Hi there. The car is packed and we are ready to hit the road for our hand stitching retreat at St Arnaud. This is a great weekend away and if you are keen to join us next year make sure you let us know as places are sort after!

In case you missed it we having been celebrating our 20th anniversary of being in business in our little cottage on the Main South Road. It is really exciting when you get the presents! A special congratulations to Lynley Redmond from Pendarves who won the major prize draw and went home today with a brand new Bernina 325 sewing machine.

Lynley Redmond with Rachel and Marelize the winner of a brand new Bernina 325

Our other winners (who have all been notified) are:

• Heather Trist – Darfield
• Ann O’Neill – Alexandra
• Brenda Uden – Ashburton
• Leanne Thornley – Timaru
• Mary Mettram – Christchurch
• Lis Butterick – Ashburton
• Andrina Thornton – Rangiora
• Nicky Horrell – Ashburton
• Jude Stanton – Nelson
• Mary Jury – Ashburton
• Jo Jackson – Ashburton
• Janelle Pengelly – Opotiki
• Julie McKay – Upper Moutere
• Olive Anstiss – Ashburton
• Paula Gray – Southbridge
• Trisha Coffin – Christchurch
• Kate Paterson – Christchurch

In other news, more parcels have been arriving at the back door (as well as leaving through the front door!) with a beautiful new blue and cream range from The French General called “Bleu de France”. We have metreage as well as plenty of pre-cuts available and these fabrics would be also be perfect for Edyta Sitar’s patterns.

https://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/shop-online/manufacturer/159-edyta-sitar.html

We just received this very pretty range of fabrics from one of our favourite designers Anni Downs called “Market Garden”. This will look great for quilting, applique and embrodiery projects, large and small as well as for shirts, tops, or little girls smocked dresses.

Now, on to the recipe...we are never short of potatoes at our house (I am married to a keen gardener who also happens to be a potato farmers son!) Besides, if you have potatoes you can always make a meal and these Latkes which are much like fritters or hash browns are super easy to make and delicious for breakfast, lunch or dinner - serve them on their own, with some bacon, eggs, fried tomatoes, and salad greens or slide them into a burger!

Potato Latkes

• 1 kg potatoes peeled and grated
• 1 small onion, grated
• 2 eggs
• 50 g flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Vegetable oil
• Sea salt

Place the grated potato and onion in a bowl and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.

Combine with the flour and lightly beaten eggs and season to taste.

Heat about 6mm oil in a large fry pan and drop in spoonfuls of the mixture into the pan being careful not to overcrowd them. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels and keep warm until ready to serve sprinkled with sea salt, sour cream, sauce or chutney.

Happy stitching,

Best wishes,

Rachel and the team from Annie’s.