JuneBillie, I didn't have a theme in mind either, I asked for a block out of one of my favorite fabrics, civil wars. My partner, lucky me, was Roberto. He sent me three beautiful blocks, black, white with just hints of red and then sent me some of the most beautiful embroidered blocks you will ever hope to see - simply because he is a wonderful, thoughtful person. I originally sent him two blocks, one civil war paper pieced and one English paper pieced, hand done and appliqued to a background fabric. I also ended up making him, at his request, 2 more paper pieced stars so we had a fabulous month. Anyone who gets Robert as a partner is in for a rare treat.
Now I think I have adopted a theme of just scrappy blocks of the makers choice and I think I will ask them to sign them with permanent ink, including their city and state so I will also have a memory quilt. I think I will end up with a very special quilt.