Hi there..I have to say that being at home is sort of a novelty at the moment after buzzing around the South Island for the past couple of weeks....that novelty soon wears off at the prospect of playing catch up and doing housework! However it has been great to catch up with quilters at the Waimea Quilters Exhibition, Quilt West and the Motueka Quilt Exhibition, and these very successful events proves that quilting is very much alive and well in New Zealand.

We are working with a customer at the moment to install an Bernina Q24 long arm quilting machine. It is probably every quilters dream to have one of these beauties in the back room, along with the time and the space to be able to quilt to your hearts content. If this is you, Bernina do have some amazing specials on the Q Series machines, both sit down (Q20) and larger Q24 models until the end of May with savings of up to $4000.00. The machines all come with a full back up service, technical support and Bernina guarantee.

Speaking of Bernina...another date to book on your calendar is the Bernina Road Show that will be coming to Christchurch on Saturday 4 August at the Heartland Hotel Cotswald. There are sure to be some great deals on machines and opportunities to test drive a number of different models. More details later.

This week...just because it feels like winter, we are doing a special on all Jesse James Buttons. For the next week they are all just $5.00 per pack (this is a saving of more than 20%). This applies to both Christmas and novelty buttons in the range, so now is a good time to stock up! It is also a very good time to think about those Christmas projects that you need to get started on. We have had a whole lot of new Christmas Fat Quarters just arrived in, so there are no excuses!

At the moment we are finalising arrangements for our Akaroa retreat. Unfortunately there have been a couple of last minute cancellations due to health issues, so we do have a couple of places free. If you would like to join us for a weekend of good food, fun and stitching with like minded crazy quilters, please let me know.

This Saturday is our Woolly Stitchers Day. It is $20.00 for the whole day and you are welcome to bring along your wool applique projects (or we can find you a new one) and join us for a day of stitching and inspiration.

This week’s recipe is an easy and delicious ‘tin filler’, afterall how can you go wrong with nuts and caramel?

Caramel Nut Slice

Base:

• 100 g butter
• 1 c flour
• ½ sugar

Topping:

• 50 g butter
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ¾ c walnuts (or your favourite nuts)

For the base, place the chopped butter, flour and sugar into a food processor and whizz until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Press into a prepared tin and bake in a preheated oven at 180 C for 15 mins or until firm and golden.

For the topping melt the butter and add in the brown sugar, lightly beated egg and vanilla. Pour this over the cooked base and sprinkle with the coarsely chopped nuts. Return to the oven and cook for a further 20 minutes or until the topping has set.