I'll make at least one. I'll let you know later on if I decided to do more.
Salijo

calliope - Count me in - I'll let you know how many I can get done later. I love black!!! And not scrappy will be so much easier for me to decide fabrics ~LOL~
I didn't know you wanted block suggestions........I have one for your consideration - how do we contact you with ideas?

Rivergirl, just go to the link (my page) next to my screen name, click on send me an email and let 'er fly.

count me in for at least one - i like the look of this.
best wishes. Ann

Let's start the tally for July. I'm not sure how many I can crank out this month, either. LOL.

salijo
magothyrivergirl
calliope
poldiceann

ok count me in for 2 blocks. this one may be easy.

Hi, calliope,

Count me in - I will try to do three.
Looks good!!

goldie

I'll do at least one. I think the black background on this one will be interesting.

Kate

Updating the count so far. If/when you determine quantities you will be making, I'll adjust the numbers. Thanks, Gals.

salijo
magothyrivergirl
calliope
poldiceann-1
patti60-2
agoldencomet-3
solstice98-1

I just finished this block. I will post a pic after my battery recharges.

I will mention that there is nothing in the directions about pressing. Since there are diagonal seams sewn on cut bias edges , I thought okay - don't press until after all is sewn to avoid stretching, distortion, etc. until after the 1st 5.5" square is complete. I was not successful in achieving a 5.5" square. You need to press the seams, really well. In fact, I ended up pressing the seams open, and trimming off the little points on the triangles. I know many quilters finger press, or not at all, but on this particular block, I think pressing (not ironing) is key to the block finishing at 12.5" . Maybe it was just me - that's always a possibility!
It is a pretty block when complete, but more of a challenge this month - which I like, so I thought I would share my experience.

This is not meant to scare anyone away - the block isn't really hard, a bit different then the others we have done lately. I got scared away on January's lotto when people had problems with the block - I regret not trying it!

You can put me down for 1. It does look a bit challenging, but I need to push myself so I'm IN!

Susan

MRG, you brought up an interesting question about pressing.
I'm a fanatical presser (not ironer!) and can't imagine sewing a block without pressing each seam. I press all of mine to one side, not open. And I trim the 'bunny ears'.

Now I'm wondering if I depend too much on the iron...
("She's not a bad quilter, you know, but I hear she uses her iron as a crutch."
"No, really?!?"
"Well, that's what I hear. And they say she always clips the bunny ears too!"
"Oh, Bless her heart.")

This could be a good QOTD! Press or not press? Open or closed? Always/Sometimes/Never? Are there really a lot of you who don't press your seams at all when making a block??? How do you ever get seams to line up and points to be perfectly pointy? Inquiring minds want to know!

Kate

Oh solstice, I was sipping a cup of coffee when I read your post and nearly spewed it on the screen.
Magothyrivergirl, exactly. It is, but isn't a difficult block, it's just 'different'. I found it more challenging than usual and I lived with that iron in my hand on this one. I absolutely love the crispness and contrast of the finished product, however.

Susan, welcome aboard and I'll add your name to the list.

salijo
magothyrivergirl
calliope
poldiceann-1
patti60-2
agoldencomet-3
solstice98-1
itsmesuzq-1

There is still plenty of time to get onboard for this month's block lotto. Itsmesuzq, I'll shoot an email off to you with my address.

This isn't a difficult block, just one requiring some attention to seam allowances to make the points come out spot on. The pattern fabric covers enough are that the black isn't overpowering, either.

I'll be throwing in a bonus block or two along with my entry, and it's one reason I chose this block for July. I need to work on my points. Stretchhhhhhhhh a little. LOL.

Here's a pic of my first attempts. Might help to envision what this would look like as the center blocks in a quilt.

BTW Magothyrivergirl suggested that it might be fun to let this month's winner decide what colours next month's block would be. I think we'll just do that.

Still plenty of time to sign up for this month's lotto.

Poldiceann, your lovely block arrived in yesterday's post. Whew that didn't take long! Lovely choice of fabric, and very tidy sewing indeed. I finished my entry block last night and will send along my best practise block, it's useable, but you can tell that (I tried very hard, lol)

salijo
magothyrivergirl
calliope-1 and one bonus block done
poldiceann-1 received
patti60-2
agoldencomet-3
solstice98-1
itsmesuzq-1

my blocks are done,thought this one would be easy, no. but did finish and will mail this week.

I'm going to have to cancel this month. Lightning strike took out several circuits inside and a big palm tree in front of the house. No power to the sewing room or the office until it gets fixed. I have to relocate all plants in the palm bed before they take it all the way down and grind the stump so I'll be busy with that this weekend.
If it all gets fixed before the end of the month I'll still do the block but I can't guarantee that's going to happen.
Sorry!
Kate

I'm DONE!! I can't believe I actually did this block. It's the most challenging of my (very new) quilting life. ~LOL~ But now that I look at it I can see the way it's constructed and for me that's huge.

Calliope please email me your name and address and I will get this in the mail right away.

Susan (who is going back to the easy stuff now - phew!)

I'm so sorry, Kate for your weather related problems. I was just watching a documentary about the storms and especially the lightening strikes in your state. Of course you can't guarantee getting blocks done under the circumstances. Hope all goes well with the clean-up and repairs.

Hello all,

Just found this site today and I think I would like to become a part of this crazy Block Lotto! I love the Turkey Tracks pattern, it's so graphic, and the use of a black background will really make the colors pop.

Calliope, could you please e-mail me the information I need to know to make this all work?

Thanks much,

Odessa

Susan, I emailed you the information you needed. Thanks so much for hanging in there, and yes it was a learning experience for me too ;-)

Hi Odessa. The guidelines are at the top of the thread. Please use 100% cotton material. You can submit from one to three blocks. For each block you submit, you get one chance at all the blocks sent in. The names go in a hat on the first day of August for the prior month and the blocks must reach me by the last day of July for them to be entered. If they come in late, they'll go to the winner, but you won't be entered for a chance to win them.

If you have pets who share your quilting area, or you smoke in your quilting area, they'll need to be sponged out so that we don't set off anyone's allergies.

We ask for one dollar to be sent along with your entry(entries if you have three it's still one dollar total) to help cover the cost of materials and postage to send the blocks to the winner. They should be in a plastic bag for safety, too. I will email you at your Garden Web link to give you my mailing address to which the blocks can be sent. Please enclose your forum name and your real address so that I have it on hand, should you win. welcome aboard and good luck. Also let me know here how many you plan to make. If you don't get them all done, or decide to make more than you originally thought you would, I'll adjust the numbers, so the others have an idea how many blocks are in the kitty.

salijo
magothyrivergirl
calliope-1 and one bonus block done
poldiceann-1 received
patti60-2
agoldencomet-3
itsmesuzq-1
Odessa

my 2 blocks are in the mail. love the block not gettng it set in order to sew. will think of new idea for you.

calliope,

Thanks for the info. I will start with one block, but if I get more done, I'll let you know. Turkey Tracks is a good block for a very graphic quilt and I love the idea of a black background (personally, I try to squeeze in some sort of black in most of my quilts somewhere ... just makes the colors seem even brighter!).

can't wait to get started!

Odessa

Will be watching for your package, Patti60, and Odessa just let me know she's planning on making two. Thanks BTW Odessa for letting everyone know this pattern is also called Turkey Tracks.

Salijo
magothyrivergirl
calliope-1 and one bonus block done
poldiceann-1 received
patti60-2
agoldencomet-3
itsmesuzq-1
Odessa -2

Patti60, your blocks arrived today. When I opened the package and removed the blocks, my husband went "Oooh that's pretty". Hey, when a compliment on sewing comes from a man, you can take it to the bank.

Salijo
magothyrivergirl
calliope-1 and one bonus block done
poldiceann-1 received
patti60-2 received
agoldencomet-3
itsmesuzq-1
Odessa -2

Okay, Calliope, my two blocks are done and will be in the mail tomorrow.

For anyone who's afraid of this block, don't be! Take your time, make sure your seams are an accurate 1/4" and you will be fine.

One final caveat: be aware that you will be sewing on the bias edges frequently, although the directions make it appear that you're sewing on the straight of grain. Proceed cautiously, take your time, and all will be well. My two blocks went together really well, so I hope the winner is thrilled with all of the blocks and makes a truly glorious quilt.

Odessa

Calliope you should have mine by now. I sent it at the end of last week. If it isn't there it should be there by tomorrow. I forgot to send an email the day I sent it.

Susan

Thanks for the head's up, Susan. I'll be watching for sure. They didn't come today. Be watching for Odessa's too. The month is surely whizzing by quickly, isn't it?

My block is finished. I'll be mailing it within the next day or so.....just have to remember to bring it to work in the morning!
Salijo

Odessa, your blocks were received today. They're beautiful and absolutely flawless. Thank you and Good luck!

Susan, I still haven't gotten your's. Odessa lives a lot closer to my mailing address, so perhaps tomorrow.

Calliope,

So glad they arrived safely, but I wouldn't say they're "flawless" ... but it really is nice to hear someone validate what I love to do!

I've been working on a pretty blue & white quilt (sort of a "semi-planned scrappy") the last couple of days and I owe it all to the block lotto. I was mentally stuck and making those two Turkey Tracks blocks worked the cobwebs out of my brain and got me back on track. Thanks!

When I get the top finished, I'll have to learn how to post a picture so you can all see.

Best of Luck to all,

Odessa

Susan, your pretty block came today, and is here safe and sound.

Salijo
magothyrivergirl
agoldencomet-3
calliope-1 and one bonus block done
poldiceann-1 received
patti60-2 received
itsmesuzq-1 received
Odessa -2 received

My one block went to the post office today. I was hoping to make another, but I ran out of time this month. I see new players / quilters this month! Now I can stop being the newbie here :) Welcome!!
Good Luck everyone - this is a great block!

Calliope, I was holding my breath...thanks so much for letting me know! Gosh you can never tell how long things will take, I guess everything can't be like Netflix! ~LOL!

Susan

Can you believe we are coming down to the wire on July? Six more days to get your blocks in. Magothyrivergirl........your block came in today. I like the way your fabrics go together, pretty block.

Here's a refresher on the count.

Salijo
agoldencomet-3
magothyrivergirl-1 received
calliope-2 and one bonus block done
poldiceann-1 received
patti60-2 received
itsmesuzq-1 received
Odessa -2 received

Hi there, calliope,

I am so sorry but there is no way I can meet my committment this month. I have been at my home doing and organizing repairs while my sewing machine was at the cottage!!

Although we are going back to the cottage tomorrow there is not enough time now to finish the squares and get them to you in time for the lottery this month.

Again so sorry!

goldie

Calliope, I mailed my block on Friday. You should be getting it soon.
Salijo

Good morning! Thank you Goldie, for letting me know. You have been removed from the list and most of us have had to do that on occasion. I understand. Hope to see you in future lottos.

Salijo! Wow, your block came this morning and it's lovely. I have to share this. My DH seems to be enjoying my quilting by proximity. I describe to him my trials/tribulations and successes as I try each new pattern. I have to say he has really been listening. I told him about struggling with the points at the edge of the block. When I opened your package, and said "oooooh", his first question was how are the points? LOLOLOL. Very nice, was my reply. Too good.

Looks like we are all in and all done as my fav auctioneer used to say.

Salijo-1 received
magothyrivergirl-1 received
calliope-2 and one bonus block done
poldiceann-1 received
patti60-2 received
itsmesuzq-1 received
Odessa -2 received

All the blocks are in for those who have listed that they will enter for July's lotto. Is there anyone who objects if I draw the name at midnight tonight? (The 31st, instead of the first.) If not, then I'm going to go ahead so that I can get the blocks out this weekend and move on to the August Lotto. I have numerous obligations next week, and running to town to the post office would be just another one.