Hi there.  

It has been a busy start to the year and we are certainly covering some territory with a trip to Central Otago and then a visit to Golden Bay last week to celebrate my Dad’s 90th birthday.
This coming weekend we will be in Blenheim as a merchant for the Marlborough Quilters Exhibition at the Stadium 2000 Blenheim Indoor Sports Courts (Friday-Sunday 14-16th February), and we look forward to seeing you there and showing you some of our new samples, kits, BOM’s and fabrics.

Next week (20th-22nd) our class schedule will start again at the shop with our regular fortnightly Thursday morning class , Friday night Cross Stitch and our monthly Saturday Wool Applique stitch along.  Everyone is welcome and more details are on the class page of the website or you are welcome to give us a call.

Over the past few weeks I have been busy working on samples with a couple of new quilts hot off the sewing machine, and several more on the go.  If you are coming to the Blenheim show, you will get the first peek!
I have just finished my version of  the “Thread Pod” by Australian designer Wendy Williams.  We have put this together as a kit with ($59.00) or the pattern only is $28.00.  These are fun to make and also look great without the applique features.  Once you have made one, you won’t be able to stop!

We have also had delivery of the gorgeous new range of Kaffe Fassett fabrics which are a colaboration with William Morris designs – fresh and fabulous!  
The LED lighted seam rippers are back in stock, along with some very handy and user friendly thimbles.  Loads of new buttons, cross stitch linens and haberdashery.

If you are looking for something to flex your creative muscles,  Bernina’s 12” x 12” challenge might be just the thing.  This year’s theme is “Rework”.  You can interpret this anyway you like and it may be an opportunity to dig to the bottom of the scrap basket or mending pile and repurpose some of those treasures you have holding on to.
https://www.bernina.com/en-NZ/Learn-Create-NZ/Classes-Events/Challenges/New-Zealand/REWORK-Quilt-Challenge-2025

On to the recipe…I love this time of year when there is lots of beautiful produce in abundance.  A great time for making sauces, jams, chutney and relish.  This is one of my favourite tomato recipes (it also works with big tomatoes, but the cherry ones are a bit sweeter).  Use the chilli jam on sandwhiches, bbq meats, with cheese or use in curries, caseroles and stir fries when you need a little zap of flavour. 

Tomato Chilli Jam

• 1.5 kg ripe cherry tomatoes, halved
• 450 ml water
• 300 ml white wine vinegar
• 750 g caster sugar
• 1 tbsp each yellow and black mustard seeds
• 3 cloves finely chopped garlic
• 2 heaped tsps chilli flakes

Put all the ingredients in a saucepan and simmer for about an hour. Reduce the heat and cook until the jam thickens stirring occasionally. When you are happy with the consistency transfer to sterilised jam jars and store in the fridge for up to two months.

Happy stitching,
Rachel and the team at Annie’s.
03 3076 277
www.anniesquilts.co.nz