The Big Mama Double Wedding Ring

Well Hopefully that title got your attention! LOL

So, a couple of friends and I have been talking for quite some time about doing a Double Wedding Ring Quilt. Those friends are Nicky and Judith. And July is the designated month for starting.  

I can't say it all started with this book by Victoria Findlay Wolfe, but it was the inspiration we needed to get us going.  I have to say, I read this book from cover to cover when it arrived.  and I could go back and do it all again!  

And this pattern just screams out at me.  Though my colour pallet may be a little different.

Whilst I was tidying up my studio, this box of fabric was coming together nicely, and it seems I have a thing for this colour range.  

so I have the basis for my Big City Bright Lights quilt.  

This isn't my first foray into Double Wedding Ring Quilts, 

I pieced this Pickle Dish quilt at least 22 years ago (I know it was that long because my son was a baby at the time)

So this one is going to get a little Trudi treatment in the quilting department, and may indeed be my entry to the Festival of Quilts this year. 

I also have these templates for traditional double wedding ring.  the finished size of a complete ring is 17".  

however, the quilts in V's book are much bigger, like 30" across!  Now that's a Big Mama Double Wedding Ring! 

so that's where I'm heading

But first  ....  I though I would get my hand back into some curved piecing, and V has a great selection of templates on her website, Not only the large scale traditional DWR but a Big Mama Melon to go with them.  (not everyday you get to use that expression!)

so I delved into the stash and this little bundle of Sphere by Zen Chic for Moda Fabrics has been winking at me for some time

and seriously, it doesn't take long at all to cut a quilt with big templates 

and frankly, I just couldn't help myself!

So that's where I'm at.  I can think of another 3 variations of the pattern that I would love to make, so this is a long term project.  Some will be quicker than others, some will be a bit hit and miss as to whether the fabrics I have in mind will actually work.

So the plan, well, yes, there is a bit of a master plan here, we will all work on our DWR quilts, post pictures of the process, any tips we find along the way, point you in the direction of patterns or tools that can help.  

We would love for you to join us, just for the fun of it, we will do a Linky party once a month, so you can let us know what you have been up to and your progress too.  No pressure, no sponsors, no prizes, just for fun.

So what do you reckon, are you in?  

we might even manage a Linky Quilt Along button too! And I think I'll start using #BMDWR on Instagram feed too!

Go on, You know you want to!

tired

Is it the change of the seasons,  life ...  or just my age, but I'm tired. 

My apologies for not blogging, things just get complicated don't they ....

The postman brought me these ...

aren't they lovely, thank you to the ladies at the Fat Quarter Shop.  You're the best!

And my friend is home after convalescence with her daughter in South Wales,  and as a thank you she brought me these ...

all the fabrics needed for this little lovely ....

so what would you do, make this quilt, or make something else?

and I pulled out fabrics ...

for a workshop based on these quilts

And on Sunday afternoon I got this far with 6 more blocks for the Happy Quilting Stars quilt along

I think that will do, but next time I actually have a finish for you!  I hope you can contain yourself!

Happy Quilting!

Christmas Quilt Along - September

It's that time again already!  The Christmas Quilt Along hosted by Sue over at Quilt Times.   But first of all, we had to go to the allotment for a little harvesting, tidying and sorting out after all the strong winds we've had. 

And then I had to supervise the installation of these for a pathway to the studio ...

and then it was time to get down to trying out one of these ...

thanks to the wonderful tutorial on Stephanie's blog Loft Creations ...

really, I've never made anything so quick in my life!  I can see more of these, useful little key Leashes/Lanyards in my very near future.

and I've done a little cutting, for Melissa's Stars Quilt Along (shh, I'm way behind!)

then himself decided it was tea time, and I was dragged to the kitchen to cook!  Shocking!

especially as I should have been doing these for Miss September! (tomorrow Susan!) 

so, after a delicious chicken curry, it was back to catching up on the Sassy Christmas Stars, so lots of this ...

and I'm playing catch up because, last month I was Christmas Shopping at Festival ...

but I did get it all laid out ready for piecing in the morning ....

and I got a whole one of my stars pieced ...

Mmm, loving this Joel Dewberry Heirloom fabric ...

I got mine from The Fat Quarter Shop

and I made good progress in getting the other 5 of block One on their way too ....

I can finish those in the morning too!

and lastly I had to wash these ...  Sloes...

tomorrow I need to go buy Gin, not in my cupboard at all, but I feel some sloe gin in my immediate future and maybe next week a little sloe jelly too!  (at least that will be ready for Christmas!)

Busy, busy, busy  :) 

Bring on Summer!

And exhale! 

I am now on leave and have the next 12 days off! 

The school holidays begin tomorrow, so let summer commence!

So for my summer quilting project (like I need another!) I am joining in with Amanda Jean's of Crazy Mom Quilts 36 block quilt along. 

I'm going to see just how far the remainder of my Wildwood by Eric McMorris stash will go.  Well, it's about time it got used, it's been sitting there for the last 2 years!

This is my first...

Pretty huh? 

Let's see how far I get

a mixed bag ...

Is it just me, or is everyone a little lacking in energy and v v vroooom!  I've been a little lax in posting lately, but better to have something to show than bore you silly ?

Recently I have been the very lucky recipient of these two beautiful hand made beaded badges from Mary.  I have to say she is an amaizing beader as well as a perfectionist with quilting too! 

Thank you Mary, I love them both  :)

The light was poor, but I'm a sucker for a quilt along, and the Old Red Barn Flikr group is running another.  Asterisks!  This is my first block, I'm using my large stash of Wildwood by Erin McMorris for FreeSpirit.  I've got all the blocks and strips cut, I just need to find a few moments to piece them all!

I finished a quilt last week too!  I made this one last year using a charm pack, it has travelled to South Wales to be part of the summer raffle at a school on Barry Island.   It was hard to part with, but I know it will help the school out raising much needed funds.

I went to the Pearoom Quilters exhibition at Heckington at the weekend, more on that in the next post ....

oh, and I'll let you know about my pinkie promise too!

Happy Quilting!