Saturday, August 5, 2017

Are We There Yet?

Well, everything's done but the checkerboards for Long Time Gone - or as I'm calling my version:  Are We There Yet.


I'm still auditioning colors for the sashing -

There's a nice yellow with white dots that I like


and I've got a batik that's the same color, more or less, that I might combine with it, just for texture.

I've also found a nice green/white mesh print that isn't horrible.


And a melon color which is almost, but not quite, orange.


And then it was time for the orange to step up and sing.


Yeah.  Picasso had his Blue Period.  Looks like I'm having an Orange Period, because I always end up liking the orange the best.
How many orange quilts is too many?

Some of the sharper-eyed LongTimeGoners might have noticed that I've made some non-standard blocks.  The two bowties blocks just didn't capture my heart, so I made a couple of Georgetown Circles, instead.  It's always been one of my favorite blocks (I know, I have so many favorites...) and it has that same circular vibe about it that the bowties were contributing.
I wasn't sure which I would like better - a scrappy version, or a two-color version, so I made one of each, figuring I'd make a second one of whichever style I liked better.



Turned out I like them both, so I'm going to use them as is.

And I wasn't entirely thrilled with the version of Jacob's Ladder that was part of the pattern, so I decided to keep that diagonal aspect, but hunt around for a different block.


And then I realized that I had a small bin of Buckeye Beauties that I've been lackadaisically making for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge for the last year and a half, and I had one of those lightbulb moments.  It didn't take long to stitch together a handful of those little cuties to make just what I had in mind.

So once those checkerboards are done and I make a final decision on sashing color, I can start assembling the top.
I'll probably go with the orange.  Or, you know, maybe the yellow.  That was nice, too.
And that blue wasn't bad at all...


Linking with SoScrappy for ScrapHappy Saturday, since I actually used some rainbow blocks!  Woohoo!  And Sunday I'll be linking with Quilting is more fun than Housework for Oh Scrap!  Come see all the pretty progress!





26 comments:

Mystic Quilter said...

Go with the orange - it looks wonderful! Gosh, you have been putting in the hours with your version of Long Time Gone, and it's a stunning quilt! I enjoy putting my own spin on a set pattern and changing a couple of things and the blocks you substituted are just right!

Anonymous said...

I also like the orange, but I know that orange is a color that loses 'favor' quickly, and then it is dead and gone! The yellow is also bold and bright, and it seems to always be popular. You could also try something dark (black or navy, maybe) ... that might make the colourful blocks really pop! It's going to be a fabulous quilt no matter what accent color you choose.

Deb from frugal little bungalow said...

I liked the yellow, not the green so much, but the orange really pops! What a gorgeous project :)

Libby in TN said...

I agree with Anonymous. I like the orange, but you may live to regret it. You know I favor yellow -- or why would I have chosen it for my LTG? I like that you used a very light (or combination of lights) in your blocks. Of all the LTG quilts I've seen, those with a definitive light/dark contrast in the blocks are the ones I love.

Julie in GA said...

I love the inclusion of your Buckeye Beauty blocks in the mix!
My sashing vote would be for the yellow.

Nell's Quilts said...

The quilt top is looking good as you've auditioned the block placement. I'm with you - the seems to ground the blocks and all the scrappiness in your blocks needs something strong enough to that. Orange gets my vote.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

With every new picture of a possible sashing fabric, I was saying "Yes!" which most likely means I wouldn't be able to make any decision about that sashing myself! But I'm sure the one you pick will be gorgeous, as will the quilt itself! There are so many interesting things going on with all of those blocks!

Sally Trude said...

And yes the orange wins...because it makes all of the orange in your blocks pop.

Judy said...

I know I'm odd but the orange just doesn't 'do it' for me. I like the yellow the best of this batch. The green seems to dull/mute your blocks. Whatever you choose it will look great.

The Joyful Quilter said...

Your quilts, your rules!! In my book, it's often BRIGHTER is BETTER! (And you're allowed to have as many orange quilts as you would like.)

Wanderingcatstudio said...

I like that yellow... but can I ask... where have all the Monkeys gone????

Sheila said...

Beautiful, colorful, fun blocks. Yeah. Go with the orange : )

Kathy S. said...

Love your fun fabrics and colors. Hang in there. It will be well worth it when you are done.

Kate said...

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the colors you've tried for the sashing. My two favorites are the orange and the yellow.

Angie said...

Love both of the Georgetown Circle blocks - might have to add these to my future RSC project list! I'm glad I don't have to decide on the sashing for "Are We There Yet?" - I like all of them!

Chantal said...

Wow! So many responses. Awesome! IMHO the orange sashing is too bold and tries to steal the show. I prefer the melon one because, yep, it's mellower. The green is very Spring like and ... tired. The yellow is sunny and cheerful. So there you have it, my thoughts exactly. Enjoy the decision making. :^D Good call on the Buckeye Beauty.
I love that Georgetown block, both version but like the scrappy one a touch more. I have a box of triangle scraps and I think I found what to do to tame it. Thanks for the inspiration. ;^)

Mari said...

How many orange quilts is too many? Two more than you've already made! I like the orange. All of your blocks look spectacular.

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

You have really plowed through this project. You will have those checkerboards done in no time. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

...and I have never regretted my orange choices ;)

MissPat said...

You know you really want to use the orange. That's why you waited to try it last. And good choice to switch out some blocks. Love the Georgetown block. I may have to add that to my list.
Pat

Monica said...

Yes, the orange pops, doesn't it? I like the yellow too. And it is amazing how bad the green looks! The whole quilt goes flat. Thanks for sharing all the options, I learned a little more!

Janice Holton said...

As a lover of color, I honestly think it would be hard to mess up this quilt with the sashing. It's the overall look which is the star and not the sashing. I can't think of a single color you've auditioned that wouldn't work. The orange does look awesome though!

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Oh yes, I too love the orange! I guess it's the blocks that are the focus, but I can see you want something 'zippy' yes? A tricky decision!

Quiltdivajulie said...

O-R-A-N-G-E !!!!!!!!!!! Happy that you changed up the blocks to make what YOU wanted to see.

PaulaB quilts said...

Orange gets my vote, however the whole thing just keeps your eyes moving. Great blocks and so clever switch for the Jacob's Ladder. Keep up the good work!

Karen in Breezy Point said...

I'm not a fan of orange, but love it as the sashing for this quilt--go for it!!!

Auntie Em said...

I like the orange that you picked. I'm almost finished with my version of Long Time Gone, and like you, the Bow Tie blocks just didn't work for me, but I chose Bear's Paw blocks for my substitute. I also substituted for the Jacob's Ladder. I'm calling mine "Long Time Gone Rogue".