Fancy That.....

Susie with our first Korean participant, Agnes Kim

With Susie Cowie's embroidery workshop over - our second in less than six weeks - we now have a little time to gather our thoughts and prepare for Rachel Hazell's amazing Book Art five-day extravaganza! The welcome return of a hugely creative individual who is always happy to share her hard-earned skills and enthusiam.

Looking down from the mezzonine at the workers

The weather has been less than kind since Patricia Roberts' crowd left, but the huge, light space of l'Espace allowed the embroidery participants to forget the elements for a few days and enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded enthusiasts in a safe and stylish environment.

Nancy Rignall's work in progress

Even the intimate art of stitching felt comfortable stretched along the beautiful, long oak tables; a little light music played on the newly installed sound-system from time to time, and there was the opportunity for everyone to show their ideas and and share their skills.

Felicity Shum from Selvedge Magazine displays what she is gong to work on

Lydia Esparza's inspiration: Diego Rivera

Nancy is first in line to taste Sheila's cakes

Our last afternoon always finishes with a High Tea - this time, Sheila Harris did the honours with the most delicious carrot and cheese cakes.

Jackie Jewezki shares a joke with Susie

Finally supper at the Maison de Maitre. One or two people were leaving early the next morning so farewells were said (and even a tear or two).

Next up is Rachel Hazell's Book Art workshop at the end of July. Sadly, one of our participants has had to drop out for health reasons so if the idea of learning (or improving) a hugely creative and original skill appeals, let us know ASAP and we'll pencil you in.

Meanwhile, dear ladies, check out a brand new website, The Style Director - a brand new site designed and conceived to help busy, stylish women find their essential wardrobe building blocks - without wasting time going from shop to shop or website to website. It looks like they have sourced all those luxury basics designed to stand the test of time, down to a handpicked few. With the help of their own style icons, each of the eleven categories features a "hero piece" with four alternatives to choose from. We think it's a brill idea that could save you hours of trawling through shops or the Internet and they would love to hear your comments. Don't forgt to put the site on your favourites list and check back from time to time as they'lll be adding and replacing pieces on a daily/weekly/seasonal basis.

Go for it!

A Stitch in Town

If you've been very busy in the garden preparing for the warmer weather and haven't had a chance to read your emails you might not yet have heard about Selvedge Magazine's Spring Fair to be held at their regular venue in Highgate, London on Saturday, 2nd April just down the road from their offices and shop. As usual, it promises to be full of fun ideas and great things to buy, and for the first time Les Soeurs Anglaises will be manning a stall.

So if you do make it to Town, try to squeeze your way through the crowds to our stand to say hello. If we're old friends it would be lovely to catch up, and if we haven't yet met then this will be an opportunity for you to find out a little bit more about our workshops, and to get a better feel for LSA's venue, location and hospitality.

Our events this year are pretty booked up by now, however Susie Cowie, who is leading our Embroidery workshop in June, and Rachel Hazell our super-creative Book Art teacher, will both be spending time with us at the Fair. This is a perfect opportunity to see and talk to them about their work, ideas and the sort of things they love to teach; and if there isn't room for your to join us this year, there is always 2012.

We've lived in this area of France for almost ten years and we thought we knew all the English there were to know round here by now; but then, a few months ago, we came across Jane Bedford, who until recently was running a delightful tea room called "Cupcakes" in Brantome a local beauty spot. Jane's baking and cake decorating skills are a revelation! She doesn't just produce sublime, bespoke wedding cakes. Her tea cakes, biscuits and pastries are to die for and we're discussing with her the possibility of her designing and producing speciality Les Soeurs Anglaises bakes for the workshops.

There's no time like tea time.

*Photograph of Surry Puffs by Rebecka Ryberg Skött