Friday, February 3, 2012

I continue to swim with Orca Bay…


I started Bonnie Hunter’s mystery quilt, Orca Bay on Christmas Eve. I know call me crazy, but I had a quiet moment & all was ready for the festivities.
Little did I realize the amount of work and the hours that go in to this quilt.  I have never made anything with such small pieces and so much cutting.  I started off with the string blocks as those I love to make.
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Then it was on to HST’s  and 2.5”blocks. At this point I have not bought any fabric but have used only scraps or stash (not sure if that is a good or bad thing, depends which way you look at it I guess). (lots of cutting)
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sewing the HST’s and squares together made for beautiful blocks
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test run of the layout
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See the black wings on the flying geese?  Well I deviated from the pattern here. I just couldn’t bring myself to cut 700 some triangles to make a pieced wing. So I went scrappy black wings instead.  Sorry Bonnie!
I was finally at a point to piece it all together last week. I am so pleased with it. This is a birds eye view of it on my bed. (I am balancing on the foot board).
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I have to put the borders on still, but truthfully, I was getting bored playing with black, red, and white and needed a break.  I also know that I won’t be doing exactly as Bonnie’s pattern suggests for the borders. Again I can’t fathom cutting so many triangles. Plus if you know me I never seem to follow a pattern always added my own flair to it.
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There is still a little bit of Christmas around here.  My Poinsettias have never been this nice. Figures when I spend $30 on one it dies instantly. These were $5.99 specials from Costco and they are just as lovely as the day I got them, only bigger!!!
A couple of things I ponder about the makings of a mystery quilt. Next time, if there is, will I wait again to see the end result  to start or truly make it a mystery?  Will I actually follow the pattern (ha who am I kidding probably not!)  Will I choose the same colour combination or go with my own choices?  Something to think about. 
Happy Stitching

Lee

8 comments:

  1. Lee, this is absolutely lovely! You've done a beautiful job and I really like the changes that you made to make it your own. Being one who rarely follows a pattern completely myself, I can totally understand! :)

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  2. It's wonderful! I love the changes you made.

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  3. I just stumbled into your blog... WOW! I just looooooove your color choices for this quilt! Gorgeous and so yummy! I think I'll have to follow you! :) Have a wonderful day!

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  4. It's beautiful Lee! That liile bit of flair of your own works very well! Groetjes!

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  5. Lovely. You're changes look great.

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  6. Hi Lee,

    Thank you for your kind words on my blog. Where in Alberta are you? Your Orca Bay looks wonderful -- and you started more than a month after Bonnie set it up, so I know you've been working hard on it. I agree -- I've never made a quilt with so many bits and bobs and joints to sew!! However, it did take a great chunk out of my stash...

    Check out the "Linky" thing re: border styles -- there are many inspiring alternatives to what Bonnie did!

    Enjoy!

    Margaret

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  7. You are so smart to do the solid wings if you don't want to cut all of the triangles. Your quilt is unique to you. I made the triangles for the wings, but used plaid and striped fabric instead of string blocks. And I waited until it was revealed before starting, so I am not quite halfway on my blocks.
    We do what works for us.
    Your top is gorgeous--even without a bazillion triangles. : )

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  8. Love the poinsettia accent with your quilt! That was a good idea to conserve on the triangle cutting and sewing... that was the most tedious step for me. It looks fabulous!

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