Get Ready

I've sent the list of names for the drawing to Ellie.  We made a total of 178 blocks this month, so we'll have 4 winners: two will receive 45 blocks and the other two will receive 44 blocks.  Good luck to everyone in the drawing.

If you made blocks this month, you should receive email today from WordPress with the username and (computer generated) password for your new author account.  The first thing you'll want to do is set up your profile and change your password.  I've tried to walk you through the process here:

First Things First - Setting up Your Account

2 Hour Warning

The deadline for the drawing is in two hours, which will be Noon in NYC, 9 AM in Los Angeles, 3 PM in Portugal, 2 AM (Tomorrow) in Sydney, Australia,

Catching Up ... and the February Sneak Peek email

If you have made and posted Eclipse blocks, you should have a (late) sneak peek email message from me about February's block.  Your name and blocks should also appear in one of the lists in the left side bar, either blocks entered for the drawing or blocks "donated" to the pot.

I'm sorry for being an absent blog mom for the past week or so.  I would appreciate if everyone who has made blocks would check to see that their name is on the appropriate list with the right number of blocks.

I'm so proud of everyone who faced their fear of curved seams and/or working with templates and tried the January block. Even if you have decided you still don't like curves, the next time WILL be easier.

For those that haven't (YET?) made the January block, but are curious about what might be in store next month, you could look through your stash for fabrics in these colors:

Pink
Orange
Gray
Cream

The inspiration for the colorway next month comes from Winter sunsets.

The Eagle has landed

Houston ... the Eagle has landed ... and so has Benta's plane ;-)

We've exchanged the necessary email messages and I've put together the mailing info and sent it to everyone who made lotto blocks in November.  You all know the drill:

If you haven't received email from me or have problems opening the attachment, please let me know ASAP.

If the number of blocks made attributed to you is incorrect, please let me know ASAP.

Otherwise, because of the glut of holiday cards and packages that will soon be clogging up postal systems everywhere, please send your blocks ASAP ;-)

I don't know why, after Benta's plane landed (in Australia, lucky girl) I thought of that famous line, "The Eagle has landed."  Isn't it funny the things we remember (and those we do not ;-)   If you aren't old enough to remember Apollo 11 in the summer of 1969 and that "giant step for mankind", you can read about it here.

I'm Making a List and Checking it Twice ...

My computer has been misbehaving, so I haven't been on top of all the last minute blocks you all have been posting ... I'm playing catch up this morning, updating the list and double-checking it one more time before I randomly choose the winners.

I can't believe how many blocks have been made and/or posted in the last couple days.  Our total is 331 blocks--enough for 9 winners to receive a set of at least 36 blocks.

Stay tuned, I'll be randomly generating the winners soon after the NOON (east coast) today ... in about an hour. 

Caching Up

Those who were around in 2007-2008 might remember just how debilitating my then "mystery illness" was.  It started with irritated eyes and vision problems, a constant loss of voice or hoarseness, allergy symptoms and fatigue so extreme that I fell asleep at stop lights and could literally sleep for days ... and progressed to migraines, complex partial seizures and other problems that I attributed to my "broken brain."   After almost a year of poking and prodding ... and doctors scaring me with what their opinion about what it could be, we (and by "we," I mean me) traced it back to the cleaning chemicals that were constantly being sloshed around in open buckets up and down the hall outside my cubicle wall.

The bad news is that the first list of symptoms is back.
The not so bad news is that my contract for work there is ending ... so I will be out of the new office location (we moved on Nov 1) that is making me sick.

Until I lose this job and have time to recover, I may not be the best at being on top of things.  For example, I didn't get out of bed and mostly slept from Thursday night through Monday morning.  Emailing me to ask why I haven't yet added your blocks to the sidebar really just adds to my stress.  Spending an hour and a half reading through the posts and finding BAD LABELS really makes me wonder why I am giving up 90 minutes of what is now very precious "alert" time for people who can't be bothered to label their posts correctly.  I mass corrected all of the Oct 2011 received blocks ... but I do wonder why some of you think it's OK to continue to expect me to spend the time to fix your posts to make it possible for me to track down missing blocks--and you do know that you WILL EXPECT ME to track down those missing blocks.  Or maybe you still think YOUR IDEA about a label to use is a better idea than using one that would make it possible for me to find ALL the posts about sample blocks sent or received or ALL the posts that contain photos for blocks you expect to be counted and included in the drawing?

If you have posted blocks in the past week, please take a moment and check the list.

In case you haven't noticed, all this EXTREME fatigue and "broken brain" makes me VERY CRANKY. I have NO ONE to take care of me and yet some of you seem to think that when it comes to the block lotto, I am here to continue to waste hours TAKING CARE OF YOU.

We will be taking a Block Lotto break in December--I had planned to suggest a Block Lotto group swap next month, but after seeing the posts and complaining email messages, I am now asking myself WHY I would/should spend even more time doing that for some of you.  During my break (when I will inevitably be cleaning up the blog posts and updating the blog), I'll decide if I can continue ... and whether or not I want to do so.   Adding the stress of my contract ending and the job hunt to my health may well be all I can tolerate.

I appreciate the offers of help and may be taking some of you up on past offers to clean up the labels.  And before some of you ask, I am NOT interested in franchising the block lotto and spending what is often considerable time choosing and/or creating blocks and pattens for YOU to use in YOUR block lotto. Especially in my sick, cranky state, I'm just not that altruistic.    And while I ALWAYS appreciate your input, if you are going to email me about how I SHOULD be doing things, labeling posts,  or something else, please consider that the Block Lotto is a finely tuned machine that has evolved and grown over the past 10 years and over that decade, I have pretty much figured out what works and what won't.  If I poo-poo your idea (everyone using their own name for the labels, for example), it's because I probably have a better understanding of WHY the guidelines, labels, etc are what they are and what can be accomplished through following the established rules.

Please check my work

I've updated my spreadsheet with everyone's blocks and doublechecked the total number of blocks--by the way, we already have 151 blocks--enough for 4 winners (who will each receive at least 35 blocks).

This is a good time to double check the list.  It looks like ONLY Kate is donating her chances this month ... which, if true, is a good sign that you all like the block, which was suggested by Andrew (I think).

The only blocks NOT on the list are those "Bonus Room" blocks that I believe Kim G might have made. 

I'm back ... with excuses and more excuses

I came back from Houston on Monday morning, went straight to work and then on to the Austin Guild meeting ...

I don't know what I was thinking when I met Andrew and Rho and Kelly--it was so much fun to put faces to names and to chat a bit, but I completely forgot to take photos of us to share with the rest of you.  My friend Debra was so much better at taking photos of everyone and facebooking them in real time.

Yesterday, after a long day at work, I just couldn't make myself come home, sit down at the computer and catch up with all the wonderful blocks you've been making while I was away.   It was my birthday and I wanted a few hours to celebrate, in an albeit, very quiet and relaxing way.

But I am back now and will be playing Block Lotto catch-up for the rest of the week.  Kate has done an excellent job of keeping an eye on things for me while I was away with a computer.  THANK YOU KATE. 

I've been watching all the great blocks go by (on my phone) and I am looking forward to taking a closer look as I add them to the monster spreadsheet that I use to keep track of all things Lotto ;-) 

FYI, I got some very surprising (and not very pleasant) news while I was trying to have fun in Houston--the company I am working for is ending my contract in about a month, so I am also back in Job-hunting mode and am likely to be a bit distracted by that.


The photo is a last look taken across the street from the George Brown convention center after the Houston Quilt Festival had ended on Sunday afternoon.

Drawing tonight

Unfortunately, I have a work lunch meeting and will probably not be able to race home during my lunch break to finalize the list for the drawing and send it to someone to pick the winners.

So, unless I end up with a chance to break away for an hour, the drawing will happen later today and, to minimize any further delays, I'll use the random number generator to "pick" the winners.  It looks like we'll have FIVE WINNERS tonight ... unless some more blocks are posted today.

November Sneak Peek

If you have made and post sampler blocks this month, you should have sneak peek email from me with information about the November block.  November's block is made using an interesting, fun technique.

It's that time of the month when it is a good idea to double check that the number of blocks I have attributed to you in the sidebar is correct and I have correctly noted if you plan to donate your chances this month.

If you don't receive the sneak peek email or aren't in the list, be sure to let me know ASAP.  Same thing if I have the wrong number of blocks for you in the sidebar.  In both cases, it would be very helpful if you send me the link to your post(s) with your block photo(s).

If you make sneak peek blocks and would like them included in the virtual quilt, please email the photos to me no later than SATURDAY.

"Blocks Received" and other Labels

There are now more than 100 of us making blocks and posting messages on a regular basis.

The reason I ask you to use SPECIFIC labels for your post is so that with one click, I can do something like ... see all the block photos that have been post this month. Which I just tried to do, because someone emailed me this week to let me know I goofed and gave them credit for blocks they did not make, so I tried to look through all the posts to figure out whose blocks I incorrectly attributed to someone else.

When I looked at the posts with the label I asked you all to use when posting a photo of your blocks–Oct 2011 Photos–only about half of them show up (so I still don't know who is currently not getting credit for the blocks they made). 

Ps.  Any post about the block this month should also have the label sampler 11 which would enable anyone (but most likely me) to look at all the posts about our sampler blocks (including sending and receiving them) if, for example, in January, I remember something someone said when we were making sampler blocks and want to find the post.

I honestly don't know if some of you think your idea of a label is better than the ones I ask you to use each month or if you just randomly make something up, but here's the thing ... once someone creates a label, then it starts popping up as an option for EVERYONE ELSE ... which I suppose is why some of you just randomly pick one (or a bunch) of labels from what pops up ... instead of consciously using or choosing the labels I ask everyone to use.

"Blocks received" is a classic example.  People use it EVERY MONTH ... which makes it a really bad choice because you can't quickly find the blocks that were received for any specific month. Here are the two labels I asked you to use for blocks sent and received:

rails-mailed
rails-received

I sincerely ask that if you are unsure or don't remember, LEAVE THE LABELS BLANK.  (If you are posting by email, you can't add labels and I am happy to add those for you.)

A lot of you make a point of thanking me for the time and energy I spend on the Block Lotto.  But, almost every month, I have to wade through literally hundreds of posts to answer a question about blocks mailed or received because most of you apparently don't appreciate me and the time I spend enough to help me use my time efficiently by using the labels I ask you to use.   I try to keep on top of it and correct the labels, but some months--LIKE THIS ONE--it gets out of control and I give up.

The Block Lotto only succeeds because each month, we show up, make blocks and well as we can and mail them to the winners in a timely fashion ... because of mutual respect and trust.  I'm asking you to TRUST ME and understand I ask you to use these specific labels to make it possible for me to stay on top of things and prevent nights like tonight where I do little beyond wading through hundreds of your blog posts in an effort to keep things straight.

Ps.  If you made 4 blocks this month and your name ISN'T in the sidebar, you'd better let me know.  Several hours later, I still don't know who you are.

A Reminder about October Fabric Guidelines

The fabric guidelines this month say:

COLORS AND FABRICS

Your blocks MUST contain BLUE and CREAM fabrics.  If you like, you may also add Tan or Brown fabrics . . .  or not.     All fabrics may be solid or tone-on-tone (TOT) prints. 

A TOT fabric is a print where all the colors are different values/shades of the same color, so cream-on-cream, blue-on-blue, brown-on-brown.  If there is some black or cream in the print, that's iffy but acceptable, but your fabric SHOULD NOT contain any reds, yellows, oranges, greens or purples.

As a couple of people who have contacted me point out, some of the blocks posted so far do NOT follow the guidelines. I'll be in touch with the makers of any of the blocks that look questionable.

There IS a reason that the guidelines for the sampler are this specific and no other colors are allowed.  In this mix of many different types and styles of blocks, we need to keep the colorway consistent so we create a set of blocks for the winner(s) that play together despite all those those different fabrics, styles, and block patterns.

September Mailing Info Sent

If you made lotto blocks in September, you should have email from me with all the info you need to send your blocks to one/some of the winners.
If you didn't receive email from me, let me know and I'll resend it. You might want to check your spam folder first, if you have one--when you send email to 70 people, it does look a little bit like spam ;-)
Blogged via email from my iPhone

Get ready, Get set ... Cross your fingers

I've just emailed the list to Mary who will be using the random number picker to "draw" our winners ... from a list of 445 names (for 448 blocks).

The first two names drawn will receive 56 blocks, the remaining seven winners will each receive a set of 48 blocks.

Sandi and MB, because I was tied up in meeting, meeting, meetings today, you were both on-time and entered into the drawing ... and now, I'm going to race back for the final two meetings of the day (after which I may actually get some work done in the office.)

Thanks to all the sneak peekers who sent October block photos (I think I have received 31 virtual blocks).  I will be putting the "quilt" together tonight, but I already know it's going to be a good one ;-)

Sneak Peek, etc

If you have made and posted blocks for this month, you should have received the October sneak peek email from me earlier today.  If not, check your spam folder for the message, then ... let me know and I'll resend it to you.

This is a good time to check your name on the list in the sidebar and make sure your information is correct.

If you didn't make blocks this month OR made them and donated your chances AND you'd be interested in volunteering to choose the winners (using the random integer website), let me know.  I'll likely be sending the info sometime after noon on Friday.

I've Got Good News and more Good News

This morning, I heard from the last two winners (good news) and so tonight I was able to finish up the mailing info and send it to everyone  (more good news).

If you made Violet blocks, you should have email from me.  If not, let me know and I'll try again–please check your spam folder and make sure it's not hiding there.  When you send email to sixty-some quilters, it begins to looks like spam to some email applications ;-)

. . . and while I have your attention . . .

There has been a flurry of blog posts today (filled with beautiful curved rail block!)  and so you might have missed Jennifer's question about tricks for sewing those curved seams:

Curved Rails Q & A

I edited the post to add some tips from my experience, but if you have a technique that works well for you, please go add a comment and help her out.  I know a couple of you have said you "love curves" ... so I know that among us, we can help her learn this new-to-her skill.    Thanks.

Tick Tock Tick Tock ... Vivi and Shannon I need to hear from you

Vivi and Shannon,

I am waiting to hear from you ... and getting a little worried because:

• I know Shannon is a very newly newlywed and could be otherwise occupied ... AND she's a newbie who possibly doesn't know "you must be present to win."
• Vivi missed out once before because it was the weekend and she didn't have internet access at home and I'd really hate to deprive her of a set of lotto blocks AGAIN.

But, rules are rules and this one exists for a reason.  Ask Terry, who just sent me a correction for her address.  Had I not asked her to confirm it (or waited for her reply), it's likely that all her blocks could have gone astray.  I'm only a slightly dyslexic human and I make mistakes ... that's why I also ask for all of you to check my work ;-) 

A note to winners and others

If you are one of our lucky winners, be sure to look for a message from me and respond to it.  I'll be confirming your mailing address and asking how many of your own blocks you'd like to keep.

Everyone else, please be patient.  When I've heard from all six winners (or chosen alternate winners if I don't), I'll create the chart showing where to mail your blocks and sending the mailing information out to everyone.

SIXTY ONE quilters made violet blocks this month.  With the addition of Shannon S.'s just over the deadline blocks, the number of blocks each winner will receive is:

1. Mary Beth - 56
2. Ginny - 56
3. Cathy C. - 56
4. Shannon B. - 49
5. Terry - 48
6. Vivi - 48

Get ready, Get set ... Cross your fingers

I have updated the list with all the last minute additions–some of you are cutting it pretty close this month–and sent it to Blondie, who will be randomly choosing our SIX winners:

Winners #1-#2  will receive a set of 56 blocks
Winner #3  will receive a set of 55 blocks
Winners #4-#6  will receive a set of 48 blocks

Thanks to the generosity of those donating their chances, our six newbies each received three extra chances in the drawing and anyone who has never won got an extra chance this month. 

I need a volunteer

Would you like to make six quilters very happy tomorrow?

If you have donated your chances this month or haven't been able to find the time to make blocks at all and aren't in the drawing this month and would like to be our "winner picker," let me know.  Ideally, you'd be available to randomly choose the winners (using a random number web site) in the afternoon in the US.