April 2014

G'day! Here's a wee peak at my latest PhD* with at least a start made on the quilting. I finish my annual camp catering gig this week and so hope to be back in front of my sewing machine soon enough to get some of 'those quilting ideas' out of my head and down on fabric. Wot I would really like to do is make a award winning quilt just for my own satisfaction - maybe that kaleidoscope one I've been planning. First I must finish this one off for the 'growth' challenge. A couple of weeks ago I flew to Wellington (in the face of a cyclone) to offer my help to the national association. I make no claims to be able to fix anything but I think Aotearoa Quilters needs to find a new direction and place in the quilting world. We all avidly guard our own little corner, be it club or guild, often to the detriment of our craft. An old-fashioned quilting bee on a national scale is what we should strive for - a place to go for information, somewhere to share and show, friendships to foster and lessons to learn. I would love your input into this debate - please contact me. Changes to the constitution have been mooted that could allow the association to take its place as a governing body rather than continuing the perception of an exclusive club that has a show or challenge each year for competitive quilters and ignoring all others. By the way, if you want to bring a group of friends for a relaxing weekend, the second half of the year still has some vacancies so get in touch.  Natter Later! * projects half done

Pumpkin Patch The Pumpkin Patch is also largely a PhD* with the garden tween seasons. I have huge crops of feijoas, persimmons, oranges, lemons and limes just hanging around looking very green. The birds have been given free-range on the remaining figs and grapes though before they got into the figs I 'stored' for winter by drying, making a tasty paste/pate and an equally tasty chutney. The last days of summer are reflected in what remains as you can see of my salad garden above. At this time of the year the herbs have either bolted to seed or died off though there is still enough green bits for a herby salad.  Having an extra pair o hands (Nina) in the garden makes a huge difference when it comes to keeping on top of the weeds cos they are seemingly the only growing things that like a drought. And then there are the empty beds waiting seeds or green compost.

Chopping Block The Chopping Block recipes this month are straight out of the garden. Poor Man's Caviar (aka Baba Ganoush) and Poor Man's Olives (aka Pickled Grapes). I picked four medium egg plant from the garden; halved and rubbed with garlic, salt and oil and roasted in a fairly high oven (200 deg C) until soft and juicy. I then scooped them out and into a food processor with lotsa black pepper, a 'slug' of olive oil, juice of a large lemon, 1tbsp tahini paste more salt and garlic to taste and 1tsp allspice. Blitz. The 'olives' were made from 2 cups of grapes de-stemmed and packed into a sterilised jar. Pour 1 small cup white wine vinegar, 1tbsp kosher salt, 1tsp sugar, 1 lge clove garlic, the leaves from a small sprig of rosemary and a pinch of chilli flakes into a pan and slowly bring to a simmer. Pour over grapes and let cool; then seal and refrigerate 1 hour before serving. Keeps up to 2 weeks.

March 2014

Yeah - those triangles are now quilted and nearly bound. It is quite strange but I discovered in the final corner of the nigh on 6000 triangles, one pair had been sewn the wrong way around. Now I could have undone about five seams and a couple of rows of quilting to change them but ... isn't is funny how proudly we are to show off our work but how quickly we are to point out the mistakes. It is for me to know and you to find. While planning my next project and working on my teaching CV I thought back to some quilts that gave me so much pleasure in the making and then teaching. This much used clown was one of the classes (appropriately called Bordering on the Comical) I taught at my first symposium (last century) so needs an airing and maybe revisiting. With the national association in shutdown mode until the vote to continue was made last month, I have offered to edit their newsletter. I see this as a way I can help strengthen and breath some new life and enthusiasm back. I personally feel it is an asset that we quilters should support so that our links and positioning with quilters worldwide can continue. My very clever son (he who must be obeyed in all things computers) sent me this link with the suggestion that we could help out, given the generous people that we quilters are. My main news is that my lovely Nina has moved back in with me (she says temporarily) but came with a cupboard full of quilts, two dogs and all but a whatsit in a pear tree. At least the dogs appreciate the quilts as much as she does. You know, years ago I child-proofed my house but they are still getting back in. Pumpkin Patch Stripping and processing/giving away damson plums from the Pumpkin Patch was the main task this month. I made jam, sauce cooked to de-pip and froze buckets full. You can see in the pic what was on offer. Today I had a call from Lesley who wanted to know what to do with some damsons she had acquired so I told her I would publish the Brandied Cherries recipe (I made at Christmas and they were superb) for her to try with plums. I'll await feedback. In the meantime my fig tree is literally dripping with ripe fist-sized fruit and, as most recipes use dried figs, I will just have to continue drying them for future use. The other bountiful crop in the patch is grapes - large green ones and a very tasty brown heirloom 'Papa Jack'. The 'shame' is that all you can really do is make juice or eat them. Chopping Block Brandied Cherries were made on the Chopping Block at Xmas. Pit 1 1/2 lb cherries and set aside. In a pot bring 3/4 cup sugar, 3/4 cup water, 2 tbsp. lemon juice and 4 cardamom pods, 2 whole cloves, 2 whole allspice, 1 cinnamon stick to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook until the mixture is slightly reduced and thickened, about 10 minutes. Turn off the heat, stir in the 1 cup brandy and the pitted cherries. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cherries to jar (I used old jam jars). Pour enough of the cooking liquid over the cherries to cover them completely. Twist on lid. Leave in a cool dark place for two weeks then enjoy!

February 2014

Wholly Quilts
February Newsletter

In an effort to tick off another of my want to do quilt (a kaleidoscope) I acquired a third book to show me the way. I added RaNae Merrill's Magnificent Spiral Mandala Quilts to Paula Nadelstern and Ricky Tims' kaleidoscope books and only managed to confuse myself. Together they are a bit like the Three Bears - one is too fussy (Paula), one too clunky (Ricky) and one sort of okay (RaNae) but not really how I want to do mine. So armed with all their information I will head off to design mode and see what happens. The principle of learning techniques off others and then adapting has always worked for me in the past. So here goes!

I have given you a pic here of my latest PhD (project half done). It is my 5856 triangles together at last AND, please note, being quilted. 488 four-inch North Wind blocks done from the scrap basket alone and yet again the level of said basket is still the same - it really is a sustainable resource.

Last month's Pot Luck Picnic was a lovely day with friends coming from far and wide. I have been reprimanded by he-who-knows-all (about computers) for not taking photographs but truth be told I was having far too much fun on the day. Great selection of quilts to look at and picnic food to eat. Seems I can control the weather too - so much sun, so little wind.

 If you do have some pictures of the picnic day, send them through and he'll put them on the website which he has also updated with notes about some of the most popular quilts I teach.  He is grand, isn't he?!

The Pumpkin Patch is living up to its name ... pumpkins galore and I am picking a bucket of tomatoes every couple of days. I have been reduced (get it?) to making tomato paste cos I now have enough tomatoes dried, frozen, chutney-ed and sauced. This morning I picked three large cucumbers and I'll have to pickle them before I go off to Camp Catering (on Motutapu Island) tomorrow. I keep avoiding making eye contact with the Damson Plum tree that looks more and more like a grape vine with all its fruit. I know I'll have to deal with them very soon.

The Chopping Block was gonna try out pumpkin cake recipes before the influx but when I went to my recipe book I found a much more interesting recipe - Plonk Cake.
Plonk 5 eggs  2 cups sugar  2 cups self-raising flour  50g melted butter  2 teaspoons baking powder into a food processor in the above order
Plonk into a greased tin.
Plonk 140g sliced tinned/fresh fruit or mixed berries, plums whatever. Bake at just over 200c for 30 mins (check till done).
When cool, sprinkle with icing sugar.

By the way, if you want to bring a group of friends for a relaxing weekend the second half of the year still has some vacancies so get in touch. 

January 2014

Wholly Quilts
January Newsletter

Best wishes for a fabulous 2014. I always see it as a time for new beginnings and try to make the most of it on all the important things in my life - family, friendships and quilting so I hope you can too. This year is gonna be a goodie!

I have broken all records and actually done some sewing in recent days but probably only because my studio is a lot cooler than the garden or the house. I developed and then coerced my daughter into drawing and cutting new class samples. I am calling it Wings for obvious reasons. These funky little quilts are appli-quilted and

December Newsletter

Wholly Quilts
December Newsletter

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Wow! There is so much to tell you all. First of all my great South Island adventure was so much fun despite turning far too many corners and getting lost often.

The girls in deepest Central Otago (Miller's Flat) made me feel extremely welcome. This pic is a first quilt made from old woollen clothing - isn't it lovely?
The road trip from there to Nelson was highlighted by stays with quilting friends Noeline and Yvonne (she taught me everything I know years ago) and family.

I did hear on the way that my classes at the mini-symposium have been cancelled but for those who miss out I am teaching at Needle 'n Thread in both Geraldine and Dunedin next June. I do hope I can catch up with some of you then.

My sister Stateside sent me this link and although I think it very clever I can't see it becoming a trend.

But how about this wonderful link to Leah Day.  Her advice to improve

November Retreat

The gals who came down from Auckland's North Shore were all return retreaters so it was so much like having old friends to stay when nothing is too difficult.

They all came with projects such as quilting a grandchild's quilt, a class sample under construction and assembling blocks and rows. A lot was achieved at the sewing machine and once again, in front of the television (have to watch the All Blacks play).

The menu this weekend included chicken and corn soup with a bacony corn bread. Lunch on Saturday was a salmon pasta salad and for Saturday night we feasted on roast pork with sweet and sour roast vegetables (kumara, carrot, parsnip, beetroot, apple and brocolli). That was followed by lemon whip, strawberries and cream.

A fantastic fun-filled weekend started with a lovely welcome from Natalie. Good food and excellent tutoring and ideas from Natalie. A home away from home. (Chris)

As usual a banquet of exciting food, fun and fellowship. Natalie is such a generous hostess with quilting knowledge, garden ideas and wonderful recipes. Maureen said: An enjoyable weekend (Marie)

'Quilters' heaven on earth' - how could you possibly call Natalie's retreat anything else? Great food, great companionship, great tutelage. Do I really have to go home. I will be back again and again and again!! (Marilyn)

What a wonderful way to charge your batteries. Thanks a lot for such a lovely time and being spoiled with first-class food and help with my quilting. (Hettie)

Snap Happy Scrappy Quilt

Snap Happy Scrappy Quilt - Natalie Murdoch 2013