Coming Soon.....

We're this close to sorting out dates for next year, and boy do we have some great workshops for 2012 lined up. Once all events and dates are confirmed and uploaded onto our website we'll let you know, but we thought we'd whet your appetite with a few seasonal images of Les Soeurs Anglaises.

Rachel Hazell's Book Art workshop is next and we can't wait!

Fresh Bantam eggs from a local friend. Unbelievably delicious - just like eggs used to taste.

Thank you card from the lovely (and talented) Felicity from Selvedge Magazine who joined us for the Susie Cowie workshop. The little drawing is of our conservatory.

Some of Rachel Hazell's book art

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 Great Yarn

Well, the first of our 2011 workshops has just ended and what a time we all had! A fantastic group of women came from as far afield as Vancouver and Stockholm, Leicester and Melbourne to glean some of Patricia Roberts' knitting magic and share their own inspirational skills with colour, texture and design. A truly great start to our season of events!

Patricia's husband, John, joined us for the five days of the workshop and the 12 participants enjoyed a mixture of sunny and cool days. Luckily there was enough of the former to allow an occassional dip in the heated pool and numerous meals outside on the terrace of the Maison de Matire, whilst the less warm days encouraged hard work and longer hours in the studio many of which stretched into the early evenings, with a little extra help and guidance from Patricia.

Meanwhile, back at the barn it was all hands to the needle in order to finish the "glove project" that Patricia had handed out on the first day - each knitter encouraged to design on their individual pair a motif inspired by their stay at Les Soeurs Anglaises. The results were cracking.....

Half way through the workshop we organised a visit to the local marche and brocante (the whereabouts of which is a closely guarded secret) where various items of colour and delight were purchased to take home or use as inspiration for their projects.

On the final afternoon high tea was served on the terrace outside the studio

after which each of the participants was invited in turn to talk a little about their knitting history, favourite knitted items and finished gloves - another perspective on each knitter's personal "creative journey" .

On departure day contact details were exchanged and a few tears shed. As one of the participants wrote to us later: "I am still trying to hold onto the warm, happy bubble that I felt when staying with you. I can honestly say it has been one of my happiest weeks ever!"