Hi there.  Busy, busy, busy.........in fact my fingers are flying at the moment and anything beyond essential housework is on hold!   I seem to have a delicate 'unbalance' of too many hand sewing projects on the go at the moment including wool applique, english paper piecing, stitchery, cross stitch and the odd quilt binding that needs to be finished.  It such a good thing that when you are hooked on stitching, you can not possibly ever be bored or lacking for something to do!

Of course when you are busy sewing I believe it is absolutely essential to have a good light, and the one I have been testing out lately on my own sewing machine is the Sewing Machine Lamp from Daylight.  This is an LED light with a plug adaptor that you attach to the side of your sewing machine.  It comes with two very heavy duty stick on bases so that if you have two machines you can swop the light from one to another, but the best thing about is that it is  bendable  so you can angle the light to exactly where you need it when you sew.    The bulbs never need replacing, don't get hot and use very little electricity.  Believe me, it makes a HUGE difference, and you will wonder how you ever managed without one!

The good news is that I have managed to purchase a number of these at a bulk price from our supplier and I am happy to pass on the savings to you.  Normally the lights retail for $56.00 each, however  this week (or until stocks last) they are $49.00.  Be in quick as numbers are limited!

Another little (hand!) project I thought I would show you is this gorgeous little pincushion from The Bird House featuring wool applique, embroidery and just a few hexagons.  I have put this together as a kit with the hexagon papers, cotton and wool  fabrics for $32.00 or the pattern is available on it's own for $22.50.

If you are out and about there are a couple of exhibitions coming up that are sure to inspire, firstly members of the Ashburton Embroiderers Guild will display their work in the new Art Gallery on West Street  from from 1 -23 August and  the Canterbury Embroiderers' Guild 2015 Exhibition "Let the Colour Flow"  will be held at the visitor lounge of the Canterbury Museum 13-23 August.

Well, that is it from me this week, I had better get back to my stitching.

This week's recipe is a delicious one pan dinner that you make in the oven (less dishes!) and it can easily be extended to feed a crowd.

Pepper Chicken with Smoked Paprika

• 12 chicken drumsticks
• 1 onion, peeled and chopped
• 2-3 large cloves of garlic, chopped
• 1/4 tsp chilli flakes
• 1 capsicum
• 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 410 g can of seasoned tomatoes
• 2 1/2 c chicken stock
• 1 1/2 c long grain white rice
• 1 tsp salt
• 410 g can cannellini beans
• chopped parsley to garnish

Turn the oven onto it's highest setting and place the drumsticks in a roasting pan and cook for about 20 mins until the skin has coloured and the juices run clear.  Shake the pan from time to time.

Add the chopped vegetables to the dish and return to the hot oven until the onion is cooked.  Reduce the temperature to 210C and sprinkle over the smoked paprika.  Add the seasoned tomatoes, rice, chicken stock and salt, mix well and return to the oven until the liquid is evapourated and the rice is cooked (about 20 minutes).   Add more water or stock if needed.  Lastly add the rinsed cannellini beans  and sprinkle with choppe parsley to garnish.  Serves 6.

Take care and happy stitching

Rachel

Annie's Country Quilt Store

(03) 3076 277

www.anniesquilts.co.nz