Hi there another week rolls around and “Hooray” for daylight saving time!   We had a great weekend at the WAW weekend with the Nelson embroiderer’s guild with some truly inspiring work on display….as well as a slightly unscheduled sleep in on Sunday morning when the clocks changed.  You can check out the pictures of the class and tutor’s work on my facebook page.

Next up,  I am really pleased to tell you that Julie Veck, Bernina NZ’s National Educator and all round incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely nice person, is coming back to see us and hold  a couple of workshops Tuesday and Wednesday 25-26 October.  The first one will give you an insight into everything you needed to know about your Bernina overlocker and were afraid to ask.  Or if you don’t have one yet and are interested in buying one, this is the class for you.

The second class is for those with later model Bernette and Bernina machines and will give a great overview of how you can get the most out of your machines while making a small project bag.  Fabrics will be provided and this is a great chance to learn while you are making something useful.  (It could be the start of your Christmas present production!)   More information is the class page of the Annie’s website.

These classes are FREE and a brilliant opportunity to learn and ask as many questions as you like, but bookings are essential.  Call us or email us today to reserve your place as I am picking that this will fill up fast.

I have also just finished putting together the kit for this gorgeous Sue Daley quilt called Rouge Provence (62” x 62”).  The pattern is $139.00 and includes the Perspex templates and papers for the quilt or the kit which also includes all the fabric from her ‘Beaujolais’ range (exactly as pictured)  for the quilt top is $345.00.  We do have lay-by facilities if you don’t want to startle anybody else who may see the credit card bill!

However probably the best thing about this project is the step-by-step YouTube videos that Sue has put together to guide you through every stage.  It is just like have Sue sitting in your sewing room!
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGU6APq4lNQ

Well, I must tootle, as we are just unpacking another shipment of the very popular Bernette Chicago 5 sewing machines.  These are usually $849, but as a special until Sunday 15 October you can take $100 off, making them $749.00 for a really reliable machine packed full of features for a great price.  Check it out at http://www.mybernette.com/en-NZ/Chicago/Bernette-Chicago-5.html

Now, this week’s recipe is a good one if you are catering for a crowd, or just like to have something sinful and delicious in the freezer that you can whip out in a hurry as it makes a meat dish size quantity.  (Of course you could also half the recipe.)

Peanut Butter Brownie

• 350 g butter
• 350 g dark chocolate
• 6 eggs
• 2 c sugar
• 1 ¼ c flour
• ¾ c good quality cocoa
• For the peanut butter topping:
• 25 g butter
• 395 g can sweetened condensed milk
• 375 g jar crunchy peanut butter

Preheat the oven to 180 C and lightly grease the bottom and sides of a large slice pan or meat dish (at least 35cm x 26 cm).

Melt the butter and chocolate together in a saucepan on low heat.  Beat the eggs and sugar together and then combine with the chocolate mixture.  Sift in the flour and cocoa mixing well before pouring in to the slice pan.

To make the topping, melt the butter, condensed milk and peanut butter in a saucepan and mix well to combine.  Pour this over the brownie and run a knife lightly through the batters to marble the mixtures.  Bake for 25-35 minutes until cooked through but not dry.

Well, that is all from me this week.  It is hard to believe we are almost at the end of another month.  Where did it go?

Happy Stitching

Rachel