Offered as an example of how it’s always a good idea to make a single block first: my first effort at testing my pattern came out a little small–which is why the directions were updated to make the center a little oversized and square up and trim it 😉 So … only eight of these blocks will be donated this month because the one in the bottom right corner has almost no seam allowance on two of the sides–I liked the fabrics so much that...

In September, we are making 6 inch Barn Door blocks in red plus a contrasting fabric of your choice. Barb P made this one. You may make a maximum of 9 blocks  for chances in the drawing at the end of the month. The target set size for the winners will be 48 blocks. Caution Whenever we make lotto blocks from RED fabrics, it’s even more critical that every PRE-WASH their fabrics to ensure there will be no red dye bleeding in the winners...

In August, 21 quilters made 120 purple/gray/white Split 9-Patch blocks. Peggy made this one. Cathy, Laura and Kristin won them.  Congratulations! Complete guidelines and links to the block pattern are in this post: Purple Mountain Majesties in August   The tag for ALL blog posts about this month and this block: S9P The following list is the archive of the blocks made in August and who made them: Total Blocks: 120 Blocks entered into...

I am not sure how well posting from the iPhone app will work … so with my fingers crossed … the winners are: Cathy L – 48 blocks Laura R – 36 blocks Kristin – 36...

In case you were wondering … I’m not crazy and blame my frazzled state on how I could have jumped to thinking about the September block guidelines and pattern, to thinking we were already in September–a month with one less day than usual …  I have sent the sneak peek email to everyone who has made and posted AUGUST blocks. As usual, if you should have received the sneak peek and didn’t (or vice versa), be sure to let me...

Because September is a 30-day month, the deadline for the sneak peek is a little over 24 hours away.  If you have made blocks, but not yet posted them, be sure to post them before noon (on the US east coast) tomorrow if you want to receive the sneak peek email with the information about the September block. It is already starting to feel a lot like fall around Santa Fe … even though I am not yet ready to let go of...

Last month, I went to the post office on a Monday afternoon, expecting a long wait in line and … finding no line at all.  I was probably pushing my luck today, but I thought I’d try it again … although there was a line, it wasn’t long and there were 3 postal clerks working the counter so I expected it would be a short wait … until … some unhappy person who was trying to make a point was...

As usual with my blocks, I played with lots of interpretations of the guidelines. So you will see: Variations in the LIGHT fabrics, from solid white to gray/lavender on white to black on white to acid green on white Red-violet fabric, blue-violet fabric, sometimes both in the same block Half white/gray and half purple blocks Mostly gray blocks/mostly purple blocks Monochrome blocks (with all purple or gray fabrics) I am donating the chances for...

“Purple Mountain Majesties” is a line from the song America the Beautiful, which most kids in the US learn to sing in school … so when I read that the Rainbow Scraps Challenge color for August was grayish purple with mountains as the inspiration, the association to this block stuck. In August, we will be making Split 9-Patch blocks in combinations of white and purple and/or gray. Peggy made this one. You may make a maximum of...

If you were among “the few, the proud” quilters who made and posted blocks in August, you should have received email from me with the mailing info for your spiky blocks. Most of you also received the sneak peek a week ago … for which I have a small correction in the number of blocks you’ll need if you are making Old MacDonald’s Mystery Sampler quilt.  You will need 15 Split 9-Patch blocks (not 14) and may want to...

In July, 9 quilters made Spiky Leaf blocks which were won by Margaret. I made this one. Complete guidelines and links to the block pattern are in this post: Improv Fun Continues in July …   The tag for ALL blog posts about this month’s block: spiky   This post serves as an archive of how many blocks were made, who made them and who won them.   Blocks entered into Drawing: Christa – 1 Laura – 2 Margaret...

The 19 Spiky Leaf blocks made this month will all be going to … Margaret! As soon as I confirm Margaret’s mailing address, expect email from...