Hi there! 

The last week has disappeared and it is newsletter time again.  They say time flies when you are having fun.  Last weekend my husband Robbie and I enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of the West Coast quilters in Karamea.  Man, those ladies know how to cook!!  I was teaching a class and Robbie was manning the shop in the merchant mall which was a first for him.   There is nothing like a baptism of fire, and he did pretty well I have to say.

Our feet have hardly touched the ground and we are off to Sydney this afternoon for a few days to catch up with some friends, meet with suppliers and take in what is new at the Quilt and Craft Fair which just happens to be on this weekend.  We also have tickets to see the Lion King which I am sure will be amazing.  However, I assure you my hands will not be idle as my stitching will be packed as well.

In the meantime the parcels have been arriving at the shop thick and fast including boxes of beautiful wool fabric, new threads from Jane van Keulen, more giftware and these bright fun prints from the Dr Suess range from Robert Kaufman fabrics.  It is $29.00 per metre and $18.00 for the alphabet panel.

I also thought I would show you this cute little kit ‘Pot Baskets’ from the Anni Downs (Hatched and Patched) range of Simple Stitching patterns.  It would make a great gift with a plant in it or filled with sewing bits and pieces for a fellow stitcher.  Or you could make it for yourself as a scrap collector to have beside the sewing machine.  The kit is $32.50 and you can buy it as pattern only including the pre-printed stitchery for $16.50.

It is now only six months until the national symposium in Palmerston North and the class registration book is now out with huge variety of classes and event to wow you.  It is not too late to register and it pays to check up on the website every now and again for updates.

http://www.quiltsymposium.co.nz/

I am looking forward to being there as a merchant, and the next few months will be full on with lots of samples to be made and kits to be put together.

If you are looking for a South Island break away, my friend Michele from By Hoki Quilts is running a fabulous get away on the West Coast at the beginning of October which will include fabulous food, stitching and visits to some of the region’s most popular tourist spots.  Contact Michele for all the details.

Now…..onto the recipe.  You should definitely try this divine dessert and because it has fruit in it, it must be healthy – right?

Prune and Dark Chocolate Pots

Plump up 16 prunes in ½ cup of water in the microwave with the rind and juice of an orange and 2 tbsp of Cointreau or similar liquer in the microwave for about 4 minutes.

Finely chop 200g dark chocolate (at least 60% cocoa solids) almost to powdery consistency in the food processor.

Heat 300 ml of cream in a pot until scalding, then pour into the food processor with 8 of the prunes and the chocolate.  Whizz and then pour into six tiny ramekins or small wine glasses and chill for several hours.

Chop the rest of the prunes and use them to decorate with a little extra Cointreau if desired.

That’s all from me this week.  Happy stitching.

Rachel

Annie’s CQS