Octavian (Awesome Ocean)

Happy New Year!  I know it's actually day four, but I've been so busy sewing that I didn't sit down to write!  Plus I did so many posts in the last few days of 2019 that I needed a few days off from typing.

So far, I have only picked one Quilt Along to join for 2020 and it's Awesome Ocean using Elizabeth Hartman's pattern and hosted by Kathleen of Kathleen McMusing.  She actually started the QAL in December but I didn't get to start until after Christmas so it's pretty much a 2020 project for me. 

The first block is kelp and I admit, I don't like the block.  So I skipped it!  Not sure if I'll go back to it, or substitute something else, or use Wendy's brilliant suggestion of appliqueing kelp instead, or just skip it all together.  So for me, the first block was Octavian the Octopus.

Did you know there isn't a collective noun for octopus?  They are solitary animals, so there isn't really a need.  Except when you are making quilt blocks, obviously!

I'm using two Kona 10" stacks that I had in my stash and haven't used.  One is Pool Party and the other is Lavender Fields.  The background is Kona Tan, which I did buy specifically for this project.

If you are familiar with the Awesome Ocean pattern, you may have figured out that four of each block doesn't...quite...fit.  The small size calls for two of each and the large calls for eight.  Truth is, I'm not exactly sure how this is going to end up.  It will likely be two quilts, but I'm not sure I'm going to use Hartman's layout.  Perhaps I will do one with the blues and one with the purples, and perhaps I'll mix them up.  No idea yet!  For now, I'm just sewing along and having fun!

If you want to join the Quilt Along, there is still plenty of time to catch up.  You can find Kathleen's announcement of the QAL here and she has a tab at the top with all the links to the individual block posts.