Hi there and a pinch and a punch for the first of the month! I hope you have your fancy china, tea and tiny cakes ready to celebrate the Queen’s birthday on Monday...but if not you can always come shopping at Annie’s as we will be open all day!

This week I thought I would show you this gorgeous giraffe from Tilda who is the newest addition to the family. She is available as two separate kits, the first one is for the body and the little pink knickers ($34.00) and the second is for the overalls ($24.00).

We also have some great bargains on 'specials' fabrics...these are now just $10.00 per metre with some great kids prints, pretty florals and a general pick and mix. These would be great for quilt backings as well. This fabric is ridiculously cheap (actually well below cost, don’t tell the accountant!), but I need the space so they have got to go, so don’t miss out!

Well...I must dash as there seems like there are a million things to do today.

This week’s recipe is for a delicious cake which I sampled when I was in Palmerston North and kindly shared by my friend Elana. It is also very good if you substitute the orange for lemon.

Elana’s Orange Cake

Place a whole (unpeeled) orange in the food processor and whizz until smooth. Then add -

• 180 g melted butter
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup caster sugar
• 1 ½ cups self-raising flour

Process again until smooth and then bake for about 40 minutes at 180 C.

Ice with lemon cream cheese butter icing when cool.

Happy Stitching

Rachel