It's been a stellar year for the Beginner Block Lotto, thanks to our Forum Members and to the time and efforts of our Hostesses, Sophie and Kate. So good that we're nearing the 2,000 mark for blocks made for the event in 2008. The December block is Yankee Puzzle, super quick and easy because December is time-crunch time for most of you (the blocks are absolutely lovely when sewn together in a scrappy way). You'll use two fabrics per block, one yellow or gold and the other a darker color of your choice -- a perfect choice for stash-raiding.

I hope you'll consider participating in this fun event, but if you can't right now, do try the pattern for an upcoming quilting project.

_{Yankee Puzzle Blocks by Beatrice}

This traditional quilt block sometimes has slightly different components, and there are other blocks that are known by the same or similar names, even though they look completely different. That's confusing, but not at all uncommon in the world of quilting. No matter what you call it, Steps to the Altar is a lovely block, and looks good when you sew it in either an orderly or a scrappy layout.

_{Illustration © Janet Wickell, created in EQ v6}

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone had a good day. I'm popping in here for a bit to show you my newest pattern, an easy wallhanging made from a 20" square Christmas Star quilt block. It doesn't take long to put the quilt together, and Christmas Star is one of those blocks you can change dramatically by altering color and color value. There's no need to use holiday colors in your quilt -- design it to suit any color scheme.

_{Janet Wickell}

Here's a close-up of the Double Star block, but the pattern is for an entire quilt (20 blocks with sashing). It's just that an image of the block helps illustrate the special little technique used to assemble it. Take a look at the blue center, and notice first that the unit sewn to each of its sides is identical. Then take a look at the seams along the sides of the square -- they follow the center in a round-the-clock motion, but are shorter than the unit that's sewn to them. Are the seams inset? No, they're sewn as partial seams, and it's the same technique we used to make the Bright Hopes quilt block. Don't be discouraged by the slight change in assembly -- partial seams are very easy, even if you're a beginning quilter.

_{Janet Wickell}

Here's a little 24" square wallhanging that might come in handy the next time you need to make a quick project for yourself or someone else. It could also be used as a colorful throw pillow cover, or to decorate the top of a table. The pattern instructions walk you through the process of appliqué using fusible web. If you're not into fusibles, use your favorite technique to appliqué patches to the background.

_{Janet Wickell}

The Holiday Harvest quilt is made from two quilt blocks, a 10" Grape Basket combined with an Oak Leaf and Acorn of the same size, all placed on point and surrounded by setting squares. I've included two choices for the applique block's center -- one a bit less fussy than the other.

_{Janet Wickell}

Here's a brand new quilt pattern, Eight Hands Around, made with the traditional quilt block of the same name. The blocks are constructed in the same way, but with some fabric flip-flopping to add a bit of movement across the surface of the quilt. The pattern gives you an opportunity to practice making half square triangles and flying geese. Overall, the quilt finishes at about 68" x 80", with blocks at 12" square. You can make it larger or smaller by adding or subtracting blocks, and it's easy to change the theme -- just choose different fabrics.

_{Janet Wickell}

Try this colorful H quilt the next time you want to go scrappy. I've included a couple of options in the pattern. One lets you strip piece sixteen groups of four identical H units, and then mix them up in the layout. The other gives you cutting instructions for one block, to help you attack the fabrics in your scrap bin (you might want to go with a combination of the two methods to make the best use of available fabrics). The quilt finishes at about 42" x 42" -- make it larger by sewing more of these simple blocks.

_{Janet Wickell}

Through the Windows is a quilt pattern inspired by a carpet I saw in Arizona recently, a perfect design for the Arizona Quilt Challenge. But it's simple to dramatically change the quilt's appearance -- just alter your fabric choices. Black sashing and corner triangles (at the tops and bottoms of strippy vertical rows) blend with the outer border, helping the quilt resemble a three-paned stained glass window. Blocks finish at 6" square and the completed quilt measures about 37-1/2" x 42".

Fabric postcards are ever so popular with quilters, and sometimes we have a fabric postcard swap or two taking place in our Quilting Forum (especially during the holidays). I hope you'll find some ideas you like in the tutorial, but remember that postcards can be made using any technique you desire. There are no rules!

_{Photo © Janet Wickell}