Hi there. I hope you are all feeling suitably regal after celebrating the King’s Birthday, but I still can’t help feeling that it all sounds a bit weird as most of us have never known anything other than it being a salute to the Queen. Aside from that a day off is a day off, and I hope you managed to get together with family and possible get a little stitching done.

For me “getting a little stitching done” is a bit of a conundrum as to which hand piecing project I pick up first with a number of embroidery, cross stitch and English paper piecing projects on the go at once Unfortunately (or fortunately) I seem to have a love for a lot of the gorgeous projects that take wayyyyyy too long to complete! Maybe I will have to start displaying Phd’s (Projects Half Done) in the shop so you get the idea. In the meantime I am going with the idea that sleep is over-rated!!

I do have two new Block of the Month quilts almost ready to show you, so stay tuned. It has been very busy with classes, retreats, shows and a couple of staff members taking long overdue trips overseas to see friends and family, so if I look a little stressed...just remind me to breathe!

If you a looking for a new sewing machine and like a little bit of fancy, Bernina NZ have just released the new Kaffe 570 machine which comes with a number of special Kaffe designed special embroidery stitches. If you are keen to try your hand at machine embroidery this is a good time to buy as the embroidery units are half price when you purchase this Special Edition machine. We also have one last Kaffe 770 Special Edition machine still available, so be quick for this one.

https://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/shop-online/product/3914-bernina-570-qe-kaffe-edition.html

What is new in store.....well we have had lots new fabrics arrive, including Kathy Doughty’s new “Swatch Bird” range by Figo Fabrics which matches up beautifully with her new Embroidery panel featuring exotic birds. This would make a stunning accompaniment to her previous diamond shape piece that is stitched in Pearl 8 threads, either as a cushion, bag panel or a centre medallion of a quilt. These pre-printed panel as $32.00 each.

Also brand new is this very beautiful French inspired range from another Australian designer Kim Hurley from Lucello. This is called “St Etienne” and includes reproduced antique florals, borders, small prints, and toilles that make you wish you were wandering around Paris checking out the flea markets and visiting the museums, café’s and galleries. This is available as meterage ($32.00 pm), fat quarter and 1/8th bundles, and as soon as I decide which pattern I am going to make it up in, there will be a kit!

https://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/shop-online/category/64-st-etienne-by-l-uccello.html

Several new books have arrived including “Twists and Turn Quilts” by Cinzia White ($59.90), “Chirp” ($39.90) and “Forest for the Trees” ($59.90) by Sue Spargo and these have been added to the website.

https://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/latest-products.html

Now...onto the recipe...this is a good recipe for using what it is the cupboard and the fridge to create some tasty winter comfort food. Swop out the meat and vegetables for what you have on hand.

Tomato and Sausage Baked Risotto

• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• ½ c water
• 1 c Arborio rice
• 2 x 400 g tins crushed tomatoes
• ½ chopped capsicum
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 c chicken stock
• 4 sausages
• 1 c grated cheese
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley
• 200 g frozen peas
• Heat the oven to 170C.

Heat the oil in a large cast iron frying pan or oven proof pot, and cook the onion and garlic until softened and then add in the rice and stir for 2 minutes until lightly toasted. Add in the water, tomatoes, vegetables, stock and seasonings. Add in extra water if needed. Cover and cook for 50 minutes or until the rice is tender. Brown the sausages on a tray in the oven, and then cut them into thirds.

When the risotto is almost cooked poke the sausage pieces into the pan and top with grated cheese and grill for a few minutes until golden. Top with the chopped parsley and serve.

Happy stitching,

Best wishes,

Rachel and the team from Annie’s.