Monday 24 September 2012

last of the summer wine....

As summer finally draws to a close here, I had the great privilege last week of meeting Ron Carlson, the celebrated American author/teacher who will be leading a workshop for us next July - our first foray into the world of top notch writing.


His novel, Five Skies, (Cinq Ciels)has just been translated and published in French and he is currently on on a pan France book signing tour.  As luck would have it his first port of call was Bordeaux at a beautiful vaulted bookshop in the heart of the old city called Machine a Lire.  

  








Just love this photographs of a traveling bookseller in Ghana.  Everyone, everywhere wanting books!  It warms the heart


And here is a brilliant idea, easy to make, for any of you who are planning to join Les  Soeurs Anglaises for one of our literary themed workshops next year:  An elasticated pencil pouch, with velcro clasp, to hold all your writing and drawing tools, in the most useful place ever.

Thursday 6 September 2012

... autumn nearly upon us...


Whilst the mornings and evenings definitely have a touch of coolness about them, by midday we are out and about in sleeveless t-shirts, and a dip in the pool is on the agenda.  Last weekend saw the regular village brocante, which seems to be getting bigger and better every month - which is great news for our textile workshop participants.  Here are a few of my finds....!


a set of pure linen tea towels with "CM' hand embroidered on each

a divine 1920's doll's dress



with matching slip, both embroidered with the initial "J"


an original nurse's apron from the 1930's



some unfinished smocking



 red and white buttons on hand embroidery



a piece of perfect stitching on the edge of a pink linen sheet




and finally a pair of stitched leather gloves for someone I know can make a donkey's ear out of a silk purse.




Homeward bound with my purchases, on a perfect French September afternoon, I came across of flock of geese in the middle of the road, on their way.... who knows where.  I tried to herd them away from the possibility of on-coming traffic and they finally flew off.... yes, further down the road!  I watched as they finally made their way to the side and safety.


 

When life is good here, it is paradise enow.....