....seamlessly clever......

If you haven't heard from us in a while, it's because we have just come to the end of hosting an extraordinary fundraising event in aid of Women for Women International UK, le Fête de Boogie Woogie.  We always knew it was going to be fun, but the weekend exceeded all our expectations:  the quality of the food, prepared by Professional Masterchef finalist Sven-Hanson Britt and Young Chef of the Year, Spencer Metzger; the spectacular music, performed by Deanna Bogart and young Luca Sestak; and the general involvement and enthusiasm of the weekend guests, Gala diners and general Concert audience made this event something very special.  The fact that we raised over £4000 ($6000) over the weekend for W4W International was just the icing on the cake and we're still all on a bit of a high, especially after receiving such glowing feedback from guests:

  

 

"Well, it's back to the routine quotidienne after the classiest, most entertaining and most congenial fête I've ever been too. Can't thank you enough --- and les soeur anglaises (and la frere anglaise) and your staff --- for the wonderful week.  Everyone except the two of you was a stranger to me when I arrived and now, I hope I can say, is a friend."  Prof. Stu Katz, USA

"What an absolutely incredible weekend!  Huge thank to Les Soeurs Anglaises for letting us share in the wonderful life and venue you have    It was just as perfect as I imagined it to be from the pictures I had seen.  Not only that but to experience such delicious food and wine was a very special treat.  The music was a spectacular addition – what a privilege to watch such musicianship at work with Deanna and Lucca.   Everyone we met over the weekend said how much they loved every minute and it was a complete joy to meet so many fabulous and interesting people."  Liz Bunton, London UK

"It was beyond amazing.  I am still basking in the the glorious warmth of the entire weekend.  Everything was wonderful:  the wine, (although I didn't drink it, I loved Mike's comments,) the amazing cuisine, the entertainment and best of all the company.  What a nice group of people.  You worked so hard, Katie.  You are to be congratulated because you created such an extraordinary event.  Thank you so much."  Therese Minton, Boston US 

I can unreservedly say that I had a marvellous weekend, and would like to thank you, Mike, Suzu and everyone else for making it such a success.  You have a wonderful venue and created a great atmosphere for a relaxing, welcoming and thoroughly enjoyable weekend."  Robert How, London UK

"Wow!  I knew the weekend event was going to be exceptional, I just had no idea how wonderful it would be and till remain as a great highlight in my map of life.  I hope it raised a good amount for Women for Women, a wonderful charity well worth supporting." Sue Hodges, London UK

Following on through the summer, we have the India Flint workshop coming up (full), followed in October by Asa Tricosa's Seamlessly Clever Knitting intensive.   It's Asa's first visit to Les Soeurs Anglaises and we still have a few places to fill at this event so are offering a 10% discount if you book before the end of August and mark your application with AsTr1.  

On a personal note, I am expecting another grandchild in September and just about to start an Asa Tricosa shawl/Baby Blanket, with some lovely cashmere I bought from Loop in London.  Asa's patterns are so, so gorgeous I am hoping my daughter-in-law will be able to use the shawl herself long after the baby has outgrown it.  We know Asa will have all sorts of knitting tricks and techniques up her sleeve (forgive the pun) and the workshop will be a fitting close to what has been an immensely enjoyable 2015 season at Les Soeurs Anglaises..

It's been a long hot summer down here - hope you manage to stay cool wherever you are.

make animated gifs like this at MakeaGif

... lovely article

For those of you who don't subscribe to the UK's Embroiderer' Guild Embroidery Magazine (and you really should as it is truly one of the most considered, interesting and intelligent journals around for anyone interested in textiles and textile art), there is this month a lovely article about yours truly, Les Soeurs Anglaises.  Thank you Jo Hall of all your kind words;  we loved having you here and delighted that you found Rosalind Wyatt's workshop last year so inspiring.

…christmas quiz day three….

Onwards and upwards.  Answers have been pouring in, and our hat is getting fuller by the day.  But leave your worries on the doorstep and get your thinking caps on for

Now this multi-talented workshop leader really doesn't mind getting her hands dirty.  And when you see the results she gets when she does,you might want to give it a go yourself.  You'll need to search quite thoroughly through the various blogs, Facebook pages and websites to find the answer to today's question, but on the way you'll see some fantastic work..  So have fun.

The correct answer for yesterday's questions, by the way, was Rosalind Wyatt, our stitched calligraphy workshop leader whom we're thrilled will be teaching Grafted Words for us again next September.

... 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!

.... knitting our socks off.......

Makes a nice change to have some quiet time down here in South West France.  I recently finished knitting a wrap in cashmere and am now busily completing another one using up some old cotton tweed I had.  With the end in sight, I have suddenly been inspired to knit socks and/or slippers with other remnant yarns.  I taught myself to knit simple socks a few years ago and feel it's time to try something a little more complicated as they don't take very long to make and are incredibly satisfying. Here are five patterns that you might find inspiring - some more difficult than others and most free to download (though you may need to register on-site).

We still have a couple of places left on both Patricia Roberts knitting workshop in May, and Marion Foale's in October if you'd like to learn a few techniques and design tricks by the experts.

vogue knitting

knitty

ravelry

garnstudio

cocoknits

And on a different subject you might be interested in something a tad more upmarket, but you never know, coming up in April :

LONDON ANTIQUES FAIR

SPRING: 23 - 28 April 2013

http://www.decorativefair.com

... a few days to cast off.....

Well, that's more like it!  Correct answers came flooding in for yesterday's question:  For what celebration was Rosalind Wyatt commissioned to stitch on pashmina with the quote from Anais Ninn, “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom”.  The celebration was to commemorate a significant 25th wedding anniversary.  And what a lucky lady she was.

The name Marion Foale is instantly recognisable by style conscious knitters of a certain age.  Whilst still a student at the Royal College of Art, she achieved the honour of having one of her designs chosen for the Queen and more than thirty years on, she is still regularly zipping across the Atlantic to promote her hugely successful yarn and hand-knits businesses (Marion designs knits for Margaret Howell, amongst others, and her exquisite children's wear can currently be found in their shop in Central London).

So how flattered are we that Marion will be taking time out to run a workshop, Knitting Chapter and Verse,  for us next October!  A long way off you might think, but not surprisingly it is already filling up with knitting aficionados (and dilettantes) who appreciate a rare opportunity when they see it to learn from a master.  

So if you manage to be the first to answer correctly the question below, not only will you win one of Marion's exclusive scarves, but also a 10% reduction on her workshop with us - whilst places remain...

Question 10:

What was the name of Marion Foale’s partner in her famous fashion design business of the 1960s?  

Answer to:  katie@lessoeursanglaises.com