If the meets were somewhat closer, I'd be interested in just about anything (other than the U-pick). When they're in OKC or Tulsa (or anywhere more than an hour or two from me), I just have to stick to the main spring plant swap myself. Not that I wouldn't love to do others but there are limits to both the money and time budgets for our family. (Of course, I'd love it if you all showed to heckle me -- but you all have to wear your All Terrain Crocs and costumes so I recognize you!) So, for me, a definite yes to continuing the spring plant swap and a definite maybe to other ones if they're in a different location. Oh, and I much prefer private locations myself (and would certainly take my turn to host one every now and then if needed) but I understand that's not always possible. Diane

Well, I always think this is important: if the guests include their friends, there are likely to be some with diet restrictions, so sugar free beverage options are necessary. For instance, if my 60+ year old mom was invited, she is diabetic. For other ideas, do you want to pick a theme? Based on one of their interests or just a generic birthday theme? When my uncle turned 60 we had only a small family party, but everyone brought him 60 of something.

Today is the last of the January birthdays for the Birthday Block Exchange group. (Happy Birthday, Andrea!!!) As you may remember, Kristene and I are alternating months for being the hostess for that month so I am the hostess for January. If all the January birthday quilters will e-mail me a few weeks after your birthday to let me know the status of which blocks have been received, that will be a big help so I can check on any that may not have been received. We really want to stay on top of things. Hopefully your report will be that all of your blocks were received. I hope everyone has managed to fit in a little sewing this month. My older daughter is expecting triplets this Spring so I have been busy making two baby quilts and Andrea (dragonflyUSC) - who is my younger daughter - made the third one. We are headed to CA soon for the baby shower and I will post pictures of the quilts after I come back. I don't want to spoil the surprise. It has been cold here and we have gotten snow twice since Christmas so that has been an adventure. Of course, when there was ice on the roads was when my sewing maching started to misbehave. Isn't that how it always goes? I struggled along with it and managed to get it through the two baby quilts so hooray for that! I'll be back to "visit" with you soon. Jeanne

Good idea about the separate heading. I think I will do that towards the end of August which will give us time to get feedback and decide what to do. The rest of July and most of August will be busy for me. Even if we do not have our usual full year of block exchanges, I would like to have a few activities next year for those who have been participating. I'll list the ideas I have when I do the posting with the special heading. If anyone else has ideas that would be based on signing up for a one-time event during that year - personally I would like to do several - let me know. I was thinking of one where you trade a FQ with someone, another where you do something like send 5 charms, etc. Just something with very little time and effort involved for those who like to get quilt related things in the mail now and then. The "very little time and effort" would allow us to focus on our sewing that needs to get done! We could also select a "Birthday Pal" and send a card and a quilt item to that person on her birthday month - small item like a quilt magazine (even a gently used one), a spool of thread, a sewing notion of some type, etc. We could even do a "Secret Santa" for mail out in December 2012, again keeping the commitment small. I really would like to keep some type of group going for 2012 - every now and then - just to keep us in touch. I think if we do something like the things I mentioned, it would be open to anyone who participated in the Birthday Block Exchange in good standing in 2009, 2010, or 2011. Anyway, feel free to post here (those who are reading this) or send me an e-mail with thoughts and ideas and we will put up a heading later in the summer to make sure everyone gets to see it. This whole concept of small things to do might not be needed. The majority may want the Birthday Block Exchange as usual and that is totally fine. We will find out. Have a good weekend, everyone! Jeanne