Hi there, well it is almost time to ice the Christmas cake and put the last few stitches in those handmade gifts wind up Michael Buble or Cliff Richards on the stereo and quality test the brandy.

It will be a very different Christmas for us this year with all the kids away, so I am making plans for a mid-winter Christmas when we can all be together later in the year – I may even put the tree up then!

Don’t forget that all our Christmas decorations in the shop are 50% off, this includes battery operated tea lights which are now $1.80 these last for ages and are much safer than candles.

For those of you with friends and family overseas, sometimes it doesn’t hurt to send them a little taste of kiwiana to remind them where home is.  I have just finished this little quilt using pre-cut 5” squares.  It measures 42” x 42” and is quick and easy to do.  I have put it together as a kit with everything for the quilt top and the pattern for $59.00 and if you want to make a bigger quilt you could buy two kits or we have extra charm squares and NZ fabrics on the bolt as well.

Lots of new fabric has arrived in lately including these stunning prints from Tim Holtz which he has added to his Eclectic Elements range and is $29.90 pm.  It features birds, insects, writing and co-ordinating geometric patterns that have a whimsical vintage feel about them and co-ordinate perfectly with the fabrics he has previously released.  Apart from quilts, (although some of the fabrics are so pretty it would be a shame to cut them up!) I am thinking journal covers, cushions and bags.  The good thing about these fabrics is that they are fairly gender neutral, so would make stunning quilts and soft furnishing for everyone in the family!

http://timholtz.com/prod_cat/full-collection-1/

More Kaffe Fassett fabric has also arrived in along with a number of lots of gorgeous reproduction prints. Also on the courier this week, the new Frankie magazine (good holiday reading), rusty stars and bird houses, more Sue Spargo threads, and I have a couple of copies left of Sue’s Stitches to Savour book left, but you will need to be in quick for this one ( more stocks arriving early February).

If you are passionate about fabric and customer service and you are looking for a new direction in 2016 we are looking for some more part time staff, so mull it over as you are sipping the Christmas brandy and let me know if you are interested in being part of the busy team at Annie’s.  I would love to hear from you.  (Keep in mind that the commute from Auckland is a bit of a grind, but Mid Canterbury is not a bad place to live!)

This week’s recipe is for some tasty biscuits that are perfect with a cup of tea, or you could decorate them with some melted white chocolate squiggled across and they would make a perfect gift with the addition of a little cellophane and a bow.

Apricot and Ginger Cookies

• 2 c plain flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 c rolled oats
• 2/3 c brown sugar
• 250 gm glace ginger
• 2/3 c dried apricot
• 160 g butter (melted)
• 2 eggs

Preheat the oven to 180C.  Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.  Make a well in the centre and stir in the butter and egg.  Mix well and then form into balls and place on an oven tray allowing room for spreading.  Bake for 15-18 mins until golden.  Decorate with melted white chocolate when cool if desired.