..... 12 things we've loved in 2015......

Twelve things we've loved this year and that you might enjoy...... The rediscovery of Sarah Moon, fashion and commercial photographer and film-maker since 1968, known for her dreamlike images and her representation of femininity as free from time and context. The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton. Seventeenth-century Amsterdam comes alive in this meticulously researched, enchantingly told tale    Claire Wellesley Smiths' divinely uplifting blog.  So thrilled she will be joining us next year to lead  one of our new Weekend Workshops Love the music of Blue Rose Code; Edinburgh-born songwriter Ross Wilson. At the edge of contemporary alt-folk, Wilson's music evokes a meeting of Van Morrison and a young John Martyn, both shipwrecked with a bunch of Motown records. We've long been smitten with the bijou, extravagantly expensive London clothes shop, Egg.  Finally it has developed a website with an on-line shop - a bit clunky, all things considered, but gorgeous photography and edible garments.   Yes, yes, yes you can buy yarn from almost anyone, anywhere these days, but Wool Inspires, a mail-order company based in Luxembourg, is our latest flame.  The latest Otto Lenghi cookbook Nopi, named after his restaurant in Soho, London.  What's not to love about these sometimes challenging, but always delicious, Middle Eastern recipes.

A film documentary about the life and work of Sebastiāo Salgado, who has spent forty years photographing  deprived societies in hidden corners of the world.  Directed by Wim Wenders, the film is unforgettably beautiful.... and with an inspirational message.

Introduced to us by a former participant, we're just bowled over by the boundless enthusiasm and creativity of Åsa Sōderman of Åsa Tricosa (her Knitting Masterclass weekend at Les Soeurs Anglaises is at the end of April - can't wait!) New York based Emily Barletta, whose embroideries on paper are compositionally simple but conceptually complex and beautiful, straddling the two worlds of art and craft. Our continuing admiration for the dedicated work of the charity Women for Women International, which supports marginalized women in sometimes desperate situations, in countries affected by war and conflict, including North Iraq,  and offers life-changing skills to move from crisis and poverty to stability and economic self-sufficiency. We believe women are the answer and are currently funding a W4W project in the Sudan. The curiously fab, mini animations of cartoonist, Moose Allain (And I've snuck in my personal 13th:  Susu and Carol without whom Les Soeurs Anglaises would just be work and not the joy that it always is.) And a huge thank you, of course, to all our workshop leaders who have been endlessly enthusiastic, and our past participants for your continued loyalty, your many kind words and most of all for allowing Les Soeurs Anglaises to thrive in these strange and difficult times.  Without you we would not exist, and if we didn't exist what on earth would we do! Best wishes for 2016 and we hope to welcome many of you (back) here next year! Katie  Susu Carol xxx