Sept - Dec

[WeSignificant]

Dear quilting friends,

I have thought long and hard about this for several months now. Lotto has become more of a chore for me than a fun time. It has become stress inducing to have to think of some thing every month, gets blocks made, and so on. Numbers have dropped off and honestly it is just not worth it anymore.

With the Christmas stuff going on (swap, SS) many of the lotto participants will be busy with other projects. Plus our usual holiday projects.

I have decided to put Lotto on hold for now. Particpation has dropped and I feel that is a sign of loss of interest, people have their focus on other areas, or maybe are just burned out on lotto.

If someone wants to take it over I will welcome the move. For now, I will draw a name for August at the end of the month like usual and will draw the end of the year gifts also. Maybe we will get some more blocks and someone will get a lap size quilt.

I have tried to keep it interesting, educational and fun and I think I have. I think people are just moving on to other things. I plan to keep up with the forum as I am able.

Thanks to all of you for the support over the past couple of years. God be with you all.

[zfatcat]

Thank you Val. I just don't have the time to take it over now. Maybe next year. You've been a fabulous hostess.

[Marilynsgrammy]

I think it's a wise decision Valerie. I am hoping that next year I can play more.

[maryq]

Valerie

Thank you so much for taking care of lotto ... how long has it been? It's always been fun for me and I've loved the challenge of learning new things along the way. But I too have a closet full of "to be done" quilts and many started that need to be finished.

Maybe if we take a break for a while... catch up on other stuff we can come back to it... I'd be willing to help out but I think it's a good idea to give it a rest for now and maybe pick it up again say in 2026?

Thanks again Valerie for all you have done to help us all stay connected!

[WeeOne]

Valerie, You have done a wonderful job coming up with blocks that were great and learning new things. I wish I could have participated more. Some months I even bought fabric just for lotto, but didn't get them done. Please know that the lack of participation has been busy lives, not you being hostess or your block choices. You're a good hostess!! Please be here, on the forum. You'll have more time to visit when you go on SS. HUGS
Lyn

[keremondini]

I have enjoyed lotto so much, thank you Valerie for the great blocks and being a wonderful hostess, I was always amazed with all you do, you still made time for lotto, always there to answer any questions I had, I really appreciate you help. KathyR

[purrfect-lady]

VAL - your package arrived today. Your gift is much appreciated. Thank you. But thank you even more for all you've done for us. I think we all have great fun and stretched our skills a little. You rock!

mz

[WeSignificant]

Your very welcome, thinking of new ideas and strategies for the future

[gershwin64]

Valerie, I love the lotto, I just kinda get swamped some months so I know where you're coming from. I say a break is a good thing, breath in, breath out. Thank you for hosting this
Tina

[WeSignificant]

So, I have been thinking. I know, bad idea sometimes! Maybe in 2025, we could have a "Finished Quilt" contest instead of Lotto. We did a similar thing a few years back, and it seemed to work pretty well. At that point, we restricted it to finished ufos But thinking we could change that to any finished quilt. Finished means quilted and binding.But I would make labels optional, since I don't tend to use them. If I recall, we did it on a quarterly basis. So whoever finished the most quilts in that quarter won a prize. Yes I still have prizes!

What do you all think? Any other ideas floating around out there?