Hi there, this week I have to confess to an overwhelming desire to turn off the news and forget the newspaper for a while as we reach electioneering overload! Reaching for the sewing seems a lot more soothing.

I am in Christchurch for the next few days as a merchant for the Christchurch Quilters Guild exhibition at Papanui High School on Langdons Road. There are a huge number of quilts on display covering a wide range of themes and styles, and the show continues until 4 pm on Sunday.

The star of the exhibition is this stunning quilt by the late Rene Briggs. This was her own design, hand pieced, hand appliqued and hand quilted it is a real work of art and a legacy which I hope will be treasured for many years to come.

Next weekend I will be in Wakefield as a merchant for the Waimea Quilters Exhibition Saturday and Sunday, so I am looking forward to heading north and catching up with family as well.

The next Woolly Stitchers Day which will be Saturday 31 October so mark this one on your calendar. I am working on this little pincushion from Sue Spargo’s new Home Grown Book, which I will have available as a kit (as soon as I get the sample finished!).

Before I forget, the winner of the $50.00 voucher from Annie’s for last month is Wendy Verry from Wigram. Congratulations Wendy, your voucher is waiting for you.

This week’s recipe is a very tasty addition to barbequed meats, salads or as a dip with a good quality olive oil.

Hazelnut and Sunflower Seed Dukkah

• ¼ roasted hazelnuts
• ¼ cup sunflower seeds
• 2 Tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp coriander seeds
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp salt

Toast the seeds and spices in a dry heavy bottom frying pan or skillet until they are fragrant. Remove from the heat and leave to cool, add in the hazelnuts and then crush with a mortar and pestle, or pulse in a blender until coarsely ground. Store in and air tight jar.

Happy stitching,

Rachel