Wholly Quilts

Wholly Quilts December Newsletter

 

Christmas Greetings

I can’t believe I am saying that – the year has flown. My New Year resolution, and I don’t often made them, is to appreciate every day, go new places, try new tastes and keep in touch with great friends and maybe the world will stop spinning as fast as it has been doing.

Maybe if I do all my future planning this year then the clock and calendar will not feature so prominently in my life. And I have done some:

The Leaf Project is now a happening thing. I have done the basic design on the puter, chosen my fabrics (woven plaids) and even played with a couple of the blocks. Each month you will receive a new ‘class/technique’ and have a large single quilt to show at the end. The cost is $65. The first instalment goes out in March and will run for at least 12 months.

Summer Picnic for Quilters

Pot-luck lunch, raffles and give-aways start the day from 10.30am-ish. Bring your show and tell (I do think that should be called share and tell) and picnic basket to Wholly Quilts in Mangatarata. I am still looking for the answer to the question – have you herd of quilters?

Some answers are already in – a stash, sew and sews, a hug or maybe a giggle.

Turquoise Sherbet

Next year’s BoM will kick off in March. Each month you will receive a pattern and turquoise fabric. You decide on your colour scheme (chocolate brown and turquoise – yum, lime green and turquoise – mmm) and add enough fabrics to make a 12-inch block The price: $30 for individuals or $25 for groups of six or more. When you send the money you must include your snail mail address (incl post zone) and then find out how nice it is to get a ‘squishy’ in the letterbox. For a lot of us that is a distant memory.

Pumpkin Patch

My squash seedlings are in great health and flower and are beginning their inexorable creep across the garden. Last year’s count came no where near the previous best of 21 off two plants so these are getting lots of TLC as I have a great stack of recipes to try out. As much as I love the birdlife around me, I find battling them a daily ritual (I had to get out my newly invented ‘nest destroyer’ tool to haul the makings out of my carport three times yesterday) and netting detracts somewhat from the laden strawberry plants and blueberry bushes but needs must.

 

Pike River Hearts - On a more sombre note I received the following email this week. It is an appeal for blocks to make into quilts for the families of the Pike River tragedy.

Block details are as follows:
Cream background – calico is fine - 6 ½” unfinished size (so they will be 6” finished) -  Pieced or appliquéd heart or hearts -  Any colours or patterns for the hearts.  Some of the quilts will be
for children, so children’s fabrics are fine too.
Please send to the address below:
Shirley Goodwin
51 Charles St Rangiora 7400

 

Once again Season’s Greetings - may all your wishes come true in 2011 – 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.blogspot.com/ - my blog, where you can read the latest news that may or may not make the newsletter...

 

Wholly Quilts

Wholly Quilts September Newsletter

 

G’day

I love getting feedback and comment on my newsletters – it is always great to catch up with your news too. Thank you.

My local club has just had an extremely successful exhibition in Thames. It really is a craft that brings us together and was great seeing quilting friends from all over the Coromandel.

Lime Spritzer has two more blocks to go. Already I am seeing some amazingly different colour combinations. I definitely will be repeating this again next year so keep a watch. In the meantime I have designed (well sort of) our next Project (see below).

By the way, no longer are we ‘just’ sewing we can now claim to be working on our PhD (projects half done)

 

Pumpkin Patch

Spring has well and truly sprung, the weeds are riz and I have to say there is nothing nicer than getting the good earth under the nails.

The seed potatoes are happily chitting on the verandah (no, that’s not sitting though it’s not such a bad thing to do in the sunshine J – it is sprouting). Last year I grew potatoes for the first time and came Christmas my son wanted new spuds for the pot and they were all fist-sized. Not your usual little ones! Going to plant several different breeds this year to see how I go.

It is gratifying to see that all my citrus trees, passionfruit vines and the tamarillo have survived the winter frosts. And those weeds … they thrive

Oops – just listened to a rural radio programme while having my lunch and the ‘moon man’ with his long term weather forecast reckons we are not yet finished with the cold wet stuff.

 

Christmas Project

Okay – I have finally found the design mode button and have been working on the Christmas Project.

Initial details are that it will run for a minimum of twelve months (=$60 to participate); it will include piecing, appliqué and some embroidery though I envisage that most of the stitchery will be on the finished wall-hanging sort of similar to crazy-patch embellishment.

The finished size is approximately 50 (long) x24 inches.

Part one will be ready for sending out mid October so you have a month or so to register with me. Everyone that signs up will receive a monthly email pattern in PDF format (or snail mail if that is a problem).

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.blogspot.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

Have you ever stopped to think how quilting has changed your life? Maybe it hasn’t but personally I have found it The Most effective (and productive) method of group therapy!

It was brought back to me recently when I received a text message from someone I went out with way back and I mean way back – like 40-something years ago. Yes I was there and can remember the 60s or almost most of that decade!

Alan had tracked me down and phoned for a catch up then a couple of days later I received the following text:

‘I heard about someone who made quilts most of her life. She said the rest of her life she just wasted time. Strange.’

I couldn’t see anything strange about that at all!! When I told him so he said that the first time he met me I was knitting. Knitting! Quilting! Hands working on a project to warm! Sometimes everything changes – sometimes nothing.

 

Pumpkin Patch

If you get amongst the plants in the garden, and you have to when the pruning needs doing, you can see the promise of yummy things to come. Spring is so close to springing that I can savour those little green buds. About the only crops left for eating right now though are the green ones that have survived the frosts. It is those cold mornings though that heads you back to quilts and quilting. Meanwhile the promise of the bright yellow daffies and blooming lavender brightens my days.

 

Projects

I am always amazed at the different interpretations put on quilt patterns. Colour choices and method executions always personalise our quilts and create the variations. It is good to see.

I know I have been promising you a new Project now that the Sampler is finished but life and family have overtaken me this month. I am working on it and will take it with me to Nelson where I am off to in a couple of days.

My big sister has just undergone breast surgery – please keep up with your checks and mammograms for yourselves as much as family and friends. It seems that Karen has been fortunate in that the lump was found early enough.

 

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.blogspot.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

I have to tell you all what a fun time I had yesterday.

My local club, Patchworkers Unlimited based in Turua, held their birthday party here at Wholly Quilts. We were all asked to bring our first quilt with us. These were put in a pile and then each one was held up for us to guess at the maker and then hear the stories about them. Many were sampler quilts, some were pieced on papers, quite a few had polyester sheets as backings but all demonstrated how far our quilting journeys have taken us.

Funny how we immediately tried to match the old, faded ones with the older members in the group – not always rightJ!!

It was also a great way to find out more about the various members of our group.

 

Pumpkin Patch

My garden is now definitely into winter mode with the bare gaps in the backyard looking more suitable for rice paddies than anything else (maybe next year!!).

It is still The Best Thing To Do to go out and pick all the vegetables for the weekend – potatoes, carrots, beetroot, greens including silver beet, rocket, mustard, peas and then there are all the herbs, chili and limes and lemons. How spoilt am I?

My orange trees are only small but I think a retreater knew that when she turned up last weekend with a big bag of fruit to make marmalade. Obviously I don’t get a break from the stove just yet.

 

Wholly Quilts Retreats

Have had several new quilters sign up for this newsletter so thought I time to tell you all about a retreat here at Wholly Quilts.

I offer warm, quilted accommodation (four to a room); home cooked meals that are seasonal, nutritious and calorie-free (as is all good food shared with good friends) and can include any dietary requirements; a studio that continues to be as inspirational in its stitching designation as it was as a church and all this within an easy drive of Auckland or Hamilton (no more than 90 minutes to either).

I have been teaching all things quilting for over 18 years so you can come do a class do your own thing or get out of a fix with my help.

Most retreaters arrive Friday evening for a soup supper and stay through to Sunday afternoon. The cost has been held at $165 per person which includes all meals, bed linen and quilting help.

You are all very welcome to come share my place on the Hauraki Plains for a weekend (or any other two days)

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Wholly Quilts June Newsletter

 

G’day

Now you know it is just not the thing to do to complain about the wet stuff falling on our heads after such a long drought BUT enough is enough. I’ve just had a phone call from Hikuai (you know – over the other side of the hill) wanting to defer tomorrow’s class cos of the rain coming down and the floods coming up. It may well settle down overnight so we wait.

I spent an enjoyable afternoon last week judging the Calling all Quilts exhibition in Hamilton. It always amazes me how beautiful quilts are en masse – seems like the little primitive or first-effort ones shines that much brighter when surrounded by the more colourful and expertly done quilts,

 

Daytime Sew n Soup

Our first go at this last week was a great success with nine little art quilts started on the day. Many of the participants were stretched beyond their normal limits but I look forward to seeing the finished quilts.

I was gonna change to a Friday for this month but have a prior appointment. Am off on a ‘shop hop’ with a group of retreaters on the last Friday of June so will schedule this month’s sew n soup for Thursday June 25. We will tackle the Japanese-style folded flowers.

Phone me to book and get your list of requirements. Cost $15.

 

Pumpkin Patch

My lovely son bought me a new toy last week – a dehydrator. And so far it has been put to great use. I have dried my feijoas and persimmons. I am, as I write, drying a great bunch of stevia. That’s the herbal sugar that tastes remarkably like saccharine and is very good for diabetics.

Last week I went foraging in the disused school grounds over the road – there I found an abundant crop of mushrooms and have been picking them regularly for over four weeks. I have eaten, frozen, given away and now dehydrated mushrooms - an excellent and cheap crop.

While there I discovered that two of the large trees on the old playing field are black walnuts so am now experimenting with them.

A third tree was an old Granny Smith apple tree the fruit off it is now in bottles as the base for my special chilli sauce.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

quilting gardener blog

 

It’s been a while but in the life of a quilter that means that work has been done (not necessarily) and in the life of a gardener work has been done (oh yes).

Actually I have decided that I am more of a cook these days than a quilting gardener or was that a gardening quilter.

All that work put into the garden has come back at me – my top pantry shelf is groaning and I am not sure whether I have done too much or Jared hasn’t called in for a while.

Recent additions include:

Quince paste made from quinces that the above-mentioned Jared bought me. Now I am looking for a replacement quince tree – that last didn’t survive the planting.

Chilli sauce - which is based on apples (that I discovered growing in the abandoned school over the road) and a big pick of my chilli, garlic and tomato sauce.

Cauliflower chow chow – made from an exchange of NZ spinach and parsley (both of which have gone berserk after self-seeding themselves around the garden) for a large cauli.

For some reason J my computer is not liking my convoluted sentences!

Crab-apple jelly made with another exchange.

Hopefully the last of the jalapeños have now been pickled.

I am inundated with feijoas, rhubarb and persimmons and the occasional strawberry - yes still! My mustard greens are waist height (I know that that is not particularly high given my stature) and I am eating every day after reading that mustard is great for asthmas and other related breathing problems. The parsley in the garden is your common garden variety parsley. You know, five or six stalks, but the parsley that has helped itself to space between bricks or in the middle of the pumpkin patch is half a metre high and wide and so-oo green.

Golf-ball shaped carrots, long skinny carrots, long fat beetroot and jalapeño chilli are all ready for picking as are the potatoes.

Have to tell you a recipe I put together from my garden last week:

I cooked up onion and garlic, added a swapped leek, the last of my tomatoes, a couple of chilli, an inch of chorizo sausage and then a huge bunch of mustard greens and a tin of chickpeas. Yum! Definitely have to have a go at growing chickpeas or soy beans next summer.

I must add that recipe to the brown recipe book which is slowly being put onto the computer to avoid a custody dispute when I am not longer the quilting gardener.

I told you about the school over the road. I was out foraging for mushrooms (the warm weather has meant a bumper crop of them over the last two weeks) and found an old Granny Smith apple tree with really good unmarked fruit AND two black walnut trees. This time of the year is great for black hands after picking ‘shrooms and walnuts.

‘Shrooms have been eaten, frozen and dehydrated. Jared has bought me a food dehydrator (bless him) but I couldn’t wait so the fungi have been drying in my oven for the past 24 hours and now fill a jar on the pantry shelf.

The walnuts are drying out alongside the harvested buttercups.

Last week the local beefies went through the paddock next door to me so I followed them with my wheelbarrow and have dug cow poo through a garden ready for garlic planting in the next month.

On the quilting front …

I have been in designing mode – an ANZAC banner and an herb-themed quilt to enter at Queenstown symposium next year.

Have finally quilted the ‘monster’ quilt that Nina designed several years ago and am preparing to start quilting another monster (as in large quilt) for a special coming event.

 

 

Wholly Quilts' newsletter

 

Wholly Quilts March Newsletter

 

G’day

I am totally discombobulated! My favourite sewing machine is away with Mr Fixit and it’s just like having a limb missing. Anyway it is too hot to be sewing under a quilt and the weather looks set to continue despite autumn starting tomorrow.

 

My wee exhibition at the local art gallery starts next week and the closest I have come to quilts this week is ensuring all have hanging sleeves, labels etc.

 

My teaching contract for the Remarkable Symposium in April 2011 has now been confirmed. I am teaching three new classes – the Tartan Rug, One Fabric-One Patch and Ooey Gooey Hugs (a variation on my old favourite Ooey Gooey Hearts). I look forward to catching up with some of you in Queenstown next year.

 

Lime Spritzer BoM

The first block is out there and I hear already there is a ‘lime spritzer’ party planned for later in the year for the big reveal.  Number two block will be heading out mid-month.

 

Pumpkin Patch

I think the twitch weed is winning in my patch; however I can spot at least 10 pumpkins including one hanging from the boundary fence. There are still lots of flowers and busy bumble bees so maybe others will come along.

Speaking of garden stuff I have been picking and pickling gherkins, jalapeños, tomatoes, gherkins, cape gooseberries, plums, garlic, beetroot and did I mention gherkins? All from my garden – how satisfying and delicious for the coming months!!

 

And to repeat - I have been planning my year:

Sew n Soup will start again on March 26 – last Friday of each month, $15 each from 5-ish        and you can sew till whenever. First up we’ll be playing with the Disappearing         

9-Patch block. This is a great little technique for a lap or cot quilt.

Retreats - $165 each from Friday night through to Sunday afternoon. Catering for 3-8.

Let me know if you would be interested in another open retreat where you can come by yourself and meet others.

Tuesday afternoon – open classroom ($10). Let me help solve your problems, teach you new

            techniques and push your boundaries

Classes – at my place or yours, I have been teaching for nearly 20 years. I have many   original patterns and classes and can work with all techniques and patterns showing

you lots of quick tricks and tips along the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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