QBOTMC News - Susannah Var 3 Block, FMQ Design Tips and Berry Choc Meringues
Published: Tue, 02/21/17
We hope you've had a great week. The Quilt Show we went to was heaps of fun, and we met
all sorts of wonderful 'quilty' people too!! That's one of the things I love about going to shows -
they're full of friendly like-minded people, who just "get it"!
I'm back home again for all of 2 weeks now, then I'm off to join Annette's group for a 3 day
quilting retreat!!! I don't even have to feel guilty for not being at home, as Miss 11 is off on
her school camp then too, and the boys are delighted at the possibilities of a 'boy's week' at
home. Just wondering if I should leave them a list of boy-type jobs to be getting on with.....
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This week's block is a third variation on the Susannah Block.
It's easy to piece, and a pattern well worth adding to your collection.
Please click the link below to download this week's block pattern.
http://www.quiltblockofthemonthclub.com/download.php?file=susannah-variation-block-3.pdf
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This week's tip is from Quilting Daily -
"Take the plunge; personalize your quilting style with these tips from expert quilter Susan
Brubaker Knapp:
Find motifs to suit you and your work.
My work is usually realistic, so many of my quilting motifs are, too. If your work is mostly abstract,
you may want to develop motifs that are contemporary and non-representational.
Build a repertoire.
For years, I used some of the same motifs over and over in my work. Maybe you do, too. That's fine,
but it can be boring, it doesn't challenge you, and it doesn't add much to your work. Having a wide
range of motifs at your disposal can help when it comes time to decide how to stitch an art quilt.
Keep your eyes open at all times for possible motifs, whether you are walking a city street, gardening,
or in the grocery store. If you are worried you might not remember the design inspiration, make a
quick sketch, or use the camera on your smart phone to take a photo.
Keep good records.
You might consider purchasing a sketchbook or blank book (without ruled lines) and starting a diary
of quilting motifs. Or create stitched samples of your motifs and save them in a book, or on a big quilt.
After doodling lots of different designs, I refine and ink the ones I like best onto unlined 4" x 6" index
cards. Then I punch holes in the cards, and place them by category onto binder rings. When I'm
thinking about how to machine quilt a new piece, and nothing immediately comes to mind, I can
always consult this little book."
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No excuse for these, but they just sounded good....
Berry Chocolate Meringues
Ingredients
3 egg whites, at room temperature
1 cup caster (fine white) sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
50g (1.3/4 oz) dark chocolate, finely grated
250g (1/2lb) punnet strawberries, hulled, quartered
150g (1/3 lb)punnet blueberries
1 tablespoon caster sugar, extra
1 cup thickened cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Grated dark chocolate, extra, to serve
Method
Step 1
Preheat oven to 130°C/266F. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper. Draw 3 x 10cm/4in (diameter)
circles on each piece of baking paper. Place onto trays, pencil-side down.
Step 2
Using an electric mixer, beat eggwhites in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Add sugar, 1 tablespoon
at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until meringue is thick and glossy. Sift cocoa
powder over meringue. Add grated chocolate. Using a large metal spoon, gently fold in until combined.
Step 3
Using circles as a guide, spoon meringue onto baking trays. Make a small indentation in the centre of
each meringue. Bake on lowest shelf in oven for 1 hour. Turn oven off. Leave meringues to cool in oven
with door ajar for 1 hour. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 4
Place berries into a bowl. Sprinkle with extra sugar. Stir to combine. Set aside for 15 minutes. Beat
cream and vanilla until soft peaks form. Place meringues onto serving plates. Top with cream and
berries. Sprinkle with extra chocolate. Serve.
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Until Next Week - Happy Quilting!
Regards,
Jody & Annette