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Monday, March 26, 2012

Hangin' Out at Orca Bay

I've been trying to finish someWIP's (works in progress) and today's it's Orca Bay. Since I started working on this in Dec. I had only completed 3 of the steps (blue string blocks, red string blocks and b&w hourglass blocks). Once I saw the reveal I decided to make some changes to Bonnie Hunter's original - I'm adding a third color and making it smaller.What is so interesting to me about watching this pattern emerge, it what happens to the blue sting blocks. The black squares seem to bring out the red triangles.
I decided to use a piece of marbled (kind of a batik) orangey-red-gold for the centers. So it's the same fabric, it just looks different from block to block. (I thought it needed a third color besides the red and blue).
What is interesting to me about this stage, is that as the triangles are added to the red string block to make a big flying geese unit, it makes the blue pop out.
And instead of using black and white for those pieced triangle units, I used another orangey-gold fabric. I'm thinking I may leave it this size - much smaller than the original. Not sure what I'll do for a border. I'll need to find something to do with the leftover pieces. Now it's on to making the star blocks and putting this thing together!!
(I think I'll move my can of starch!!!)
Until next time,
-Karen

10 comments:

Doniene said...

I really LIKE it!!!! Great adaption!!! Thanks for sharing!!

Karen said...

I am not good at mystery quilts. I like to see the finished product and then make up my mind what I want to use for the quilt.

Diane said...

oh I like how you changed up Orca Bay-very nice!

Rose Marie said...

Love your version!

Terry said...

That's an amazing quilt! I even like it halfway a through when there was still a lot of white left.

em's scrapbag said...

Stunning quilt. Fun to watch it progress.

FlourishingPalms said...

I'm so glad for you to be working on this one. Good for you! You also make me feel guilty for not finishing the mystery quilt from the previous year - Roll, Roll Cotton Boll. I have only to add the last round and it's a finished top! What AM I waiting for?!

Karen said...

Great Job, Karen. Bonnie does the best mysteries. I really like your version.

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

Love, love, lovin' this one... :)

MamaT said...

I've been catching up on your blog. Loved the pictures of your mom and dad's quilts and the quilt show. Congratulations on you wins! And your current project is stunning.