Wanda Gene's Musings on Life, Love and Loving the Quilting Life!

Monday, January 2, 2012

Looking Back

Hi to All My Quilting Friends,

I don't know just how 2011 got away from me so quickly, but I sure know what I've been doing for the last month and a half!  Every spare nanosecond has found me in my sewing room working away on Bonnie Hunter's Orca Bay Mystery Quilt.  I took Bonnie's advice:  even if I did not finish all of each step, I would move on to the next step when it came out, at least to sample the construction of the newest units.

Because of that, I actually have something to post that looks like Orca Bay.



These are not all sewn together, but are mocked-up on my design wall.  I love this mystery!

I have to admit to a really dingbat of a mistake when I started making the Ohio star blocks.  I made two or three light Ohio stars and they came out fine.  Then I made the dark ones EXACTLY like the light ones (except dark, of course).  I did not read Bonnie's instructions very carefully (or maybe you could call me the dyslexic quilter).




I made four of these before I realized that my hourglass units were turned the wrong way!

So I pondered my options:

  • Unsew them and fix them.
  • Send them to the orphan block  drawer.  After all, they may not be Ohio stars, but they are sort of interesting.
  • Use them for back art on Orca Bay.
I decided to piece them into the back when I get there (kicking the can down the road is so popular these days).  I made the additional 16 hourglass units that I now needed for this option and all is well.

I have enjoyed so much joining in on Monday morning with all you fabulous quilters on Bonnie's Link-Up.  It has been a true joy to see what you all have done with this design!

Thank you, Bonnie, from the bottom of my heart, for this lovely quilt design.  Yes, all the small pieces are worth it.  The many steps are all worth it.  And the suspense is definitely worth it!




5 comments:

  1. Nice one, putting the 'mistake' blocks in the back is a good idea.

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  2. I did a few stars wrong too. I was switching back and forth between black and white. And ended up doing them over. Good luck on your finish.

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  3. Cindy W, Aus,
    Your blocks are looking great and great Idea on the putting the different blocks on the back.
    I have noticed with your mock up tho that you have your blue strings on the diagonal facing the dark block, Amy in the Link up # 65, was very disapointed when she realised she pieced 8 row before she realised she had them facing different to how Bonnie intended.
    The mix up happened because Bonnie has her quilt pictured upsidedown to her EQ layout.
    Just thought I would let you know.
    Cheers, Cindy.
    cindyw6621@yahoo.com.au

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  4. Thanks, Cindy, I will have to re-check the diagram and make sure I get the blue stringies oriented the right way. One mistake like that is a learning experience...two would be just **DUH**!
    Wanda Gene

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  5. Hi Wanda,
    Enjoyed seeing the first view of the mystery quilt; you sure are making progress! The up-side-down hour glasses were an honest mistake...and I think that using them in the backing is a great idea!...Way to go!
    Aunt Mary

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