Wholly Quilts

 

Wholly Quilts’ November Newsletter

 

G’day

 

Only 28 sleeps to go! But now I have to say it quietly cos the to-do list is still as long as it was a month ago. And last time Ethan read that and decided he didn’t have nearly enough time up the Amazon and maybe I should go to Brazil for Christmas instead. I think I would prefer a slushy (if not white) Christmas in London.

 

Some of The Project participants are putting pressure on me for ‘the next instalment’ so I know that some at least are keeping up. Others are taking their time and that’s good too. I do know that the butterfly now has been appliquéd and embroidered so changes are being made. Part four is going out today.

 

Do you all remember the tartan rug that, for the most part, stayed in the car and was used for picnics, snuggling on long trips or just to cast shadow or be a wind-break on sunny days? Well I do and I have been having fun recreating the tartan rug as a quilt. I started off with the Gordon tartan and am now in the grip of a Murdoch tartan as it seemed much more appropriate. Both are just as comforting and protective as the old family rugs. I will share more of them next year.

 

Hope to catch up with you at Calico Christmas. Don’t forget – be at the North Harbour Stadium November 21-23.

Yicks – then I will have only seven more sleeps.

 

Go well!

 

 

 

 

Regards

Natalie Murdoch

--

Wholly Quilts

Ph 07 867 3085 or Cell 0210 2231 678

9 Church Road, Mangatarata

RD6 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’ October Newsletter

 

G’day

 

Only 54 sleeps to go! Only 54 sleeps to go!

 

My youngest is tripping up the Amazon or nearby about now but he assures me he will be in London when I get there. He is due to fly back the day before me. Now the excitement levels are growing daily but so too is the to-do list.

 

I don’t think I have ever planned this far ahead for Christmas or indeed Easter next year. That’s when I am down to teach for five days at Wellington’s symposium and ‘I must be prepared’ is sounding a bit like my daily mantra. I do hope I catch up with a lot of you then.

 

The Project now has over forty participating and it is such fun to see the different versions at clubs or classes I attend. For those not playing the game then I will post a progress out when I return from my travels. I have a couple of really big ‘lessons’ coming up to keep everyone occupied while I am away.

 

Sew n Soup this month could well be the last hurrah for quite a while so please do come along for a ‘finishing school’ session – you can finish off a project or get some help on the finishing touches such as borders, bindings, presentation or just knowing when to stop.

Friday 24, 5-ish to whenever. As always please advise the cook of your intentions.

 

The ‘arty’ gals are continuing with their second masterpieces. They are so smart now they are heading off in their own directions. It has been fun watching them pushing the boundaries and succeeding in fine style. 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.

 

Hope you all made it to the Craft Fair in Hamilton and saw the Quilts Aotearoa exhibition. I still have that silly grin on my face after receiving the accolade for Best Use of Colour for my autumn leaves quilt. This afternoon I have a real treat cos I am off to spend my prize at Donna’s Quilt Studio (thanks Donna for your sponsorship). Those arty girls have opted for a field trip so they can help me out – yeah right!!

 

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...

 

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...