Thursday, January 26, 2023

Ring Around the Stars is Finished!

It was down to the wire, but I managed to finish "Ring Around the Stars," my entry for the East Cobb Quilt Guild's Ruby Challenge celebrating the 40th anniversary of the guild.

Ring Around the Stars, 55" square

Getting good outdoor photos was a challenge thanks to breezy conditions plus occasional appearances by the sun. 


It's difficult to see the quilting in many places. The stars were stitched in the ditch with white thread, and all the other quilting was done in red thread. I haven't washed the quilt yet and hope that the quilting will show up better after that happens.


The back of the quilt features a pieced strip showing all 40 fabrics used for the quilt top. One of the rules for the challenge was to include 40 of something--40 blocks, 40 flying geese, 40 fabrics, etc.


I was surprised by how well the quilting shows on the back from a distance. That certainly wasn't true up close, with the red quilting thread becoming almost invisible on the busy backing fabric.


This is one of the better views of the quilting. The curved lines that go from star to star were marked with chalk, but the rest of the quilting was all done freehand. Feathers everywhere!


Finishing this quilt was also my One Monthly Goal for January. Success at my first OMG of the year sure feels good!

The guild meetings featuring the challenge quilts are Thursday night and Friday morning. Afterwards, all guild members will get to vote on-line for their favorites. I believe there are going to be over 100 entries (from a guild with around 300 members.) That statement was incorrect--there were a total of 19 entries. I can't wait to see everyone's interpretation of the theme. We also get to find out the theme for next year's challenge. Hopefully I won't wait until November to start on that one!

Updated Saturday, 1/28/2023--my entry got an honorable mention in the challenge voting. You can see all the entries HERE.

Linking up with:
Midweek Makers at Quilt Fabrication
Wednesday Wait Loss at Inquiring Quilter
Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation
Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Peacock Party at Wendy's Quilts and More
Oh Scrap! at Quilting is more fun than Housework
One Monthly Goal at Elm Street Quilts


Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA
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20 comments:

  1. LIttle Penguin QuiltsJanuary 26, 2023 at 1:23 PM

    Julie, Rings Around the Stars is just gorgeous! All those reds make an amazing background for the white sections. Your quilting is perfect for it, too. Hope you win first place!

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  2. MissPatJanuary 26, 2023 at 2:36 PM

    Well done. Good idea to include that strip of all 40 fabrics used on the backing as documentation. Will you put a label on it explaining the challenge?
    Pat

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  3. Leanne ParsonsJanuary 27, 2023 at 6:57 AM

    This is stunning! I love the two-colour design and your fmq is perfect. Congratulations on a great finish!

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  4. chrisknitsJanuary 27, 2023 at 7:00 AM

    It's gorgeous!! Love the reds.

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  5. PreetiJanuary 27, 2023 at 7:13 AM

    Oh my goodness, Julie. She is absolutely gorgeous. She shimmers and glows like an Indian bride on her way to the altar.

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  6. KateJanuary 27, 2023 at 7:38 AM

    Wow! What a stunning finish! The quilting looks great. Fingers crossed your entry does really well.

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  7. Georgia January 27, 2023 at 7:54 AM

    This quilt is beautiful. I love your interpretation of the Ruby Challenge. Your quilt definitely would get my vote.

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  8. RamonaJanuary 27, 2023 at 8:31 AM

    Wow! This is a beautiful quilt. Your quilting is gorgeous.

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  9. grammajudybJanuary 27, 2023 at 8:40 AM

    A beautiful quilt! It really does glow! I, too, like the documentation strip on the back!

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  10. Rose MarieJanuary 27, 2023 at 8:55 AM

    So beautiful!

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  11. NannJanuary 27, 2023 at 10:59 AM

    I've admired the piecing/design -- your quilting is outstanding!!

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  12. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2023 at 10:02 PM

    Wow that is gorgeous! Love the red and white colorway, the fabulous combination of reds and the lovely effect it has to make it look like curves.That little strip of squares on the back is so delightful.

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  13. ShelinaJanuary 27, 2023 at 10:03 PM

    That anonymous comment was from me.

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  14. Jennifer Fulton Inquiring QuilterJanuary 28, 2023 at 9:54 AM

    What a gorgeous quilt! I'd be voting for yours for sure. Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.

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  15. Alycia~QuiltygirlJanuary 28, 2023 at 10:04 AM

    FABULOUS Finish!!!! What a cool quilt - and the quilting ! I can see it, but that back really makes it pop!! Nice job!!!

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  16. Sylvia@TreadlestitchesJanuary 28, 2023 at 8:48 PM

    Beautiful quilt, and amazing quilting! Congrats on your OMG too.

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  17. MarieJanuary 28, 2023 at 10:11 PM

    Absolutely gorgeous!!!

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  18. BonnieJanuary 28, 2023 at 10:55 PM

    Congratulations on getting an honorable mention. That guild is chalk full of wonderful quilters so I know it is an honor to win that. I was a member in late 1980's to early 1990s. I still have an apron that we wore at one of the quilt shows when we were working. Did I read it correctly that the group now has an evening meeting and a day meeting? That is great -- I could only go during the summer as I worked in a school the other months.

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  19. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2023 at 12:20 PM

    Beautiful! Red and white quilts always make my heart skip a beat!--TerryK@OnGoingProjects

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  20. Sharon KwilterJanuary 30, 2023 at 11:57 AM

    That's a stunning quilt. Well done.

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