Hello everyone in the 2011 Birthday Block Exchange! This is Kristene, here to give you advanced notice of the upcoming birthdays for February. Remember, this year we are aiming to have everyone's blocks made and delivered on time - early is OK, but not 3 weeks after the birthday. Besides myself in Australia, there are a number of participants living in Canada, so sending early will ensure the block is received in time for the birthday. Each quilter can decide whether to keep them all to open on their actual birthday, or open them as they arrive. I was going to keep mine till the 15th this year - but my will power left after 2 days! It's given me more time to begin the next steps of transformation on the blocks. Anyway, here are the 3 birthdays for February 2011 Piece of Cake - Feb 12th - Kate (k8orlando) Ribbons & Bows - Feb 14th - Jeanne (sandlapper_rose) Make a Wish - Feb 26th - Deanna (faintheart) NB: Feb 14th is Jeanne's "unbirthday". this is her 2nd group so she decded to choose a different month since there were already many birthdays in March The above format is how each birthday will be entered for members to make their posts when they send their blocks and receivers to say the blocks have been received. Don't tag onto this post. Keep each quilters sent/received info together under their own heading. Kristene

Maybe we should form an unmonitored - no rules - "Birthday Club", where we sign-up initially - just to see who wants to participate & take a pledge to finish a quilt from the Birthday Block Exchange, from any or all years, and post a picture of it during the month of your birthday. All January Birthday Babies post their finished quilts from previous year's Birthday Blocks during the month of January, all in one thread so as not to dominate the forum. No pressure, you can drop out by not doing it, or you can join in because you finished your quilt. This would help to keep us involved, celebrate birthdays, and maybe get that quilt made without any obligation, added expense, or running to the post office.

Hi, lowraine! The Birthday Block Exchange is usually set up towards fall for the following year so this year's members are well into the year at this point. We organize it so 13 people are in a group and you send a specific block to each person in your group so that they receive it for their birthday. Normally we have about 4 groups of 13 people participating, but many wanted to take this year to put their blocks together into quilt tops so there is only one group this year: Icing on the Cake. If you think you might be interested, I will be happy to send you more about "how it usually is set up" if you contact me by e-mail or you can just watch for the new sign ups for 2013. As for the block list, it is a long list to choose from and you pick your block and the colors you would like used in the blocks that you receive. Or some people just say "quilter's choice" and the sender decides. The reason we have a list of approved blocks is so that none of the blocks are too difficult to make. That's a quick description. I could say more, but until it is set up for 2013, we won't really know what the exact rules will be. It's lots of fun! Jeanne

Just giving everyone a reminder about the August birthdays in this year's birthday block exchange. Ribbons & Bows - None Make A Wish - Aug. 23- Marie (wynative) Piece of Cake - Aug. 26 - Pat (patti60) Do not reply to this thread. Individual threads will be posted for each of these quilters and that is where everyone should list when they send their blocks and when they are received. I will get those headings listed here about a month prior to their birthdays. Kristene will likely be the hostess for August. I am going to see the triplets again for part of the month. I'll be sure to post a picture of them when I get back. (If I forgot to list anyone, please let me know ASAP.) Jeanne