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...

 

Wholly Quilts

Wholly Quilts February Newsletter

 

G’day

 

I don’t know how many of you have caught up with my occasional blogs. They have been written under the heading ‘the gardening quilter’ but the gardening bit has proven so prolific that it is quickly becoming the cooking quilter.

I have great memories of my mother bottling and preserving all sorts of fruit and vegetables and I have to say it is almost as soul-satisfying as quilting – out of scraps you can create something beautiful.

Those that turned up for my first picnic day contributed to a lovely event that I hope to repeat in a year’s time. Catherine won the big raffle and Grace’s was the prize sunhat.

 

Lime Spritzer BoM

Last call to join this project – I have been waiting for all those ’first meetings of the year’ for you to check with club-mates and now must get numbers and full postage addresses.

Remember: The cost for lime fabric and pattern will be $2 ($20) per person per month if I do a bulk mail out (ie eight or more people) or $2.50 ($25) for individuals.

The first block and fabric will be in the mail on Monday 13 February. So far I have over 100 eagerly waiting for that delivery.

 

Pumpkin Patch

Was out there this morning pinching the ends off the vines as they had ‘turned’ on me. Pumpkins are not required in my potato patch or climbing the latticework around my garden room. One leader is almost to the top of the cabbage tree along the boundary – I suppose picking pumpkins with a ladder has been done before J

 

Quilting and summer do not mix too well but I have an exhibition coming up next month and need to produce a few more quilts to show. As a (long-retired) journalist I am used to writer’s block but this quilter’s block is a whole different matter – I can’t seem to get my head around colours let alone patterns or styles. Still I have three weeks …

 

I have been planning my year though:

Sew n Soup will start again in March – last Friday of each month, $15 each from 5-ish and

you can sew till whenever

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 of my

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...

 

more from the gardening-quilter

I just knew it wouldn't be easy remembering how I got here last time but lookie - here I am.
Had to tell you about my kids (I know they are all adults but always they will be mine and 'kids' to me). I have to tell you how they rallied to launch Nina into her fourth decade and how proud they made me.
Nina readied her place for the party - no mean feat and with Jab and Lou (his lovely lady) helping they put the ram lamb on the spit, the turkey and vegetables into the hangi oven, invited all the whanau and friends and let rip. Adults and youngsters celebrated Nina's 40th through the afternoon and right through the night - lots of eating and dancing and ... how many of you have your own air show? Well two of them to be precise. Her 'squire' or neighbour is right into throwing his plane about in the sky (sky-ting) and even better it was the turn of his guest later in the afternoon to get up there and write a big '40' just for my girl.
She truly has come a long way in recent times and what is really heartwarming is the way her friends support her now and have been there for here right through her tough times. (that story is far too long suffice to say she is a wonderful human being now in spite or because of all that). I love her. You too Eth, Jab n Lou.
My garden continues to delight me and work me ragged. It's seems it's not enough to keep everything growing I then have to process all the goodies.
I was beginning to regret planting four gherkin plants cos I had done two big batches of bread and butter pickles and was running out of space in the pantry. Had decided to pick them much smaller and do a couple of jars of cornichons (is that what they are called? you know those little ones!) but then yesterday I was saved. My neighbouring farmer turned up at the fence with two large tractor scoops of manure-laden soil from his wintering over pads. I did a trade - two gallon jar of pickles and more room in the pantry for all that loverly dirt. It even smells like the country.
Today I got the first of the sweet corn into the freezer - have to admit I had a good gnaw at the cobs once the kernels had been cut off. Yum!
I also discovered that my tree laden with damson plums is about ready for picking. Stood under it and tried them out. The stevia (you know - that herbal sugar) that thriving beneath this tree helped with sweetening the tartness. Tomorrow's chore ...
Quilting has taken a back seat in recent weeks though I had about 30 friends and fellow quilters turn up for my 'picnic' at the weekend. It was a lovely day and well worth repeating.
As for preparing for my exhibition in March - I have one quilt out of the drawing board in my head and almost ready for sewing. Given that it is next month next week I should really stop typing and get sewing.
Just had to tell you about Nina's 40th - it was fun.


Natalie
Wholly Quilts
http://nataliemurdoch.co.nz

re-birth of the quilting gardner

Natalie
Wholly Quilts
http://nataliemurdoch.co.nz

Today feels like my birthday and not my daughter's!
For many reasons not least that my first-born Janine, hereinafter referred to as Nina :-) is 40 right NOW. I can't believe it. Happy birthday beautiful. Love you.
What an amazing 40 years it has been - Nina was the first of three amazing kids and the reason for a marriage that survived 20-odd (that's odd as in peculiar not about) years and yet another reason for today's blue funk or 're-birth'.
The 'dearly departed' has sent the divorce papers more than 19 years after leaving us. Am in two minds about obliging by signing and returning - do it now and move on or mess him up a little one last time.
Today I began as I intend every day should - a walk, half an hour in the garden cutting back the orange berries that have finally yielded a tasty crop and pickling the gherkins that threaten to get away from me in the garden.
And then there is the writing of my first blog. Don't know if anyone out there is listening but then I am used to speaking to thin air. I have after all been a mother for 40 years - wow!
I'd like to keep a record of my quilting and gardening if just for that son of mine who keeps nagging me. Hi Jab!
So in the garden right not I am having great fun with vegetables - fresh beans, beetroot, potatoes, strawberries and cape gooseberries. Not forgetting the herbs and plenty of other green stuff - all very healthy.
Nina and Jab were here for dinner a couple of nights ago and laughed and my (very young) apple tree and passionfruit vine each with one fruit. Wait until the figs, damson plums, persimmons and grapes are all ready for consumption.
And then there is the buttercup squash - heading across the garden and up the neighbouring fence.
On the quilting front I have just covered Nina's kapok eiderdown for the fourth time. It was first done for her 10th birthday BQ (that is Before I became a Quilter) in a very stylish Trip around the World pattern as I recall. It had worn out at about her 20th birthday and by then I was a bona fide quilter (well I had four months experience by then) so I re-covered the beast. Ten years ago it was given a funky blue job and summer holidays just gone I finished an autumn-toned Afro 'do' for it.
I have been asked to exhibit some of my work in the local art gallery in March so need to work on a couple of pieces. Will keep you all posted.
This blogging has taken up more time than I thought it might but then I did have to find my way around my computer to do it so maybe now that I know the way there might be more to follow