It hit me just Tuesday during my guild presentation that one of the workshops I was scheduled to teach this week I have been teaching for 20 years.
20 years!
How does that happen??
It was while living in Burley, Idaho that the whole Scrap User’s System idea was in its early stages. The group I belonged to was small but mighty! And I was trying my darndest to find a way to turn the rag tag variety of donated fabrics the guild receives into beautiful charity quilts – because I still believe that the word “Charity” should mean the best of the best, not the unwanted or ugly.
It was at that time that tessellating designs were all the rage with quilters, just prior to the Y2K millennium craze.
Always looking for ways to make a design faster, easier and with more accuracy, this pattern was born with cutting sets of rectangles already sewn together from strip sets, and adding stitch and flip corners.
How do I know that this pattern has been around since 1998? Because my friend Susan from Aiken brought some show and share to Tuesday’s guild meeting with proof! And last night she posted the following to my Facebook page:
Oh my goodness! Talk about a time warp!
He is going to love this graduation gift!
Ladies in the corner getting stitchy!
Looking great, girls!
Loving the orange & yellow hourglass effect! Sweet!
More chain, chain, chain!
Checking out everyone’s blocks together!
Oh so much fun!
All of the different color ways that are possible, this makes me smile that there are so many more Star Struck Quilts being made. It’s been a long journey after being hosted on my first meager website in the mid to later 1990s, and then when I formed Quiltville.com as my new domain when owning your own domain was a BIG DEAL at that time. Moving things to the blog when it was started in 2005 for easier editing and uploading while on the road from any computer with a connection (best idea ever) and still going strong.
If you haven’t made a Star Struck Quilt yet, go over to the Free Patterns tab and print yourself a copy!
You’ll find all of our photos in the video below. Click to play:
The new school part of this old school pattern is that I demo'd both the Bonus Buddy ruler for saving bonus triangles in a usable size, and students also had the option to use the Simple Folded Corners ruler for easy triangle corners with no drawing of lines with no bonus triangles. It just depends - do you want bonus triangle units, or don't you?
If you haven't tried the Simple Folded Corners ruler yet, don't delay. It is on sale in the Quiltville Store for $19.99!
I skedaddled out of Oconee hoping to miss traffic on my way back to the Atlanta area. It’s a good thing I was going IN to town instead of OUT of town.
Things got mildly congested when I was nearing my destination, but not too bad, and as I entered the hotel to check in, Chris was there getting things set up for my arrival! Talk about good timing!
Thanks for the welcome, Gwinnett Quilters!
I’m looking forward to spending the next 2 days with you.
Last night’s quiet dinner for one.
If you are in the Stone Mountain area, please make a trip to Imperial Garden. You won’t be sorry – the hot & sour soup and twice cooked pork were delicious!
This morning is my guild meeting with the Gwinnett Quilters. It will be a great morning of reconnecting with folks I’d met before, and some others who are traveling in whom I’ve known online, but have never met face to face.
!
Quiltville Quote of the Day!
Stop re-reading the last chapter, and start writing yourself a new one!
Happy Thursday!
13 comments:
Like the words of wisdom today Bonnie, they really hit the spot today! Thanks!
sometimes when reading of your daily adventures I have to remind myself that you are working - it seems you are having too much fun for it to be work :) so enjoy following along
This was a nice post to read this morning. My first Bonnie Hunter was Stars and Bars. I'd like to try Star Struck and reduce my collection of scraps.
It's Throwback Thursday. I'll re-read just one old Blog post from the way back machine. Congrats on 20 years of Teaching!!
Bonnie, your stroll down memory lane, before your blog, made me wonder when I first learned about you and the Scrap User's System. Were you in a group on Delphi forums? I can almost still see the picture of the blonde lady in red, but I'm not sure if it was you or if I'm confusing memories. By the way, Star Struck is one of the first patterns I got from you, along with Sister's Choice. Thanks for all you've done for my quilting journey.
Well, I went to look at my Star Struck and was disappointed to see that I didn't put a label on it! Drat. I know better now. It's the one I took with me to show and share at a class in Delaware, as I love it so much, and I have a picture of you with it! Now I am looking forward to seeing you again in Bedford later this summer. Love your quilts, blog and spirit!
Congratulations on 20 years of inspiring and teaching the quilting community!
We adore you! Hoping for at least 20 more years of Bonnie Hunter inspiration!
Congrats on 20 years! I know I've been following you for bout 13 years - I can't recall quite when I started - but I know it was before I turned 40 and I'm 50. Your pattern, Star Struck, is on my bed right now! It's a great pattern. Thank you for all the amazing inspiration you give us groupies. We love you!! Cheers to the next 20 years. :)
Bonnie I am heading to England in August and I read that you MIGHT be at the Birmingham Quilt Festival. Would love to meet you there. When will you know if this is a go or not? Claire c7lonergan@rogers.com
Karen, This is the best type of work,, doing a job that brings you joy after 20 years. Wish we all could say have such a job.
Bonnie.. you asked "How does that happen??" It happens because this pattern is loved by all and we keep asking you to teach it. That's why.. Keep on doing what you love.. we will follow along no matter where in life you find yourself.
Bonnie, I have been watching you since 2000 even though I didn't begin quilting until 2005. I loved your personality, your positive attitude and your beautiful smile. You are a gift from God. Thank you for years of joy.
Hi Bonnie! Thanks for the wonderful blog posts you share with us all. I'm in a tiny logging town in NE Oregon, so Burley is just a hop and a skip away. The words "....small but mighty..." sure hit home. Our town did not have any organized quilt group... just a couple of people here and there. For the last year and a half, I have been working to get a group together and pass on the quilting I have learned, as well as learn new things. It has been quite a struggle... we are up to about 8 active people in the group now, and experiencing growing pains... such is life. I just wanted to say thanks for your insightful posts and the daily quote. Your inspiration is PRICELESS! :) GOD BLESS.
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