And there it was - gone!

The other day I set out in search of The Work Box

which was a great little needlework and craft shop

situated on Timber Hill in Norwich and to my great dismay

it appears to have ceased trading.

 

Gone, but not forgotten especially by me.

The premises remain the same, but empty except for a few

old cardboard boxes and the usual pile of junk mail

and flyers.  I had a particularly soft spot for this shop

as Helen Orrick and her mother were the first people

to show faith in my work and stock Long Dog Designs

as they were called back in the day.

 

All Things before it's sibling All Things II existed or was even a twinkle in my eye.

They took my entire range which consisted of

five designs, very crudely packaged and,

if I'm honest, not very well produced either.

Well we all have to start somewhere.

 

See the date?  Not only last century, but last milennia!  God I feel old.

The range consisted of  the ever popular All Things Bright & Beautiful,

and Birds of a Feather (the original currently hangs in the loo

back at the chateau).  I mustn't forget it when I finally move out.

 

It's still on my "to do" list.

Then there was Time & Tide, the only Long Dog I've never to this

day got around to stitching, and The Wish which started off

as a black on white mono.  It looked so bloody funereal, even

by my standards, so I redesigned it in Gentle Art colours

which cheered the poor thing up no end.

 

That's a bit better.

Which brings us to Number Five - The Pearlies.

It was a rather twee little row of men and women all dressed

as pearlie kings and queens and covered in tiny pearl beads.

My Cockney roots were definately showing the day I dreamed

that one up and I have to admit it was not my finest hour.

You get the gist.

 

 I have a picture somewhere, as I know full well you all like

a good laugh, but you'll just have to wait a bit as I'm

currently living out of suitcases and boxes and a

preliminary search has failed to find the CD I saved it on.

Patience ladies, gentlemen and members of the

Scottish National Party, all will one day be revealed.

 

In the meantime RIP The Work Box

and bonne chance Helen Orrick and Mummy Orrick

wherever you are.  I miss you.