Hi there.  Well…….just think, we are another week closer to spring!  I am not quite ready to break out the shorts and tees, but my bulbs are starting to do their thing in the garden.

I have a couple of new projects to show you today.  The first one is a really neat pop up basket that is real easy to make and would be great as a Christmas present for all your sewing friends!

It has a spring inside so that it stands up nicely, and then when you need to pack it away it scrunches down and is secured with an elastic tie that is attached to the side.  This just needs one fat quarter of your choice and would be ideal as a scrap bag to have beside your sewing machine or for your wool and knitting needles, rotary cutter or for the kids to put their felt pens in.  The pattern comes with the spring, elastic and iron on violene for $27.00.   If you would like to make more, additional kits without the pattern are $17.50.

This little cat is also brand new from Cottonwood Creations.  Included in the kit are the wool felts and handmade buttons for the eyes and the star on this chest for $24.50.  I have stuffed the base with crushed walnut shells (available from Annie’s, these give a good weight to your pincushions and the oil from the nut shells keeps your  pins and needles sharp) to help him sit up and then topped this up with fibre fill.  You could use him as a pin cushion or as something to put in a parcel for a special friend on grandchild maybe.

Another thing to keep an eye out for is the new magazine from Quiltmania called “Simply Modern”.  I saw the first issue of this when I was at Quilt Market and it looks really great, however  because of the cost of air freighting them from France I have decided to wait a little longer and then I can offer them to you at a much better rate (due in NZ mid-September). The magazines will be $22.00 and you are welcome to pre-order it now through the Annie’s website if you wish.

Also don’t forget to check out the new pictures from our Akaroa retreat weekend on Annie’s Facebook page.

On to the recipe….this week is a versatile one that you can use to whip up a meal in a hurry.

Roast Vegetable Frittata

• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 350 g pumpkin
• 1 large kumara
• 2 large carrots
• 1 tsp crushed garlic
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups of milk or cream

Preheat the oven to 150C and prepare four ramekin or small pie dishes, spraying with oil.

Peel and chop the pumpkin, kumara and carrots into bite size pieces.  Season with salt, pepper and garlic and cook in a roasting dish with a little olive oil until tender.

Once the vegetables are cooked, place in the ramekin dishes with the chopped spinach.  Whisk the eggs and milk (or cream) and then pour over the vegetables and cook for 20-30 mins.

These are delicious with the addition of sun-dried tomatoes, feta, chorizo or whatever you have on hand.  Leftover cooked vegetables can also be used.  Serve hot or cold with a salad and some crusty bread.

Before I forget, the winner of the $50.00 voucher for June is Judy Wild from Ashburton.

Happy Stitching

Rachel