Wholly Quilts July 2011 Newsletter
G’day
On days like today it is easy to tell that my studio was purpose-built as a church (keep em cold and keep em awake). Have you ever tried using your computer with gloves on?
Even with 27 quilters squashed in here last week to celebrate the local club’s birthday and mid-winter the space took some warming.
I have just put the binding on my latest quilt. It is called ‘bush shapes’ and shows the colours and shapes of our lovely native bush. Putting the binding on any quilt comes with such mixed emotions – it is the end of something you have been nurturing and yet it is a time to now step off on another project (or two :). Now what can I do next?
My daughter has commissioned a quilt for a friend, there are one or two PhDs to work on, I have a stack of fabrics just begging to be made up and another pile of scraps calling me. Then there is a pattern lurking on the edge of my brain (fairly treacherous territory there) or an oldie that needs miniaturising and making with scraps. Never enough time!
Life in the Pumpkin Patch continues apace albeit slower, colder and muddier. Two weeks ago the shortest day came upon me. We had been enjoying such mild fine weather it was difficult to think that suddenly we were actually past the cusp of the year and heading for summer, Christmas et al. Anyway I got out there emptied the spuds out of the spud bed (obviously), weeded, turned the sod and planted my garlic and shallots and I can’t believe that the bed has lots a lovely new shoots already. Frosts of the last couple of days will, hopefully deal to the slugs n snails currently enjoying my cabbages and things though there is plenty of green stuff to go around.
And I have been doing lots with my lemons including getting a batch of limoncello under way.
The Chopping Block went into overtime with a very ‘lemony’ retreat last weekend. We had biscuits with lemon icing, Moroccan cous cous with preserved lemon, lemon dessert on Saturday night, lemon cordial, lemon squeezed in the gin you get the idea. I even picked a bucket full and gave them away and still lemons sit prettily on the tree.
As it seems to be the season thought I’d share another lemon recipe – a Lemon Pickle.
Puree two whole lemons (pips removed), 5 large onions with one cup white vinegar.
Add to a large pot with 3 (more) cups white vinegar, 1 cup lemon juice, 3 tsp salt, 5 cups white sugar, 1 tsp turmeric, 4 tsp horseradish (or you can use wasabi), finely grated rind of 2 lemons, 5-6 cloves crushed garlic and 2 tsp ground ginger.
Bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer 45 minutes of until reduced to spoonable consistency. Makes 6 medium jars and is great with cold meats, fish or chicken.
Regards
Natalie
Sunday, July 03, 2011
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Wholly Quilts
Wholly Quilts
June Newsletter
G’day
I didn’t manage to sort out my quilt’s problems so have hung it in the stair well and someone might come up with a helpful solution. Have to move on to the next project. Some quilts, in my experience, are like that, it may forever stay as it is.
I feel very privileged to share my next bit of news with you. I had a lovely lunch recently with Barbara Bilyard’s family – they have asked me to complete a masterpiece she worked on for several months (that’s scary but I am sure she’ll tap me on the shoulder if I go too far from her original plan). The family have also agreed for me to add ‘Barb’s Quilts’ to my teaching Cv (that’s exciting but I feel like adding “ditto the above”) I’ll give both opportunities my best shot Barb!
They would also like to sponsor an award at future symposia. To raise some funds to do this I have for sale copies of her S-Bends workshop on CD. On it she makes making her quilts ‘sew simple’ with written, audio and visual instructions. These are $15 each and that includes postage.
I was at a show in Waiuku early last month and demonstrated my string quilts – I had a pointed bamboo ‘presser’ with me and several asked after them. I now have some in the studio so if you want one let me know (cost $7 each).
The Pumpkin Patch continues to share its largesse with me (and the snails). It was my turn to host the local garden club earlier in the week. Now I know my garden isn’t all in rows and pretty flowers but it was fun to see them taste their way around various herbs, ooh and aah over my lemon tree that seems to have more lemons than tree at present and ask after names of the various camellias. (I had to confess that one was a ‘dark burgundy’ and t’other was a red one – obviously if I can’t eat then I can’t name it. Not a good look for the gardening ladies!!). At least they were all gracious enough to admire and taste for themselves.
The Chopping Block worked overtime for the afternoon tea. I had made mini-muffins using my dried tomatoes and some quick rocket and walnut pesto. Put out a plate of the various fruits I have dried, made some biscuits with this dried fruit and baked a very simple Lemon Cake. The ladies demanded the recipe so as I have written it out for them I will give it to you.
Heat your fan oven to 160deg and butter an 20cm pan.
Now cream 125g butter, 1 cup sugar and zest of 2 lemons; beat in 3 eggs; sift 1 cup flour and 1 tsp baking powder and add alternating with ¾ cup yoghurt. Bake 45-50min.
Mix the juice to 2 lemons with 1 cup icing sugar and drizzle over hot cake (I had do drizzle several times as it was absorbed). Decorate with zest.
June Newsletter
G’day
I didn’t manage to sort out my quilt’s problems so have hung it in the stair well and someone might come up with a helpful solution. Have to move on to the next project. Some quilts, in my experience, are like that, it may forever stay as it is.
I feel very privileged to share my next bit of news with you. I had a lovely lunch recently with Barbara Bilyard’s family – they have asked me to complete a masterpiece she worked on for several months (that’s scary but I am sure she’ll tap me on the shoulder if I go too far from her original plan). The family have also agreed for me to add ‘Barb’s Quilts’ to my teaching Cv (that’s exciting but I feel like adding “ditto the above”) I’ll give both opportunities my best shot Barb!
They would also like to sponsor an award at future symposia. To raise some funds to do this I have for sale copies of her S-Bends workshop on CD. On it she makes making her quilts ‘sew simple’ with written, audio and visual instructions. These are $15 each and that includes postage.
I was at a show in Waiuku early last month and demonstrated my string quilts – I had a pointed bamboo ‘presser’ with me and several asked after them. I now have some in the studio so if you want one let me know (cost $7 each).
The Pumpkin Patch continues to share its largesse with me (and the snails). It was my turn to host the local garden club earlier in the week. Now I know my garden isn’t all in rows and pretty flowers but it was fun to see them taste their way around various herbs, ooh and aah over my lemon tree that seems to have more lemons than tree at present and ask after names of the various camellias. (I had to confess that one was a ‘dark burgundy’ and t’other was a red one – obviously if I can’t eat then I can’t name it. Not a good look for the gardening ladies!!). At least they were all gracious enough to admire and taste for themselves.
The Chopping Block worked overtime for the afternoon tea. I had made mini-muffins using my dried tomatoes and some quick rocket and walnut pesto. Put out a plate of the various fruits I have dried, made some biscuits with this dried fruit and baked a very simple Lemon Cake. The ladies demanded the recipe so as I have written it out for them I will give it to you.
Heat your fan oven to 160deg and butter an 20cm pan.
Now cream 125g butter, 1 cup sugar and zest of 2 lemons; beat in 3 eggs; sift 1 cup flour and 1 tsp baking powder and add alternating with ¾ cup yoghurt. Bake 45-50min.
Mix the juice to 2 lemons with 1 cup icing sugar and drizzle over hot cake (I had do drizzle several times as it was absorbed). Decorate with zest.
Absolutely moist and yummy!
Regards
Natalie
Regards
Natalie
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Wholly Quilts
Wholly Quilts May Newsletter
G’day
Well I am back from Queenstown’s symposium enthused and inspired by a week of quiltie stuff. I am always blown away about how much I learn from my students - and what a great bunch I had on all five days of teaching down there.
My week got off to a great start with both my ANZAC banner and Barb’s Remarkable challenge entry receiving awards. The latter was such an emotional moment given that Barb has probably won awards at each and every symposium held in this country.
Am now sitting and looking at a quilt I made for the tutor’s exhibition, but didn’t put in cos I was not happy with it, trying to work out what is wrong. I think the balance is out – nothing on it seems to ‘sing’ to me. Will keep an eye on it for a few days and someth ing may come to me. I hope so cos there is a lot of work just to consign it to the cupboard. Don’t you hate it when what is in your head doesn’t translate to your quilt?
The Leaf Project and Turquoise Sherbet BoM are still getting additional names added so they keep me on my toes staying one step ahead of all participants.
I know I have a group of new recipients reading this their first newsletters so need to explain that the Leaf Project is a lesson/technique a month by email and the Turquoise Sherbet is a BoM where I send out a pattern and sufficient turquoise fabric to complete it.
The Pumpkin Patch is looking so green and delicious but I have to rummage in the healthy weeds to find a feed. Funny how the slugs and snails can tell the difference between a weed and bok choy! However my tomatoes have decided that they prefer to be neglected (not weeded and watered regularly) and are giving me a great late picking. So much so that I have been ‘relishing’ and drying even more of them. And now the feijoas are having their time – I have sort of sweet pickled feijoa leather out of the first bucketful but now have an ever increasing heap waiting for attention.
I have such fun telling you of ways I preserve my ‘pumpkin patch’ product that many of you are now asking for the recipe so I have decided to include one each month from the Chopping Block.
The first is how I dry my tomatoes: I cut all (and you can include green ones too) into quarter-inch (just to keep it patchworky) slices and lay out on baking paper covering an oven sheet. I then sprinkle with sea salt, fresh thyme from the PP though you could use dried, oil that I have infused with garlic from the PP (you get the idea) and put into a fan oven at about 70 degrees for five hours.
The tomatoes are reduced considerably in volume for easier storage and can be used as they are or in sauces, on pizzas etc
Regards
Natalie Murdoch
Friday, April 01, 2011
Wholly Quilts
Wholly Quilts April Newsletter
G’day
White rabbit! White rabbit! White rabbit! Isn’t that what we used to say on the first of the month and I think April 1st deserves triple mention.
Last month I spent some quite special time with my good quiltie friend Barbara Bilyard before her passing on the 18th. What a great loss to quilting in this country – Barb was at the first symposium in Auckland
These days I am finishing off the year-end books, stock-taking and trying to finish a quilt for the tutors’ exhibition in Queenstown. I can’t believe that is only a couple of weeks away. I must be having fun!
The first of the Leaf Project is out there and the second lesson ready to go early next week. Still time to join in and catch up.
The Turquoise Sherbet BoM is also into the second month and I have quite a few of the first month to cut and catch up on so you can join with that too.
April’s Fabric Special: I have packs of beautiful jewel-coloured batiks – 18 fat quarters (4.5m) for just $70 each including post and packaging.
It’s a sad time in the Pumpkin Patch. In the last couple of days I have picked the last handful of strawberries and eaten them for breakfast; stripped the grape vine and made juice; picked and pickled the last of the main crop of figs; dried the last of the tomatoes; given away the last of the beans; frozen the passionfruit and shaken my head at the weeds. Mind you the feijoas, persimmons and tamarillos – oh and the pomegranates - are still to go so all is not lost – or should I say eaten. And I still have potatoes, carrots, beetroot, aubergine (my spell check tells me this should be aborigine so maybe I had better call them egg plant), chilli and capsicum to go along with lots of green stuff.
Regards
Natalie
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Wholly Quilts
Wholly Quilts March Newsletter
G’day
My sister has been and gone – what fun! How much family, food and giggles can you fit into three days? Lots!
Yee ha! I have had three quilts accepted for the Queenstown symposium. I do love sharing my quilts with more than just the four walls of my studio. Well I wrote that this morning and can now add the fourth quilt I entered – the notifications to me were split in the mail – an extra loud woo-hoo.
If you want to join in the Leaf Project any time in the next few weeks just give me a shout. The first lesson is a version of my Ooey Gooey Heart pattern and looks lovely done in the leaf shape. I am planning a not-quite-so-traditional tree of life in the centre and have had fun designing that though it hasn’t made it to the computer as yet. Because this is an on-line project you can catch up. It will cost $65.
The first block of Turquoise Sherbet goes out early next week. It is my weekend chore. Do not fret if you are still working on numbers I can catch up with you. Pay $30 for individuals or $25 for groups of six or more to my bank account Wholly Quilts 389005 0972408 00 or by cheque to the address below.
The race is on each day in the Pumpkin Patch to beat the birds to the ripe figs – yum! Only trouble is they do not hold for long so now I am pickling and jamming figs, eating figs and giving them away. The damson plum tree was stripped last week and the fruit dealt with. Jared, my lovely son, is convinced it is not real plum jam if it has no pips so I had to scoop out only every third one that floated to the surface J. This year I carefully planted my pumpkins in a garden and thought they would overflow and thrive but not so – each plant produce only a few pumpkins. I have to say white butterflies galore and a lonely rabbit really really like my garden!
Regards
Natalie Murdoch
--
Wholly Quilts
Ph 07 867 3085 or Cell 0210 2231 678
RD6
http://patchnat.blogspot.com/ - my blog, where you can read the latest news that may or may not make the newsletter...
Monday, January 31, 2011
Wholly Quilts
Wholly Quilts February Newsletter
G’day
It’s reality time. No more holidays (well apart from today’s Auckland/Nelson Anniversary Day). No more eating and drinking just because. No more putting anything off because it is a nice sunny day. Today I am concentrating on you, this year’s projects and finishing off a quilt for the tutors’ exhibition at the Remarkable Symposium cos yes, I have five days teaching down there – yeah!!
A couple of days ago I was ankle deep in mud that had gone through the lovely café next door to me. It brought home to me what the flood victims in Oz have had to face. Fortunately I had no flood damage at all though it has not a good time for a lot of people.
My ‘American’ sister arrived in the country yesterday and I am excitedly waiting for her to arrive at my place. She is tripping through vineyards and national parks at the top of the
Summer Picnic for Quilters
About 30 turned out for the day. It was great catching up after the Christmas break. We did decide on the collective pronoun for quilters - Gillian came up with a binding of quilters. Overcast weather made for a pleasant day of alfresco stitching and chatting.
The Leaf Project is set to launch early March. Each month you are given a technique or class by email. These include piecing, appliqué, foundation piecing and stitching. The finished quilt will be a big single so fabric requirements are down to you. I guesstimate approximately 5 metres of scraps in your choice of colour. I am doing mine in plaids. A minimum of 12 months will cost $65.
Turquoise Sherbet will also start early next month and is a block of the month with me supplying the turquoise fabric and a pattern. It is up to you to choose your colourway but some suggestions would be turq with brown, turq with cream or maybe greens. The final month includes suggested settings for your blocks. The cost is $30 for individuals or $25 each for groups of six or more. You will need to include your full postal address (incl post zone) when you sign up.
Payment for both the above projects can be made by cheque to my address at the foot of this email or to my bank account Wholly Quilts 389005 0972408 00
Pumpkin Patch
It’s tomato time – tomato sauce, tomato chutney, dried tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, giveaway tomatoes – you get the gist? No need to go anywhere near a greengrocer in the foreseeable future.
Regards
Natalie Murdoch
--
Wholly Quilts
Ph 07 867 3085 or Cell 0210 2231 678
RD6
http://patchnat.blogspot.com/ - my blog, where you can read the latest news that may or may not make the newsletter...
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Wholly Quilts
Wholly Quilts New Year Newsletter
Happy, happy New Year!
It is that time of the year when we reflect on achievements past and future ambitions. It is reassuring to know that my family are healthy and happy, my own health and home are thriving and my quilting continues to engross and delight me. Long may that continue!
Some of my friends have not been so fortunate and my love goes to them with the hope of a better time in the coming year.
The weather right now is far too beautiful to be inside quilting but a pen and paper in the shade is a good place to plan future projects – that’s where I am heading now.
Summer Picnic for Quilters
I know I forgot to tell you the date last newsletter but then most of you already know it is on Saturday January 22. Pot-luck picnic, raffles, give-aways and a 10.30am-ish start should make for a fun day. Share your latest projects with us including the Lime Spritzers.
There is a prize for the best answer to ‘what have you herd of quilters?’
The Leaf Project and Turquoise Sherbet have had some attention from me over recent weeks and both will be ready to fly come March - more about them next month.
Pumpkin Patch
It is now that time of the year in the garden when a salad is just waiting to be picked – plenty of greens, herbs, tomatoes, potatoes and cucumbers there for the eating. I was delighted to make a batch of jam from my own strawberries and boysenberries on Christmas Eve to add to my kids’ hampers. The pumpkins, grapes, blueberries, damson plums, passionfruit and tamarillos are promising many feeds to come.
Wholly Quilts Retreats
I want to welcome all the newbies to my newsletter and give you some information about retreats. Generally they are held over a weekend, Friday night through to Sunday afternoon, and the cost includes all accommodation, meals and teaching. Accommodation is shared rooms; meals are all fresh and seasonal and sometimes I test new recipes on you; and teaching can cover all techniques and skill levels.
The cost now is $175 per person
My wish for you is for good health, happiness and that all your dreams and resolutions are realised in 2011
Regards
Natalie Murdoch
--
Wholly Quilts
Ph 07 867 3085 or Cell 0210 2231 678
RD6
http://patchnat.blogspot.com/ - my blog, where you can read the latest news that may or may not make the newsletter...
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