Tuesday, March 11, 2014

March 2014

Yeah - those triangles are now quilted and nearly bound. It is quite strange but I discovered in the final corner of the nigh on 6000 triangles, one pair had been sewn the wrong way around. Now I could have undone about five seams and a couple of rows of quilting to change them but ... isn't is funny how proudly we are to show off our work but how quickly we are to point out the mistakes. It is for me to know and you to find.
While planning my next project and working on my teaching CV I thought back to some quilts that gave me so much pleasure in the making and then teaching. This much used clown was one of the classes (appropriately called Bordering on the Comical) I taught at my first symposium (last century) so needs an airing and maybe revisiting.
With the national association in shutdown mode until the vote to continue was made last month, I have offered to edit their newsletter. I see this as a way I can help strengthen and breath some new life and enthusiasm back. I personally feel it is an asset that we quilters should support so that our links and positioning with quilters worldwide can continue.
My very clever son (he who must be obeyed in all things computers) sent me this link with the suggestion that we could help out, given the generous people that we quilters are.
My main news is that my lovely Nina has moved back in with me (she says temporarily) but came with a cupboard full of quilts, two dogs and all but a whatsit in a pear tree. At least the dogs appreciate the quilts as much as she does. You know, years ago I child-proofed my house but they are still getting back in.


Pumpkin Patch

Stripping and processing/giving away damson plums from the Pumpkin Patch was the main task this month. I made jam, sauce cooked to de-pip and froze buckets full.
You can see in the pic what was on offer. Today I had a call from Lesley who wanted to know what to do with some damsons she had acquired so I told her I would publish the Brandied Cherries recipe (I made at Christmas and they were superb) for her to try with plums. I'll await feedback. In the meantime my fig tree is literally dripping with ripe fist-sized fruit and, as most recipes use dried figs, I will just have to continue drying them for future use. The other bountiful crop in the patch is grapes - large green ones and a very tasty brown heirloom 'Papa Jack'. The 'shame' is that all you can really do is make juice or eat them.

Chopping Block

Brandied Cherries were made on the Chopping Block at Xmas. Pit 1 1/2 lb cherries and set aside. In a pot bring 3/4 cup sugar, 3/4 cup water, 2 tbsp. lemon juice and 4 cardamom pods, 2 whole cloves, 2 whole allspice, 1 cinnamon stick to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook until the mixture is slightly reduced and thickened, about 10 minutes. Turn off the heat, stir in the 1 cup brandy and the pitted cherries.
Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cherries to jar (I used old jam jars). Pour enough of the cooking liquid over the cherries to cover them completely. Twist on lid.
Leave in a cool dark place for two weeks then enjoy!

Sunday, March 02, 2014

February 2014

Wholly Quilts
February Newsletter

In an effort to tick off another of my want to do quilt (a kaleidoscope) I acquired a third book to show me the way. I added RaNae Merrill's Magnificent Spiral Mandala Quilts to Paula Nadelstern and Ricky Timskaleidoscope books and only managed to confuse myself. Together they are a bit like the Three Bears - one is too fussy (Paula), one too clunky (Ricky) and one sort of okay (RaNae) but not really how I want to do mine. So armed with all their information I will head off to design mode and see what happens. The principle of learning techniques off others and then adapting has always worked for me in the past. So here goes!

North WindI have given you a pic here of my latest PhD (project half done). It is my 5856 triangles together at last AND, please note, being quilted. 488 four-inch North Wind blocks done from the scrap basket alone and yet again the level of said basket is still the same - it really is a sustainable resource.

Last month's Pot Luck Picnic was a lovely day with friends coming from far and wide. I have been reprimanded by he-who-knows-all (about computers) for not taking photographs but truth be told I was having far too much fun on the day. Great selection of quilts to look at and picnic food to eat. Seems I can control the weather too - so much sun, so little wind.

 If you do have some pictures of the picnic day, send them through and he'll put them on the website which he has also updated with notes about some of the most popular quilts I teach.  He is grand, isn't he?!


Country PumpkinsThe Pumpkin Patch is living up to its name ... pumpkins galore and I am picking a bucket of tomatoes every couple of days. I have been reduced (get it?) to making tomato paste cos I now have enough tomatoes dried, frozen, chutney-ed and sauced. This morning I picked three large cucumbers and I'll have to pickle them before I go off to Camp Catering (on Motutapu Island) tomorrow. I keep avoiding making eye contact with the Damson Plum tree that looks more and more like a grape vine with all its fruit. I know I'll have to deal with them very soon.

The Chopping Block was gonna try out pumpkin cake recipes before the influx but when I went to my recipe book I found a much more interesting recipe - Plonk Cake.
Plonk 5 eggs  2 cups sugar  2 cups self-raising flour  50g melted butter  2 teaspoons baking powder into a food processor in the above order
Plonk into a greased tin.
Plonk 140g sliced tinned/fresh fruit or mixed berries, plums whatever. Bake at just over 200c for 30 mins (check till done).
When cool, sprinkle with icing sugar.

By the way, if you want to bring a group of friends for a relaxing weekend the second half of the year still has some vacancies so get in touch.