Hi there. With Christmas just around the corner it is Bernina Sale time at Annie’s again with some great savings to be had right across the Bernette and Bernina ranges with machines from $239.00. With another price rise looming at the beginning of January, this is definitely a good time to buy!

We also managed to snag some of the last few ex-symposium Bernina 335 machines. These are pretty bullet proof machines and are a great buy at $1899 (saving of $400.00) and come with the full 10 year warranty on all mechanical parts and 5 years on all computer components – and the good thing is that at Annie’s we service what we sell (as well as all other brands of sewing machines and overlockers) with two technicians on site.

This week I thought I would show you these great wee bags that are easy to make and use just 4 fat quarters. With lots of pockets and an adjustable strap they can be worn over the shoulder or across the body with your phone, cards, lipstick, handkerchief and all the essentials. The pattern with the metal clasps for the strap is $28.00 and the kit is $76.00 (pattern, fabric, pelon and hardware) or let us know what colours you would like and we can put these together for you.

No surprises here, but we have had more fabric arrive in – if you have some truck and enthusiasts in your midst, this might just be the ticket. The panel is $21.00 and co-ordinating fabric is available. (This could win you major brownie points in the favourite Nana stakes if a quilt, library bag, shirt, new pyjamas or cushion is in the offering!) We have plenty of other novelty prints on the shelves as well including Dr Suess, Superman, zebras, ballerinas, Mickey Mouse, Peter Rabbit, dinosaurs, cats, dogs and farm yard animals gracing the shelves amongst other things.

Coming up this Friday (5-8 pm) in the classroom, we have our last Friday night cross stitch session for the year. This is a free event, so come on all you local stitchers....get off your bottoms and come and join us for some Friday night stitching and nibbles and see what everyone else has been working on. We have great support for this group from ladies from Christchurch and Timaru which does make me wonder some times why the Ashburton stitchers don’t support us????? (Don’t be one of those people who don’t value what you have until it’s not there anymore!)

Saturday afternoon we have our Snazzy Sneakers Class from 2-4 this is the ultimate in playing with fabric with no stitching or painting involved. More details on the class page of the website and the Annie’s Facebook page.

I am also excited to be able to tell you about our dress making classes that we are starting next year with very experienced and talented tailoress Paula Preece. Paula has many years experience making wedding gowns, samples for the fashion industry, and every day wear for people like me who don’t get a lot of time to sew for themselves or who have simply lost confidence to be able make things fit where they are supposed to!

These classes will be run on Wednesday evenings 7-9 pm for three weeks with the first sessions featuring a skirt pattern of your choosing. More details on the class page of the website. Book your space today so that you don’t miss out as places will be limited. Classes for tops, tunics, dresses and simple jackets will be scheduled later :)

Before I forget the winner of the $50.00 voucher from Annie’s for October is Frances Watson from Christchurch. Congratulations your voucher is here waiting for you to spend in store.

If you are looking for an excellent girls trip away we only have a couple of places left for our Fibre Arts Tour to the Lower North Island 23-28 January. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to shop, stitch, be inspired, eat well, laugh lots and visit amazing places and hang out with a bunch of crazy stitchers, quilters and crafty people just like you!!! Everything is taken care of for you by our tour organiser Jane Spence and you don’t have to take your passport or change currency! J Check out the itinerary at the link below.

https://www.farmandleisuretours.nz/tour/annies-country-quilt-store-fibre-art-tour-2023/

Now, on to the recipe....simple and delicious, this could also be cooked on the barbeque.

Fennel Pork with Avocado

• 6 pork medallions
• 1/3 c olive oil
• 1 tbsp toasted fennel seeds
• 1 clove crushed garlic
• 1 red onion
• 1 sprig of rosemary
• 25 g butter
• 1 large avocado
• 125 g cherry tomatoes
• Coriander leaves to garnish
• 2 tbsp lemon juice

Preheat the oven to 200C (fanbake). Brush the pork with 2 tbsp oil, and sprinkle over the fennel seeds. Heat the remaining oil in a pan and cook the pork in batches for 1 minute each side or until lightly browned. Transfer the meat to a plate and add the onion, garlic and rosemary to the pan with the butter. Place the pork on top of the garlic mixture, cover with foil and bake for about 6-8 minutes until the meat is cooked.

Chop the avocado, tomatoes and coriander combine with some fresh lettuce and use this as a base for the thickly sliced pork medallions. Serve with some crusty bread and a glass of wine. Perfect for a warm summer evening!

Happy stitching and have a great weekend!

Rachel

Annie’s CQS

03 3076 277