We have had great participation in the first lotto of 2012 and I hope we can continue it this month. I think you'll like this block; it's a good opportunity to use some things out of your stash but you can easily do three blocks with just a couple fat quarters and a beige too, so the cost won't be high even if you don't have much fabric built up yet. It's fast and easy with just a couple half square triangles. When you put a few of these blocks together they form a wonderful, bold secondary pattern; I'm sure it will make a really attractive quilt.

All we need are at least 12 blocks each month to make enough for a wallhanging, baby quilt, lap quilt, donation quilt or even a doggy bed! 12 blocks can even be the center of a much larger quilt; just add borders until you get the size you need. I will guarantee to make 3 blocks each month but you all will have to do the rest.

This lotto is open to all and new quilters are encouraged to participate. You will learn much and have fun doing it. Participate in as many or as few lottos as you want, but even if you don't like the current month's block think about doing at least one. The winner will appreciate your efforts!

Here's the drill:
> each month there will be a designated block or theme
> you can send 1, 2 or 3 blocks
> all blocks must measure 12.5inches x 12.5inches
> with your blocks include name, mailing address, forum name and $1 to cover postage for the winning blocks(Any money left over at the end of the year will go towards prizes!)
> all blocks received by the last day of the month will be included in the lotto drawing
> you will have 1, 2 or 3 chances to win, depending on how many blocks you've sent in
> we have a clever way of choosing the winner, with a couple different quilters involved, to keep it fair

February 2012

For February, the block will be Contrary Wife. Use the link below or go to Quilterscache.com for instructions. We don't have a particular color theme this month, but try to use a deep color in a small print along with a more pronounced print in a complimentary color; the background should be beige (tonal, tone on tone, small print, marble, muslin, etc). No juvenile or novelty prints. Please use all cotton fabric, with nicely pressed 1/4 inch seams.

I've attached pictures of the three blocks I made for this one.

Don't hesitate to ask questions or make suggestions. This is YOUR lotto!

Kate

This shows the three blocks and one way to set them together to get an interesting secondary pattern. You could also do diagonal stripes or zig zags. (Sorry the photos are a little fuzzy! Looks like I needed better light!)

Joan

This sounds like fun.
Count me in for at least one block, maybe more.
After just over a year of quilting, I have finally built up a stash that I can dig into.
I've never made a Contrary Wife block, so this will be a learning experience.

Question: Do you all press your seams to the side, or is pressing them open O.K. too? I have found that pressing the seams open makes for less bulk, and easier to quilt over. But if the general rule is to press to the side, I certainly will.

Julie

Kate

And here's a better picture of the February blocks:

Tamie

k8orlando - 3
bloomorelse - 1+
luvtosharedivs - 1+
loisf - 1+
hazelnutbunny - 3
bozogardener - 2or3
micyrey - 3

Doin' the February Happy Dance!

It's perfectly OK to send blocks early and to combine a couple months in one mailing. Please include $1 for each month so I have enough to mail out winning blocks.

Here's the updated list for February:
k8orlando - 3 (received)
littlehelen - 3 (received)
bloomorelse - 1+
luvtosharedivs - 1+
loisf - 1+
hazelnutbunny - 3
bozogardener � 2 or 3
micyrey - 3
bev2009 - 1+
beth7happy - 1+
calliope - 3

I love seeing the pictures of the different variations of the blocks that are being made for the Lottos. It helps me pick colors that I hope will play nice & make someone a great looking quilt. calliope's pic just made me pull out different fabric to make my blocks~LOL

Put me down for 3. This is a great block-easy and I agree the way Kate determined the placement of the larger print and shades is very appealing.

I just found the perfect beige for the background! In my stash! Honestly, you can't know how unusual this is for me - I use whites or blacks for backgrounds 99% of the time.

Sign me up for 1, but I'll try to work in 3.

I'm checking the mailbox for packages everyday!

And my 3 for February:

Kate~ Will you please email me with your address? My email is hazelnutbunny@hotmail.com

Thanks!
Melissa

I love the pattern and colour scheme that was chosen ... it looks like they are all going to make a really gorgeous quilt for someone!!

SharonG/FL

Kate

Julie

I think I won 32 blocks the 1st time I won. I think it should remain at 1 drawing - it is fun to see so many players and blocks in the Lotto!

I hope this kind of participation lasts throughout the year. Perhaps with so many people taking a break from the birthday blocks this year, the Lotto will be "busy" all year round!!

I have participated in lots of lottos, but haven't won any! :( But that's OK. I enjoy making the blocks & it's fun to see who will win. Although....there have been some really nice ones that I was hankering for! LoL!

Kate

Yes, I loved this block, and now have another quilt on my list. In fact, I loved my blocks so much I'm having a difficult time putting them in the envelope to mail, LOL.

I going to try to get next month's blocks done this weekend. But whether I do or not, February's blocks will be on the way by Monday.

Just a heads up...

I mailed three blocks today, so you can be watching for them:)

Julie

Lola

Thanks, Tamie

All I can say about the wonderful participation is WOW and THANKS FOR MAKING THIS SO MUCH FUN! (Have I mentioned recently that I love you quilters?!)

Thanks too for posting pictures of your blocks!

Here's what I have:

k8orlando - 3 (received)
littlehelen - 3 (received)
bloomorelse - 3 (received)
luvtosharedivs - 3 (received)
mary_c - 3 (received)
nannykins - 3 (received)
cziga - 3 (received)
hazelnutbunny - 3 (received)
bozogardener - 3 (received)
calliope - 3 (received)
loisf - 1
micyrey - 3
bev2009 - 1
beth7happy - 1
magothyrivergirl - 3
lola99 - 1
geezerfolks - 2

SharonG/FL

Vasu

This is going to make a big, gloriously colorful quilt!

k8orlando - 3 (received)
littlehelen - 3 (received)
bloomorelse - 3 (received)
luvtosharedivs - 3 (received)
mary_c - 3 (received)
nannykins - 3 (received)
cziga - 3 (received)
hazelnutbunny - 3 (received)
bozogardener - 3 (received)
calliope - 3 (received)
geezerfolks - 2 (received)
bev2009 - 3 (received)
beth7happy - 3 (received)
loisf - 2 (on the way)
vasu - 2 (on the way)
micyrey - 3
magothyrivergirl - 3
lola99 - 1

SharonG/FL

Michelle - I emailed my address to you.

I received a couple packages in the mail today. I'll get them all tallied tomorrow. I meant to do it tonight but was distracted by a quilt my longarmer just finished for me. I started on the binding and completely forgot how close to the end of the months we are!!!

Tomorrow night we'll have our drawing! Although I have received all pledged blocks, I want to wait until after the mail tomorrow in case someone else has sent something.

So, have you ever thought about this? If you are a salaried worker, tomorrow on Leap Day your company is getting a full day of your work FOR FREE. They don't pay more during Leap Year, right? So it's a free day for them. I think I'll take a long lunch tomorrow!

Kate

You know, I once was offered the choice between salaried and salaried exempt, meaning I was given overtime like the hourly workers. I found out the hard way that full salaried meant the company got LOTS of unpaid work hours from me. I don't think I ever went home on a weekend without the briefcase full. ;-) Those were the days before mobile phones, and beepers were like the device from the bowels of hades.

I need two people to help with the drawing. One needs to take the list of names, mix them up, and randomly assign a number to each one. Once that's done you'll email it back to me. When I have it I'll post again that we are ready and the second person gets to pick a number.

So is anyone on line who's willing to help?

Kate

Go to that page, enter 1 as the smallest value and 46 as the greatest value, then click on 'get sequence'. Copy that list of numbers and paste them into the spreadsheet in the column alongside the names. Done!

Congratulations!!!

Thanks again, Kate, for a job well done. Lois

Congrats! Isn't it exciting to win??!!

Joan

THX Kate!

Gwen

Julie

I plan to make a quilt (queen size) for my brother and his wife. He doesn't have any from me yet. And yes, I will share pictures of the finished product!

Thank all of you for the congrats!

Tamie