Say it in cross stitch .....

I'm sorry that I haven't replied to each one individually.

and it wasn't that I couldn't be arsed,

it was simply that I couldn't find the words.

Musicians write songs,

poets pen sad verses,

me - I just do cross stitch.

 

And NO Alice this one isn't available as a chart!

Count Your Blessings .... apologies for the slight delay .....

..... if you've read my previous post I'm sure
you'll understand.

Count Your Blessings is not only the name of this brand, spanking new design

but also not a bad thing to do from time to time either,
particularly for me as I'm at rather a low ebb right now
and need to remind myself of what's good in my life.
 

So far I've used up all my fingers (don't go there Camilla)

and am about to start on my toes.

Right foot first - of course.

 

 

This is how it appears on my computer and below is how

it looks when stitched up and photographed on a dark day

in a dingey room and without the benefit of an iron.

 

 

It measures 153 x 213 stitches so not very big as Long Dog's go,

comes complete with DMC and Gentle Art conversions

and will cost you the niggardly sum of 10,00 euros.

 

Splash out, go mad, treat yourself - it's only money

and just think what joy it would give to add this proud

beauty to your stash.

 

You could even add it to your list of blessings.

It's little toe, right foot on mine!

 

And for anyone unhinged enough to want to see it in the flesh it should be

on view at the TNNA Nashville Needlework Market being held

on the 15th and 16th February 2014

provided that the carrier pigeon doesn't get lost on the way.

 



MOUCHE 2009-2014

None of us like to admit when our children are less than perfect

and the same rule of thumb must surely apply to the

four-footed members of our families too.

 

Princess Mouche of Mouline has always had a dark, unpredictable side to her nature

which I have generally chosen to ignore, or indeed comment upon,

because the good has for the most part outweighed the bad.

 

However without the intervention of my beautiful Geordie when

things get heavy matters have sadly moved on apace

and she has twice tried to attack me in my sleep

with varying degrees of success.

 

After a third, and very frightening, attempt last week

and after much soul searching and discussion with the vet,

he said I only one option as he suspected a brain tumour.

 

Late this afternoon she was gently reunited with her beloved master
who's death she has never been able to come to terms with
despite the passage of time.

 

May I be forgiven  - wait for me at the bridge Princess.

A glimpse into the future ......

..... and the not too distant future either!

 

 

Next Saturday the 25th of January 2014 to be precise.

That's when the first new design of the year will be launched

on an unsuspecting public.

 

 

I don't somehow have it in me to tease and tempt at the moment as

my mojo is currently in need of a service and my spirits could

definately do with lifting, even a quick nip and tuck would be nice.

Life, in the form of Mouche this time, seems to have ambushed me once again.

So I shall just ask you to be patient for a few days

when all will be revealed.

 

 



We all had to start somewhere ....

Take your needle, my child,

and work at your pattern.

 

 

It will come out a rose by and by.

 

 

Life is like that - one stitch at a time taken patiently

and the pattern will come out all right like the embroidery.

(Oliver Wendall Holmes)

 

 

Or perhaps not!

(Me)

 

 

 

 



Sprouts rule!

I am not very often serious but today is an exception because,

ladies, gentlemen and Russian window dressers,

I have a confession to make.

 

 

I have, like most of the contents of my fridge, been on the turn for some

time and have finally decided to take the plunge and come out with it.

Sorry to disappoint Sandy dear but I haven't decided to bat for the

other side as I tried that once in my youth and it made my right arm

shake for days.  Nor am I thinking of taking the veil.

 

 

No, what I am about to give a try is becoming vegetarian (give or take

the odd fish or two) but without the optional sandals,

 joss sticks and cheese cloth blouse for the moment.

The Tesco's Three Bird Festive Roast was the starting point and

catalyst for my actions.

 

 

It set me thinking why anyone in their right mind would want to stuff a duck

inside a chicken inside a turkey.  Why stop there?  Why not a budgie inside

a cat inside the neighbour's golden retriever or for grander feasts perhaps

a badger inside a pelican inside your child's favourite pony?

 

 

I spent weeks channel hoppng in search of answers and all I could find were

fresh faced farmers salivating as they eyed up their livestock for the mass seasonal

slaughter,

 

 

celebrity chefs eulogising about picking the marrow from some poor dead

creature's bones in order to get every ounce of value from its carcas,

 

 

celebrities joking whilst gagging on a kangaroo penis which, incidentally,

was advertised as "japes in the jungle", or elderly diners sinking their

assorted dentures into very bloody slices of Rudolph whilst proclaiming

"you could cut it with a spoon - it's so tender."

 

ENOUGH1  Why oh why is it acceptable to feast on the often drug riddled and

chemically enhanced flesh of some unknown creature.

 

I wish I could say that I'm finding menu planning as easy as making the decision

to become a vegetarian but at least now when I say that I am an animal

lover I can put my hand on my heart and know it to be true.  And,

incidentally, should you need any further encouragement I also feel better,

my house keeping bills are considerably lower and my impression

of a 650cc Norton is coming on a treat.

 

 

More beans anyone or perhaps a florette of wild broccoli that has been

humanely culled and poached in a sauce made from it's own juices.

Bags I the pansy.

 

 

 

 

 

 



Here's one I prepared earlier .....

.... just in case I should be rushed into hospital on new year's
day, severely dehydrated and completely exhausted.
Rock bottom is not a nice place but it's given me time to
think so as my strength returns there will be some massive
changes to make to my life and the nice thing is -
the only way is up now!

I may not be posting quite so frequently as of late but post I
will and I'm trying to get a new design ready for the
end of the month, so please be gentle with me (as the
actress said to the bishop) - there's life in the old girl yet
and plenty more scrapes and adventures yet to come!

WARNING

Today's post may contain flashing images, rude words

and content of an adult nature.

Camilla, I only said "may" - it was not a promise.

Bad girl!

 

 

Over the centuries samplers have been used not only as motif aide memoirs

or as a way to introduce young people to the genteel art of sewing

but also as a means of getting a covert message across, be it religious,

political or just downright rude as in the above example.

 

 

The work of Major Alexis Casdagli has to be my all time favourite.

 

 

What a great guy, what wonderful spirit and the best sampler

message ever stitched (in morse code around the border):

 

"God Save the King" and "Fuck Hitler"

 

For once I don't think Long Dog will even attempt to go one better.

 

 

 

 



You may never know what day seven brought because .......

THERE WILL NOW BE A SHORT INTERMISSION

 

 

Major problems have once again beset me and my poor Geordie

has returned to his breeders as there was no other

option open to me right now.  Mouche and I are soldering

on as best we can under the circumstances.

 

I will endeavour to get orders processed as quickly as possible

and apologies in advance for any delays you might experience.

 

Please bear with me - 2014 has not got off to a good start.