Will You Join the January Jumpstart Scrappy Block Swap?

So.....what do all these lovely quilty-type specimens have in common, besides being some of my more popular pattern titles?

They all started life as a January scrappy group project, with me begging here there and everywhere for enough people to make a few blocks, test my directions, and allow me to use one of your blocks in my cover quilt. I'm thrilled that each year I get some repeat participants, and even more thrilled to add newbies to the fun each year. And every year I am able to put the blocks together into a stunning, vibrant, and way fun new design. I truly love them all like they are my babies. Sometimes more than my real babies, depending on teen angst level at the time.

Well, it's January. So here I am begging. This year's group project has been renamed the January Jumpstart by a clever follower and here's hoping your scrap bins overfloweth and you'll be jumping on the bandwagon.

The working name for this scrappy piece of fun is "Tiara," because it's a little crown-y and don't we all need a tiara now and then?

So here are the basic details:

Each participant will be given directions to make the block. They will make four blocks, one of which MUST be in the color palette I specify in the directions. All four blocks will be sent to me by January 27, the one fitting my color palette will be used in the group quilt I will put together as a cover quilt for a new pattern, the other three blocks will be swapped randomly among the participants and sent along with a copy of the new pattern, featuring participant blocks on the cover and participant names as testers within.

New this year is a secret facebook page for all participants; totally optional to join, but I thought I'd give it a go as it might come in handy for asking questions about fabric choices, unclear directions (as if), and showing off finished blocks.

All details and directions will be sent upon request. If you've got some time, you like making scrappy blocks, and you'd like to participate, all you must do is send me an email at evapaigequilts@charter.net and I'll get you started!

Come On and Get Your Teal On

As advertised in the previous post, the Teal Mini Swap is upon us!

Who can resist a fun little gift in the mail, am I right?

Every year I do my darnedest to kick ovarian cancer to the curb and pounce on it with my stiletto thigh high boots. Mr Quilting Hottie wishes. That was supposed to read adorable sandals. But either way, if we make it a little more dead, it's good. If we make it a little more in the public eye through awareness, also really good. If we get a fun gift in the mail too? That's just the trifecta of awesomeness right there.

All the info you could ever need along with the sign up form is all to be found over HERE; just read and scroll and hit the button that says register now and you will be directed exactly what to do. It really is that simple. Along about August 29 I will start mailing out swap partners and the lovely Blank Fabrics focus fabric you are to use in your mini, and then it's all you and your creativity and stamping out ovarian cancer.

Registrations are open and I'm thrilled to report that I already have just about exceeded the number of registrants in all of last year, and we still have 2 weeks to go before they close. My other, sillier goal is always to try to get at least one participant from each state. To me that just seems a great indication that we are getting the word out not only about the swap, but about ovarian cancer awareness. I'm thrilled to say that so far we are at 31 states, and are a long way to turning the map teal!

Looking good! Who knows quilters who hate cancer in AK and HI? There must be some!

So,  are you a sewist? Do you hate ovarian cancer? Do you want to meet new people and get a cool gift? Wait no more....head on over to the Teal Mini Swap group on FB, and if I haven't convinced you to sign up, that group of enthusiastic teal lovers will!