Hi there. Wouldn’t it be nice to think that in 200 years someone might still value our quilts, cross stitch or needlework? It is probably time to put in some work training the off-spring!

Last week I had a most enjoyable couple of days stitching with Motueka quilting ladies as we learned some more about Boro and Sashiko, and combining these techniques to give them your own twist. (“Hello” to Jenny Green who only reads the recipe part of my newsletters!)

Anyway...on our way home I called into my favourite antique shop in Richmond and was lucky enough to purchase two beautiful antique cross stitch samplers from the 1820’s which are real treasures. It makes you wonder what people will collect from our generation, hopefully not just mobile phones and i-pads!

This is another quilt that rolled off the sewing machine recently mainly featuring fabrics from Anna Maria Horner along with shot cottons and a border from Kaffe Fassett to complete the garden. Called “Anna’s Garden” the pattern ($23.00) is from Australian Designer Lynne Wilson and allows you to have fun with fussy cutting fabrics to achieve lots of secondary designs. A 4 ½” acrylic template is also available ($23.00) to go with this pattern. It is not essential, but it does make life easier!

We have lots of Anna Maria Horner fabric in stock and we have just received a huge shipment to top quality shot cotton fabrics from Danish fabric company Stof.

These are 152 cm (60”) wide and are perfect for using with brights or reproduction fabrics in quilts, bags and wall hangings or for shirts, tops, tunics and dresses. They usually retail for $37.00 pm, but as I was able to buy in bulk I am happy to pass on the savings and offer them to you at $27.00 per metre. Check out the colours on offer on our website.

https://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/latest-products.html

This week’s recipe is a great one for using up that abundance of zucchini’s that you tend to end up with at this time of year..and let’s face it, any recipe that ends in “fries” is always going to be a winner!

Zucchini Fries

• 2 zucchini
• 1 tbsp powdered parmesan cheese
• 1 ½ tbsp plain flour
• 1 tsp salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• 2/4 cup bread crumbs
• 2 egg whites

Preheat the oven to 220C.

Slice the zucchini into wedges. In a bowl mix together the parmesan, flour and salt and pepper.

Place the breadcrumbs in a second bowl and in a third bowl beat the egg whites until frothy and almost forming soft peaks.

Dunk each zucchini stick into the flour mix, then into the egg white and then into the breadcrumbs and place on a lightly oiled baking tray.

Place the tray of fries into the oven and bake for 10 minutes until golden and crispy. I have found that these also work well cooked in the air fryer with a tablespoon of oil and served with generous amounts of garlic aoli.

Don’t forget that this Saturday is Woolly Stitchers Day. More details on the website. See you there!

Next weekend the Christchurch Quilters Guild is hosting the Quilters Shopping Bonanza and Aotearoa Quilters Aqua Challenge at the Maker’s Workshop at the Christchurch Art Centre. Annie’s CQS will be one of the merchants from Friday to Sunday (5-7 March). Entry is free, so I will look forward to seeing you there!

https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2021/quilters-shopping-bonanza-aq-aqua-quilt-challenge/christchurch

Happy stitching.

Rachel

Annie’s Country Quilt Store

www.anniesquilts.co.nz