Monday, September 30, 2013

Workshop show and tell


Here are some of the wonderful creations made during our workshop. I didn't get photos of everything, I was too busy listening to everyone's stories of their work....
Enjoy!
































We made a Thank You banner for our hostesses...Jessie hung it up for all to see.















Sunday, September 29, 2013

Workshop field trips-les soeurs anglaises


We took several wonderful field trips to some of the little villages near by.



Inside one of the shops with vintage clothing and lots of embroidered pieces. I found a simple linen nightie to take home with embroidered initials on the front. Several baskets of linens with 5 and 10 euros each were my favorite spots for bargains. 


Some of the vintage work found at Ali Baba's brocante...


Local shop cat posed for photos...no fleas this time...


time for a spot of lunch....


This is inside Ali Baba's brocante-thrift store! A wonderful barn like structure filled to the brim with everything imaginable. There was a beeline for the linen and textile section upstairs, but there were hidden items to be found in all the nooks and crannies in every room.  It is a bit overwhelming but I managed to find a few embroidered pieces and Jone found me a great little tin that came home with me.


The amazing roof at Ali Baba's....


and hollyhocks still blooming outside.


On Day 4 we arrived at this medieval marketplace now turned restaurant for our evening meal.


 Tables were lined up underneath the tall wooden ceiling for Friday night diners.


Our group filled up a nice long table and we chatted as our orders were taken by the patient waiters.


We got to know our fellow travelers as we shared stories of family, friends, and favorite places. We even moved seats several times to mix it up a bit...


All the food was artfully prepared and fresh and tasty.







I think this was the original well for the village...no longer in use.


and couldn't resist a photo of a local cat enjoying the late day sunshine.


Then back to our home at L'Espace for more stitching and dreaming.

Friday, September 27, 2013

More from France...


Each morning we were greeted by a delightful and healthy breakfast.


Fresh fruit, croissants from the village, something different each day... always hot tea and coffee.


One of our favorite walks down to the main house each day for meals.


We had our own kitchen up in L'space for tea and treats brought by our co-artists...


I took a few photos of wonderful pieces that had already been made by some of our group.


Jone's heart pin...


Oolie's amazing fiber art...





Jone's creations...


an embroidered brooch made for Jessie by her mother, Primmy Chorley who lives in Wales.


Two of Jessie's brooches...I brought the one on the right home with me.. I think Marguerite bought the one on the left...


Katie, Susie and Carol talking with Susan about baking in the main kitchen....
More to come....field trips and show and tell!

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Les Soeurs Anglaises workshop with Jessie Chorley


We flew into Paris and then caught a train to our destination in SW France at Les Soeurs Anglaises for our 6 day workshop with the lovely Jessie Chorley from England.


Here is the main house where we take our meals lovingly prepared by the English sisters and friends, Katie, Susie and Carol. Fresh produce from their own gardens highlighted every meal. As well as yummy French cheeses, croissants and baguettes from the local village.


Our work space and sleeping quarters, once an old barn, beautifully redone to create a great place for creating, mingling and enjoying the views.


Inside with the big doors open...lots of work tables and room to move around...


And here is our lovely workshop leader, Jessie Chorley. She couldn't have been sweeter and her suggestions were always spot on. She brought quite a lot of her work to share and some to sell. I think most of us left with a brooch or two and loads of inspiration for future projects.


We each were given a vintage book to work with...filled with more goodies to use on our projects.


Jessie shared her threads and supplies with us.


And a fun bag of scraps....


One of her fun stitched pieces...


Our first gathering to get to know everyone in our workshop. A truly amazing group of talented women from all  corners of the world ...we all felt so lucky to be a part of this creative experience.
More to come...