I've yet to figure out if it's a Friday-thing, a 2017-thing or a me-thing... but I seem to be having a lot of these "patchwork" posts - lots of little things to answer and mention.

Isn't that a lovely basket of fabric?  It belongs to David and he's going to start cutting it up next week.

In comments on the post about QuiltCon, many of you mentioned that you would love a big quilt show in the Northeast.  While I am definitely not an expert on the subject, I did recently learn a little bit about why trade shows, conventions and quilt shows go to certain cities.  To book a convention center, the organizers have to "guarantee" that a specific number of hotel rooms will be booked and as you can probably guess, the cost of those hotel rooms varies by city.  Visitors to the show and exhibitors are likely to consider that cost when deciding whether or not to go to a particular show and city.  Then factor in how easy - and costly - it is to get to the city, transportation, restaurants and other attractions and amenities.

Blockheads!  That starts next week - Wednesday, March 8th.  Are you ready?

There are already a few pictures popping up on Instagram - #modablockheads - as folks get ready to start sewing.

As for the Blockhead Leaders, here’s how to find everybody:

• Lynne’s Blog / Facebook / Website
• Betsy’s Blog / Facebook / Instagram
• Jan’s Blog / Website
• Jo’s Blog / Instagram
• Lisa’s Blog / Website / Instagram

And here, of course.

12 Contests!  The next contest starts on Sunday with all the details and information coming from Barbara Groves & Mary Jacobson of Me & My Sister Designs.

The sisters at Schoolhouse last Fall... I think it's safe to say their contest will be a whole lot of fun.  #12contestsmeandmysister

Long Time Gone!  Jen Kingwell's book.  There is a sew-along starting March 15th so if you don't have your book, there is still time.

Angie, Nicole and Marti will be the hostesses, sharing tips, tricks and all sorts of inspiration.  While the instructions in the book are for rotary cutting and machine-piecing, Angie, Nicole and Marti will be using templates and tools to piece the various blocks.

The list of the Template sets and rulers they'll be using can be found here.

The Palette Builder.  While at QuiltCon, Brigitte Heitland's demo about building a color palette included using the Palette Builder tool on the Moda website.  (For future reference, you can always find the Palette Builder on this page, right under the Cutting Table banner - fifth from the left... fourth from the right.)

I love playing with it and thanks to an idea from a sweet friend - and awesome quilter - I had a little fun building palettes.

You know how decorating magazines always catch your eye on the newsstand?

It might have something to do with rooms having been put together by professionals... folks with an eye for color.

If you'd like to know more about the Palette Builder and how it works, we wrote about it here and here.  The first one is the best for finding out how the Palette Builder works.

Remember, while the Palette Builder matches the colors to Bella Solids and Aurifil Threads, you can use the colors to find prints that coordinate.

So what are you up to this weekend?

I'll be sewing.  I've got a couple Blockheads blocks to make, and I need to get caught up with the Patchwork QuiltAlong blocks.  I'm getting organized for Long Time Gone and I have two quilts that need the binding stitched down.  I also have a stack of Bella Solid strips on my cutting table - cut and ready to be sewn and... I'm hoping for rain.

A lot of rain.

Like maybe a whole week of it.

It's either that or I have a cold coming on.

:::cough cough:::

Happy Friday and have a great weekend!