Illinois Roads is made from two different quilt blocks, the traditional patchwork Illinois Road and a variation of the Calico Puzzle design. The pattern helps you make the square quilt sewn here, but it's easy to switch to a rectangular layout if you like. The quilt is perfect for a scrappy layout that uses bright fabrics for the small pinwheel-like units in the Illinois Road block.

My 2010 Quilting Calendar is ready for download. Each month features a different pattern, with clickable links that take you to complete instructions. Calendar pages have slots that are large enough to jot down upcoming quilt shows and other activities.

Now I'd better get back to work on the New Year's Day Mystery Quilt. Mark that event on your 2010 calendar.

Merry Christmas, everyone. The mid-section of the U.S. is certainly a mess today, and in western North Carolina we're sitting right at the edge of rain to ice. I went out early this morning, but am back home and that's where I intend to stay.

Travel safely today if you haven't arrived at your destination.

This lovely Hearts and Roses quilt is among hundreds of quilts made with blocks received in past editions of a Quilting Forum event. Formerly called Block Lotto, it will be revamped in January, with new guidelines and a brand new name, and that's where I'd like your input. But first a little background for those who might not have visited the forum.

Most quilting swaps are just that -- quilters swap one item for another like-item. This event is a bit different. Quilters make blocks and enter them into a drawing. Each block counts as one entry and all entries are placed "in the hat" for a drawing at the end of the month (there are often enough blocks for multiple winners).

Now back to the name -- we need something new (a few suggestions are Sew Lucky Jackpot and Blockbuster). I'd love to hear your ideas -- just use the Comments link to share a descriptive name name for this fun activity. Thanks!

Learn more about the Hearts and Roses Quilt

_{Photo and Quilt by Phxwmn}