QBOTMC News - Jungle Block, UFOs again and Chocolate Slab Cake
Published: Tue, 01/23/18
We hope it's been another good week for you this week. This week I'm trying to frantically
make good on a birthday promise. Actually, it's technically a promise from last year, but it's cool...
Miss-almost-12 loves the Harry Potter books and movies, and I promised to make her a quilt
on that theme. I did collect some fabric, but with the birthday here (again) in just over 2 weeks,
I really need to get cracking and hurry up. I'm just making this one up as I go, but I bought an
extra large t-shirt with the Hogwarts crest, so that's going in the middle, with the 4 sets of school
house colours in squares patchworked around that.
I'm excited about the quilting though! I have a secret stash of glow in the dark thread, and I'm
going to quilt it with all sorts of spells from the books that will only show up (like magic) when
it's dark. Hopefully that will make it all worth the year-long wait...
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This week's block is one with unexpected effects when you lay out a few together. I'm a bit in
love with this one actually...
Please click the link below to download the Jungle Star Block.
http://www.onlinequiltmagazine.com/members/content/f/id/599/
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And here's Part 2 of our dealing with UFOs article from AQS -
" Project Too Ugly
Not everything comes out like we imagine. Has your project gone from a beautiful swan to an
ugly duckling? Stop cringing and try the following:
• Make your color palette – cut out 1″ squares from each fabric and glue in them side-by-side on a
line on a piece of paper. Cut the strip out. Are there any colors fighting with each other? Are the
values too similar? What is your neutral?
• Research similar color groupings – do an online search for color palettes like your own. Are you
missing a magical accent color that will make everything pop?
• Find a color literate friend – take your palette strip along with an open mind and visit a friend with
color confidence. Ask for color suggestions.
• Consider scale and pattern – If color isn’t the problem, take a look at the patterns on each fabric.
Each fabric should have its own job, make sure they aren’t all trying to do the same thing.
Project Too Painful
From headaches to sore muscles some projects can take more of a toll on you than others. If a project
is giving you too much pain to continue, consider the following:
• Change the lighting – bright, vibrant or repetitive patterns can lead to headaches. If this happens, change
your lighting. Take your space from blue light to warm light with a change of a light bulb. Turn lights off
or add more, whatever helps alleviate the stress on your eyes.
• Shake it out – getting stiff? Stand up and shake it out. Gently stretch out the parts that have been in one
place too long. Move, get your blood flowing again.
• Take frequent breaks – Set a timer to limit your time and then take a break and do something else. Work
with different materials or try a new position.
Each of these things puts you at risk of abandoning a project. When a solution can’t immediately be reached,
try putting your project in time out before packing it up and launching it into a black hole (ie the craft closet).
How to Put a Project in Time Out
• Put it where you can see it – Pin your progress to the design wall or lay it out on the guest bed, somewhere
you can take a moment every now and again and give it a look.
• Keep the parts together – Take all the bits and pieces and put them in a basket. Set them, along with the
instructions, near the displayed portion.
• Take your time to think – give yourself time to look at the quilt and think of solutions that inspire you to
complete the project. If none appear after a couple weeks, pack up the project and notify NASA."
There were a couple of helpful reader comments too:
One- can you down size your project. That is, can you reduce the dimensions from perhaps King size to twin
or lap size?
Two-can you find the project a new home? Admitting you will never finish this particular project may be
disappointing but realistic. By using the guideline you provide, the quilter should understand why this
project wasn’t a good choice for them. Once they understand, find it a new home with someone who will
be delighted with the project.
Lastly-this relates to question two. If you don’t want to finish the project and you love your fabric,
consider repurposing the fabric for another project you would enjoy doing if it is possible to
repurpose the fabric."
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Chocolate Brownie Slab Cake
Ingredients
300g/10.5oz dark chocolate, chopped
375g/13.25oz butter, chopped
3/4 cup self-raising flour
3/4 cup plain flour
1/4 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
3/4 cup cocoa powder
2 cups brown sugar
4 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
Chocolate frosting
320g/11.25oz butter, softened
3 3/4 cups icing sugar mixture (powdered sugar), sifted
1/3 cup cocoa powder, sifted
2 1/2 tablespoons milk
Method
Step 1
Place chocolate and butter in a heatproof, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on MEDIUM (50%)
for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds with a metal spoon, or until melted and smooth. Set
aside to cool.
Step 2
Preheat oven to 180°C(356F)/160°C fan-forced. Grease a 5.5cm/2in-deep, 21cm x 30cm (8 x 12in)(base)
baking pan. Line base with baking paper. Sift flours, bicarbonate of soda and cocoa in a large bowl.
Add sugar. Stir to combine. Whisk eggs and buttermilk together in a jug. Stir buttermilk mixture, then
chocolate, into flour mixture. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 55 minutes to 1 hour or until a skewer
inserted into the centre comes out clean (cover with foil if over browning). Cool in pan.
Step 3
Make Chocolate frosting: Using an electric mixer, beat butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add
icing sugar mixture, cocoa and milk, beating constantly until combined. Spread top of cake with
frosting. Cut into 24 pieces. Serve.
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Until Next Week - Happy Quilting!
Regards,
Jody & Annette