Wholly Quilts newsletter

Wholly Quilts’ September Newsletter

 

G’day

 

Today is one of those days that is left over from yesterday – you know what I mean! I had to use my printer but it (and then I) threw a hissy which has meant all afternoon wasted yesterday, a trip to Auckland today with said printer and now I am so not in the mood to be spending the afternoon at my computer while the sun shines outside.

 

However – I am so excited about your response to The Project that I have decided to tell those that didn’t get around to signing up about it again.

It is not necessarily a block of the month or a mystery quilt but has those elements. 

The finished large single size includes piecing, appliqué and embroidery.

The cost is $5 per month but maximum $60 for the 14-15 month Project.

The second month’s pattern is ready to go but you can still sign up and catch up by sending me an email, pay all or part of the $60 (you choose) and stand by to go

 

After cancelling August’s Sew n Soup so I could skive off to a quilt exhibition AND the scallop festival, I am in danger of not finding alternatives for September’s Friday night.

So given the diary commitments I have made an executive decision - Soup n Soup will be held on Thursday September 25.

And I will remind you of two very good quiltie reasons for this:

The first is Peninsular Day for all things quilting on Saturday September 27. Run this year by the Whangamata quilters. Sewing till whenever the night before doesn’t sit well.

The weekend prior to that is the Craft Fair in Hamilton.

The other consideration is that there is only September and October available for Sew n Soup before I take off on my big OE – I haven’t quite started counting the number of sleeps yet but less than three months worth.

 

So! Sew n Soup this month will be another Jelly Roll pattern. You will need the 2½ inch strips and, given that you will be making a quilt with twinkling stars, fabric in your favourite twinkling colour.

As always please advise the cook of your intentions.

 

The ‘arty’ gals have started on their second masterpieces. If you’d like to join this class then make a date for Tuesday afternoons with us. Looks like lunch at the café next door is part of this deal and we can solve all the problems over yummy muffins.

 

 

Go well!

 

 

 

 

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...

 

The Project

Good morning All

 

I have attached the first month’s ‘task’ for you all. I do hope you have all sorted out some fabrics to start and will enjoy the magical mystery trip with me. If you need help, translation of my instructions or just want to share at any time during The Project then please contact me.

 

I machine appliquéd my blocks but you can do them by hand if you choose.

 

I am sending it to everyone who indicated they would like to participate and will, in a couple of weeks, contact those who have yet to pay. You will not receive any further patterns until I receive money.

 

Have fun!

 

 

Regards

Natalie Murdoch

--

Wholly QuiltT

Ph 07 867 3085 or Cell 0210 2231 678

9 Church Road, Mangatarata 3576

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’ August Newsletter

 

 

G’day

 

It must be Spring or is that just wishful thinking!! I have filled a big vase full with daffodils and jonquils from my garden and every time I walk past it I have to smile at that bright yellow – what else can you do?  A-and I have cleaned some windows this morning, so it must be spring.

 

After spending the best part of three weeks with a ‘lurgy’ it is now time to get positive. I do hope you have all weathered the big wet and are now looking forward to great (and dry) times.

 

Each time I travel away from the lovely Wholly Quilt environs I meet quilters who tell me they wished they lived closer so they could join in with the classes, projects and Sew n Soup so I have been working on a Project.

It is not necessarily a block of the month or a mystery quilt but has those elements. It includes piecing, appliqué and embroidery and will eventually give you a large single quilt.

I have it all drawn up on paper and will keep one step ahead of everyone as we work through the quilt together.

The Project will cost $5 per month with a maximum of $60 though I suspect that by the time you have the entire pattern we will have worked for about 15 months. Everyone that signs up will receive a monthly pattern in PDF format (or snail mail if that is a problem).

 

You will need to choose your own colours with some larger pieces of relatively plain fabric for the embroidered blocks. I have a basket full of reds (pink through to burgundy), greens (lime to olive) and yellows (mustards to creams) that look luscious. You know my quilting well enough to know that there will be a large component of scrappiness to this quilt!

 

The first month’s pattern is ready to go. All you have to do is sign up by sending me an email, pay up all or part of the $60 (you choose) and stand by to get creative.

I will send my bank account details to those that need it.

 

August’s Sew n Soup – sorry guys the cook is out! That last Friday of the month falls in the middle of my local group’s bi-annual exhibition (August 29-31 at S James Hall, Pollen St, Thames) and I am taking a group of friends to the Scallop Festival in Whitianga on the Saturday – talk about double booking but it will be such fun.

 

Go well!

 

 

 

 

Regards

Natalie Murdoch

--

Wholly Quilts

Ph 07 867 3085 or Cell 0210 2231 678

9 Church Road, Mangatarata

RD 6 Thames 3576

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’ 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...