Hi there, well another week has rolled around and it would seem that winter has come with it as we batten down the hatches for a good old blast from the Antartic.

Some really cool stuff has arrived in this week including this week including these fabulous animals which are a combination of paper mache and quilted fabrics.   The rhino, camel and small deer all have a personality and are $65.00 each.   There is a large deer head ($165) with a full set of antlers which would make quite a statement in any room.

As part of the ‘finishing campaign’ I have finally finished my version of Yoko Saito’s little flower pencil case from her Japanese Taupe Colour Theory book ($69.00).  We also have her new book “Traditional Block Patterns” ($72.00) now in stock which is very inspirational.  If you are looking for the Japanese textured fabrics for these projects, of course we have these too.   Just let us know what you need and if you are not able to pop into the shop, we are happy to put it in the post – in fact I think I am helping to keep NZ Post in business at the moment!

We have also just received some beautiful new cotton linen textured fabrics, some more fabrics from Amy Butler, more buttons and hand dyed threads.

If you have been “umming and ahhhing” about whether you should come to the workshop we are hosting with Australian Quilt Artist Katrina Hadjimichael (the last weekend in August)….this is the last call.  This will be a fabulous weekend focusing on needleturn applique, fussy cutting and English Paper Piecing (no machines needed), and quite honestly incredibly good value at $165.00 for the two day workshop with an international quilt artist who has won numerous awards for her work and is very sought after as a tutor.  But you need to make a decision now and book in before it is too late.  More details are on the website.

This weekend if you fancy a trip to AshVegas on Saturday, before you head over to Annie’s it might be worth calling in to the Fabric and Craft Bazaar (formerly know as Stash Rehash) this has been taken up by the local Altrusa Club and is being held at the Sinclair Centre on Park Street from 10-3.

On to the recipe….

This has to be the easiest Indian dish ever…probably even quicker that getting take aways and certainly cheaper!

Chicken Biryani

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 small onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 150 g uncooked white basmati rice
• 4 tbsp water
• 1 large jar of Indian simmer sauce
• Assorted vegetables of your choice

Preheat the oven to 180C.  In a pan cook the thinly sliced chicken pieces in a little oil, onion and garlic for about 3 minutes.  Add in the jar of sauce, rice, water and vegetables.  Bring to the boil and then transfer to an oven proof dish with a lid and cook for about 35 mins.

Last month’s winner of the $50.00 voucher from Annie’s was Mary Jury from Ashburton.