Hi there. Spring has sprung and we are another week closer to some warmer weather and the beginning of daylight saving this weekend (September 27). It is great to see the gardens full of life with daffodils, kowhai, tulips and trilliums adding a burst of colour. In fact I think the weeds are growing as you look at them!

It has also been good to see that so many of you have been really busy over the lockdown with lots of amazing projects being finished off, and plenty of new ones started. I am working on another large quilt...I love scrap quilts, it is sort of like quilting for free when you use the left overs! There are only 6,537 or so pieces in the one I am working on, but more on that later.

I also managed to finally get the “Forever More” Block of the Month sample quilt finished with kits cut and ready for posting. There are still a couple of places available in this BOM by Pam Buda, but be quick as it is pretty exclusive. It is $56.00 per month for 12 months. The finished size of the quilt is 84” x 84” and the instructions are very good.

https://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/shop-online/product/2638-forevermore-bom.html

If you miss out on the block of the month we have lots of these beautiful “Forever More” fabrics from Marcus Fabrics available in the shop ($31.00 per metre) or in Fat Quarters and Fat Eighth’s as well as fabric packs.

https://www.marcusfabrics.com/category/2-211035/forevermore/?FiltersOptions=10-213830

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

Another very nifty tool that I thought I would show you this week is the “Lighted Pin Picker Upper”. This is the ultimate tool to keep children and grandchildren gainfully employed in your sewing room for hours! It extends to 28” with a powerful little magnet and LED light on the end to pick up pins needles from all those hard to reach places, or just to see in dark corners. It is just $24.00 and packs away neatly when not in use.

This Saturday is our Woolly Stitcher’s Day for all of us with a passion for wool applique and embroidery.

If you are out and about you should also check out the Aoraki Embroiderers’ Guild Exhibition “Needlework – The Beauty of Thread” which is on at the Aigantighe Gallery in Timaru until October 3.

Now, on to the recipe...not exactly one for the dieters, but pretty tasty and versatile!

Chocolate Mini Pavs (Serves 4-6)

• 2 egg whites
• 1 1/3 c icing sugar
• 1/3 c boiling water
• 1 tbsp sifted cocoa powder

Preheat the oven to 180C and line a tray with baking paper.

Beat the egg whites, sugar and water using a cake mixer until soft peaks form. Fold in the sifted cocoa. Drop 4-6 equal spoonfuls of the mixture onto the tray, creating a hollow in the centre of each mini pavlova. Bake for 25 minutes.

Top with warm caramel sauce, ice-cream, cream bananas, hokey pokey, chocolate bars or your favourite toppings.

Happy stitching

Rachel

Annie’s Country Quilt Store

03 3076 277