Hi there,

Great news this week…I received a phone call to say that Annie’s is a finalist in the People’s Choice section of the Regional Top Shop Awards!   A very big “Thank you” to all of you who took a few moments out of your day to vote for us on line.  The winners will be announced at the awards night in Christchurch in a couple of weeks’ time, so I will keep you posted.

Lots of beautiful new fabrics and goodies have arrived in this week, including the stunning new Primitive range of Pearl 8 Eleganza threads from Sue Spargo including 25 new plain and 25 new variegated colours to add to the collection.  These will be added to our website in the next few days, but if you would like one of each, please let me know!  (Snitchers Candy!!)  Both the Eleganza and the Ellan wool threads can also be used on your sewing machine – definitely worth experimenting with!

We also have a new shipment of the very popular wool scrap bags from Moda.  These are really good value at $35.00 each and are a great starter pack if you are wanting to try your hand at wool applique.

We have a busy time coming up in the shop over the next few weeks with a Tuffet Class this weekend, then I will be visiting the Temuka Patchwork ladies on Tuesday to teach a class.  Next Saturday is the Wool class, and the following weekend our retreat in Akaroa, and that will be June taken care of!

On that note I had better get cracking and finish the kits I am making up.  One thing is for sure, life is never dull!

This week’s recipe is an oldie but a goodie.  There are lots of beautiful apples around at the moment and there is something very comforting about apple shortcake with custard, or cream, or icecream or all of the above!

Apple Shortcake

• 200g softened butter
• 2/3 c sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 2/3 c flour
• 4 tbsp custard powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 cups of stewed apple

Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add the egg and then the vanilla essence.

Sift over the dry ingredients and fold together until combined.

Spread two thirds of the mixture into a greased and lined slice tin and then spread over the stewed apple.  Top with the remaining mixture and bake for 30-40 mins at 175 C.  Leave to cool and dust with icing sugar.

Happy Stitching

Rachel