measure twice cut once

This weekend I did get a chance to make a few blocks to add to this applique. I was reasonably pleased and all ready to attach them...
And then I discovered that I made the blocks too big to fit - by 1/2 an inch. That's too much to fudge - I actually do need seam allowance :0(
So while I ponder what to do with it (I'm open to suggestions) I thought I'd post this picture I took while in Toronto last weekend. I was walking around the University of Toronto and spied this pot of hollyhocks on the side of a brick building.
Why do they not put things like this on buildings anymore?
Happy Quilting!