Hi there. Isn’t it great to see the spring flowers everywhere and days getting a little longer offering the promise of warmer days to come!

This week I thought I would show you this “Pluses” quilt from Zen Chic that we have kitted up using the Sally Kelly “Eden” fabric. Marelize made this sample for the shop and she said that while it is a large quilt, it was a joy to make and went together very easily.

Brigitte Heitland (Zen Chic) is also running an on-line “Stitch Along” for this quilt, so if you would like to join in we have the pattern, the fabric or kit ($259.00) or if you are doing the Stitch Along we can do the kit without the pattern.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QuYIChMaLw

https://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/shop-online/product/2921-pluses-kit.html?search=pluses

Just arrived in today is this very cute farm themed fabric and a large John Deer Tractor panel ($28.00 each) which would be good quilted as it is or the tractor could be fussy cut and appliqued onto another project. Also on the courier today was a full range of cotton Homespun (solid colour) fabrics which would be great for all those fun applique projects you have lined up including this gorgeous pattern from Amy Butler called “Backyard Friends”.

https://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/shop-online/product/2936-backyard-friends-pattern.html

The other good news is that we have plenty of crushed walnut shells back in stock...Yay!!! We have been waiting a VERY long time for more stock of this product which is perfect for stuffing pin cushions. The oil from the very finely ground shells keeps your needles sharp. It also adds a nice weight to your pincushions so that they don’t leap off the table unexpectedly. This is $6.00 per 250 gram bag. You are welcome to give us a call at the shop or order through the website.

https://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/shop-online/product/2935-crushed-walnut-shells-250g.html

Our Saturday Woolly Stitchers Day is coming up again on the 27th August, and our Wednesday morning Friendship Group ladies are being welcomed back to Annie’s on 7th September after a long Covid break. This is a chance to catch up with like minded people over a cuppa and some hand stitching. Everyone is welcome and it is free.

Tickets ($5.00 each) are also still available for the Aussie Quick Quilts Demonstration at Annie’s on Thursday 25th August. This is sure to be an entertaining session with lots to learn!

Now...onto the recipe. Here’s something you could try as alternative toast or cereal for breakfast.

Pineapple Passion Smoothie

• 1 cup plain or vanilla yoghurt
• 6 ice cubes
• 1 cup of pineapple pieces
• 2 tbsp passionfruit pulp

Place all the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.

**Fun fact – apparently pineapple containes an enzyme called bromelain that helps break down protein and may reduce bloating.

Well, that’s all from me for todaym- don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Happy stitching,

Rachel