Hi there, and “Merry almost Christmas!”  However there still seems to be a lot to pack into the next couple of weeks.

I am really looking forward to spending some time with my family this weekend who are gathering for the opening of my sister Kathy Reilly’s exhibition at the Ashburton Art Gallery.  You are all invited to the opening at 6.00pm tomorrow night (13th December) as this is a public event with two other exhibitions opening on the same night, so there will be lots to see.

Kathy is a very talented artist and print maker who lives in Golden Bay.  In the past couple of years she has visited Antartica and the Southern Ocean regions and her exhition which extends until the end of February focuses on her experiences and impressions of this very special part of the world.

Back at Annie’s….I have just returned from a successful trip to Melbourne where I caught up with a number of our suppliers and designers.  It was great to see the positive outlook for our industry in terms of new fabrics, ideas and products coming through.  Following on from this we will have more orders and more parcels arriving any day.

Just in the last week we have received deliveries of more beautiful reproduction fabric, Winnie the Pooh, lots of checks, spots and stripes, some brights from Jennifer Paganelli and Crystal Manning, and beautiful fabrics from Australian designers Judy and Emma Newman, and Kim Hurley from Lucello.
https://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/latest-products.html

We also have some beautiful new cross stitch samples on the walls at the shop with kits available from as little as $14.50, along with patterns, threads, linens, bobbins, lights and everything you could need for your summer stitching projects.

This is my version of  “Mary Norrie” designed by  Lucy Beam available from Annie’s as a pattern ($37.00) or as a kit  ($145.00) with  36 ct linen and threads (or the linen of your choice)
https://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/index.php?option=com_mijoshop&Itemid=124&route=product/search&search=mary%20norrie 

Our Bernina Christmas Sale continues until December 24th so let us know if you would like a demo of your new sewing machine or overlocker and be sure to take advantage of the 20% off Bernina and Bernette accessories.  (Some exclusions do apply.)

Don’t forget that we do have gift vouchers available too.
https://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/shop-online/category/7-gift-certificate.html

Now…on to the recipe and a summer barbeque salad recipe to liven up your taste buds.

Roasted Mexican Corn and Peanut Salad

• ¼ oil
• 1 tsp cajun spice
• 400 g tin sweet corn kernals (drained)
• 400 g tin chick pean (rinsed and drained)
• 1 cup salted peanuts
• 1 x red onion
• 1 red capsicum, deceeded and diced
• 1 stalk celery
• Chopped corriander

Lime wedges
In a hot pan combine the oil, spice, corn and chickpeas, and toss together cooking until the corn is slightly charred.
Set aside to cool and then combine with the rest of the salad ingredients, and then mix through the dressing.  Serve as a side salad with the lime wedges to squeeze over.
Dressing:  Combine 2 tbsp each of lime juice or apple cider vinegar, a tsp brown sugar and from freshly ground sea salt and black pepper and mix together.

Before I forget the winner of the $50.00 voucher from  Annie’s voucher for November is Lorna Fleming from Palmerston North.  Congratulations Lorna, give us a call and let us know how you would like to spend your prize!

If you are out an about in Christchurch over the holidays be sure to check out “Busy Hands Exhibition” at the Guang Yan Art Gallery in Christchurch on Riccarton Road.
“Discover the delicate cross-stitch artworks by Alison and Andrea Scammell, a talented mother and daughter-in-law from Ashburton.  Their passion for needlework spans decades, crafting beauty one tiny stitch at a time.  Visit today and be inspired.”

Have a great week, and thank you very much for your support

Rachel and the team at Annie’s.
03 3076 277