Hi there. What a week it has been with yet another natural disaster hitting the country, with television news showing scenes in the North Island that you would have previously only thought of as happening in some other far off country. The loss of life is particularly hard to deal with. As a wife of a volunteer fire fighter with some 40+ years of experience it is a stark reminder that when the alarm goes, they never know what they are walking in to, and it is the same for all emergency services personel.

The reality for many people who are dealing with the loss or damage to their homes, properties, businesses and livlihood will only just be starting to sink in. As quilters, the thing that we can do to show we care is to give quilts. If you have a spare quilt that you would like to donate to someone who has lost their home or loved ones in the Hawkes Bay region you can leave them here at Annie’s. We will arrange for them to be sent north to be distributed to families in need. It doesn’t matter what size or style they are, but I would ask that they be finished and ready to gift.

In Mid Canterbury we have been very lucky to escape the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle and it has been business as usual with patchwork classes and dressmaking classes underway. Check out the pictures on the Annie’s Facebook page.

We have scheduled a two day class for the “Poppins Bag” on the weekend of 18-19 March.There are a couple of different sizes (Mini and Little Poppins Bags) and kits are available. We can also make up a kit for you in your chosen fabrics. (If you can’t make it to class, patterns and kits are available in store and on our website.)

Another Clam Shell class using Deborah Louie’s book and templates is also scheduled for April 22-23. This is a great class not only for making the clam shell cushion or quilt, but learning to use your machine, the fancy stitches that you never thought that you had a use for, as well as the memory systems as well as lots of hints and tips. More details about these classes are on our website. https://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/classes.html

Our next Woolly Stitchers Day for our is scheduled for 25 February and Free Cross Stitch Friday is 3 March.

There are also a few other events coming up that you may like to mark on your calendar where Annie’s will be a merchant.

10-12 March - “Quilters Shopping Bonanza” at The Makers Room at the Christchurch Arts Centre

19-21 May – “Motueka Quilting Connection Quilt Show” at the Motueka Recreation Centre

7-9 July – “Annie’s Akaroa Retreat” at The Boat Shed Akaroa (I will be taking the shop, and you are welcome to call in and see us if you are in the neighbourhood)

On to the recipe....a quick easy 15 minute meal for any day of the week.

Beef and Spinach in Oyster Sauce

• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tbsp root ginger
• 1 piece of steak
• 1 c button mushrooms
• ¼ Oyster Sauce
• 3 cups washed spinach or the equivalent of frozen spinach

Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the chopped garlic and ginger for a minute before adding in the thinly sliced steak. When the meat starts to colour add in the mushrooms and cook for a further 4 minutes.

Pour in the oyster sauce with a splash of water and then add in the spinach and stir fry until it wilts. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper. Serve immediately on a bed of steamed rice. (Serves 4)

Take care and happy stitching from Rachel and the team at Annie’s

03 3076 277

www.anniesquilts.co.nz