Isn’t it strange how the world can change in the blink of an eye.

Just over a week ago the Queen passed away. She was 96 and in the last couple of months she celebrated her platinum jubilee. 70 years on the throne is one hell of an achievement. On the platinum Jubilee Day the Attic Project was given The Queens Award for Voluntary Service. One of the last award that was given out. On Thursday night I was given a present.

This little badge represents the part I’ve played volunteering for the attic project. I feel truly honoured and humbled to be included. I can now say I have received the Queen’s Award For Voluntary Service.

I have mixed emotions. It’s brilliant to be included but sad to think that it is one of the last awards given out. The emotion that is flowing round the country at the moment is almost unbearable. The Queen has been a constant of my life so far and it’s the same for a lot of other people. She has always been there.

I have never met her, but there have been some close encounters. Well, close ish. 1 was dancing in the closing ceremony of the commonwealth games in Manchester in 2002. She went past me in her car at the end of the ceremony.

Another time was when I was about 14. I was a Sea Cadet and we had a trip down to London. We got to stand in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace while the Queen took the final salute of the Trooping of the Colour.

I’m sure the Queen will have a special place in peoples hearts. I know that tomorrow it will be a very strange day. The day of her funeral. A lot of things will be closed I know the pain of losing a loved one and my heart goes out to the royal family. Dealing with loss and grief is hard enough but to do that while the world watches every move you make and every little thing you do must be insanely hard. I think tomorrow is going to be a difficult day for a lot of people. I know tomorrow I will be spending a lot of time on my shielding and trying to avoid any rampant emotional energy that’s floating about.

I know tomorrow I’ll be wearing my new badge with pride and a heart full of love.

I’ve been up to the usual other things and I worked a really good service with Pam too. There has been some card making, of course tangling some sewing and probably a few other things to.

So here are the tiles I’ve done

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I received the tile swap 20 the other day.

That tile I received from Lesley. The magical elf in the world of Sanntangle.

Here is the tile that I sent away

And of course a letter went with it too. But I don’t have a copy of it that I can share here.

Sticking with tangling and going with a bit of parchment work I made a card for my aunty and uncles wedding anniversary.

I also worked on a sample for Sandra

I’ve done some sewing too. I’ve made a cushion and a couple of pouches. 1 for mums puffers and 1 as a knitting project bag.

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I’ll leave it there for this post and send love and light to all that are affected by the loss of a loved one. It’s hard at times, but just know that they are only a thought away and the will always have a special place in your heart.

Love and light