Tutorials

Saturday 22 November 2014

I think I need my head examined!

When I first came across pictures of "The Aunts' Quilt" on Instagram I knew I had to make it one day. At the time it was a BOM run by Amitie in Melbourne and not available as a pattern yet. When I visited Amitie in June the quilt was in the shop window but the pattern still wasn't ready. Luckily my Aussie friend went back home a little while ago and brought me back a copy. When Thimbleanna announced a QAL for this quilt all my good intentions to focus on my current quilt went out the window. 

So here's my first block, a few days late. I should also have made two pieced blocks at this stage but decided to do all the pieced blocks together at a later date (definitely after Christmas). 



As I'm needle turning My Auntie Green's Garden quilt  I decided to try another method. I've been following Esther Aliu's progress with her Love Entwined quilt and was intrigued by her method of using wash away applique paper. So that's what I'm doing with this quilt. It's quite a bit more preparation work, but then the appliqueing goes quite fast and the results are very sharp and crisp edges. I've also use the Apliquick tools for the first time and love them.

And since Anna has a "cookie of the month" program I'm copying her and share a cookie recipe here too. I've started my traditional Christmas baking this week with one of our favorite: Basler Brunsli which translates into something like Brownies from Basel (Basel being my hometown).


Basler Brunsli
250 gr (1 1/2 cups) sugar
250 g (8 oz)  ground almonds (not peeled)       mix all dry ingredients
½ teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons flour
  
2 egg whites                                                      whisk until stiff and fold dry mixture into egg whites
100 g  (6 oz) good dark eating chocolate          melt either in a double boiler on in the microwave and                                                                            blend with the mixture until it comes together.                                                                                                            
                            
Roll out dough to about ¼ inch between two pieces of cling film and cut different shapes with the help of cookie cutters.  Transfer to a baking paper lined baking sheet and leave for a few hours before baking for 6 min by 200 C degree (400 F). Cool on a wire rack then store in an airtight container.

Enjoy.
Vreni x

18 comments:

Marg said...

Your first block looks beautiful Vreni. I have just started another appliqué project so I am off to check the links you supplied, as I am needle turning too and would like to see if there is a more precise and easier way of doing it.
The cookies look delicious.

Anonymous said...

Hallo Vreni,
Erstmal gleich gesagt: Super leckere Plätzchen!
Dein Block ist ja richtig klasse geworden und ich bewundere Deine Applikations-Künste!
Viele Grüße
Leonore

SusaKay's Quilts said...

Your first block looks beautiful! I'm not familiar with all the techniques you mention -- will look them up. And yum -- I want a cookie & I want it now! :)

HeathersSewingRoom said...

Love your first block. It looks nice and bright with your interesting fabric choices. Oh those amazing famous cookies!

Unknown said...

I love this block. I think every other quilter would be as tempted as you after seeing this quilt. We are all insane ;)

Cattinka said...

Du applizierst sehr schön! Ich hab das eben erst gelernt, hatte immer nur mit Fliesofix appliziert. Dein erster Block ist super!
Danke auch für das Rezept, ich werde nächste Woche auch mit dem Backen anfangen.
LG
KATRIN W.

Heather said...

I love your new quilt. Such fun bright colors and your appliqué looks wonderful. I must not be tempted by another project so I will just be happy following your progress on this one!

Geckoboxes said...

What a pretty block! I like your colour use and I agree with the Apliquick tools, they speed up the work with a clean finish!
Thanks for the recipe!

Wendy @ Wendysquiltsandmore said...

It looks lovely Vreni. I can see that you would be tempted by that kind of work. I bet it's going to be gorgeous.

Rosemary B❤️ said...

Rosemary B here
Vreni, you do wonderful applique. This is beautiful. Isn't life great that we can do anything that we like
I love baking cookies. we have a cookie party at quilt club. My mom and dad are from Holland and we always eat Jan Hagel. I will make some of these for the cookie party.
These chocolate cookies look very tasty

Lynda said...

Your first block is lovely! All that applique just isn't for me to do but I do love them. Those cookies sound very good. Don't do much Christmas cooking anymore since most of my family is so far away but my youngest daughter and I do get together and make a few things. Mostly dipped chocolates now tho.

pandchintz said...

Love your appliqué block, Vreni. Must make a start on mine or I'll get too far behind! Those biscuits looks yummy!

FlourishingPalms said...

Ya gotta do what ya gotta do. When an along comes up, all other plans must be set aside. I can completely understand why you like this "Aunt's Quilt." It looks totally like you. It's a bonus that you can try a new appliqué technique, and that it's working for you! As for those cookies... the ingredients make them sound yummy! Good for you to be Christmas baking already. You're on top of things!

meli B said...

Its great that you are excited about making something new. You will get back to everything else in good time. Your first block is really pretty. Lovely colours. Thanks for the recipe. Looks yummy.

CarlaHR said...

Lovely block. I looked at the pattern when you first mentioned it but the shipping cost to Canada was as much as the pattern. Too bad it is not available in a PDF format.
Your cookies look lovely, thank goodness admiring virtually is not fattening.

Thimbleanna said...

BEAUTIFUL Vreni! You're off to a great start -- I love your fabric choices! I tried needle turn once, and like you mentioned, I just didn't think the edges were as sharp and crisp as with some sort of paper method. Definitely a longer prep time, but so worth the effort. And YAY -- another cookie lover. Those look delicious -- thanks for sharing your recipe!!!!

Flickenstichlerin said...

Liebe Vreni xx,
was für ein wunderschöner erster Block. Tolles Applique.
Ja, so geht das mit den guten Vorsätzen, das geht uns allen so.
Liebe Grüßle,
Sylvia

Karen said...

The applique block is made very special by your fabric choices.