When it was pointed out out that the "Beyond the Cherry Tree" quilt has been going two years I found it difficult to believe.  I am at the stage of the quilt where there is no turning back.  Seventeen blocks complete; three almost complete and five more to go.

Not every block appeals.  A few feel distinctly odd so I have made a substitute block. It's a block from the presentation quilt for William A Sargent.  I like it because there are cherries, a vase that is similar in proportion to other vases in the "Beyond the Cherry Tree" quilt and the birds are recognizable birds.

My week has also seen more revealed of the Orca Bay Mystery quilt over at Bonnie Hunter's blog.  I have had my foot down hard on the sewing machine pedal.  It's great using the Easy Angle ruler by Sharon Hultgren; Bonnie recommended it and I have found it makes short shrift of all that piecing - 700 little triangles added to the 350 HSTs since Saturday morning. I have fiddled around with the blocks trying to imagine what Bonnie has created, but I still can't make it out.  I will be happy with the result no matter what.  There is space appearing in my 'brown' drawers and I have also cut up small scraps I was saving with no real purpose in mind.  It really feels like Christmas!
Posted by liz at 6:43 PM Hi Liz,

Your orca bay is looking great!. I am still in the as-yet-unsewn stage of part 1. I can't wait for Christmas to be over so I can catch up...

December 19, 2011 at 7:50 PM I love the new block for the Cheery Tree quilt! The mystery quilt really is a mystery, I'll look forward to more.

December 19, 2011 at 8:14 PM scraphappy said...

Lovely colors orca bay. you must have been pedal to the floor to get so much done. After the most recent step I'm at a loss as to how it will all go together, but I'm sure it will look great no matter what.

December 19, 2011 at 10:14 PM Eat, Sleep, Quilt said...

Congratulations, you've made great progress! This is the first step where I haven't had as much time to sew a lot. Looking good!

December 19, 2011 at 10:42 PM cityquilter said...

really like your color combo!

December 19, 2011 at 10:59 PM Sujata said...

I love your bird block! Can't wait to see your quilt put together!

December 19, 2011 at 11:29 PM Sandra in the UK said...

Hi Liz, loving your blocks! Your progress is certainly moving along. I need to catch up. My red strings are holding me up at the moment.

December 20, 2011 at 12:31 AM Kathy's A Quilter said...

You really did have the petal to the metal all weekend. Well done. I'm with you, I have played with the pieces and don't have a clue where this is going, but hey, isn't that why its called a mystery.

December 20, 2011 at 2:57 AM Janet O. said...

I really like your substitute block. Ya gotta love what you make, I say.
Don't know how everyone keeps up with a mystery quilt at this time of year--especially with all the little pieces in which Bonnie specializes. I know it will be a stunner, though, and I will wish I had done it in the end. : )

December 20, 2011 at 3:26 AM I like your substitute block. I haven't made any of the Beyond the Cherry Tree blocks but have been saving the patterns. Not all appeal to me either.

December 20, 2011 at 3:27 AM Your blocks look wonderful, neat colors! The Easy Angle does make it seem to go a lot easy doesn't it! Your Beyond the Cherry Tree block is beautiful!
Quilting by the River

December 20, 2011 at 6:19 AM The Quilted Finish ph 02 63310084 said...

When BTCT was first available I contemplated making it but I too found some of the blocks a bit too odd, is it the Virgo in us? I really like your substitute block, the birds are lovely.
You sure have been industrious with all those blocks ready for the next step of Bonnie's mystery quilt.
Thanks for dropping by my blog and leaving your nice comment.
Merry Christmas.

December 20, 2011 at 4:43 PM I don't know what the original block was but your creation is really nice ... and it will be nice to have something original. Your Orca Bay is amazing. I can't believe you can find so much time in this holiday season. (My tree is still in the box).

December 20, 2011 at 7:03 PM audrey said...

Your substitution block is great! Sometimes it feels good to change things up. Congrats on the progress with your other project!

December 22, 2011 at 6:23 PM I like you substitute block, too. Best to make it your quilt.
I love the Easy Angle ruler and I sure have used it a lot this year.
I'm enjoying Bonnie's mystery via others work. I love the colors you are using.

December 23, 2011 at 10:17 AM MulticoloredPieces said...

Hi, Liz. Really like your appliqué block--very lovely. Also enjoyed the story of how you got into quilting.
Happy holiday stitching!
best, nadia

December 24, 2011 at 4:29 PM The fabric you used for the vase in this block is very pretty. Good choice. I was looking back at a couple posts and saw it.
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