Hi there.  Another week has rolled around and we are now another week closer to that dreaded end of year deadline, when everything has to be done or ready before Christmas.  It is a good thing it comes around every year.  I am going with the idea that on the 26th of December, saying  "it will be done by Christmas" might seem a whole lot more realistic!

However I am pleased to say that I have ticked off another couple off another couple of things from my unfinished projects list this week including this vintage sewing hussif from The French General.  This is a great way to show off some of your georgeous vintage sewing bits and pieces, and the hussif folds up into a neat square and is tied with ribbon when you are not using it.  This is available as a kit in either red or a muted  blue and is $94.00 including the pattern, fabric, cardboard (cut to size), D rings, ribbon and elastic.  The pattern is also available on it's own for $56.00.

Large boxes of fabric still seem to be arriving at the door, despite the fact that the shop is pretty chocka at the moment, and there never seems enough time to make all the samples!  However I am very excited about these new Kaffe Fassett stripes that have just arrived in.  These are $29.90 pm and look great when used in pieced quilts such as flying geese or log cabin to add a bit of pop, and they also make stunning  sashings and bindings.

I am looking forward to our class this weekend  which will be a great 'stash buster' and a great way to get to grips with Flying Geese using a very easy piecing method.  You can have a look at the quilt on the class page of the website  http://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/classes.html.  This pattern is from the first issue of Quiltmania's Simply Modern magazine, and I have more of this issue on order.

Don't forget to call in and see us if you are on your way to or from Dunedin to the Fleetwood Mac concert this week, and keep an eye out for a couple of other events coming up in Ashburton.  Firstly the Tinwald Festival Family Fun Day is on this Sunday in the Tinwald Domain with food, fun,  Father Christmas and all the important stuff!  Also coming up is the Longbeach Coastal Challenge on November 29.

http://www.longbeachcoastalchallenge.com

Now, onto the recipe.  If you are lucky enough to get hold of some fresh pomegranate, this is delicious!

Sumac Chicken with Watercress, Pomegranate and Walnuts

• 8 Potatoes, thickly sliced
• 2 tbsp oilive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp sumac
• 2 tsp rasel hanout
• 1 bunch watercress
• 1 c flat leaf parsely
• 1 c toasted walnuts
• 1 juice and zest of lemon
• 1 tbsp pmegrate molasses
• Seed of  1 fresh pomegranate

Bake the Potato, olive oil and garlic in the oven at 200 C until tender.  Slice the chicken and cook in the frying pan with the spices.  Combine all the ingredients and serve.

Take care and happy stitching

Rachel

Annie's Country Quilt Store

(03) 3076 277

www.anniesquilts.co.nz