QBOTMC News - LeMoyne Ray Block, UFOs, Choc Caramel Bars and Flower Messenger Bag
Published: Tue, 01/16/18
We hope you've had a good week, and that you've had a chance to read the Important
email we sent out yesterday regarding the future of the QBOTMC.
That aside, it's still been a busy week here. I've spent a small fortune on school shoes
and stationery, and I have to deal with school uniforms tomorrow. The joys of back to
school!! And then I have to start the morning routine training again too.
Not sure how to change them from getting up at 9 or 10 am (!!!) now to getting out of
bed at 6 - 6.30am. I'm obviously going to need to become some kind of super mum to
get them into bed at night so they can get up in time. We might spend next week
practicing before they start school again at the end of the month.
I do love having them home on holidays, but it really is time they were back at school
so I can concentrate on writing up my stockpile of new BOM patterns!
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This week's block is the LeMoyne Ray Block. It's a pretty star block, with great secondary
patterns when you put a few together.
Please click the link below to download the pattern and see what I mean.
http://www.onlinequiltmagazine.com/members/content/f/id/598/
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I read this recently on the AQS blog and thought it well worth sharing.
(Part 1 of 2)
"Can you tell when your project is at risk of becoming a UFO (UnFinished Object)? Here are
some signs to alert you and steps you can take to prevent an alien invasion!
Project Too Big
Are you suddenly aware of the fact that the project you fell in love with could take the next
decade to finish? That common feeling of being overwhelmed could stop you in your tracks.
When you get that feeling of drowning in a sea of a 1000 half square triangles, try the following:
• List the steps – write out each step of the project from your current point to the end.
• Make it manageable – group the steps together into achievable goals. Organize your project
according to your goals.
• Schedule – grab your crafty calendar and schedule deadlines for your goals. Some of us find
deadlines motivating and satisfying. If that’s not you, replace the word ‘deadline’ with ‘guideline.’
• Take one step at a time.
Project Too Hard
If you have taken apart a block so many times you no longer recognize the fabrics, it might be
too hard. When a project fills you with frustration the fun is gone and returning to it is torture.
In lieu of packing it up burying it in the backyard, try the following:
• Identify the problem – make sure you know what is giving you all the trouble. Reread the
instructions, call up a friend and explain the problem in case you’ve overlooked something
simple, be sure you have the right tools and equipment for success.
• Try Youtube.com – find a couple videos showing the technique you are struggling with and
watch them. Sometimes seeing someone else do something is all we need for it click for us.
• Take it to guild – at your next guild meeting or sewing day with friends, show them your
problem and ask them for solutions. One-on-one help is always great.
• Take a class – whether online, at a local shop, or at a quilt show, equip yourself with knowledge
to help you master the technique.
Project Too Boring
Is your project putting you to sleep? Is it taking the joy out of your quilting day with too much
repetition? Break the monotony with the following:
• Break it down – set little goals of 10-15 minute durations and then reward yourself.
• Distract yourself – hit play on a book you’ve been wanting to read or your favorite podcast.
• Go to a friend’s house – pack up your machine and head to a friend’s house where the two of you
can talk, laugh, and sew away the hours. If your friend is extra wonderful they might even pitch in!"
We'll finish with part 2 next week...
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Chocolate Caramel Bars
Ingredients
125g/4.4oz butter, softened
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1 1/2 cups plain flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/3 cup caramel Top ‘n’ Fill
100g/3.5oz dark chocolate, chopped
Method
Step 1
Line 2 large baking trays with baking paper. Using an electric mixer, beat butter, sugar and vanilla for
5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add egg. Beat until combined (mixture may curdle). Sift flour and
cocoa powder over butter mixture. Stir to combine. Remove 1/4 of the dough. Shape both portions of
dough into a disc. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
Step 2
Using large portion of dough, shape level tablespoons of mixture into 2cm x 4cm /1 x 2in bar shapes. Place on
prepared trays, leaving room for spreading. Using the end of a wooden spoon, make a 1cm x 3cm /1.2 x 1in
indentation in the centre of each rectangle. Fill each indent with 1 teaspoon caramel.
Step 3
Preheat oven to 180°C (356F)/160°C fan-forced. Roll remaining dough between 2 sheets of baking paper until
5mm thick. Using a small sharp knife, cut into 3cm x 5cm/1 x 2in rectangles. Re-roll scraps and repeat to make
15 rectangles. Place 1 rectangle on top of each caramel-filled bar. Press lightly to seal. Freeze for 15 minutes.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Stand on trays for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 4
Place dark chocolate 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. Dip top side of 1 bar into chocolate.
Gently shake off excess. Place bar, chocolate-side up, on a wire rack set over a baking tray lined with
baking paper. Set aside for 30 minutes or until set. Serve.
Yum!!
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Rather than a separate email, this week's bag pattern was a favourite too. Dad threatened to use this Messenger
Bag as his fishing bag (!), so I fixed him....
Please click the link below to download the Flower Messenger Bag
http://www.onlinequiltmagazine.com/members/content/f/id/593/
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Until Next Week - Happy Quilting!
Regards,
Jody & Annette