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

September Retreat

Not all retreats are created equal. Eating and quilting can be interspersed with rugby tests. Here Debbie, Sue and Dianne celebrate a try by the All Blacks against Argentina. I had to watch 'cos I was reliably informed that my youngest son might be there at the game - didn't see him, don't know!

The girls were doing their own things this weekend that included making 'burn-away' placemats out of some very plush/posh fabrics, appliquéing a farm quilt and having a first attempt at quilting.

Their comments included: 'fantastic weekend, learnt heaps' and 'sewing, friendships and rugby go together well. Thanks heaps for another great weekend' and 'One could not ask for a better sewing retreat. Thanks for sharing all your wonderful quilting knowledge with us. Cannot wait for out next one"

The menu this weekend included a Saturday night feast of lovely lamb from my daughter's (Nina) block, slow roasted with Moroccan spices and roast spuds, carrots, broccoli and courgettes. All served with lashings of home-made mint jelly and raita. For our just desserts we had crumbed fruit cake with a lemon mousse and whipped cream - no calorie-counting at weekends

September Newsletter

Wholly Quilts
September Newsletter

G’day
For years I have quite intentionally ignored the black and white fabrics. Oh I liked them but always found using them too graphic, too um black and white, I suppose. I do like the grey shades that are in life and in colours so I resisted until recently.
When I set out to make a black and white quilt (using plain white fabric and plain black fabric) all sorts of concepts flew out the window. You have to make considered choice about textures cos all the contrasts are there; you don't feel guilty about throwing the scraps in the bin and most of all you have to have a very clean iron (found that one out the hard way).
I have also discovered there are books and challenges and thousands of fabrics featuring black and white.
Anyway I have had two black and white quilts (both with a touch of red) selected to hang at the Aotearoa Quilt show during the Hamilton Craft Fair.
I began another and got only as far as this sample which I think is now destined for a frame though I do love it.
Jenny Russell is the winner of this month's fabric pack. Jenny was my class angel for my first class in Queenstown a while ago. She then kept coming back to look after me for the rest of the week including turning up on the day she was meant to be a student in another class. It is nice to keep in touch with friends from way back. Jenny let me have you address and yes I will bring my Magic Carpet to Ashburton for you to see.

The Pumpkin Patch fruit trees are blossoming so I think it safe to start planning the vegetable garden for early summer planting. I have two veg ready for picking - Kohlrabi (you know the one that looks like a u-boat's mine) and cavalo nero have thrived over winter. Usually I grow crops that I can preserve in some way but these two have got me beat. Eat or freeze I think.  If you have any suggestions though please leave a comment below.  I'll pick one at random to get a fabric pack next month.

Funny how quilts and food just change with the years and yet never change at all. I have gone back to my favourite Aunty Daisy recipe book this month cos its marmalade time on the Chopping Block.
I picked my small crop of oranges last night and sliced them all finely (with one lemon), covered in cold water and walked away. Tonight I have to boil for half an hour and walk away. After 24 hours I can then add a cup for cup of sugar and boil until it jellies then bottle. This is such an easy recipe and the final cooking is relatively short.

By the way, if you want to bring a group of friends for a relaxing weekend before Christmas season is upon us, please get in touch.

Natalie

Some Recent Quilts

I thought it timely to share some of my recent quilts with you - some have been successful others have just kept me happy both during the construction and on completion.

• It Takes Two - has been selected for exhibition at the Aotearoa Quilters Craft Fair
• Tic Tac Toe Two - was also exhibited at Taupo symposium
• Party Lines - has toured New Zealand with the Aotearoa Quilters Connection challenge quilts
• Poppy and Boofhead - has been selected for exhibition at the Aotearoa Quilters Craft Fair
• Lady of the Lake - was exhibited at Taupo symposium

It Takes Two

Tic Tac Toe Two

Party Lines

Poppy and Boofhead

Lady of the Lake

Our August Retreat

Five young women from South Auckland spent a weekend with me each working on individual kaleidoscope quilts. Amazing colour combinations that came together like you wouldn't believe.

A great part of my enjoyment of hosting a retreat is seeing the progression of the ladies from one retreat to the return visit. And I always learn plenty in the process.

The menu for this weekend included a spicy smoked fish kedgeree for lunch on Saturday and then beef casserole, creamy horseradish potatoes with steamed garden greens followed by lemon meringue pie for dinner. That kept them all going until nearly 2am Sunday :)

One commented in my visitors' book  ... really enjoyed your wonderful cooking and warm hospitality.

If you want to bring a group of friends for a relaxing weekend before the Christmas season is upon us, please get in touch.

Natalie 

Wholly Quilts http://nataliemurdoch.co.nz

Wholly Quilts August 2013 Newsletter

Wholly Quilts
August Newsletter

G’day
Well another symposium has been and gone. I was a day visitor only this year and it felt so strange not to be immersed in all things quilting but those that did attend report favourably in the main. The one good thing is that most have already registered to Quilt Manawatu in 18 months and are looking forward to Christchurch in 2017.
While I was down there I picked up a piece of fabric for the Hoffman Challenge.  Have never entered that before but am a great believer in

Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread came off the Chopping Block this month thanks to Judy in Whitianga.
Combine 2 cups sugar and 3/4 cups vegetable oil then beat in 4 eggs one at a time. Stir through 16 ounces pumpkin puree (500gm). Note here: Judy is an American so probably buys this by the 'can'.
Combine 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, 2tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1tsp salt,
2tsp mixed spice, 1tsp cinnamon and 1tsp nutmeg.
Add to the pumpkin mixture alternately with 2/3c water, beginning and ending with flour mixture.  Stir in 2tsp vanilla extract and 1 cup chopped walnuts (I didn't have walnuts so used pumpkin seeds for crunch and a cup of raisins)
Spoon batter into 2 lightly greased 9x5x3 loaf pans; bake at 165C for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until it tests done.  Cool in pan 10 minutes; remove from pan and cool on wire rack.

Wholly Quilts July 2013 Newsletter

G’day!
Now that we have paddled our way through the onset of winter it seems a great time to sit under a quilt and plan future projects. I think I will return to my old favourite - a scrappy quilt. I have in mind to do a four-inch North Wind block. 

Sure it involves lots of fiddly triangles but I can envision a spectacular 

quilt at the end of all that work. Actually just thinking about making three to four hundred blocks is a little daunting but it will keep me out of mischief for a while.
Am tempted to enter Bernina's latest challenge - 'music'. Having won the lovely sewing machine last year with my portrait of the Dedley-Synn family maybe not. I'd probably have to call on the more musical