Let's go out .......

..... to Gerda Jacob's studio she's having an open-day to view her mosaics www.gerdajacobs.com and it's only just down the road.  Le Petit-Pressigny to be precise where, as local rumour has it, Charles and Camilla could sometimes be found dining with friends at Maison Dallais "La Promenade" (before they were officially an item) - http://restaurantdallaislapromendae.com/ .  Now for mosaics:

I like it, two chick-a-birdies - could make a nice cross stitch motif.

 

 

And this one over the fireplace was rather striking - if only I had more wall space.  That's been the story of my life.

 

 

How's this for a neat storage idea.  Those old plastic water bottles can be so versatile and as for yoghurt pots - well, the list is endless.

 

 

Unusual eh? but how on earth would you keep it clean with all those pointy bits sticking out.  The small whitish pieces are actually bits of mirror and really catch the light.

 

 

You're right, this has absolutely nothing to do with mosaics but I'm a sucker for a nice chair and after all if you've "shot" it - flaunt it.

 

 

Well - that's it.  The party's over so let's slide out the back door before this lot sober up and try to rope us in for the washing up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Needlework Show

The Needlework Show is an online trade show which opened yesterday - www.needleworkshow.com/ however you'll be glad to know that viewing by the general public is also possible .

If you spot something you like simply click on the list of Retail Shops or pester your local needlework shop to put in an order.  You'll find all the latest designs showcased (including Mots d'Amour).  Follow the link on the vendor list for European Crosstitch Co and you'll find Long Dog kennelled there for all to see and admire.

This post is a bit boring without a picture so I'll have a rummage around and find you something in my dusty archive.

 

This is part of my garden last spring with the cherry trees just coming into blossom.

 

 

And these waterlilies were particularly beautiful this summer until Geordie developed a taste for them and very quickly demolished the lot - bless him!  By the way have a gander at the gallery page I've added a few more pickies for your delight and delectation. 

 

Mots d'Amour

C'mon, you'll have to help me here because I can't find a Google gadget called "scene setter".  Imagine, if you will, a hushed auditorium.  Are you with me so far?  The lights dim, the drums roll, a fanfare of trumpets blares out and then what you've all been waiting for:

A blurry photo of Mots d'Amour, Long Dog's latest offering!  It's a bit Harry Nash, what thinkest thou? Come a little closer, don't "bee" shy ....

Perhaps this takes your fancy .....

And for those of you who just can't help yourselves ... a quick peep of the rear!  More sensitive visitors are advised to scroll on quickly.

For the continentals amongst you who instinctively reach for the good old DMC red here's how it would look.

 

 

Things were going so well, and now my text seems to have got immovably centered.  Still, keep going, perhaps no one will notice.  How about one last one for the road?

 

 



Well, that's it.  The elves and pixies at the distributors are working flat out around the clock to bring this new design to a haberdashers near you soon.  Tweet, blog, tell all your friends about Long Dog's new wonder and leave me a comment if you're that way inclined.  I'm always in the market for a bit of adulation.

Now go away.  I'm tired after all this.  I need to relax - perhaps a little S & M this evening.  Yes, that's what I said ...... sewing and music 'cos there's nothing on the box that I fancy till well past my bedtime.  Whatever did you think I meant?

Come into the garden Maude ...

No - not round the front of the house.

Come round the back away from the constant crush of the paparazzi - it's more private and a girl doesn't always want to be watched when she's doing a spot of riddling!

Strawberries.  Delicious eaten straight from the plant, with sugar or even dipped ever so quickly in chocolate, or so the label assures me.  The variety is "Belle des Jardins" which should fruit copiously from next July until the first frosts of 2013.

Now what did the dishey Monty Don advise (my type of eye-candy - you can find him on Google if you're not yet acquainted).  Did he say cut off all the leaves?  I'm blowed if I can remember so by way of a compromise I've hacked back a few just here and there.  The long wait begins but rest assured the first fruits of next summer will be shared with you visually at the very least.

Whilst we're in the garden cop a look at my little fountain.  The blue tits love to drink there - no sniggering you Americans I can hear you from here.

That just about completes today's little gardening episode.  I shall leave you to contemplate what could quite well turn out to be the last roses of summer whilst I away for an urgent "riddle".

Catch you later.

Where it all happens

Welcome to my new office.  It's not very big but as the saying goes - size isn't everything.

Last night I finally got round to finishing off two cushions I designed some time ago and I really am rather pleased with the finished results.  Lurchers feature again so no surprise there!

Having managed to upload three pictures and all the right way up I think I shall quit now while I'm ahead.  A plus as we posers say.  hppt://pagesperso-orange.fr/longdog/  please do visit the Long Dog website.

A new beginning .....

Long Dog Samplers has been rather quiet of late for which I apologise.  My husband died last month after a truly magnificent battle against prostate cancer these past five years and now I find myself having to start my life anew without him.

My IT skills are limited to say the least and it's no easy task to find a computer expert who speaks English in the middle of very rural France.  So I've decided to go it alone on a hit and miss basis and start blogging.  The website http://pagesperso-orange.fr/longdog/ still exists with all my designs to date but as everything is passworded and very alien to me, for the time being at least, anything new to tell you about will appear on this blog.

I haven't been idle and there are lots of new designs waiting to be released as and when I can find out how.  For the time being I will leave you with a picture of Geordie in the garden looking imposing.