Hi there.  Well, the hills are covered in snow, the temperatures have plummeted.  We are not even into June yet, and I am already thinking that we are another day closer to spring!  Not that I am wishing my life away....there is far too much to do, but you know what I mean.

This week I would like to show you this little bag I have put together using this gorgeous Anna Maria Horner fabric and quilted using a variagated rayon thread from Mettler.    The top of the bag uses this amazing product called Kraft-Tex which we now have in stock in black, stone and tan.   It is a paper product that looks like leather and sews like fabric.  It is incredibly durable, and you can stitch it, paint, emboss,  embellish, stencil and dye it.  The kit is $65.00 and includes your fabric, lining, batting, Kraft Tex and pattern.   Kraft-Tex  is 18" wide and is $32.00 pm, but you can do so many things with it that there is virtually no waste.

The pattern for the Valencia Bag which comes with instructions on how to pre-treat the Kraft-tex is $23.00.

If you would like some more inspiration on what you can do with Kraft-tex, check out the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWlGw5a26ww

If you are looking for a quick and easy cot quilt to whip up, these Pooh Bear panels have just arrived in and are $16.00.  This is also a good way to practice your machine quilting skills (before you start on the queen size quilts).

Just a reminder that we have our Free Bernina My Guide training sessions coming up next week.  There are still a few places left, and you can see these details on the class page of the website.  This is a really good opportunity to spend some time with Bernina NZ's National Product Educator Julie Veck, and find out all the other things that your machine can do.

Speaking of reminders..have you registered for the up and coming quilting symposiums?We are really lucky to have these events in the South Island and I think it is important to support them whenever we can.

http://www.sewmarlborough.com/

http://quiltsymposium2017.org.nz/

Now, the recipe....there is nothing like a good marmalade - on toast, in baking or as a savoury accompaniment.

Grapefruit, Orange and Lime Marmalade

• 2 large grapefruit
• 2 large sweeet oranges
• 4 limes
• (or any combination of citrus that you like to equal 1.2 kg of fruit)
• 4-5 cups of sugar
• 10 g butter

Careully remove the rind from the fruit, including as little pith as possible.  Finely slice the rind and set aside.

Remove the pith from the fruit and reserve half of it.

Chop up the flesh of the fruit finely saving the pips as you go.  Put the pips and the pith into a muslin bag.

Put the rind, fruit and muslin bag in a large saucepan with 2 cups of water and simmer for about an hour.  Lift the muslin bag and squeeze it to release the pectin into the mixture and then set it aside.

Measure the fruit mixture  and return it to the saucepan with a cup of sugar for each cup of fruit.  Stir over a low heat until the sugar is dissolved, and then bring it to the boil until the setting point is reached.

Remove the jam from the heat and stir in the butter and let it stand for about 15 minutes.  Remove any scum from the marmalade before pouring into sterilised jars.

PS.  If you missed the Motueka Quilt Connection Show last weekend, have a look at the pictures on the Annie's Facebook page.  It was a great show, so make sure you make a note in your diary to look out for it next year.

 Rachel

Annie's Country Quilt Store

(03) 3076 277