and link back to you! thank you soo much for sharing!!! it’s soo adorable!!
March 13th, 2011oh i forgot to say, i’d like to follow you but since there’s no follow button *DUH* i’d like to add your link to my inspirations list on my blog. :)
March 13th, 2011You are just too cute for words. Really.
March 13th, 2011Yes, I loved her too. I slavishly copied her wonderful outfits. We lost a beautiful and brave woman, but her handsome son lives on. I hope he finds much happiness with his dear Kate. Your design is adorable!
March 13th, 2011I’m a little young to remember Di’s wedding, but I do have a very vivid image of her on a magazine, probably People and she had the most beautiful electric blue eyeliner or eye shadow. OHHHHH!!! She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen and I knew when I was a grown up, I was going to wear electric blue eye shadow…it hasn’t happened yet, but somebody, it will.
March 14th, 2011We are from the same generation. Thank you for sharing and reminding us that we do have our very own beautiful princess and now her son and his lovely bride.
March 14th, 2011This is so awesome, but I think I’m going to hold out for the gigantic cross stitching pattern (you know the one!) that comes out on the 22 of this month! SQUEEEE!
:-)
I hope you understand. I’m sure you do!
March 17th, 2011Almost finished with my William and Kate embroidery. I used a pink linen napkin for the embroidery with hot pink, bright blue and chartreuse in honor of The Happy Zombie.
Decided to fuse it to some fleece, add some lace and make a ring-bearer pillow out of it. Now all I have to do is wait for my niece to find Mr. Right!
March 31st, 2011I did a roundup of royal wedding sampler designs, including yours. If you’d like to take a look, it’s at on my blog.
April 17th, 2011Fascinating to see all the different approaches!
Cheers, Ruth
I am debating waking my 4 yr old up for the wedding (I know I will be up, as you said, we were the Diana generation)- shall she be the Kate generation? hmmmm, she is on easter vacation!
Love this design!
April 22nd, 2011