...... summertime time

We've hosted two fab workshops since our last newsletter. The first was a Knitting Masterclass led by Åsa (pronounced Awsa) Söderman of Åsa Tricosa fame;  we - and I include myself as I was lucky enough to spend a few hours watching and learning - discovered new and exciting ways to knit pullovers and cardigans, in the round, and from the top down which makes sizing and shaping sooooo much easier.  Asa is an ebullient and thoughtful teacher and one we very much hope to have back next year for a longer stint.           The second event was with Julie Arkell, our perennial favourite. This year she was helping participants put together a bird table, demonstrating papier maché, knitting and stitching skills with her usual flair and enthusiasm. A smaller group than usual but even more fun, if that's possible.  The smaller group also gave Les Soeurs a better opportunity to get to know and enjoy, the participants and our view is that in future we will try to keep numbers to a minimum.  More time and attention for everyone.           This last photograph was taken by a young and very gifted photographer, Alexander Hamdy who was here at the beginning of Julie's workshop to take pictures of the property.  The weather was only periodically sunny during his visit, but Alex managed to produce an album of detailed beauty and we can't wait to see all the photographs together on our new website in September.   The next few months are going to be quiet ones at Les Soeurs Anglaises - unusual for us during the summer months, but not unwelcome.  2017 will be our 10th year offering workshops;  we were amongst the first in this part of the world but are one amongst many these days, and our plan for next year is to shake things up a bit (or slow them down).  We'll keep you posted, but in the meantime we have a couple of places available on both our remaining workshops in 2016. The first is for the Celia Pym's 5-day workshop, Knitting Darning and Mending at the end of September, followed closely by the gently remarkable Claire Wellesley Smith's Dyeing and Stitching weekend event in October.  Both are formidable talents well-researched in the art of recycling, repairing and using cloth, dye and stitch as carriers of the natural and social history of place, heritage and memory.  We are thrilled that they will both be joining us and look forward to inspirational teaching.        To book a place on either workshop go to our website booking pageor email me directly We generally only sell our aprons in the wee brocante we have on site, but if you're in the mood this summer to wear a pretty, comfortable and one-off apron, we currently have a few of our wrap-over linen aprons for sale in various colours and each trimmed with vintage fabric, on  Etsy.         All the best Katie   7 things to check out this month: Visit Chris Manning's Pinterest page and wonder at her exquisite quilts.  Chris has been a participant at several of our workshops and we are hoping one day she will join us to teach her own quilting workshop. There's still time to join us for Lizi Bolton's Silver Yoga this month (23rd to 29th June).  Come as our B&B guest and you'll get your yoga classes at half-price, bring a non-participating partner and enjoy a relaxing week away from the stresses of everyday life!  Contact Lizi directly for more information. If you're around North London during the third week of June, we recommend a visit to GROW, the brainchild of entrepreneur Will Ramsay, founder of the hugely successful Affordable Art Fair, which is now a global brand with fairs in 14 major cities around the world.  There will be a myriad selection of plants and other garden ephemera, and say hello to stall holders All the Fun of the Fair where you'll find everything from vintage buttons to knitted cacti. We have long admired the machine embroidery of Linda Miller if you can't make it to one of her very popular workshops, you will find her and her work at the Contemporary Craft Festival, Bovey Tracey, Devon UK this upcoming weekend (10th/12th June). We recently bought 4 skeins of Gotland 4ply yarn from The Little Grey Sheep mail order company and have already started knitting a Julie Arkell original cardigan pattern with this absolutely delicious soft wool which is hand sheared, spun with care and expertise, and finally hand-dyed in scrummy colours! Voices of Industry offer organically grown cotton yarn for weaving and crochet, spun by a family mill in North Carolina. Their credo is:  "We consider the farmers who grow our cotton and wool as co-conspirators and friends.  Our work is an extension of agriculture and we care deeply about that origin."

.... bring a partner for free .....

Those Romans really could nail an attitude with just a word or two, as illustrated by their maxim, Carpe Diem. Let's face it, life is way too short to sit around listening to the increasingly raucous Brexit canvassing when you could be out there getting on with your life, learning something new and expanding your network of like-minded crafters/friends.  Now is exactly the right time to get away for a weekend of sitting blissfully unconstrained by "in" or "out" questions, whilst learning innovative knitting skills from someone who understands the important restorative joy of creating with style and colour.    Åsa Söderman's Knitting Masterclass  here at the end of this month (April) will provide the perfect break from it all, and with this in mind we'd like to make an eleventh hour proposal to our European followers (or from further afield if you're feeling adventurous):  If you book and pay for a luxury room ("B" with twin or double beds) and can persuade a non-participant friend or partner to just tag along for a taste of the good life they can experience the quiet joy of sitting around the pool reading a book or taking long walks in the beautiful countryside of South West France, free of charge, whilst you get on with the knitting job at hand.*  The only expense would be their travel to our local airport (Bergerac) or train station (Angoulème) - and having just checked out Ryanair, flights are still looking incredibly cheap.  Local transport, accommodation and all food for them would be included in the offer! Don't delay though..... email usASAP as we only have two rooms now available and we hate disappointing.   *Price includes a shared twin/double luxury room, local transport, all meals and the Knitting Masterclass workshop for 1 person.  Offer open until Thursday, 21st April 2016 only. KNITTING MASTERCLASS with Asa Tricosa 30th April / 1st May 2016 Suitable for intermediate & advanced knitters Following Åsa's Knitting Masterclass we will be welcoming back the lovely Julie Arkell.  One of our participants has had to drop out for health reasons so we can offer a place on her workshop here 1st-7th June.   No need to go on about Julie and her workshops - she's one of the most creative and generous and popular workshop leaders around.  Contact us for accommodation options now available. All the best Katie

7 things we've loved this month: How To Be A Craftivist: the art of gentle protest.  Sarah Corbett, creator of the Craftivist Collective, has published her second inspirational book on how to change the world one stitch at a time. A very good reason to visit Australia, The Craft Sessions website based in the Yarra Valley Estate, Victoria, offer a myriad of mouthwatering textile workshops. We've long admired Alabama Chanin's view of the fashion business and her Aria organic cotton, nylon and elastic socks are the perfect spring accessory.   Dawn Nicol's website is full of calligraphy treats both free and not so free.  Visit her website for 10 Hand Lettering Practice Workshops and sign up for her newsletter If you're a fan of Theo Jansen's exquisite beach Strandbeests then you'll be as excited as us to find you can now purchase small model versions to make at home.  We know several men in my family whose birthday presents are now sorted.  Forget the birthdays, we want to make one ourselves! We love the esprit de coeur of these two ladies, as well as the Maltese musician Ozzy Lino who began to sing along with them on a Frankfurt train last week.  Now that's community! Our bold and beautiful Silver Yoga workshop leader, Lizi Bolton who also happens to be one of Les Soeurs, is currently walking from the Dead Sea to Petra in Jordan, to raise funds for Cambodian Children's Fund UK, a children's charity we have supported for over 5 years. If you'd like to make a donation you can do so at Just Giving.

.... an intensive weekend of knitting with Åsa Söderman........

At the end of April next year, Åsa Söderman of Åsa Tricosa will be leading a two day Knitting Masterclass for us.   We are very excited as this will be our first foray into Weekend Workshops and whilst a weekend away may not seem practical if it involves long haul travel, with a little help from us you might be able to integrate the workshop into a visit to Europe.  And of course you would be welcome to use our B&B accommodation either side of the event to explore the amazing countryside around us and/or visit Bordeaux and the Atlantic coast.    We aim to limit the Weekend Workshops is to small groups of no more than eight so that workshop leaders ensure all participants gets the undivided attention they might need over this shorter period.  Åsa's enthusiasm, technical skills and knowledge about all things knitted, together with her infectious joie de vivre, make her the perfect knitting "enabler" for this Knitting Masterclass.  She will be demonstrating pockets, hems, waistshapings and wowza bust darts, as well as a variety of stitch patterns. This workshop is suitable for both competent and accomplished knitters. 12for2012 Yarn Bomb, Santa Barbara Not many of us have time for the seriously beautiful art of Yarn Bombing, but with the Global Climate Conference in Paris just around the corner, here are some of Åsa's thoughts about how all enthusiastic knitters can make a little bit of a difference.*   "When I graduated from high school my parents held up a placard (as is the custom) with baby photos of me with two "facts": 1. Who bakes the best "bullar" (cinnamon rolls) in all of Bromma (a suburb of Stockholm)? 2. Who knits the same sweater three times?     Answer: Åsa! "I've always reused and recycled yarn – at some times more successfully than others - wildly mixing yarn weights and trying to force them into service because I like the colours or texture.  Another way I use and recycle is, of course, the trading, destashing and restashing that takes place on websites like Ravelry. This can be fairly hit and miss, but the hits are definitely worth the effort.  It's simply so satisfying making something, both pretty and pretty useful, from yarn that would otherwise be hidden or thrown away. The best example I have is a partly knitted skein of Sundara Silk I bought from a knitter in the USA. I frogged the shawl that was taking shape and knitted myself a splendid shawl using my own Serangoon pattern."      "Below is a photo of a sweater I made with someone else's pattern that I have found too long in the waist for my liking.  My plan now is to unravel it and re-use the yarn to knit a design of my own.  Obviously items like knitted bags, kids' pullovers and mitts -  where the finished size isn't quite so important - lend themselves especially well for this kind of recycling.  Of course, always remember to do your tension squares before commencing!"      Spring is a spectacular time of year down here at Les Soeurs Anglaises with some bulbs still in flower, trees already in leaf and peonies in bud; and if it's warm enough you might find yourself stitching on our magnificent studio terrace.  We'd so love to have some yarn aficiandos here to help us celebrate our very first Weekend Workshop; if you have any questions about the workshop, venue or travel, that aren't answered on our website, please do contact us directly either by email or phone (T +33 553 91 38 40). Terrace overlooking the Aquitaine countryside at Les Soeurs Anglaises

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Katie :) *"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world;  indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."  Margaret Mead 1901-1978

It's been a long time coming, but to paraphrase the words of songster Sam Cooke, a change is definitely on it's way here at Les Soeurs Anglaises.  

We have finally uploaded our new website with all the workshop dates for 2016, and what an eventful and stimulating year ahead we have for you.  As usual, there will be our 5-Day/6 Night textile related events spaced over the summer months; one is to be led by returning favourite, Julie Arkell, the other three by new artists/crafters whose work we have long admired: Anna Kristina Goransson, Fiona Rutherford, and Celia Pym.  All three are mistresses in their field of excellence and we expect workshops to fill quickly. 

To stir things up a little, in 2016 we will also be hosting a new series of Weekend Workshops, for those of you who would like a taste of what we have to offer but whose busy schedule or travel arrangements don't allow a full week away. These are for a limited number of participants and will be taught by popular, past LSA Workshop leaders whose work and teaching we have particularly admired.  We suggest you check out their pages on our website, and trust you will find the possibilities as tempting as we do.

You'll find a lot more detail and information on our newly designed website.

Following on the heels of India Flint's highly successful event here this year, and amongst the Weekend Workshop leaders we are hosting in 2016, is the inspirational dyer and stitcher, Claire Wellesley Smith - whose book, 'Slow Stitch: Mindful and Contemplative Textile Art' was published last month by Batsford and is now available on Amazon.

So many of Claire's thoughts and ideas touch a cord with us at Les Soeurs Anglaises, and the illustrations of her beautiful work are truly inspirational.  
Hoping to see you next year

Katie x

a taste of things to come……..

Whilst the weather has taken a definite turn towards cool, and the leaves are beginning to drop from the trees down here south of Paris, we have been busy putting the finishing touches to our 2016 Calendar.  Workshop leaders and their dates have been confirmed and the new website will shortly go live, but we thought our newsletter  and blog readers might like a little taste of things to come.   We don't want to give too much away just yet, but next year not only will we be hosting a number of favourite creatives to lead our regular 5 day/6 night events, but we will also be opening the huge oak doors of Les Soeurs Anglaises, for the first time, to the occasional weekend workshop (i.e. Friday evening to Monday morning), something that we hope will appeal to busy working women whose holiday options are limited and prevented them from joining us before, but who would enjoy some intensive creativity. Join us for one of our pre-arranged weekends, or better still, why not put together a group of your own - it could be to celebrate a bespoke event (a pre-wedding "makerie" or a special birthday?)  then choose  one of our popular workshop leaders to guide you through a creative process; add some date options, and we'll deal with all the rest.  All you have to do is organise travel.  We'd love to hear your suggestions and can't wait to get your feedback about our new  website, which should be live within the next week or so - we'll let you know exactly when. In the meantime, if you can name the creators of ALL the 9 images above, (clue: not all have lead workshops with us before!) we have one of our much sought after wrap-over aprons to give away as a prize.  Send the answers to me and mark them SeptComp. See some of you soon we hope…….. Katie

a stitching season.....

No better Time to Relax and Learn

We keep our eyes open and our ears to the ground when we're looking for original and gifted workshop leaders and in October this year we are thrilled to be hosting a new knitting workshop to be led by Swedish super-stitcher, Åsa Soderman.  Åsa has almost 2000 followers on Ravelry (always a good sign of a gifted knitter and knit designer) and we are offering a 10% discount to our newsletter followers if they book before the middle of August.   This offer is also available to Selvedge readers.

Seamlessly Clever

14th to 20th October

Over the 5-Day Workshop and using Åsa's specially developed, top-down technique, you’ll measure, contemplate, plan, sketch (and KNIT!) a  personalized custom-fit, top-down seamless sweater or pull-over.  Take time to consider knitted pockets, ribs for hems, ponder stitch patterns and quirky design details; choose between smallish and wowza bust darts (or none) and waist shaping – perhaps a colour accent on the sleeve, a hidden colour spot in the pocket lining or a contrasting button band? But if that’s too many decisions, there's the option of sticking more closely to the choices Åsa has already made in any of her Ziggurat patterns.

tailored shoulders :: necklines & collars      built-in pockets :: built-in button bands    stripes :: hems :: cuffs

I am positively the last person to wish summer away, but the end of the season is generally a lovely time of year in south west France, and the commencement of cooler weather and rustic colouring outside, will be the perfect backdrop to discovering Åsa's fabled Ziggurat technique together with a small group of enthusiastic knitters, learning at your own pace in our wonderful studio, or outside on the terrace with it's fabulous views of the surrounding countryside.  And when the day's stitching is over there'll be time to visit a local brocante or take a walk in our splendid mature gardens (we even have a new Japanese garden in the making!), whilst we spoil you with delicious organic food and great local wines.

    

Do let us know if you have any questions, but meanwhile, we're looking forward to welcoming some of you in October for our last workshop of the season, always very special......
Best wishes
Katie

....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

.... did you know?.....

So did you know that coming up in Paris this month (goodness, are we in March already!) is a small but delightful textile fair called Aiguille en Fete Pro situated at the Porte de Versaille?  Not as commercial as some of the larger exhibitions we may be used to in London or the big cities, but well worth a visit for that reason, especially if you fancy a jolly in Paris before the spring crowds arrive.  In the past, my favourite regular exhibitor has been Craftica - not the most hi-tech or sophisticated company in the world but come an exhibition and they throw off their gloves and have buckets of one-off fabrics, left-over rolls and general haberdashery to thrill the enthusiastic stitcher, whether you be a dressmaker or patchworker.  Booking my train ticket now....

The extraordinary (and sometimes unsettling) crochet work of Cecile Dachary will also be on display at Aiguille.  I have long been an admirer of her work, and hope to have her lead a workshop for us one day.

As some of you keen knitters may have noted, this October we will be hosting the first Åsa Tricosa workshop.  Åsa Soderman has a wonderful blog chock-a-block full of brilliant knitting tips, patterns, mixes of colour and news, all illustrated with her impressively clear and beautiful photographs;  her joie de vivrepractically jumps off the screen.  You can find her latest, exquisitely stylish design - Ma Non Troppo, which, I believe translates as "but not too much" - uses her specialist, top-down technique, and can be found on Ravelry.  Seamlessly Clever, her workshop with us, has steadily been filling up as aficionados of her work get word, but we still have a couple of places remaining if you move fast.

  

For those of you more interested in mixed textiles and stitching, a place on Janet Bolton's workshop, Narrative Stitches, has become available.  Janet's workshop is always very popular so do contact Susie as quickly as possible to find out what accommodation option is available if you are interested.  Janet's latest book, Fabric Pictures, has recently gone to print and can be pre-ordered on Amazon. We suggest you put it on your Wish List as copies run out very quickly and soon become collector's items.

On the subject of fabric, I came across an interesting Californian cooperative of young and exciting textile designers called Cotton and Steel whose designs are probably more accessible to purchase if you live in the States.  However, well worth a visit to their website to get an idea of their unusual cotton prints and feel sure they would export to Europe if postage and tax aren't too prohibitive.
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Happy March mending.