Hi there.  These days so much business and everyday communication is done via the internet, but I received an email the other day that was signed off “Make it a Great Day…” and it made me think.   So often, “Have a good day..” falls off the tongue, but I really like the idea that we should be making a conscious effort to make it a ‘Great Day’ every day.  After all, who knows how many we have left, and if I only have a week left I want them all to be fabulous!!!

I love to sew and somehow I just can’t image a day without stitching or at least thinking about it.  This weekend I am off to Alexandra to teach which should be lots of fun, with hopefully a little bit of extra time to explore the bike trails and the wineries for good measure.

I am also very excited to tell you about a visit to Ashburton by an amazing Australian quilter, teacher, fabric and pattern designer who we are hosting in August next year.  Katerina Hadjimichael has been quilting for the past 25 years and well known for her Jane Austin series of quilts.   She was also a tutor at our National Symposium in Palmerston North earlier this year.

The techniques that she uses include English paper piecing, fussy cutting, hand applique as well as a mix of machine piecing and foundation piecing.  This will be a two day class not to be missed!  Further details are yet to be finalised, however we will keep you updated through the website as soon as we can.  In the meantime you can check out some of her amazing work on the link below.

http://katrinahadjimichael.blogspot.co.nz/p/jane-austen-quilt-collection.html

I have just finished this fun quilt which is many in Kaffe Fassett fabrics, using a pattern from the new Quiltmania magazine Simply Modern.  This involves are very quick and easy way to make Flying Geese.  I am planning to hold this as a fun two day class next month – you can think of it as a pre-Christmas ‘de-stresser’ over Saturday and Sunday 21, 22 November with a Saturday night get together over dinner as part of the plan.  Places will be limited so register your interest today.  The cost of the class is $60.00 for the two days and you must also purchase a copy of Quiltmania’s Simply Modern magazine Issue 1.

This week I am also appealing to all you bag makers out there to snag a bargain.  We have excess supplies of good quality bag batting, so this week it is 25% off.  This is a great product, much firmer that quilt batting or pelon and ideal when you want your bag to sit up and take notice.  It is normally $24.00 pm, so with the discount this will make it $18.00 pm while stocks last.

On to the recipe….short and sweet today.

Fig and Walnut Log

• 1 c each of dried figs, dates and walnuts
• ½ c pistachio nuts
• ¼ crystallised ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cardamom

Place all the ingredients in a food processor and blitz until well combined.  Place a piece of cling film on the bench and mould the mixture into a log.  Refrigerate for at least an hour.  Serve as part of a cheese board.  This will keep in the fridge for up to a month and makes a great Christmas gift.

Happy stitching, and yes we will be open all Labour Weekend.

Rachel