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

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!

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

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 :)

November is Quilter's Choice in Purple and White

November 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).
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.
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.

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.