Hi there. As we speak we are traveling towards Ranfurly in the deep South for “Country Day” on Saturday setting up shop as one of the merchants for what is promising to be a day of fun, shopping, show and tell and huge amounts of chat and inspiration along with equal measures of Southern hospitality!

On Wednesday night we had the first of our “Snazzy Sneakers” classes which was great fun resulting in some amazing “one of kind” shoes in a variety of different colours and sizes. Check out the pictures on our Facebook page. Let us know if you would like to be part of the next class on Saturday afternoon 19th November from 2-4pm (more details on the website). Or organise a group of friends or work mates and we can plan your own private event.

Today I happened to fall into a conversation about the fact that it is now less than seven weeks until Christmas...this is just a gentle reminder that if you need Christmas fabric we have Snoopy, Mickey, Green, Red, Silver, Gold, Grinch, Glittery and a few more besides, so you better get those sewing machines reved up in order to meet those postal and Santa deadlines! We also have some gorgeous wide ribbons to decorate you Christmas cakes and feastive wreaths. (There is no excuse now! Heehee or should it be HoHo!? ☺)
If you need some free patterns or inspiration for things you could make, the Bernina blog is worth checking out and new patterns and information is constantly being added

https://blog.bernina.com/en/tag/lovetosew/

One of my favourite fabric ranges is “Dutch Heritage” designed by Petra Prins and Nel Kooiman. These are reproduction prints inspired by traditional floral designs fround in 17th and 18th century Dutch Chintz. We are one of the few (if not the only shop in New Zealand) that stocks this line. It is contantly being added to with more fabrics. To me, working with it is like being transported back in time to create a piece of quilted history.

https://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/index.php?option=com_mijoshop&route=product/search&search=dutch%20heritage

Anyway...enough waxing on. I thought I would show you my version of the “Barnsley” quilt using these fabrics and a combination of machine piecing, English Paper Piecing and Brodiery Purse techniques. This is available as a pattern or a kit from Annie’s and is on our website. Or of course you can always give us a call at the shop.
https://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/shop-online/product/3035-barnsley-kit.html

If you are after a small project (ideal Christmas present) the Sashiko brooch is a good option and quite achieveable within a short space of time. We also have extras of the brooch back and you could also use these to make wool felt or crazy patch versions..let your imagination run wild! The kit for the sashiko brooch is $28.00 and the extra brooch backs are $19.90.
https://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/shop-online/product/3033-sashiko-brooch-kit.html
https://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/shop-online/product/3034-brooch-backs.html

Before I forget the winner of the $50.00 voucher from Annie's for last month is Barb Reid. Congratulations Barb your voucher is waiting for you at the shop.
Now...on to the recipe. This has to be the easiest delicious desert ever!

Lemon Posset

• 450 ml cream
  100 g caster sugar
  Finely grated zest and juice of 2 small lemons

Heat the cream, sugar and lemon zest in a heavy based saucepan and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat and pour in the lemon juice. Mix well to combine and strain into a jug. Pour into six small glasses and chill for least two hours until set.

Happy stitching and have a great weekend!