Hi there.  As much as I enjoy the change of seasons and seeing the snow on the mountains,  I have to say I am starting to really look forward to Spring time and some more day light time!

If you are looking for a new quilt/embroidery project, I am excited to be able to show you one of our new Block of the Month Quilts which is available now.
"All Around Town" by Australian Designer Leanne Knell by Petals and Patches features embroidered houses, churches, shops, banks and buildings along with a centre floral block and pieced house blocks.

This is a 12 month program and can be purchased as pattern only (2 per month for six months $38.00) or complete with all the fabrics to make your quilt top (1 each month for 12 months at $32.00 per month).

The blue floral used in the centre block will also feature in the final border and you will receive a pack of DMC threads.  I can't show you the whole quilt yet, as the embroideries are still being designed, and I am still stitching furiously, but I am sure you get the idea! The first blocks are ready to post out now, and numbers are limited!

While it is business as usual in the shop this week, I have packed my handsitching (always with huge expectations of how much I will achieve) as we are spending time with our Australian family and meeting our new grandson for the first time which is very exciting.

We have had a new shipment of cross stitch patterns and threads arrive in from the US including this new design "Lydia R Cohagan" from Blackbird Designs - another that I have added to my very long "to-do" list. 

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

We have a good collection of BBD designs patterns in store and on our website, as well as a number of completed samples.  I have recently discovered the "Fans of BBD" web page which is worth taking a look at as it includes all the pattern corrections and a number of free charts to keep you inspired.

https://www.the-gearys.com/blackbird-designs/

At Annie's I confess that we have fallen down a bit of a rabbit hole (in a good way), as we now stock a large range of beautiful cross stitch patterns and linens along side or patchwork patterns and fabrics.   I am constantly amazed at the skill of often very young girls from years gone by who worked on these now historic samplers as part of learning their alphabet and numbers.  This was at a time when thread and needles were prized possessions and work was often done by candle light.

I have a growing collection of original antique samplers going back to the early 1800's and I feel very privileged to own these pieces of needlework that have survived more than 200 years.
Most often there is not much recorded history to go along with these pieces and it is a good reminder to us all that we should note down details of our work on the back or inside of needlework or with labels on the back of our quilts.  (I am not very good at this, and I need to be reminded too!) 
Now, on to the recipe…soup is always good at this time of the year!

Thai Chicken Noodle Soup

• 200 g thin rice noodles
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium size onion thinly sliced
• 1 large carrot, sliced
• 1 large red capsicum
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
• 4-6 c chicken stock
• 350 g boneless chicken breast or thighs
• 250 g mushrooms thinly sliced
• 2-3 tbsp red curry paste
• 1 can coconut milk
• 2 large handfuls baby spinach
• 2 tbsp lime juice

Cook the noodles as to packet instructions.  Heat the oil in a large stockpot.  Add in the vegetables and saute until softened.  Add in the garlic and ginger and cook for a further 2 minutes.
Add in the chicken stock, chicken, mushrooms and curry paste and simmer until the chicken is cooked through.  

Place the cooked noodles into soup bowls and pour over the liquid.  Garnish with fresh corriander, basil, sliced chilli, spring onions or crushed peanuts.  (Serves 6-8)

Well...that is all from me this week as I am off to stitch...in between Granny duties!
Annie's Country Quilt Store
(03) 3076 277
027 800 55 44
www.anniesquilts.co.nz

Happy stitching,
Best wishes,    
Rachel and the team from Annie’s.