I do plan on keeping it monthly for reasons being 1)IT IS FUN!! 2) The choice is yours as to how many blocks you have time to make and you don't have to participate in all of them. It is FUN TO WIN and see a PAL WIN and make a quilt that will be loved, 3)a great place to practice and get ready for Swaps PLUS 4)you could have a Sampler Quilt for you at the end of the year



SEW ... IT IS TIME to BEGIN a NEW YEAR with a VARIATION of Eleanor's "HEART" Block!!! You can find the directions in Eleanor's "Still Stripping after 25 years" and in the "It's Elementary" book for the Top of the Heart.
The variation is to make it a 16-patch center using alternating 2.5" strips or sixteen 2-1/2" squares to make the 16-patch. WATCH your 1/4" seam measurement!! Use your ruler as you finish stitching each row and lock your seams. Don't forget those FAMOUS EL's 4-patches on the back when you iron


Cut 2 white TOT background rectangles measuring 4.5" by 8.5" and 4.5" by 12.5". To give yourself some breathing room add 1/8".
Cut 2 pieces of Fusible 4.5"x8.5". You do not need the extra 1/8" here. Trace an 8" Circle onto a piece of paper, cut it in half which will give you (2)4"x8" half circle templates to trace on to the smooth side of your fusible. Place the bumpy side of your fusible to the right side of your 4.5"x8.5" fabric and stitch on the half circle line. Do Not stitch on the bottom line but trim to this line. This edge is lined up with the seam edge of the background. Turn right side out and iron with steam to your 4.5"x8.5"s background watching which fabric goes to which background and there placement. See pictures. Button Hole Stitch the circle halves onto the rectangles and then sew the rectangles to your 16" patch.



I have a Janome 6600. I used #38 stitch, settings 2.0 and 2.0 for the small button hole stitching.

I have made it flexible for all by remembering all the colors of the Tiny Candy Hearts we had as a child.
* Any Fabric that you would give to a child or adult. Love or Friendship. (2.5" strip) & One (4.5" x 8.5")
* DARK LIGHTS/LIGHT MEDIUMS with GOOD CONTRASTS - Pinks, Reds, Purples, Oranges, Yellow, Blues, yes even a pretty green? Please Do not go as light as a pastel. Stay to the darker side of the lights and the lighter side of the mediums.
* A Contrasting Fabric. (2.5" strip) & One (4.5" x 8.5")
* Background White TOT (4.5" x 8.5")& One (4.5" x 12.5") - My TOT has tiny images of sewing items (Give yourself 1/8" more for breathing room to make sure they will square to 12.5")
* No Solids please
* Can You Squared it to 12.5” BUT DO NOT Square the block
* Place a TAG with your name in the UPPER LEFT CORNER
* Place ALL blocks in ONE Plastic Bag with $2/3 for shipping
* ALWAYS MAIL with a TRACKING NUMBER
* POST a VALENTINE Memory
WAYS to RECEIVE your WINNING tickets ...
* 1 ticket = Let me know if you are interested by the 10th of January
* 1 ticket = for every block that "CAN BE" Squared to 12.5"
* 1 ticket = for a Memory: Getting to know you better. Optional

* 2 extra tickets = if your blocks are different colors.
RECEIVED -
TeresaK - Teresa ... 2 blocks; Memory
Purrfect-Lady - Mary ... 6 blocks; Memory
QuiltGram8 - Velda ... 4 blocks
WeSignificant - Valerie ... 4 blocks
Shelly322002 - Jacquie ... 3 blocks