Hi there and Happy New Year! A new year, a new decade and lots of exciting things in store I am sure. I hope you have also been enjoying some summer weather and you are and making the most of getting out and about.

With that in mind, I went tramping with my daughter (for the first time in quite a while) and spent the following three days learning how to walk again! We may have overdone it just a little.

I have also been busy sewing with 3 new quilts just waiting to be quilted, and another one under construction.

If you are keen to tap into your inner stitcher it is not too late to join the Field Journal Block of the Month featuring pre-printed botanical stitcheries, beautiful hand dyed threads from Cottage Garden Threads and fabrics from Liberty of London.

Instructions on how to put the blocks together is included in Block 12, and this can be done in a mix and match fashion or with a single fabric around each one. Or you can get creative and think about diamond blocks, hexagons, log cabin...the sky is the limit! You also have hard copies of the designs so you can use them again and again for other projects.

There are more details about this BOM on the Annie’s website or you are welcome to give us a call at the shop. https://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/shop-online/product/2100-field-journal-club-bom-price-per-month.html

I have to tell you that my new favourite thing is Sewing Machine Mat from Yazzii. I have to confess that when I sew there is usually stuff everywhere. With the Yazzi mat, you not only keep your machine stable, but with 5 zip pockets in the front for scissors, bobbins, extra thread, needles and all the other necessaries are all right in from of you along with a very handy pin cushion.

The best thing about it is that is you pack your sewing machine away, the mat folds up into a neat square with your goodies securely inside. This fastens with a large velcro tab and then you can pop the whole thing into the pocket of your machine cover or into the draw of your Horn Cabinet.

Did I mention that we sell Horn Cabinets? The shop is not quite big enough to have a display, but they are available. www.sewingcabinets.co.nz

This weekend we are exciting to be hosting another Bunny Class with Griet Lombard, and then next weekend will be the Glamorous Clams Cushion. The first Woolly Stitchers day for this year will be Saturday 8th February.

Before I forget the winner of the $50.00 voucher from Annie’s is Maria Rohs from Christchurch. Congratulations Maria, your voucher is waiting for you.

Now...onto the recipe.

Sometimes it is nice to have a change from the usual lettuce salad, and this coleslaw is fresh and tasty with a bit of kick to it.

Chilli, Coriander and Lime Coleslaw

• ¼ each of a small red and green cabbage
• 2 radish
• 1 carrot
• 4 spring onions
• ½ c coriander
• ¼ mayonnaise
• ¼ lime juice
• 2 chilli

Finely slice all the salad ingredients. Combine the mayonnaise, and lime juice and then toss through the salad with salt and pepper to taste.

Happy stitching,

Rachel

Annie’s CQS