At the Block Lotto, perfectly made blocks are a GOAL, but NOT a requirement.  It is also a place to try new things, practice and improve techniques. With that in mind, a couple of people have shared tips for making this month’s 9-Patch Plaid block and I thought to share them in a post of their own, as a place to share other problems/tips that come up in June.   Keeping 9-Patch Seams Aligned   During the sneak peek, Karen B had...

I decided to embrace a Christmas theme so added green columns to make this a full queen size.  I made 5 or 6 additional blocks so the full size is 6 columns of 10 blocks of 6×9 rectangular stars.  The full length doesn’t show because I had to drape one row over the rail.  I hope to get this to my long arm quilter this week (if I can find the backing in my sewing room).  thanks to everyone who made these stars.  Beautiful variety and...

While I am waiting for the clock to tick down to our deadline today, I thought I’d share some of the thoughts that have been bouncing around in my head. At the beginning of this month, I planned to blog about just how much I appreciate all of you and your willingness to make whatever block I choose for you each month.  This experience is a stark contrast to what happens in my guild whenever I suggest almost anything–they are a group of...

There is a link to the Block Lotto Basics on the home page. I also include the link in the email I send to everyone who expresses interest in joining the Block Lotto. It’s not a long list and yet a couple of the rules never quite seem to stick with everyone. If things don’t seem to be working the way you expect, please take a moment and review the basics.  I have updated the page with the acceptable range of block measurements for...

First the inspiration.  When I was taking an old UFO to finished top a while back, I decided to add a pieced border made of squares. Sophie’s Ring around the Lone Star I liked it so much, I thought it could be a good idea for a lotto block. like our block, my border is scrappy with a not quite random placement of squares. You might use this month’s B9P blocks as the main dish, for a scrappy quilt made from the complimentary colors...

Once again, some lotto blocks have arrived at the wrong destination … and I have to wonder if there a better way to organize the mailing info I email to everyone each month? Given that sending out personal messages to everyone who participates would be too time-consuming and prone to more errors (by me), I’d appreciate your ideas on how the mailing info could be better, more clear, etc … leave a comment with your ideas (or...

Not sure if it is ok to ask this question on Block Lotto so I am going to go ahead and ask. I absolutely love to pick out fabric and piece quilts and on the throw size I quilt myself but on larger ones I have someone local quilt them. My question is…. Does anyone know a good way for me to list and sell them? I have about 13 quilts right now for sale at excellent prices. They are beautiful too! Quilting is my therapy and my hubby tells me...

Sent my star blocks today! Should receive on Monday. I cannot wait to see the finished quilts~

It’s not been a good year for me in terms of playing the block lotto – some months, I’ve just been really busy, and some months I’ve been uninspired or the blocks just weren’t me. There’s probably a bit of lazy in there, as well 🙂 I do, however, really like this one, so I’m hoping this weekend will afford time for at least a couple of blocks – one of the things which was going to keep me really...

I meant to include a note in yesterday’s sneak peek post about fabrics we’ll be using in May, for those that like to plan ahead. For next month’s blocks, I’m giving you a palette of four possible colors–white, yellow/gold, purple and gray–and asking you to pick three of the four for each of your blocks. The fabrics can be solids, tone-on-tone prints or multicolor prints that only contain white, yellow/gold, purple or...

Here is the quilt I assembled from the beautiful Easy X blocks. I had to make a few to complete some of the color areas, but it has all the blocks sent by you Block Lotto folks. I took it to the quilter yesterday and she will work her magic on it and I’ll post a picture of the finished quilt. It will be a graduation gift for the youngest daughter of a...

A few people has asked if there will be a sampler quilt design, a QAL or *something* this year and I keep promising to share some thoughts on quilt sampler ideas for this year’s blocks. As I was enjoying a quiet moment with my morning coffee, I thought that IF only I had started another quilt-along sampler this year, *I* would have been forced to make blocks for myself for a sampler quilt … even if no one else played along....