Hi there. It is hard to believe that we have been in business for coming up 18 years! So many things have changed in that time including our reliance on computers and the influence of social media. If anyone had told us 12 months ago that trade shows, travel and craft fairs would be off the calendar for at least the next year, we would not have believed them!

We have had a great team of people working at Annie’s over the years, but sometimes I have to very reluctantly accept that they might want to retire, pursue other career paths or just have more time for their own stitching.

In short we are looking for a new part time staff member who is absolutely passionate about fabric and customer service, and whose dream job is to work in a busy little quilt shop!

If you are keen to be a part of the team, email me, phone me, or call into the shop.

I have been busy this week posting out more of the Santa, the Tree, The Turkey and Me Block of the Month kits. I thank you for your patience with this. Shipments from Australia have been delayed and parcels are arriving in dribs and drabs, so I am sending them out as soon as they arrive. No one will miss out...it is just taking a lot longer than I would have liked, but unfortunately it is beyond my control.

I have been unearthing a few more things in the storeroom, and we seem to have a bit of an over supply of Kathy Dougherty’s book “Organic Applique”. This a great book with lots of great ideas, techniques and patterns for the adventurous stitcher who enjoys getting a bit wild with colour and design. Usually $45.00 (which is a great price) this week it is a steal at $35.00!

https://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/shop-online/product/2185-organic-applique.html?search=organic

The other thing I thought I would show you is this little boro purse that I have just finished using Bebe Bold’s Zippie Purse Pattern ($24.00). This is a great way to use up your scrap fabrics. I have used Japanese fabrics, but you could experiment with anything in your stash.

https://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/shop-online/product/2333-zippi-purse.html

If you feel you need to have something to look forward to...put a ring around 7-11 October as the Canterbury Patchwork and Quilting Guild are hosting their exhibition “Quilts 2020” at the Papanui High School. They have invited me to be a merchant during the exhibition, so I am looking forward to seeing you there. There have been precious few of these events this year, so let’s make the most of it!!!!

This week’s recipe is a good one for the lunch box.

Apricot Oat and Honey Bars

• 50 g butter
• ¾ c chopped dried apricots
• 400 g tin of apricots, drained and pureed
• 1/3 c honey
• 1 ½ c self-raising flour
• 1 c wholemeal flour
• ¾ c brown sugar
• 1 c oats
• 1 egg, lightly beaten

Preheat the oven to 180 C and grease a slice tin (approx. 30 x 20cm)

In a saucepan melt the butter, and then stir in the honey and pureed apricots. In a mixing bowl combine the flours, sugar and oats. Mix and make a well in the centre and then pour in the egg and wet ingredients. Mix well and then turn mixture into the slice tin and smooth the top. Bake for about 25mins until golden. Slice into bars when cool.

That’s all from me this week. Let’s enjoy the Spring time and take time to smell the daffodils..or better still the freesias!

Happy stitching,

Rachel