Our guild has a block of the month every other month. The pattern chosen is printed in our newsletter, which is issued every other month. Those that participate get a ticket. You can submit as many blocks as you want, thus increasing you r chances of winning. I have no problem with the patterns, or who wins the blocks, but some people chose the cheapest and ugliest fabrics. I do not participate. One year, we had a terrific person in charge of the block of the month. She provided the pattern and the focus fabric and suggested that coordinating fabrics be chosen from the focus fabric. Needles to say, member participation was great including me. I like Ragamuffin's idea. Sound do-able and fun.