Hi there, just a quick note this week as I am busy packing the car (and the trailer) with goodies for our annual weekend retreat in Akaroa which is always lots of fun with good food, great company and some stitching thrown in. This year we have ladies coming from as far away the Otago and the Hawkes Bay. It is ok....we have warned the locals!

“Spikes and Specks” - by Katrina Hadjimichael - Saturday - Sunday 14-15 October 2017Just to give you an update, we also have some great classes coming up and there are only a few places left, so be in quick!

• Foundation Piecing (1 place left) Saturday 8 July
• RENU Recyled Clothing Workshop with Diane Dynes (1 place left) Saturday and Sunday 5-6 August
• Specks and Spikes, Katrina Hadjimichael (Australia) (four places left) Saturday-Sunday 14-15 October
• Tuffet Class Saturday and Sunday 28-29 October (still places available)

More details are on the Annie’s website http://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/classes.html

"Coneflower Foundation Piecing Class - Saturday 8 July"We are just in the process of moving into our new purpose built Sewing Machine Service Centre at the rear of the shop which is all very exciting. This means that we will have technicians on site at least five days a week.

We are now pleased to be able to offer a full test and tag service for all sewing machines and other small appliances at a cost of $5.00 per item. If you are planning to attend Symposium in Christchurch in October you will be required to have all items that you wish to plug into their power supply tagged and tested.

Well...that is all from me this week, I am off to pack my toothbrush and my stitching projects!

This week’s recipe is for a delicious, very rich cake that is huge (in fact I put the mixture into two springform tins...one cake for the pantry and one for the freezer!)

Prune and Apple Cake with Coconut Topping

• 2 c water
• 3 c pitted prunes
• 2 tbsp baking soda
• 250 g softened butter
• 2 ½ sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 3 c plain flour
• 2 ½ c diced apple

Topping:

• 1 ½ c soft brown sugar
• 125 g butter
• 2 c desiccated coconut
• 175 ml milk

Preheat the oven to 150 C and prepare the cake tin(s). Put the water and prunes in a pot and simmer gently until very tender. Remove from the heat and add the baking soda.

Cream the butter and sugar and then beat in the eggs one at a time and then the vanilla. Mix in the sifted dry ingredients, diced apple and then the prunes and liquid.

Pour the mixture into the tin(s) and bake until a skewer comes out clean. This may take up to an hour and a half depending on the size of the tin.

To make the topping combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and cook until melted. Spoon over the cake and then bake for a further 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Happy Stitching

Rachel