Some Recent Quilts

I thought it timely to share some of my recent quilts with you - some have been successful others have just kept me happy both during the construction and on completion.

• It Takes Two - has been selected for exhibition at the Aotearoa Quilters Craft Fair
• Tic Tac Toe Two - was also exhibited at Taupo symposium
• Party Lines - has toured New Zealand with the Aotearoa Quilters Connection challenge quilts
• Poppy and Boofhead - has been selected for exhibition at the Aotearoa Quilters Craft Fair
• Lady of the Lake - was exhibited at Taupo symposium

It Takes Two

Tic Tac Toe Two

Party Lines

Poppy and Boofhead

Lady of the Lake

Our August Retreat

Five young women from South Auckland spent a weekend with me each working on individual kaleidoscope quilts. Amazing colour combinations that came together like you wouldn't believe.

A great part of my enjoyment of hosting a retreat is seeing the progression of the ladies from one retreat to the return visit. And I always learn plenty in the process.

The menu for this weekend included a spicy smoked fish kedgeree for lunch on Saturday and then beef casserole, creamy horseradish potatoes with steamed garden greens followed by lemon meringue pie for dinner. That kept them all going until nearly 2am Sunday :)

One commented in my visitors' book  ... really enjoyed your wonderful cooking and warm hospitality.

If you want to bring a group of friends for a relaxing weekend before the Christmas season is upon us, please get in touch.

Natalie 

Wholly Quilts http://nataliemurdoch.co.nz

Wholly Quilts August 2013 Newsletter

Wholly Quilts
August Newsletter

G’day
Well another symposium has been and gone. I was a day visitor only this year and it felt so strange not to be immersed in all things quilting but those that did attend report favourably in the main. The one good thing is that most have already registered to Quilt Manawatu in 18 months and are looking forward to Christchurch in 2017.
While I was down there I picked up a piece of fabric for the Hoffman Challenge.  Have never entered that before but am a great believer in

Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread came off the Chopping Block this month thanks to Judy in Whitianga.
Combine 2 cups sugar and 3/4 cups vegetable oil then beat in 4 eggs one at a time. Stir through 16 ounces pumpkin puree (500gm). Note here: Judy is an American so probably buys this by the 'can'.
Combine 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, 2tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1tsp salt,
2tsp mixed spice, 1tsp cinnamon and 1tsp nutmeg.
Add to the pumpkin mixture alternately with 2/3c water, beginning and ending with flour mixture.  Stir in 2tsp vanilla extract and 1 cup chopped walnuts (I didn't have walnuts so used pumpkin seeds for crunch and a cup of raisins)
Spoon batter into 2 lightly greased 9x5x3 loaf pans; bake at 165C for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until it tests done.  Cool in pan 10 minutes; remove from pan and cool on wire rack.