Thursday, October 13, 2011

Double Wedding Ring Winner!

The Westside Quilters' Guild in Hillsboro, Oregon (of which I am a member) had a wonderful show this past weekend.  They had a great vendor area and over 150 amazing works of art (and of the heart) on display.  I'm proud to announce (blush, blush) that my double wedding ring quilt won the first place viewers' choice ribbon!  I never entered a quilt in a show before.  I was totally blown away when I learned the news!

This is a view of the quilt hanging from the second floor railing.  It's 105inches square- for a king size bed.

Here's a little life lesson learned.  Several people told me that they didn't notice the quilt hanging up high over the vendor area.  And someone made a negative comment about where it was hanging.  I got sucked into the negative comments and was resigned to the fact that I had no chance of winning a ribbon.  I couldn't have been more wrong!  The lesson learned is to NOT allow yourself to get sucked into negative thinking.  The ladies who hung the quilts placed each one where it could best be viewed.

So- when I heard that my quilt would be sporting that big ribbon, I almost fell over! When you win something or learn of any good news and it's a real surprise- it's just all that much sweeter.  I'm not just saying this to be gracious- I REALLY mean it- there were so many absolutely jaw-dropping quilts at this show!  To be selected as a favorite is truly humbling.  I am honored and delighted, and I don't think that any recognition I ever receive in the future will ever mean more than this does.

I do most of my own quilting.  I'm a very experienced piecer, but NOT a very experienced machine quilter!  The way I look at it is that I will not become experienced unless I put in the hours and quilt a lot of quilts.  So- that's what I do.  I make exceptions, however, for quilts that are of heirloom quality.  This quilt was just so special to me that I wanted it to be quilted by a professional.  My friend, Sandy Pennington (Bella Rose Quilts) is a fantastic longarm quilter and she worked her magic on this for me. (I'm on the left- Sandy's on the right).


Here are some close-ups:
64 rings total.  I cut the pieces with the Accuquilt GO! Die Cutter.

Sandy custom-quilted inside each "football shape", and quilted every one of the wedge shapes (over a thousand of them).

Pretty feathers between the rings (times 64)....

And where the rings intersect.

This is a view of the edge.  I think the binding was the most difficult part for me.  I made bias binding (about 500 inches of it).  I made the binding a little thinner so it wouldn't bunch up so much where the outside arcs meet.  I think I spent about 15 hrs on the binding alone.  I estimate that I put a total of about 200- 250 hrs into the top.  Sandy took a week to quilt it.  And who knows how much fabric went into it!



And here is a photo of me with the newlyweds on their wedding day.  Steve is my youngest, and the love of his life is Emily.  I've named the quilt, "Happily Ever After", which is my heart's desire for this couple.  I love them both very much.

30 comments:

MARIA CRISTINA said...

Merecido premio, felicitaciones!!!
La colcha luce muy bien junto a los novios.

Sallie said...

It's beautiful! Congratulations!

Denise :) said...

Oh how wonderful! Congratulations to you -- it is a beautiful quilt! And I especially love the picture of it with you and the bridge and groom. :)

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

What a fabulous post! Congratulations on the ribbon for a FANTASTIC quilt! The quilting is so beautiful and to give it to your son and his bride as a wedding gift is the sweetest.

Jan said...

A hearty congratulations. You're quilt is fantastic!

Kim Q said...

Congratulations...the ribbon is well-deserved, your quilt is gorgeous! I know the bride and groom will cherish it.

Mommarock said...

Wowza!! Now that IS a winner.. I just love it. I am working up the courage to start a double wedding ring now. I bought some of the fabric for it today.. It took me a long time to make a decision on the color, and now that I purchased it.. and saw yours.. hmmmm. Nope, I will stick with my brights..... I think...

Diane H said...

Congratulations, Sue! Fantastic quilt and a lovely post.

Chris said...

Certainly a well deserved ribbon. What a STUNNING quilt.

Trines hobby said...

Congratulations ! It is a beautiful quilt.
Trine in Norway

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

Congratulations!!!! It is a gorgeous quilt!!

Jocelyn said...

Wow, it's beautiful!! Congratulations!!!

corina said...

Congratulations! A well deserved win. You've made me a double wedding ring lover!

lesthook said...

Congrats on a beautiful quilt! I have everything ready to make one...except the nerve,LOL!

Anonymous said...

Awesome!!

Becky said...

Gorgeous quilt! Congratulations on winning your ribbon!!!!!

free indeed said...

Ohh!!! Congratulations!!!! It is exceptionally pretty; I love the color combo! You both deserved that ribbon...you both did lovely work. Congrats to the happy couple too-nice pic with the quilt.

Needled Mom said...

Well deserved!!!!! It is gorgeous. Congratulations.

Judy S. said...

Congratulations, Sue. I fell in love with this quilt the first time you posted its photo! Love the colors especially. And the quilting is wonderful. No wonder you got a ribbon! Now the lucky recipients have a famous as well as beautiful quilt! BTW are you done with the shawl? I'm on row 42....

Unknown said...

Beautiful quilt!!

Congratulations on your win and the addition to your family. :)

God bless and keep you,
Sonia

Laura said...

Gorgeous

PNWBookGirl said...

Gorgeous and Congratulations!

QuiltSue said...

Congratulations. I'm not surprised you won, it really is a stunning quilt.

Elizabeth said...

Congratulations on winning first prize for your gorgeous Double Wedding Ring quilt. It went to a beautiful couple who will take pride in having a quilt made just for them.

Jackie's Stitches said...

I'm not surprised at all! It's beautifully pieced and quilted and your choice of colors is just stunning. It all comes together into one fabulous quilt! Congratulations!

quiltmom anna said...

Sue, It is a truly stunning quilt and made with so much love- it is a beautiful heirloom that will grace their bed for many years to come.
Congratulations on the ribbon- it is very deserving recogniton for such a beautiful piece.
Regards,
Anna

Debbie said...

WTG, Sue! Your deserve it. The quilt really is beautiful. Congrats to Sandy, too.

Melissa ;-) said...

Congratulations and it is well deserved. Apparently some folks have never learned the "If you can't say anything nice,..." rule or heard the one "You know what they say about opinions..."

tpott said...

Whoop! Whoop! It's beautiful, it defiantly deserves to be 1st place. Congrats to you and also the Happy Couple. ;->

Fleurette said...

What a stunning quilt! Congratulations!