Tuesday, November 30, 2010

November Recap

In November, 28 quilters made 113 sampler blocks.  Two "newbies" joined us--welcome again to Deanna and Linda G-and one of them won, continuing the Block Lotto tradition of "newbie luck."

Here's the list of blocks made, chances donated and our lucky four winners: Cory, Linnea, Linda G. and Laura.
  • Andi - 2
  • Balinda - 6
  • Belinda - 6
  • Carol - 2
  • Caroline - 9
  • Christina - 1
  • Cory - 9 *** WINNER #1 ***
  • Deana - 3 - NEWBIE!
  • Ginny - 3
  • Janet S. - 1
  • June - 6
  • Kasey - 1
  • Kathie - 3
  • Kim - 4
  • Kristin - 1
  • Laura - 9 *** WINNER #4 ***
  • Linda G. - 1 - NEWBIE! *** WINNER #3 ***
  • Linda N. - 2
  • Linnea - 7 *** WINNER #2 ***
  • Maree - 9
  • Mary Jane - 7 - donate chances
  • Michelle - 2
  • Pat H - 2
  • Pattilou - 1
  • Ramie - 4
  • Rho - 1
  • Sophie - 8 - donate chances
  • Tamera - 3 - donate chances
Thanks to everyone for making so many interesting Quilter's Choice blocks and making this another great month for the Block Lotto.

    Congratulations! to Sampler 10 Winners!

    Congratulations!
    Cory - Linnea - Linda G. - Laura
    Make somethin' pretty! in purple!

    It's December -- Mail Early!!

    Wow,  our November winners were VERY prompt in getting back to me to tell me what I needed to put together the mailing info and send it all out to you.  If you made blocks in November and do NOT have email from me with the mailing info, let me know ASAP.

    This month seems to go by quickly for many of us–or maybe it's just me–so let's all make the extra effort to send our sampler blocks on the way to the winners promptly.

    I think these blocks will going to go together quickly and I can't wait to see them again ... as quilts!  I'm imagining skinny sashing and a couple borders and done!  Does anyone else have setting ideas for our winners--leave a comment!

    november win

    This just blows my mind, that I should be a winner again. You quilters must be my lucky charms!! Hugs to you all!! Congratulations to all you "L" winners too! Isn't it fun? Bless you all. Thank you, Sophie, for keeping everything running smoothly. We should all make a basket block or a"Sophie's choice block" for Sophie as a thank you gesture for Christmas. What do you think? Coralie

    November Winners!

    It feels so odd to me on those rare months when I end up randomly choosing the winners myself, instead of mailing someone a list and instructions.  I find myself reminding myself of those same things I include as instructions for ALL our winner-pickers like pay close attention to the names because we have quilters this month with the same first name like Pat and Linda and with very similar names like Balinda and Belinda. I always remind our "winner pickers" that after the search results are generated and they compare the winners to their numbered list of names, to make sure that no one wins twice--because one set of blocks is usually enough.  But honestly, I wondered how often that it happens that someone would have won twice . . . I can tell you that this month would have been one of those times. 


    As you might guess (if you can read that), the first two numbers, 32 and 37, both point to our number #1 winner, Cory.

    Cory is our "very lucky" winner this month--she joins a very elite (and lucky!) club of quilters who have won lotto blocks two months in a row.  Congratulations, Cory.

    In addition to our "very lucky" winner, we also have a newbie (Linda G.), an oldie–who has been a Block Lotto follower for a long time, but hasn't won in a long while (Laura) and someone who has persevered, even though they haven't yet won ... until now (Linnea).  What's with all the L-names this month?

    Here's out winners list in order:
    1. Cory - 30 blocks
    2. Linnea - 30 blocks
    3. Linda G. - 28 blocks
    4. Laura - 25 blocks
    Congratulations to all of you. 

    I will be sending the winners email messages to let them know they've won, confirming their mailing address, and asking how many of their own blocks they'd like to keep. When I have heard from them, I will email a chart to everyone with mailing addresses and instructions on who mails how many blocks to which winners. 

    Because these are bigger blocks than usual for us and I want the winners to get as many different blocks as possible, I may be splitting things up more than usual.

    Last two for the month...

    Here's two more for me that I finished up this afternoon. I wouldn't have made it had you not extended the deadline. Thanks! That brings my total to four.

    My blocks...

    Drawing TONIGHT

    I'm not going to be able to get away from work today to come home at lunch for the drawing ... so it will have to be later tonight (around 7PM Central Time).

    Since it will be late and I haven't arranged for a "winner picker" ... I'll go ahead and randomly choose a winner as soon as I have the list ready. 

    I'm sorry for the delay.   Please consider the noon deadline moved 7 hours to 7PM (east coast) giving everyone has a little more time to finish up a block.

    Also PLEASE, if you made blocks this month, check to make sure I have included you in the list in the left sidebar and that the number of blocks that I have for you is correct.  We do have some quilters with the same first name and I am HUMAN and can prove it because I make mistakes) Someone emailed me yesterday asking about the sneak peek email and I didn't have them on the list of people who have made blocks, so I'm worried . . .

    Sunday, November 28, 2010

    And Here I am Again!



    It's me again... from what I had cut off my blocks yesterday to make them work, I had these leftover triangular pieces which I sewed together to make this block. I like it!

    Carol E.

    Saturday, November 27, 2010

    I'm Finally Back



    I don't know what happened. I got so busy or something... haven't participated in a couple of months, even though I've been wanting to. Today I finally took a look at the November directions and made two blocks. Here's my photo. This month's blocks are really cool!

    Carol E.

    Blocks and Bricks!

    Hi, first of all to Sharon. I'm glad my blocks finally found their way to you, albeit by way of "the scenic route" and with much thanks to Belinda who was more than happy to post them on to you.
    Secondly, thank you to everyone who has left a message/comment to say I am in your thoughts and prayers at this time. You will never know just how much that means.
    As well as finding comfort in fabric and seeing all the blocks this month, your special thoughts are like bricks that are building a wall of strength around me.
    Please accept my heartfelt thanks. And watch this space! I don't plan on being out of action for long!!
    PS I have finally got a photo of me so you can put a face to the name.


    Kate Ali

    O Happy Day!

    I've now received all the wonderful wonky Variable star blocks.  I got the final packets from Lisa and Kate A., and Sarah's came today.

    All the stars are so great.  Thank you all so much!  They're all so beautiful and such fun!   I will have lots of fun working with them, after all my Christmas presents are made.  I feel so lucky to have won!!

    Thursday, November 25, 2010

    Thanksgiving Block

    Played with some scraps I found--one strip of purple 2.5 inch strip and made a block form what I found.  Happy Thanksgiving!

    Wednesday, November 24, 2010

    No Blocks This Month - AARRGHH!!


    Hi everyone, your blocks are all looking SOOO nice this month and I'm really frustrated because due to a further health complication I am just unable to make any blocks this month. Suffice it to say I have to have a little visit to the breast clinic following an unwanted discovery ( 3 actually!!) over the weekend.
    I would really appreciate your prayers and positive thoughts or whatever you normally do for friends in this situation.
    Sincere thanks to you all.
    Kate A.

    Tuesday, November 23, 2010

    stars received

    Stars from June arrived today. I love the colours. Thanks June. One more packet from Kate via Belinda will complete the lot.

    While I'm still fighting with my email ...

    Look at the quilt I found on Sarah's blog, Sew Joy:


    You can read more about it on the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief auction site.

    I can easily see a version of this with liberated style log Roses, Log Cabins and strings, can't you?  If you made 10" blocks and 10" borders, your quilt would be the same size as this one: 90 x 100 inches.

    Sneak Peek Tonight . . . Maybe!

    I forgot to remind everyone that it's sneak peek DAY . . .  but because I have absolutely NO access from my office (even my phone refuses to find a good enough signal to allow me to check my email and the blog), it will be going out tonight.

    That is, it will be going out tonight if Google MAIL will stop crashing my browser . . . or at least that seems to be what's making firefox crash, crash, crash and crash again.   As soon as I have some dinner, I'll try again and try with different browsers and try my best to get it to everyone who has submitted November blocks.  Speaking of which, this is a great time to double check your entry in the left sidebar to make sure I have included you and have the correct number of blocks by your name.

    UDPATE

    The sneak peek email has been sent.  If you have made blocks this month and did not receive email from me,  first check your spam folder, then let me know and I will try, try again.

    Final stars arrived today...

    Sarah your stars arrived safely today.  They look great with all the stars I received.  It will be a breeze to find the perfect spot for them.

    Thank you everyone for such wonderful blocks.  I will work on them after the new year (meaning, after I make all my christmas gifts that I was supose to be making months ago)   I am a lucky lucky girl.  Karie

    Two more










    Two more for this month.
    Fingers are crossed!

    Monday, November 22, 2010

    Six November Blocks by June

    I like the secondary design that appears - what a clever challenge this was!  Thanks Sophie!

    June/San Diego

    Saturday, November 20, 2010

    And 3 more... Makes 9 !


    The 2 purple hearts look the same color, but I swear, they are not.

    November 2010 sampler blocks


    Finally, they are finished!! The hard part was deciding which blocks to do. A lot of the purples that I have appear to have a gray tone so they don't pop like I would like. When they are laid out they seem fine, I kind of like them with the string corners making alternate blocks. Dear hubby must like them, he said, "You're going to give them away!!" - I think he's wishing for a quilt. I wish everyone luck this month, you will have a really nice quilt from all the blocks. Thank you for sending the blocks on to me Belinda. Your blocks are lovely, very pretty.

    Results of Last Month's Poll about the 2011 Block Lotto

    I asked what kind of lotto blocks we should make in 2011.  58 people voted--thank you--and here's the result.


    More than half wanted a mix of styles and techniques, but every category had some significant followers.

    For those of you who voted "best of lotto"  . . . please leave a comment and tell me which lotto blocks you'd like to see repeated and if you'd like to give them a new twist (different colors, different size, or different in some other way), let us know.   With a little effort, I can figure out which are the blocks with the highest numbers . . . but I'm thinking those aren't necessarily the same ones that some people would like another chances to win.

    Actually, no matter HOW you voted or even if you DIDN'T vote in the poll, if you have a block you think I should consider for next near, or a colorway that we've skipped (or that you'd like to repeat) feel free to leave a comment and tell me about it.

    November Blocks...

    Here are 6 blocks for November. I sure did enjoy making these. I wasn't too sure about the purple and white at first. I didn't have that much purple in my stash, but after I got these made, I LOVE THEM. I may 'cry' IF I have to part with them....HA....would you REALLY let me win TWO times in a row?????!!! The tulip ones were a little bit of a challenge getting them down to the size I needed...my pattern was for a larger size. It's funny to think back when I was in High School and grumbling about NOT needing to learn all those MATH problems...fractions and such....HA! Who would have ever thought I WOULD NEED to know all of that MATH 35 yrs. later to figure out quilting/block dimensions!!!

    Yesterday I received Christina's stars and I also forwarded Cory's stars on to Canada for Kate!!
    Belinda

    Friday, November 19, 2010

    November Block Lotto

    Here are three November blocks...on point as they're supposed to be.  :-)

    Please donate my chances.  Good luck, everyone!



    November Blocks

    Here are the six blocks I have made for November. I am really glad I finally got some blocks done. I never used the same purple or the same scrap in the corners. I can't believe how many different scraps I have.
    This was fun. Thanks

    More Stars Have Arrived

    I've just gotten blocks from Linnea and Kate N.  They're all so beautiful, and they're playing well with the others!  I can't wait until I can get them all together for a layout.

    Thursday, November 18, 2010

    Stars in the Sky

    My four little stars are on the way to Belinda.

    -Wendy

    liberated stars

    Yesterday stars arrived from Kate N. in England, Kristin in OR, and Sarah in Canada. Today I received stars from Caroline in ND, Pat (Pattilou) in UT, Ramie in WA, and Shelley in Maine. All very lovely stars. So far I have 43 stars, leaving 5 more to come from June and Kate A.
    Thank you all, now I have to work out a setting that will show them all off at their best.

    More Stars...

    Don't you just love Royal Mail?  I know I do!  Teesha and Kate A's blocks have arrived.  Thanks ladies I love they way look with the others.  Karie

    Have YOU Mailed your Variable Star Blocks?

    Michelle has received all of her blocks, but the other winners are all still waiting.  We're less than a week away from the DECEMBER Sneak Peek ... it looks like there might be as many as six people who have not yet mailed.

    If I couldn't tell (based on messages posted about mailing or receiving blocks), you will have email from me. Please take a minute and let me know that your blocks are in the mail or when you think you'll be able to mail them to the winners.

    Thanks.

    UPDATE


    I have confirmed that ALL the blocks have been mailed.  I'll bet that it won't be long until we see some BEAUTIFUL quilts made from all those stars ;-)

    Wednesday, November 17, 2010

    October blocks have all arrived in Oklahoma!

    The remainder of my winnings arrived today from Manuela in Portugal and Christina in San Antonio. Lovely blocks ladies.

    A big thank you to everyone!

    I couldn't resist....


    ...I stayed up and made another block.

    Tuesday, November 16, 2010

    My 1st November block


    Today I made a block for November. I hope to get more done before the end of the month.

    Stars on way from San Diego!

    It took me awhile - but I finally managed to get to the post office while they were open today!  The stars are on their way!  (So now I can get my purple and white fabric out and start making blocks for November's challenge!)

    ; )

    My First Block Lotto Contribution

    Hi! My name is Linda.  This is the first time that I have participated in Block Lotto.  I have been quilting for about 10 years now and have been blogging only since August.  I would be honored if you would check out my blog, Stray Stitches.  I live in California with my DH and my precious mini doxies, Weasley and Snickerdoodle.  This looks like a fun group and I look forward to being involved every month.

    Stars from overseas

    I recieved some stars from overseas, Thanks Kate N.  They look really goos with the others.  Karie

    Two more



    Flynn took an extra long nap this morning and I finished two more.
    I'm keeping my fingers crossed this month. I love this quilt!

    Monday, November 15, 2010

    2 simple entries

    Here are 2 entries for the month. The first is a replay of the liberated rose from several moths ago. The second is a very simple block (hope it qualifies) that features a beautiful purple flower fabric, letting the fabric speak for itself (sort of a Kaffee Fassett influence).

    On a different topic, I think I have finally broken through to completion on a large quilt project that has taken most of this year. It is a block of the month, originally intended as a queen, and I had finished the top in the spring. But then I decided to give it to my sister-in-law, and they have a queen, so then I needed to use some of the backing fabric to make extra borders, so that forced some sort of pieced back. I had bought a yard of each of the fabrics in the top as an abundance of caution, so I decided to make a French braid, using the foundation print as the center. I show both the back and the top on my blog, LindaBigD.blogspot.com. I hope to get it to a long armer this weekend but I'm doubtful it can be turned around for Christmas. I'd welcome visitors and comments.



    liberated stars

    Two more packets have arrived. One from Kim in N Y and one from Pat in Michigan. Lovely bright blocks, I can't wait to put the top together. Thank you.
    Coralie

    Last two November blocks


    The wonky house block is the result of really mucking up another block I was trying. I was so frustrated with it that I slashed and resewed a couple of times only to find two house shapes appear so thought I would use them.
    Posted by Picasa

    More Stars Have Arrived

    I've received more stars over the last few days.  I got packets from Karie, Caroline and Tamera.  Wow, these look even better in person!  It's so much fun to get such happy mail . . . Thanks!

    Nov 2010 Photos of Sampler 10


    Okay.  Here are 7 blocks for the pot this month.  Please donate my chances as you deem desirable.

    Mary Jane

    Sunday, November 14, 2010

    November blocks from Kathie


    I enjoy these sampler block months where we can have fun with maybe something new. I made two traditional blocks, and then, in the spirit of this year's liberated theme, I made a rotating square within a square. Kathie L in Allentown

    liberated stars

    Two packets arrived on Friday. Beautiful blocks from Mary Jane and Laura. Thank you so much. I'm so glad that you are able to get out and about Mary Jane, your hard work on rehab has paid off.

    Saturday, November 13, 2010

    Snails Trail

    Here's my second block for the month. I've been wanting to make a snails trail block ever since I saw it in a quilt ten years ago that was in a quilt magazine. The whole quilt top was in blue's and teals and looked ocean-y. It was so purdy...it inspired me. So...ten years later, here's mine. Enjoy!

    Two Nov Blocks

    Blurry photo from my phone, but here are my two blocks. Simple pinwheels from a Fossil Ferns by Benartex charm pack. Sewing these made me realize the need to organize my scrap bin and separate strips from the smaller bits!
    Happy Stitching from Andi in Phoenix, AZ

    Friday, November 12, 2010

    More falling stars...

    I received carolines blocks today.  They are all looking really good together.  Karie

    One more block arrived....

    From Debbie M. Thank you! I've started arranging some of the blocks into a top and this one plays really well with the others I've selected so far. At this point I'm planning to make 2 tops for community projects of 24 blocks each...but that may change before I'm done. Here's what i've got on the design wall:

    Stars Away

    My blocks are finally mailed away to Coralie, Sharon and Karie.
    Congrats again - and make something pretty!

    Thursday, November 11, 2010

    October wonky stars

    Two packets have arrived. Two stars from Terri arrived on Tuesday and three stars from Barbara arrived on Wednesday. All very lovely blocks, thank you. I rarely win anything and was delighted to hear that I was one of the winners.
    Coralie

    Greetings from a newbie...

    Greetings everyone from another newbie.  I have been watching the block lotto for sometime now and was very sad that I didn't discover it in time to participate in the wonky house month (I love quilts with houses on them).  I decided to join in this month because I love the scrappy way the blocks look when placed next to each other.   I LOVE LOVE LOVE scrappy quilts too!
    I made three square in a square blocks.  I used 30s fabric in the main block on the two blocks below.

    I used batiks (I love batiks) in the main 8" block below.

    I share a blog with some family members at Daughters of Dorinda.  We've spent the past two years re-creating a quilt made and designed by my Great Great Great Great Grandmother Dorinda.  You can check it out on my blog. 
    I have been quilting heavily for over 16 years, but made my first one in junior high school.  I am comfortable with all types of techniques, I hand quilt, I machine quilt on my Bernina, but mostly I LOVE to design quilts.  I like traditional quilts but am easing into some art quilting.  I love all colors but especially those in the autumn color wheel and batiks.

    Thanks for letting me join!

    Wednesday, November 10, 2010

    November Blocks





    Two more blocks completed today.

    Stars on the way

    I almost forget to post that I mailed your stars this morning Michelle!

    More Stars

    More stars have arrived from Laura and Maree.  Thanks ladies, thay are all wonderful!

    Tuesday, November 9, 2010

    More Squishies!

    I received more blocks yesterday . . . from Shelley, Laura, Wendy Lee and Janet S.  Thank you!!  They're all such wonderful and wonky stars! 

    Look Familiar?

    I was clicking my way through Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour and had to smile when I saw Patty Young's block ...


    Do those corners look a little familiar to anyone ;-)

    More Blocks Arrive

    Thanks Barbara...Shelley and Maree....your little squishy packages came today!! Fantastic Stars!!!

    Pinwheel Block

    Here's my first block for the month...
    I SWEAR the blue in the lower left contrasts from the purple I used. Flashes sure do make the richness of colors disappear. I hope to make more, but we'll see. My next block centerrr will be a snail's trail.

    Another star mailed

    My star for Michelle was mailed yesterday from NJ.

    Stars Across the Ocean!


    Mailing star blocks today for Belinda, Sharon and Karie. Sorry for slight delay but been laid low with gallstones again. Hope you like them when they arrive. The blocks I mean, not the gallstones!!! Lol
    Love Kate A.

    Monday, November 8, 2010

    Star is in the Mail

    I mailed my star to Canada today! 

    Stars on the way!

    Just letting you know that my stars are on their way from Australia!
    We live in the outback so had to wait for the Post Office to be open.
    Cheers,
    Teesha

    My block is in the mail...

    It's on it's way to Canada...I also have a block to post for this month, but need to take a pic of it first.

    Blocks Arrived

    Hi!
    I've received blocks from Carrie, Pat and Rho!  Whoo hoo!  They are so cute!  Thank you!  They're going up on the design wall today, so I can start playing and thinking.

    Blocks in my mailbox today...

    ...from Maree, Barbara, and Mary Jane. Thank you ladies. It's always nice to get squishies in te mail, but especially so today as it is my Birthday. And Sophie's! Happy Birthday, Sophie!

    oh my stars...

    got mailed last week, but I didn't post.  So now I am.  They have probably arrived by now!

    And my last rose arrived, so I am ready to start piecing that quilt.  Hooray!
    Wendy Lee

    Late mailing

    Hi winners - just wanted to apologise for not getting my blocks in the mail to you yet - it's been one of those weeks and I just haven't had a chance to get to the post office. Hopefully I will have a chance tomorrow afternoon to get there.

    Blocks Arrive

    Thanks Mary Jane...Carrie and Kim!!! Wow...everyone's blocks are sooooo much cuter in person!!!!!!!

    Belinda
    Browndirtcottage.blogspot.com

    Saturday, November 6, 2010

    Falling Stars...

    The first set of stars arrived today from Janet S.  They are so fun, my little ones are fighting over them!  Thanks...Karie

    Blocks ~ ~ Mailed ! !

    I finally got the winners blocks in the mail this morning! Have fun with all the winnings. These stars would have been fun to win. Please post pics!!

    Blocks today....

    From Carrie and Julie. Thank you ladies. the design wall is filling up nicely!

    Friday, November 5, 2010

    Blocks in my mail....

    ...yesterday, from Rhonda and Sharon, and today from Kathryn and Ginny. Thank you ladies! I can't wait until they're all here and i can start putting a top or two together!

    Stars Arrive

    THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.....I've started receiving my stars already!!!!
    I got yours RHONDA......and yours Patricia.......and yours KASEY!!!!!

    Belinda
    Brown Dirt Cottage

    Thursday, November 4, 2010

    I mailed blocks to winners today.

    rho's Nov. block #1

    This is my November block.

    Flying Stars

    My star blocks are going in the mail this morning to Sharon and Karrie.  I can't believe we had 5....count them....5!!!!! winners this month.  Just shows how popular and easy this block was.  I know they're going to make great quilts.  Congratulations to all the winners. (It's fun to win, isn't it?)
    Janet S

    Wednesday, November 3, 2010

    In the Mail

    My variable star blocks are on their way to Michelle, Belinda and Karie.

    I have also completed two more blocks for this month. The basket block almost drove me crazy as everything seemed to go wrong with it but am happy now it is completed.

    Harry Potter-ish envelopes in the mail

    I posted blocks to Belinda and and Cory this morning. I am determined to use the many random stamps I have lying around, so for any Harry Potter fans, Cory's in particular might remind you of the invitation from his friend Ron, which arrived covered in stamps.

    Can't wait to see what you guys come up with!

    NOVEMBER BLOCKS


    Here are my first two Nov. blocks.
    Quilty hugs,
    Pat from FL & MI
    http://PatsPattering.blogspot.com

    Variable Stars

    I drove myself to work, got out of the van and got my walker out, walked into my office carefully and am mailing the blocks to Cory, Belinda and Michelle today!  Make something pretty!

    Tuesday, November 2, 2010

    Oct Blocks mailed by rho

    Belinda, Michelle and Sharon - - - I mailed your blocks this morning while at work.

    Happy Quilting!

    Blocks Away!

    I've just put my blocks to Michelle in the mail.  You'll have them in a few days.  I can't wait to see what you do with them.  Have lots of starry fun!

    BLOCKS FLYING

    My blocks left Paradise this afternoon, to Sharon, Belinda, and Coralie. Wishing them speedy and safe travels. Can't wait to see what you gals come up with for them.
    Quilty hugs,
    Pat from FL & MI
    http://PatsPattering.blogspot.com

    And they're off....to OK, TX and WA!

    Belinda, Michelle and Sharon - your winning star blocks are on their way to you! As much as parting with them was bitterweet on my end, I know you'll all make wonderful sparkly quilts with them, and that makes me happy.

    And I get to make more for myself, and use up more of my scrappy stash!

    Enjoy ~ Carrie in NY

    Monday, November 1, 2010

    It's Time to Mail your October Blocks

    If you made variable stars last month, you should have email from me with the mailing information for your blocks.

    I'm sorry the message was a delayed a bit--my new job (it's temporary, but real work with a real paycheck, so I'm happy) prohibits access to my email and putting together the mailing info sheet and sending out to the thirty-some quilters who made start blocks is a bit too complicated to do on my iPhone (as much as I love it ;-)

    If you didn't receive mail from me, first check your spam folder, then let me know ASAP.

    If you find a mistake in your info (like the wrong number of blocks made by you, or, if you're one of the winners, an error in your mailing address), please let me know ASAP.

    Otherwise, feel free to post a message here when you have mailed your blocks to the winners–please use the label "variable star" to make it easy for me to find all the messages if I have to chase down unmailed or lost-in-the-mail blocks later this month. I think we all like to know when our blocks have arrived home, too, if the winners have the time to post messages to let everyone know. Thanks.

    Congrats and a question

    Congratulations to all the winners! I've decided to make some stars to alternate with strippy blocks for a personal quilt now.

    As a newbie, though, I might have missed something... How do I know where to send my blocks? Or perhaps I'm jumping the gun and that information is forthcoming...

    Thanks, and congrats again, you lucky winners!

    One from Kristin

    I miss getting the sneak peek emails, and purple is my favorite color, so I made one block while taking a break from arguing with sewing Lycra and corduroy. 

    Cotton is so well behaved :)
    block lotto november

    November is Quilter's Choice in Purple and White

    Christina block #1November is Quilter's Choice month ... and your choice may be a traditional or liberated one. The sampler blocks will be 8 inch finished size, made from white (solid or white-on white print) and purple (solid, tone-one-tone or predominately purple multicolor) fabrics.

    The liberated twist on our sampler blocks will the scrappy strings added to each side and used to put our purple and white blocks on point, for a final lotto block size of 12 1/2 inches (to finish at 12 inches in the winners' quilts).

    This beautiful example was made by Christina.

    This is a great month to share your favorite blocks, try a lotto block that you missed or suggest a block that you think would be great for the lotto in the future.

    Block Guidelines and Directions 
    STEP ONE - Make an 8 1/2 inch block (8 inch finished size) of your choice and place it on-point
    • Your block choice may be traditional or liberated. As always, choose a block that you would be thrilled to receive if you win.
    • The sampler block should be made from purple and white fabrics; for multiple blocks you may use the same white (solid or WOW) background, but change up the purple (solid or predominately purple print) to avoid making identical blocks.
    • If you make an appliqué block, there should be NO raw edges (covering raw edge applique with satin stitch is NOT an allowed appliqué technique.)
    • If you make a paper-pieced block, please remove the paper.
    • If you make multiple blocks, you may make up to 3 blocks that are the same block pattern (so for the maximum of 9 blocks, you will need to make at least 3 different block patterns).
    8 inch sample block
    STEP TWO - add 3 or more strips of fabrics of your choice to each side to create setting triangles
    • Strips can be any width and, if you like, cut at angles. Remember that you must add at least 3 strips to each corner.
    • Fabrics can be any colors and any style prints (although I would avoid using white and cream fabrics.)
    • We are creating a traditional "on point" setting ... although you could use this technique to give blocks a twist and/or put them at odd angles, that's not the intent for our lotto blocks. The top point/corner of the 8 inch block should be at the center top, the bottom point at the center bottom and the sides at the center of each side.
    Add strings to sides to create setting triangles
    STEP THREE - Trim the block to 12.5 inches with the sample block centered in the big block.
    • Note: the center sampler block "floats" slightly and you will end up with more than a quarter inch outside the corners of the center block.
    • You can confirm that your center sampler block is oriented correctly by checking the measurement from the point/corner to the adjacent side–it should be 6 1/4 inches.
    Trim to 12 1/2 inches
    As usual, you may make a MAXIMUM of 9 blocks.   Because of the larger size, I am thinking of a target set size of 36 blocks for the winner with a minimum set of 20 blocks.   The larger size also means that they will cost more to mail–something, perhaps, to keep in mind when you are decided how many blocks you'll make this month.

    Labels for Blog Posts

    For all blog posts related to this month's block, please add the label "sampler 10."  If you are posting a photo of your blocks, please also include the label "nov 2010 photos."

    The Virtual Quilt

    These twenty-eight blocks were made by sneak peekers Caroline, Christina, Ginny, Janet (S), Kasey, Kim, Linnea, Maree and Me.  (Links go to blogs, for those that have them and that I know about.)

    We have a nice selection of techniques and styles already ... and I think they are playing beautifully together.

    Click the individual block to see who made which blocks and for a closer look.

    Sophie's block #4Janet'e Block #1Linea's Block #2Sophie's Block #6
    Kasey's block #1Sophie's block #2Linea's Block #3Maree's block #3
    Sophie's block #8Caroline's block #6Caroline's block #4Maree's block #2
    Ginny's block #2Caroline's block #3Sophie's block #5Kim's block #1
    Caroline's block #5Sophie's Block #3Linnea's block #1Kim's block #2
    Ginny's block #3Sophie's Block #7Ginny's block #1Maree's block #1
    Caroline's block #2Kim's Block #4Kim's Block #3Caroline's block #1