Wholly Quilts

Wholly Quilts’ July Newsletter

 

 

G’day

 

Have you ever started a project only to discover the one of your fabrics just won’t quite stretch to the full requirement? I did just that recently and after frantically contacting the kiwi wholesaler (‘no more on the shelves’) and the manufacturer in America (‘no we no longer produce that line’) I searched and managed to secure enough to finish my quilt.

Within a few days of it arriving I was asked by someone else to source a fabric for them and through my contacts overseas was able to.

I now want to let you all know how successful these two searches were and offer to help anyone else out. You would need to quote as much information from the selvedge as is possible and I will see what I can do. Email your details to me.

 

I have only just finished adding a whole lot of new names to my database so it is a good time to remind all of you about Wholly Quilts.

 

It has been set up as a studio and retreat for (primarily) quilters.

I have been teaching for 15 years now so can tackle most techniques and patterns though I do have my favourites. I teach at my place (the studio accommodates up to 12) or yours.

The house sleeps up to eight in shared rooms and costs $160 for a full weekend including bed, food and tuition.

 

The Wholly Quilts guest book has as many wonderful comments about the food as it does the quilting so you are guaranteed a weekend where you can concentrate on sewing only if that’s your wish.

 

Friday night’s Sew n Soup is held on the last Friday of each month. It is my version of a midnight madness and starts about 5-ish and ends when the last machine is turned off. All are fed a bowl of soup for supper.

Last month we tried the primitive flowers that are very similar to Ooey Gooey Hearts and as there was only the retreaters doing this project and no locals I have been asked to reschedule the same class. So-o – the requirements again for the flowers are 10-inch squares for the background and an assortment of nine and eight inch squares for the flowers.  O G Hearts are done with five inch squares in a very similar way so if you want to join us and do either or, indeed, something totally different then you are welcome.

 

Please let the catering department (me) know of your plans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regards

Natalie Murdoch

--

Wholly Quilts

Ph 07 867 3085 or Cell 0210 2231 678

9 Church Road, Mangatarata

http://nataliemurdoch.co.nz

http://WhollyQuilts.co.nz

http://patchnat.blogger.com - my blog, where you can read the latest news that may or may not make the newsletter...

 

Wholly Quilts

Wholly Quilts’ June Newsletter

 

 

G’day

 

Hope you are all making the most of the cooler quiltie weather to get some projects finished. It seems to be the season of exhibitions heading to year’s end.

 

As promised last month pumpkin soup time is also upon us so I have been trying out some of the recipes sent in by you and am preparing to amaze you with another tasty Sew n Soup on June 27. It promises to be a full house with retreaters joining in with the day-sippers.

Cuddling up to keep warm will be the recommendation for the night.

I am attaching a photo of the project for the night. It is primitive flowers and very similar to Ooey Gooey Hearts that went so well last month. As always you can join us and do your own thing or you can tackle either of these projects.

Requirements for the flowers are 10-inch squares for the background and an assortment of nine and eight inch squares for the flowers. (The hearts are done with five inch squares)

 

I am having so much fun with retreaters, last month they came from far and wide – Kerikeri, Katikati, Hamilton and Whangarei. I love meeting both familiar and new quiltie faces. One of the great treats from a retreat environment is learning new tricks and methods and not all of them relate to quilting J

 

Please let the catering department (me) know of your plans.

 

My ‘arty’ students are beginning to get their pieces together and are fabulous. Each one is very different and, for me, quite inspiring. It is not too late to join in. The sessions cost $10 each for two hours.

 

I am taking my ‘shop’ to some upcoming exhibitions so please do come and introduce yourself while there. The first is Highway 16’s in the Kumeu Community Centre on June 21/22. In July I will be at the Quilts by the Sea show in Browns Bay on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 and then on August 22 - 24 at Patchwork Unlimited’s exhibition in Thames. See you there - I look forward to putting some more faces to names.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regards

Natalie Murdoch

--

Wholly Quilts

Ph 07 867 3085 or Cell 0210 2231 678

9 Church Road, Mangatarata

http://nataliemurdoch.co.nz

http://WhollyQuilts.co.nz

http://patchnat.blogger.com - my blog, where you can read the latest news that may or may not make the newsletter...

 

wholly quilts

Wholly Quilts’ May Newsletter

 

 

G’day

 

BIG news - my ‘blue dog’ has been juried into the World Quilt competitions in the US. There is only one problem with that … I can’t stand in front of it with a silly look on my face. Maybe one of my American family might make it to one of the four exhibitions it is in.  Oh well, I’ll just have to make another and make sure I can get to the exhibitions.

 

May has got off to a slightly shaky start for me. I had a gaggle, no a giggle, of quilters here on Monday (well what is the collective name for quilters? My darling daughter would suggest it was a coven but I’m not so sure). We were having a lovely day with a group from Hamilton when one of them, Rachel was taken off to hospital by ambulance. When I visited her yesterday she looked a lot better so I do hope she is well on the way to recovery now.

 

Today I spent some time out in the garden and I have harvested some of my pumpkin. Months ago I put in one plant and carefully headed it towards to fence that separates me from the café next door. Now it has climbed the fence, crossed the car park, done a 180 degree turn and headed back through my cress and tomato patches, along the footpath and onto the verandah.

I think I will have more than 20 buttercup when the final tally is taken so be warned – the last Friday in the month is now Sew n (punkin) Soup. Anyone got good recipes out there.

 

Term class will again be held in two sessions on Thursdays starting next week. The morning session will be sewing machine-free red work or, if you wish, you could continue working on the candlewick blocks or you can explore some options for paper piecing.

In the afternoon we will continue the machine-free session learning some designing skills – I will guide you through designing for art quilts or if you feel you are not to this standard then there are always blocks that need to be mastered.

These sessions are for two hours and cost $10 each

 

Sew n Soup on May 30 promises to be a big one with a group of retreaters joining us from Whangarei. The project for the night is Ooey Gooey Hearts. I have been teaching this for many years and you don’t need much elbow room so come along prepared for some fun.

As always – you are more than welcome to come to any of the sessions and do your own thing with or without my help.

Please let the catering department (me) know of your plans.

 

Not much more to report on the BIG trip yet though there has been lots of suggestions, googling, map-reading and discussions so it is beginning to look really good. No I lied, it is looking thoroughly exciting not ‘beginning to look good’. There is only one problem I have eight months to wait. My England-based son Ethan has booked the first side tour – Taste of Ireland for five days soon after I arrive so the calendar is filling.

 

Look around you at the beautiful autumnal colours and be inspired.

 

 

 

Regards

Natalie Murdoch

--

Wholly Quilts

Ph 07 867 3085 or Cell 0210 2231 678

9 Church Road, Mangatarata

http://nataliemurdoch.co.nz

http://WhollyQuilts.co.nz

http://patchnat.blogger.com - my blog, where you can read the latest news that may or may not make the newsletter...

 

Wholly quilts

Wholly Quilts’ April Newsletter

 

G’day

 

I think 2008 is the year for new faces and new places – new faces through the studio either just looking or joining in the sessions and new places to teach. And then there is my big OE ticket burning a hole in my (I was going to say pocket but  ...) cheque book.

 

A big welcome to the new Sew n Soupers that joined us last month – I hope to see lots of chenille Christmas trees being decorated over the coming months.

Don’t forget this session is held on the last Friday of each month. Usually there is a new project (pattern or technique) to try out and a souper supper. We start at 5-ish and sew till whenever – the cost is $15.

 

I was the merchant at the Auckland Guild last Saturday and am off to Hamilton next weekend. It is really gratifying having familiar faces to talk to at these events and putting faces to names. It makes writing these newsletters that much more personal.

I’ve had lots of enquiries about retreats and teaching sessions and have a reasonable selection of dates still available so if you want to come try what is on offer here then be in. Remember I am less than an hour and a half from Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua or Tauranga.

 

That OE I mention will probably begin to dominate proceedings later in the year but in the meantime I have to tell you that I am booked to go to the UK for all of December and then have six weeks in the US. There are not many details between flights at this stage but that is going to be the exciting part – slowly building up an itinerary. All ideas and suggestions are welcome but I’m sorry I already have two people in my bag and another four to carry it J

 

Blue dog is finally finished, photographed and entered into the World Quilt competition – it would be very exciting to have it chosen to go to the USA cos I have family over there that can stand in front of it and do the grinning for me!!

Last time I told you about the quilter’s block and I have to say the swarms of pesky white butterflies inspired me to come inside and finish off ‘blue dog’ with some butterfly quilting (not white ones).

 

I have had no registrations of interest for the school holiday class but now that the break is one month closer you may like to think about it – let me know. The young ones will make a simple quilt over two days. I will supply all fabric and materials but may need sewing machines. So, the class will be held on Thursdays April 24 and May 1 from 10am to 3pm. The cost for the two days is $75.

What to bring: lunch and grandma (she’s not compulsory but would be very welcome)

I know this is early notice but it might help you plan the holiday break.

 

Friday night’s sew n soup will continue on the last Friday of each month.  On April 25, it will be your opportunity for a big catch-up. You can bring along a project from a previous session or you might choose to start one of the patterns you missed out on. Contact me with a few days to spare so I can tell you what the requirements are.

 

Please let the catering department (me) know of your plans.

 

 

 

Regards

Natalie Murdoch

--

Wholly Quilts

Ph 07 867 3085 or Cell 0210 2231 678

9 Church Road, Mangatarata

http://nataliemurdoch.co.nz

http://WhollyQuilts.co.nz

http://patchnat.blogger.com - my blog, where you can read the latest news that may or may not make the newsletter...

 

Wholly Quilts

Wholly Quilts’ March Newsletter

 

 

G’day

 

Yeah – quilting weather is coming, quilting weather is coming!

 

The ladies in the two classes running this term are producing some beautiful work. I am continually surprised at how much I learn from my students – different stitches, short cuts and colour combinations – goes to show there is always something new to load into the grey cells.

 

I have just realised that writer’s block and quilter’s block are one and the same. I have been working on a ‘blue dog’ that seemed to be doing its own thing until it all stalled. This quilt is a reminder of all the blue dogs in my life that are no more and has been fun till now. I thought by taking a break and getting a newsletter out to all of you would get me over those bumps but now both are taking ages to complete. Maybe I should head out to the garden for some inspiration!

 

I am looking at a school holiday kids’ class if there is enough interest. The young ones will make a simple quilt over two days. I will supply all fabric and materials but may need sewing machines. So, the class will be held on Thursdays April 24 and May 1 from 10am to 3pm. The cost for the two days is $75.

What to bring: lunch and grandma (she’s not compulsory but would be very welcome)

I know this is early notice but it might help you plan the holiday break.

 

Friday night’s sew n soup will continue on the last Friday of each month.  On March 28, we will tackle a chenille project – either a bag or, I know some of you want to make the Christmas tree that is still hanging in the studio. Phone me to confirm your place and I will give you a list of requirements.

 

As always – if you want to come along and do your own thing, catch up on an unfinished project or just visit then you are welcome. Please let the catering department know of your plans.

 

 

 

Regards

Natalie Murdoch

--

Wholly Quilts

Ph 07 867 3085 or Cell 0210 2231 678

9 Church Road, Mangatarata

http://nataliemurdoch.co.nz

http://WhollyQuilts.co.nz

http://patchnat.blogger.com - my blog, where you can read the latest news that may or may not make the newsletter...

 

Paved with good intentions

 

 

 

It was, after all, the first day of the rest of the year and seemed like a good time to rediscover the sewing room. The holidays had been and gone along with the guests and finally I had time, inclination and energy all aligned.

Can you remember what it was like in those days before Christmas when you had to give the cake just one more drink of brandy, make the beds up for the expected over-nighters, order the turkey, chase the dust bunnies around and convert your ‘space’ to guest accommodation.

With just a little bit of imagination, and a lot less effort, the guests could sleep in ‘his’ space but no, not this year.

So you headed into the fray with good intentions and very little time. Projects were bundled up and in many case mixed up and stuff into, under and behind all manner of containers. The bedding smoothed down on your ‘work bench’, the ‘design wall’ pulled back to let daylight and fresh air in and the machine, iron, cooling fan and other assorted appliances put away for the holidays. It did look good.

Problem is that right now it looks like hell. Maybe that is where that quote about good intentions comes from.

I had started bright and early on hands and knees pulling out boxes, bags and bundles from under the bed – you wouldn’t think that it was just a few weeks since I put it all under there. I found unfinished projects that now were not nearly as problematical so wandered off to the stash to locate the right fabric to finish. I picked up magazines and started looking at the stickers to see what had inspired me last year – obviously my tastes changed over the holidays – but I did find other pictures and patterns that might be intriguing to play with. The lid had come off the button tin and so spent a lot of time scrabbling about in the bottom of the plastic bin picking them up but I did find the snips that have been missing in action for months now.

A glance at the clock told me I had missed lunch by over an hour but I was on a mission.

The bag of scraps needed sorting, that big piece of fabric I had bought needed a good iron before I could put it on the shelf with the stash (thank goodness the shelves looked in reasonably good condition), the grand-daughter’s pretty summer dress still needed fixing, after all summer was past the cusp and heading downhill so the sewing machine was unearthed and set up (which meant another armful of ‘stuff’, very important stuff, headed for the floor from the table top).

Speaking of downhill – it was now dinner time and the only clear place in my sewing room was under the bed. The boxes at the bottom of the wardrobe were still out of sight but most

 

Wholly Quilts

Summer Newsletter

G'day (and a belated Happy New Year)

I have a confession – it is not that I haven't been working for a month or
two (though that's true) it's that I have been doing research. As those
numbers rise (you know, the one's that indicate how many moons you have seen
– probably easier to count by the number of Leap Years about now) the years
start slipping away faster n faster than ever. Well, I decided to mount a
watch to see who or indeed if anyone was stealing January. I sat on it and
can report that this year at least we have had a full month so there will be
no excuses later in the year.

Now I am about to embark on a campaign to educate the weather presenters on
the tv. Have they ever tried to sit under/work on a quilt when the
temperature is in the 30s? It is so dry around here even the weeds are dying
and yet those weather people continue to tell us how lucky we are to be
getting yet another sunny day.

Onto quiltie stuff and what an exciting year it's going to be. I have
retreats, classes and exhibitions coming up but more about that later.

Get back into quilting mode with the Summer Bash on Saturday February 9.
I'll show you another way to use up scraps so it is a repeat Pot Luck quilt
and Pot Luck lunch starting 10-ish and finishing whenever. Last year's rulez
didn't work very well – you know the one where you share and give as much as
you take. Well my scrap basket looked like it took n took. We were all meant
to end up with less not more and a quilt as well. Cost for the day is $15.

I have a couple of really exciting classes lined up for the first term:
The first is for those who want handwork – I will be teaching Candlewicking
– all those lovely effects and stitches that look superb on a cream on cream
quilt.
The second is a new take including lots of shortcuts on the traditional. I
have attached a picture of my quilt and you can see the old blocks
(Pinwheel, Flying Geese, Checkerboard. Churn Dash and Friendship Star). The
course covers stack cutting, appliqué, no fuss half-square triangles and new
ways with checkerboard borders.
These two classes will run for seven weeks starting on Thursday February 7
(handwork before lunch at 10am and 'traditions' from 1-3pm so you can bring
your lunch and spend the day if you like). The cost is $10 per session or
$60 for the term.
Contact me beforehand to get your list of requirements.

Friday night's sew n soup will continue on the last Friday of each month.
Unfortunately January fell off the calendar but book now for Leap Day,
Friday the 29th. Bring your machines for a scrap-happy session (I promise
the soup won't be quite so scrappy).

As always – if you want to come along and do your own thing, catch up on an
unfinished project or just visit then you are welcome. Please let the
catering department know of your plans.

Regards
Natalie Murdoch
www.nataliemurdoch.co.nz

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.11/1242 - Release Date: 24/01/2008
8:32 p.m.

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.11/1242 - Release Date: 24/01/2008
8:32 p.m.

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.11/1242 - Release Date: 24/01/2008
8:32 p.m.