Hi there. I love spring time, everything is green and luscious, the gardens are looking pretty and colourful and we have lettuce, strawberries and asparagus. (Three of my favourite things...bring on the barbeques!)

Perhaps you need a new project to go along with all this new season excitement? Never fear at Annie’s we have plenty of projects to tempt you and get the creative juices flowing! I have also topped up the suitcase which is full of $10.00 per metre fabrics....think shirts, skirts, quilt backs and bags!

Another big parcel of NZ fabrics have arrived in and it is a very good time to be thinking about those Christmas gifts that you were planning to make for friends and family overseas, as those posting dates do tend to sneak up on us!

This table runner kit called 'Runner Up' is a really quick and easy project to whip up, not too expensive to post and it is available as a kit (including backing fabric) with all those little squares cut for you right ready to sew for just $59.00.

We also have lots of kits and ideas for small projects that make ideal gifts and it is a good time to write “A gift voucher from Annie’s” on your wish list for when family members draw a blank.

The other quilt I would like to show you is called “The Story of My Day” by Anni Downs. This one has been made by Patsy who is a regular at our Tuesday night class. She has kindly loaned it to me to display in the shop. The book has lots of small projects and stitcheries as well as the big quilt and is $59.00.

We have a regular gathering of (crazy) stitchers on Tuesday nights and Thursday mornings and everyone is welcome. The ability to have a good laugh and tolerate the odd swear word when things don’t go quite to plan is a definite advantage!

Now...onto the recipe

Asparagus with Tomato and Avocado (Serves 8)

• 800 g asparagus, trimmed and blanched or steamed until just tender
• 1 red capsicum, roasted and diced
• 2 tomatoes seeded and diced
• 2 cloves of crushed garlic
• Zest of 1 lemon, julienned
• 1 long red chilli, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 avocado, peeled and sliced

Drain and refresh the asparagus in ice water, drain and set aside. Combine all the ingredients except the avocado in a bowl.

Layer the asparagus on a platter alternating with the sauce and slices of avocado, and repeat this process. Garnish with fresh basil and freshly cracked pepper.

That’s all from me, happy stitching!

R