I've been following the Barbara Brackman Civil War blog and the Flickr group, too. I look forward to seeing the new block each week, although sometimes I lag at getting them made.
I'm doing two CW era repro quilts at my LQS - one is nothing but HST's and the other is starch method applique. I have three more I started on my own in various stages.
I agree with Jan - make the quilt and decorate around it! :)