Hi there. This year seems to be whizzing by as we are out the other side of another lot of school holidays and almost into Spring with calving well under way on many farms around Ashburton.

One of the more unusual requests in the shop today was for elastic to make calf necklaces. Not quite as strange as it seems when the elastic carries an ear tag and this is put around the animal’s neck when it is picked up out of the paddock.

Last weekend we had a great time in Akaroa for our annual stitching retreat with a full house and loads of creativity and enthusiasm. We are already making plans for next year!

One of our new projects was this very cute set of three pincushions which are set on top of wooden cotton reels. This is a Marg Low design and we have it available as a kit with the cotton reels, felt and thread for $23.00.

The other thing I am excited to tell you about is the new book from another Australian designer, tutor, quilter and Bernina ambassador Deborah Louie. (You may know of her from her Glamorous Clams pattern).

Deborah’s new book is an essential for any quilter with a domestic sewing machine. It is packed full of information on everything from how to lay out your quilt, what tension and stitch length to use, how to know the difference between thread weights and needles as well as practical hints and tips right the way through. A full size quilt pattern is also included in the book.

I honestly can’t recommend this book highly enough – it is an easy read and even if you have been quilting for decades I am sure you there are still things to be learned from this book. It is $59.90 and is a must for every sewing room!

Anyway...onto the recipe – a request. This is for the cheese ball that I make to have as part of our Friday night nibbles at the Boat Shed in Akaroa for our retreat.

Annie’s Cheese Ball

• 250 g pottle of traditional cream cheese (not the spreadable one)
• 1 tsp Worchester sauce
• 1 finely chopped onion
• 1 tbsp of parsley or chives
• 1 c grated cheese
• 2 tbsp tomato sauce
• ¼ tsp ground pepper
• Chopped walnuts to coat

Place all the ingredients except the chopped walnuts in a food processor and blend until smooth. Form into a ball (or two smaller ones) and coat with the nuts. Place in the fridge to firm up until required. Serve with crackers or as part of a cheese board.

Happy stitching

Rachel

Annie’s Country Quilt Store

03 3076 277

www.anniesquilts.co.nz