...beautiful submissions....

We know you would like to see some of the other entries to our Textile Jigsaw of Words competition.  Sadly, it's not possible for us to offer you all a free place on one of our workshop, but if you've submitted a patchwork piece and are able to join us for a workshop this year (where there are still places available) we're offering as an incentive a 10% discount - see our website; and 5% off any of next year's (dates will be available at the end of September).  Use the code TJW14.

Jane Whigham

Denyce Aresti

Denyce Aresti

Jone Hallmark

Isabella Simpson

We'll be posting more pieces over the following week as well as images of the progress we are making on the final quilt.  All and any feedback most welcome.

… a textile jigsaw of words …..

Judging by the feedback, our competitions are always a great favourite, but nobody enjoys them more than we do at Les Soeurs Anglaises.  It is so exciting to receive entries and emails and messages from all corners of the world;  looking at the beautiful contributions (always so different and original) and reading the stories behind them, just tickles us pink! and reinforces our belief  that allowing your imagination a free rein and then thoughtfully stitching an idea together with fabric or yarn, is a very special kind of meditation, something that - with the hustle and bustle of the world today - we could all use more of. 

So it is with great delight that we are launching our Easter 2014 Competition.  

With several new and exciting workshop leaders, who are involved in some way or another in the art of patchwork - whether it be the exquisite dyeing and stitching of natural fabrics Claire Wellesley Smith, or Christine Green's re-invention of the traditional patchwork quilt , we thought we would combine these traditional tactile arts and crafts with our love of inspirational words from the good and the great. 

Hey presto!  

The brief is to embellish a piece of your own fabric jigsaw (in the shape of the jigsaw below) with a quote of your choice; send it to us and we will combine it with all the other entries to produce a Jigsaw Patchwork which, if large enough, will be auctioned to raise money for the education of children from the poorest areas of Phnom Pehn (The Cambodian Childrens Fund).  Our workshop leaders will then pick their favourite submissions from which one will be chosen as the winner.

Entries should reach us before the 10th April 2014.

And the prize?  A free place on one of our workshops later this year where there are still spaces available.

Here are the template and instructions, and as long as your jigsaw piece includes a quote, and is the size of the template when completed, you can decorate each entry with as much creativity as your little heart desires.

So, are you ready to start stitching?

…. christmas quiz LAST DAY!!...

Most everyone guessed correctly that the beautiful hand-embroidered dress of Question Eight was the work of the delightfully talented Jessie Chorley.  Jessie is returning to lead another five-day workshop for us, Usable Treasures, at the beginning of September next year and we can hardly wait.  She is such a pleasure to be around, and a huge inspiration to stitchers of all levels.  Meanwhile her shop in Columbia Road, London is chock-a-block full of Christmas goodies so if you are in the area, we thoroughly recommend a visit.

Which takes us up to our last Christmas Competition quiz and we thought you should have something festive and easy.  This lady has been on the Crafts Council's list of makers since 1985 and her work has been exhibited all over the world (in fact she is just back from Japan!).

So whose Christmas stitchery is this?

Don't forget you can still enter all the previous days' questions as long as you make it clear on your emails to us  which day you are entering.  Winners' names will be plucked from our now enormous hat and we'll let them know by email.  We'll also post a list on this blog within the next few days.

….christmas quiz day eight…..

Well, despite some protestations that yesterday's competition questions was too hard, nearly all of you got the answer right - it was, of course the beautiful illustrative work of Jone Hallmark; a consummate artist, designer and crafter (and born teacher!) and she will be joining forces with bookbinder extraordinaire, Alison Kuller, for the workshop Stitched and Bound here in July next year.  Together they will show participants not only how to make a simple book in several ways, but also how to decorate its cover and inside pages with divine cut-outs, block prints and numerous other methods.  It promises to be a fabulous hands-on explosion of techniques and definitely not one to be missed by anyone interested in paper, journals and illustration techniques.

Meanwhile, here is 

What is the name of this little lady whose raison d'être seems to be creating (and re-creating) beautiful things that you can wear or hang on your wall.  Julie Arkell is one of her biggest fan!

... hop to it......

Only a little time left to send us your favourite hare!  At the end of this month our local talent, Billie Jean Spille, will be choosing what she considers the most interesting and creative facsimile of lepus capensis from amongst the many wonderful and inspiring entered for our spring competition.

Let these inspire you before it's too late.  Remember, the first and only prize is a free place on one of workshops next year (where we have places available and excluding transport costs).

sleeping hare by Mister FINCH

from Tutseetoys on FlickR

Remember there's still time to send us a photograph of your contribution.

And here is a work-in-progress that one of our followers is currently creating on a piece of our vintage hand-made linen.  If you're interested in purchasing some of this fabulous fabric we still have a few meters left.

A beautiful piece by the talented Martine Eckert

... we could all use some inspiration....

Here is a list of 100 different ways to enjoy our lives gracefully as we get older.  Hopefully there'll be something inspirational in there for everyone.  Alternatively, ignore all the advice and have fun getting older disgracefully!)....... Either way, we could certainly help you with Nos.7 and 97!

1. Celebrate every birthday with friends, family and champagne!

2. Practice yoga, stretching or Pilates to stay flexible, and prevent the aches and stiffness that are often erroneously attributed to aging

3. Explore the new freedom and opportunity that every age brings

4. Wear your hair more naturally, both in style and colour

(or, if you have the bravado,  do the opposite and be extraordinary )

5. Avoid obvious plastic surgery

6. Spend lots of time around children, to be reminded of the joy there is in play

7. Take a new workshop (try Serendipitous Sculpture, Sketchbook Thrillers, 

Text and Textiles or Knitting, Colour and Verse here with us!)

8. Wear less make-up

9. Quit smoking

10. Give up flirting, and be charming instead

11. Smile more, it’s an instant facelift

12. Travel often, especially to countries that embrace aging

13. Keep up your appearance

14. Walk everywhere

15. Finally learn how to overcome your personal demons

16. Accept that there never really was anyone else to blame

17. Forget what you’re “supposed to do”

18. Eat less meat and more vegetables and fruit

19. Learn a foreign language or do difficult crosswords regularly, to help stave off Alzheimer’s Disease later

20. Leave the dance club scene behind - it's for the kids

21. Show less cleavage

22. Embrace your age, it’s much more attractive than trying to appear younger than you are

23. Mentor someone younger, it’s a great way to help one another understand a different generation

24. Eat dessert more often

25. Learn to really appreciate all of your experiences, both good and bad, for what they’ve brought into your life

26. Forget what everyone else wants you to be, and be what you want you to be instead

27. Learn the art of graciousness

28. Avoid gaining weight

29. Have regular facials

30. Write a memoir, if only to remember what a wonderful life it’s been thus far

31. Fall in love with you

32. Assign each laugh line/wrinkle a happy moment in your life that may have put it there, remember the moment rather than the wrinkle

33. Reduce your alcohol intake

34. Improve your calcium intake

35. Moisturize religiously

36. Drink more water

37. Get dressed up and go out at least once a week

38. Wear lovely lingerie

39. Find role models to follow

(off to see my personal role-model, the continually creative Billie Jean Spille)

40. Set goals for 40, 50, 60, 70 and beyond

41. Wear trends only as accessories

42. Get enough sleep

43. Accept and love your aging face and body (remember how you didn’t appreciate it in your 20s, and now you would die for that body?)

44. Find the balance between trying to look 20, and giving up on your appearance

45. Only wear quality shoes

46. Spend lots of time with friends

47. Don’t be afraid to fall in love again

48. Take proper vitamins and minerals

49. Don’t dress in a frumpy manner

50. Learn to tango

51. Keep an air of mystery

52. See a nutritionist, and learn to eat for maximum energy

53. Splurge on cashmere

54. Do one thing every day that makes you laugh out loud

(our very own Julie Arkell - you've got to smile)

55. Avoid excessive sunbathing

56. The more ladylike you are now, the better

57. Sleep on quality mattresses

58. Spend your money on taking better care of yourself, and looking good naturally, rather than trying to cover flaws/signs of aging

59. Don’t hunch over a computer/desk all day, take frequent breaks to stretch (to avoid bad posture becoming permanent later)

60. Forgive yourself

61. Continue volunteering

62. Realize that you’re more than just a mother/grandmother, and live where you want to live, and do what you’ve always dreamt of doing

63. Now is the time to give up regrets, they’re too big a burden to carry gracefully

64. Remember that age does not give you the right to say whatever is on your mind, courtesy still counts

65. Buy classic clothing, of the best quality you can afford

66. Keep dreaming new dreams

67. Drink champagne more often

68. Good news~you now have time for golf

69. And bubble baths

70. Make it look easy

71. Don’t mention menopause, or your varicose veins

72. Appreciate the wonder of your children and grandchildren, and their many talents

73. Reignite the love affair with your partner

74. Tell people about the good things in your life, rather than the aches and pains

75. Redecorate your bedroom

76. Learn how to swim the backstroke properly

77. Hold your head high, and stand as tall as possible

78. Remember that you aren’t your job, or title, and start planning a roaring retirement

79. Stop thinking about how fit you once were, and be as fit as you possibly can be now

80. Write a children’s book on the most important thing they should know

81. One word…exfoliate

82. Learn to love kitten heels and beautiful flats

83. Keep wearing lipstick

84. Learn how to make the big family holiday meal on your own

85. Stop wearing mini-skirts

86. Less has never been more more than it is now

87. Don’t forget that you may be many people’s role model

(the inspirational Janet Bolton who we're thrilled to say will be leading another workshop for us  in 2014)

88. Show love and affection to those you care for

89. Learn to arrange flowers

90. Stop worrying about tomorrow

91. Go for walks after dinner

92. Now is the time to use the good china

93. Tell your children how proud you are of them, and name the specific reasons why

94. Add weight bearing exercise to your routine for strong bones

95. Make a list of the inelegant things you’ve seen older people do, and be certain you don’t do them yourself

96. Stop frowning

97. Learn a new skill that you’ve always wanted to, or just try one that looks interesting

98. Keep working part-time, to stay active and challenged

99. Attempt one thing every year that you never thought you could do

100. Make your new goal to live to be 100, with health and happiness, and live life in a way that will make it happen and make your grand children proud.

Rosa Parks at 92!