Surprise! More photos of my string star top as I get it ready for quilting.
Names have been swirling through my head - and I seem to be on a flower focus lately.
First with the Morning Glories finish - and this one, which is currently a toss up between Straw Flowers or Star Asters
No matter what it ends up being, I had a blast making this one.
It never ceases to amaze me that we can make a quilt with hundreds of different fabrics, and find a connection to each of those fabrics - remembering when it was that they came into our lives as yardage, fat-quarters, or donated scraps from friends. They become a part of who we are.
Before I can quilt it, however - there are some edges that need to be trimmed straight.
The sides are already straight - it's just the top and bottom that need this trimming.
For this job I grabbed ANY ruler with a good visible 1/4'' marking that was big enough to go from point to point at the edge of the quilt. It doesn't have to be a 24'' ruler - I'm working dot-to=dot, so this 60 degree one fit my hand just right and was big enough to do the job -
The bold 1/4'' marking at the edge of the ruler made it easy for me to see where I wanted the finished line to fall so I was trimming 1/4'' away.
That looks so much better!
I had already stay-stitched the two straight sides, now it was time for me to do the same to the top and bottom that I had just trimmed.
Stay stitching keeps all of those seams from popping open during the quilting process, and also minimizes any bias-y stretch.
All of this didn't take long at all - so I jumped right in to piecing a backing:
Pieced backings may not be for everyone, but I love when I find a vintage quilt that has a pieced backing. I feel like I could connect with that maker and know a bit more about them because they took the time to piece their back - whether they had to, or simply wanted to -
It makes the quilt "One of a kind!"
While we can duplicate a quilt top (especially one that uses one fabric line from one designer/manufacturer and everyone who does gets the same thing) I don't think anyone can exactly duplicate a pieced backing.
It's a signature of sorts!
I may get this loaded on the machine today and start in the quilting. I may want to take time to look up and choose a new quilting design to quilt it with that feels better suited. Something that makes it fun.
We shall see.
Backing done by mid afternoon I stepped out for a road hike up Bear Branch road.
In just a week the yellow roadside flowers have exploded into bloom. It is so pretty out here!
Way to Mooooooove, girl!
Temps were in the mid 60s - it couldn't have been more perfect.
I walked out 1.5 miles, turned around and came back for a total of 3 miles.
I was only observed by this handful of cattle -
A couple of squirrels -
And the resident turkeys at one barnyard who gobbled when they heard me singing out loud. And yes, I sing out loud. There is no one out there to hear me (Except the cattle, the squirrels, birds, and turkeys)
Singing out loud makes me happy! It feels good.
What was on my playlist? "Good morning, Starshine - the earth says hello! You twinkle above us, we twinkle below...."
(Got you singing it now, too - don't I?!"
It's impossible not to be happy while singing "Glibby-glop-glooby, Nibby-nabba-nooby-la-leelee-la-low....."
And listening to the creek burble along as I walk and sing.
I did all of this to clear my head.
WHY!?
Because of people like this: (RANT WARNING)
I have an idea who this is and it is par for the course. And no, this didn't get posted - it went directly to spam and then was flushed and deleted.
Do people really think I am making MY quilts to please THEM? Silly people!
And would I send an anonymous comment to someone telling them their quilts were too boring for me?
Nope.
I feel sorry for people so lost in their own miserable worlds that they let this word-salad kind of response come out of their tiny closed-off brains with their limited viewpoints onto their keyboard, where without thinking they actually hit SEND!
What a complete waste of time - theirs and mine.
Because it won't stop me from making the quilts that I want to make.
I "ONLY" make the quilts I want to make. And I like them LOUD and BUSY with crazy backgrounds and no negative space because anything other than that doesn't speak to me.
I do not quilt to please other people. I will not design a quilt to please anyone else's vision of what my world SHOULD look like to their limited, predictable thinking.
This is the main reason why I am not publishing books anymore. I quilt for me, not for the industry that wants me to keep up with trends as a money maker for them. On their schedule.
It's why I've said no to designing fabric lines which would limit me to only ever sewing with only my own fabrics with one color palette in one style where all of my quilts would look the same because all of the fabric lines would match each other as if there are no other color families or color ideas in the world.
I can't be "locked in" to limited my colors, fabric selection and styles. That's a prison to me.
It would totally limit me to someone else's perception of what I should be making. What I need to design and make to please other people - and not myself.
So yes, I walked 3 miles, and sang out loud to the music coming from my headset.
And I felt better. Because I am living the life I want to live.
If you don't like my quilts - you think they are Soooooo busy - enough that you come here to comment and tell me so (As if that changes anything) and you think I should make quilts with just ONE background fabric (BORING) please stop commenting.
Go find someone else to follow - because I am not doing this for you.
I quilt true to my own vision of what I see the quilt as being.
I quilt what makes me happy.
And that's all I need to know.
And while I worked - this is what I saw beyond the windows of the QPO studio -
Tula resting herself on the edge of the shade, just watching over the world.
She too is doing what makes her happy -
And today I'm happy to be welcoming The Quilt District to Quiltville Inn! It's going to be a great week with them here.
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
Even givers need to learn when to say NO and mean it.
And we also need to know when to say YES and give it everything we’ve got!
Thanks for listening to my rant today, everyone. Some things can not be kept inside.
I'm headed to the QPO to load that quilt in the machine -
Have a wonderful Wednesday whatever you get up to!
140 comments:
You go girl, keep doing what you're doing, I love it! Let the naysayers live in their own little sad world!
Hang in there. More of us are supporters than complainers.
I see roses, each petal going around slightly different than the next.
LOVE YOUR RANT!!! My niece said once "You do you, I'll do me!" There are so many different talents in our audience. Let's not judge another's choice because our choice is different!
I love this quilt especially the use of so many fabrics that have been a part of you. I took a sampler wall hanging class with my niece and used scraps from bowling shirts I made for my husband, quilts, place mats, pillows or any other fabric project. It's my favorite memory quilt. At first glace at your quilt I saw roses in snow. I'm new to your site but I hope I can learn to make a scrappy quilt in this fashion. Thanks so much for sharing your day.
Thank you for doing "you"! What a boring world this would be if everyone was the same. I love seeing your creativity in every quilt you make!
Everything about your blog brightens my day! I love your scrap happy quilts, your adventures, the beautiful quilts off the porch, etc etc etc. The world would be such a better place with more people like you. So glad those negative comments get sent to spam & trashed, no one needs or deserves that !!! Keep on being wonderful you, Bonnie, we love you!!
Sigh.....so many perfect people in the world that they have time only to criticize others with attempted browbeating into 'you are wrong'. I am sad for many in this country who are being judged for whom personal decisions are being legislated.
This quilt screams PEONIES to me with it's many 'layers' of petals💖
I love your busy quilts, when I make a really scrappy quilt I call it a Bonnie quilt. Some folks just have a small box they are trapped in. They need a bigger box. Their loss....
Patty Potter
I love your quilts because they are so full of color!! You inspire me to do the same with my scrappy quilts.
Straw Flowers seems like a great name for the quilt. I love its randomness. Sort of a way for anyone to play "I Spy."
Yes, your quilts are busy. And they are gorgeous. Don't change them until you want to.
I'm glad Tula decided to stick around after her excursion to the vet.
You just named the quilt: Starshine Blossoms!
I love this newest quilt, and so many others you have made as well, you’ve taught me that scrappy is beautiful and to embrace it! There is such beauty in the busyness. You and your quilts keep us so happy, Bonnie, and we thank you.
This is what I appreciate so much about you...that you stick to what drives you and not a company's direction...how you use any and all fabrics and not limit your quilts to a certain line. I love how you willingly share your quilty designing heart and soul with us! Thank you, Bonnie.
I agree with you! If they don't like what you make, why bother looking? It's the same thing when people complain about TV shows. If you don't like it, don't watch it. As they say, "you do you!"
Your quilts are amazing!
Your quilts are amazing! Liz
Yea Bonnie beat your drum to your desire
Oh Bonnie! I'm glad singing out loud helped you. I would have had steam coming out of my ears. If she didn't like the quilt she should just keep her mouth shut, her fingers still, and move on. You and the world don't need her negativity. We make what we like and no one is forcing her to look at our quilts. The number of quilters who follow you speaks for itself. Thank you for your positivity and your honesty. Have a WONDERFUL Wednesday! Linda
YEAHHHHHH!!!!!!!! You are finally not letting the "Debbie Downers" bring you down. I LOVE your so called "busy" quilts........... barbara
It's your blog about your life and your quilts. If that's not appealing to the anonymous commenter, why are they following? There are plenty of other bloggers out there. Or start their own and deal with all the bleep-worthy comments people make about THEIR choices. While scrappy/busy has not always been my first choice, I've come to appreciate this type of quilt through this blog. "Don't let it get to you" is easier said than done. Keep doing what makes YOU happy. I APPRECIATE you sharing your knowledge and beautiful quilts. Those who don't like them are free to go elsewhere. No one is defined by someone else's opinions. Thanks for sharing your rant. It needed to be said. People need to THINK before opening their mouths or hitting Send. How would they feel getting the same comment about something they posted for you to see? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. (That's my rant for the morning!) Have a great day, Bonnie!
Dear, sweet girl. Very well said. You are appreciated and loved so much by so many for sharing your world with us. I for one can't wait to see what you make next. And yes, it's all about COLOR. You have been given a "gift" making quilts. Thank you for sharing yourself with us.
Good Morning Bonnie! Sorry you had to rant for the small minded people. I love your quilts. And I think with that song in your head, you may have named your new quilt pattern. "Starshine" sounds great but you will come up with what speaks to you. I love this new quilt and strings always speak to me! Have a great day! And I love Tula Lou! Your fur babies are all interesting and fun!
Your new quilt is beautiful and looks like gems!
Bonnie I have found that scrap quilts with lots of pieces are not for everyone. But that’s ok. They are my love and like you I make them for me. String piecing is my zen zone! Do I make quilts from coordinating fabric line? Yes. Do I ever buy kits? Yes. But to me scrappy is most delightful!
Melba Burnham
I think if you can't say anything positive, then you should not say anything. What I love about you is that you do you. You go girl! Patricia
You go girl, too bad this person, just can't take in what works for her-him & let the rest go. Be yourself & do it proud!
Your column title yesterday would be a great name for the quilt—Seeing Stars
Right on Bonnie. I often piece my backing and one neighbor told me she loved some of my backings as much as the quilt itself. And I LOVE seeing the cows on your walks.
If they don't like what you make, they can always follow someone else. Stay true to yourself!
Amen
You are right to do as you feel. Following other people’s wishes would not let you be creative. If people want to create less busy quilts they are free to do so. Many people design so there are many options. Enjoy your life as we all should. We all should do what we love. I like scrap quilts best.
You do what makes you happy! It would be a boring world if we all had the same style/aesthetic.
I love the new quilt, and immediately thought of peony, or ranunculus blooms. No matter what it's called, I'm anxiously anticipating the pattern release.
Keep doing You ! Even if you tried (but please don't) you can't design quilts that will please everyone ! We are all individuals with our own tastes. You are the only one you need to please with your creations. If I see one of your quilts that doesn't speak to me, I think about what I could change to make it mine; I never think you need to change to please me! And while I'm at it, let me say, that your "busy" quilts push me to grow outside my boring simple habits.
It never ceases to amaze me the people who feel they have to make hurtful comments on posts of any kind. No one cares about their opinion. If you don't like it, scroll on by. I've seen people make comments about recipes that are saying yuck, etc. Totally drives me crazy. I, for one, think your quilts are beautiful Bonnie.
I am very symetrical. I find it hard to do too much scrappiness. I wish I could let go and do scrappy like you do. I love to see your quilts and your creativeness. I will continue to follow you. I read your blogs in the morning and it inspires me to quilt and to try some scrappiness. Maybe I will get there but maybe I will continue to make quilts that I like and comfortable making. Our differences is what makes things interesting and the world go round.
I agree 100% Celesta…It is sad to see such simple minded folks, who have no appreciation for creativity and unlimited ideas. How boring it would be for all of us. Love and enjoy everything you share with us. Thanks for your unbelievable talent Bonnie. keep on keeping on 😍
I love the mantra "I'll do me and you do you".
Bonnie I never thought I would make a scrap quilt because I didn't understand how all those colors could be put together and still look good. I was afraid to spend the time and it look like a mess. I did the last mystery quilt because I needed to work down some of the left overs from other quilts and thought this lady may be able to show me how It turned out great! I was so happy with it I decided to go ahead and allow myself to expand on using even more left overs making my own quilt pattern. Some of the quilts that are scrappy are not my taste but some are. No matter I have an appreciation for the work and thought that went into all of them. And maybe someday I'll dive into one of my own that is really really scrappy. Thank you for sharing your talent and desire to make happy quilts I am learning from listening and reading your blogs.
I want to add my 2 cents. I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog. For me, it is so uplifting to read your blog after I read my news emails about what's happening in the US and around the world. For me it's a joy to read about the quilters that enjoy a stay at the Quiltville Inn, your animals, your friends, your family, your lifestyle in Virginia, and, last, but not least, I enjoy watching you create amazing quilts. I have learned so much from reading your blog. Take care! Stay well! Quilt on! Jenny
Good for you!! I'll just never understand why people CHOOSE to be mean.
The older I get I try to surround myself with people who make me happy, not bring me down. We deserve it. Kuddos to you for realizing you don't need to mold yourself into other's opinions, but live to please yourself. We only get one life, so we shouldn't waste it on pleasing others. You have exposed me to scrap quilts and the love of color. Being on the OCD side, I was afraid to experiment and a whole new side of me has emerged as a result. Thanks to you and your generosity in sharing.
I LOVE this quilt and can’t wait to see the quilt design you choose!
I agree.
When you stay stitch do you use the same stitch length as you did making your blocks? Hoping this is not a stupid question.
Bonnie, Like all the other comments I see here - YOU GO GIRL! Each and every one of your magnificent creations is totally you, and they all are gorgeous!! That's just my humble opinion. That person who blasted you and those like her should not be following you. Why are they??? Just to say something negative??? My mother always said, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." As we make comments, we should all remember those words and read through our comments before we post.
Scrappy is happy to me. I so love your quilts and the last several you've made have me doing the happy dance. I absolutely love them. I marvel how you come up with the design. Love your blog its a delight to see, read and learn. Thank you for sharing your talent and life with us. You are such a blessing in this world.
Couldn’t agree more with your rant! I hate negative space and boring white backgrounds. I love as many different fabrics as I can get in a quilt! And I especially love your patterns, please don’t change anything about you!
One more thing, I saw gems, stars, and a rose garden in this last quilt!
I love the quilt, looking forward to the pattern.
Bravo!
Obviously you have a lot of "us" who like what you do .. so glad you can share your quilts and your thoughts with us as we do with you. You are appreciated. Have I ever looked at one of your quilts and thought ... oh headache - sure but certainly not bored with them. Keep it up.
You go girl!! Each of us must bloom as our maker created us. On another note, have you considered "hollyhock" for the name of this beautiful curated quilt.
Once again, WTH is going on with people?? If I don't like/agree with something, I just scroll on past without posting a comment.
Laffin' OUT Loud... just lookit the response you got from "not" posting the post!!! oh dear me... maybe you should be flattered? nawp maybe she thinks you are the end all, be all of all quiltmaking? maybe poor thing she is so deprived she never looked at quilts from anyone but you... Maybe someone squashed her creative child so long ago, all she knows is squashing other creative endeavors... who know? who cares??? Thanks for the good laugh, Bonnie... I pity this CJ person... really feel sorry for the stick up their behind view of the world. Enough noise from me and the caution, that this is not a democracy, this is a Bonnie Hunter site and we, most of us, come here because we support and engage in the scrappy world... and it's probably no surprise, i don't just make scrappy... i even step out and use a d"cheater panel" now and again!!! LOL HAPPY Wednesday, from Cats in Carlsbad CA
I think the music you were listening to and singing out loud pointed you towards a name for your quilt. Starshine would be a great name for your stunning quilt! You are a shining star to so many of us. You just keep twinkling.🌟 We 💖 you!!!!
I believe the "should" word gets in the way of living your best life.
Thank you, Bonnie - for being EXACTLY WHO YOU ARE 24/7/365 🤩 You are INSPIRING… and you are LOVED! 🥰
~ April/in Iowa!
Bonnie, I was never a scrappy quilter until I discovered your site. Now, I enjoy reading your blog each day and following your quilting story. I don't know how you keep coming up with such beautiful, original ideas and I am slowly working my way through many of them, but please don't stop. My stash drawers aren't empty yet. I just wish there were 24 more hours in a day to make them all! MyraH
Amen. I love your work
I find it difficult to just wing it with everything in my life. I'm one of "those" people. BUT, I finally grabbed my box of bits and pieces and created a quilt top that I truly love. No design and lots of color. It was hard at first but after I got going it was so much fun. Thank you Pat for your part in bringing that beast out of me. I hope you share that pattern with us, I have another box of pieces ready to shine! Lori
My vote for the name (not that you asked :) ) would be straw flowers. I love your quilt of many colors and hope you'll share the pattern with us.
When I look at this quilt I see gem stones in the different colored blocks - that and swirly wild roses! You do YOU beautifully!
So glad to see that there are so many who were happy to see your rant. Your TRUE followers are Creative People who appreciate your quilts and want to LET GO even if it means that we start off with Planned Scrappy......
I hope to build a big enough stash to be able to make some of your quilts soon.
Bonnie your quilts are lovely. The complainer is totally wrong. Yes you used the same style blocks but you put them together in a way that's giving each block a chance to shine. Your light blocks balance the brighter blocks so that it's a shear pleasure. I so want your pattern as I have a lot of scraps to use up. Enjoy what you're doing and ignore the nay sayers
Best rant ever! They will never change, so neither should you. How about “Good Morning, Starshine Flowers” for the quilt? I see flowers in everything, and everything has a song!
Way to go Bonnie
Tula Lou keeping an eye on you!! Don't you ever do anyone but YOU!! Your quilts, Your ideas. You are an inspiration to many, many of us!
True Bonniacs follow you because of your scrappiness..I no longer want to make a quilt that everyone else is doing..I embrace the colorfullness of a Bonnie quilt! Yeah for for all of us scrappers…Keep singing your songs!
OH Bonnie,
too bad she has such a narrow vision. I never thought I liked scrappy quilts until I needed to make them to use a vast pile of growing seeds! Boy did my opinion change. It is a challenge to use everything and make it look so incredibly amazing and beautiful. PLEASE keep it up.
Bonnie-- I love your quilts and have done several of your patterns and even lucky to be in a class with you. While I can't quite make "my" quilt with your "neutrals", I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE seeing yours with "your" neutrals. That is the joy of quilting. Every quilt is just a bit different even if using the same pattern and that is the JOY of it. You are such an inspiration to me. I just wish people would move on without feeling the need to make contentious or even downright mean comments. JoJo in MN
If people don't like your quilts, they are not required to make them. I just don't get it why people have to be so disrespectful. I have downloaded lots of your quilts and absolutely love them. I am in the process of finishing the 2022 MQ and it will be beautiful when it is done. I changed some of the colors to get my stash down. When I made the 2021 MQ I thought I had to stay with the colors given and although I am not a "pink" person, the quilt came out beautifully. Unfortunately, I don't sew as fast as some on this blog, but eventually my quilts get done and are admired. Thank you, Bonnie,for designing such beautiful quilts.
As soon as I saw this quilt, I saw stars and thought a possible name could be Star Struck! Love your quilts so jeep designing what you love. Carrie
Just a question, How many of us have just one fabric line-designer in their stash. Probably none of us. I blend all of my fabric to make things interesting. I do scrappy and get a lot of negative comments , but I also do bland. Really depends on the day. Keep up inspiring us. Shirley
You are doing what makes all of us who follow you happy..living your life the way you want. Thank you
Oh Bonnie.. well said. Those who don’t like your quilts should move on.
I had to respond to this post today…
Quilting is an art, just like painting or sculpture is an art. The quilter is the artist. What they create is personally theirs. It doesn’t have to be what we like or prefer, but we should appreciate it for the art that it is. Instead of saying what we don’t like about it, we should use it as inspiration for our own art…our own quilt. Find something in it that speaks to us and use it to make a masterpiece!
Bonnie…you are a true artist and I find inspiration in every quilt you make!💝
Bonnie your new quilt is beautiful! When I look at it I see roses and stars. Looking forward to the pattern. Thank you for designing all the wonderful quilts you do!
Me too! When I saw the quilt yesterday my first thought was Paper Roses.
The joy of seeing the quilts you make--the dedication, skill and teaching has kept me as a subscriber for many, many years...as well, I admire the generosity of your family to make a personal commitment to actually establishing a retreat centre for those who also want quality time with their quilting and their like-minded friends.
Each and every quilt you have done increases the ``wow`` factor exponentially. I can`t stop looking at this last `flower`one...oh so amazing...to me it is a `Field of Flowers` - beautiful flowers where ever you look!!!
Keep on rollin`` Joanne
First, I freaking LOVE your quilts. Second, when I go to quilt shows, even quilts that aren't "me" I still love and appreciate all that went into that quilt. They are all beautiful. And I do exactly the same, I make quilts for me. : )
Congrats to you, Bonnie, on another finished quilt. I've never pieced a quilt back. Do the strips stay aligned vertically after quilting or do you load the quilt with the strips parallel to the rails on your longarm?
Bonnie, I became a scrappy quilter because of you. Before I had just used the same green, same red, same neutral, etc, in a quilt, not necessarily same fabric line, but you know what I mean. There’s no way I could make all the quilts you design, so it’s fine with me that you design a multitude of different quilts. I have all your past books and still am making quilts from those. I admit I’m just not much of a PDF pattern person. I just like books better. And that’s okay too. We all have our preferences. I would think you make a lot more money on PDF vs books which is a great move for you. And less headaches when it comes to book publishing. Thank you to your contribution to the quilting world! Sue
This might be a strange concept for some people, but if I don’t care for a designer’s quilts, I don’t follow them. Easy peasy. What is wrong with some people? Spend that time you are making negative comments to find quilts you do like. Simple.
Yeah Bonnie! Be you. The good thin about your quilts is that we can go from your pattern and colors and make it our own-- just as scrappy or more controlled. I am always saying follow Bonnie. She will make your day.
I hesitate to pipe in. You share so much of your life and I found myself thinking yesterday though that you certainly show 'a life well lived'. Thank you for sharing it. I hope you get to enjoy Cashdan's company soon. You deserve some red headed giggles and hugs. Love from the west coast :-)
Those are my initials but it definitely wasn't me! I love to see your quilts because I'm into busy, too. I'm still pretty green but seeing and reading about your process inspires me to try new things. Thanks, Bonnie! Keep doing you. Chris J.
"Starshine" would be a great name for this latest wonder! When I am bothered I also do a sing along in my own little head to clear it. So what if they didn't like what you did? They are more than welcome to leave the way they came. I do love MOST everything you do and will always support before I drag someone else down just because I'm having a bad day. Don't care about what anyone else thinks and just continue to do what makes YOU happy. You have my support always!!
Hi, Bonnie. Another vote here for "Straw Flowers." I love your blog, your quilts, and, especially, all I have learned from you about quilts and design and creativity in general. I visit other blogs, and if one of them doesn't appeal to me, I just don't bother going there again. It never occurred to me to tell the blogger that I feel they are doing "wrong." I just move on to things that I do enjoy spending my time on. I support CJ's right to her feelings and opinion about "busy quilts," so obviously your blog is not for her. Every opinion doesn't have to be spoken. As you said, it doesn't change a thing, except that it did make you feel bad about yourself or the world for a moment, so why spend the energy typing it and sending it? My time and energy is better spend holding someone up than pushing them down. You do you, Bonnie. That's why most of us are here.
Because of you, I look at every quilt pattern and test it to see if I can "Bonnie-ize" it. Scrappy backgrounds, using my scrap users system, being a quilt fabric garbage collector (several quilt groups drop off their scraps) and utilizing every scrap - All because of you! Life is so happy with a good walk, a visit with cows, goats, sheep, ponies, antics of crazy pups and kitties.
I love your rant!!! And I love you!! Do it your way, girlfriend, you inspire me! 😁❤❤❤
The first name I thought of for this quilt was “scrapdragons” 🤣. I used to tell my girls that if it wasn’t for people like your grumpy poster, people like us (nice) wouldn’t look so good. God put those people out there so you appreciate the people who aren’t them even more!! Hugs, dawn
Creativity is a gift and using your gift brings peace to your spirit knowing that you are doing what you are meant to do!! Enjoy yourself! 🥰. C Plesh
Love the earworm for today! I think Starshine is a great name. Happy Hump day. I get to join a few Quilty friends stitching downtown today. I love a break from my own company. Going for the laughs and giggles. Hubby has other plans. Have a great Wednesday! Scrappy makes me Happy!
I totally agree with your perspective! I love your quilts and your spirit. I look forward to meeting you someday.
I totally agree with your perspective! I love your quilts and your spirit. I look forward to meeting you someday.
I agree with "I quilt for me, not for the industry that wants me to keep up with trends as a money maker for them. On their schedule." I love designing quilts but the publishers want things that are 'trending', not necessarily out of the ordinary, and they want the creator to have a sizeable online following so they can reach that audience to sell their magazines. I don't want to spend my time maintaining a YouTube channel or Instagram business account. Once I figured that out, I started having more fun with my designs which I share with friends. Yes, I do it for me! Thanks again Bonnie for all that you share with us.
I totally agree with your perspective. I love your quilts and spirit. I look forward to meeting you some day.
I totally agree with your perspective. I love your quilts and your spirit. I can't wait to meet you some day.
Why haven’t people learned “if you don’t like the show, change the channel “? Are your quilts busy? Yes, some are, some aren’t but you have opened up a whole new quilt world for me and I am loving it. Don’t change your channel Bonnie. We love you!
Bonnie, I love your quilts and have made some of them. I appreciate how you have helped dear Tula and so does she. If I were naming your quilt, I would use her name in it somehow. Such as Tula’s Star, Tula’s Love, Etc. Carol
LOVE THAT NAME - Bonnie, please consider that name for the quilt.
AMEN and hugs to you Bonnie
It's almost hard to believe some of the negative comments you get - as you know, they are a reflection of the person making the comment, not you. I love your 'busy' quilts! And this string pieced quilt is stunning! I haven't seen any prior posts you may have about this one, but I'm wondering if you have a pattern, as I would love to make it. You have done a lot for the quilting world and it's surprising that some people have the gall to criticize you. Good for you for staying positive. Have you ever seen Wanda Hanson's quilts (exuberantcolor dot blogspot dot com)? Her quilts have a different flavor then yours, but she uses lots of different fabrics in her quilts too and they are all so pretty. Keep on keeping on, Bonnie!
"You do you, I'll do me" - words to live by!
So many folks in the world these days seem to think everything should fit their tastes/criteria/whims - but their only purpose seems to be to critique other folks. (I just quit doing a project for a group because some people thought I should do more or do it differently - and guess what? Not one of them jumped in to take it over!)
Hang in there! We're all still here and look forward to what you have to share!
Bonnie, love you and all your scrappiness. Bravo on being you. You are a rebel, and don’t knuckle under pressure from corporate America. You are to be congratulated on making a living in something you love without “Big Business “ endorsement.
I love that name!
You have changed my quilting style! I now use as many fabrics as possible (and then some) . Keep
Doing YOU so I can keep growing on my quilting journey
Bonnie, you are the only blog I read religiously because you have such creative vision and your quilts are not boring. They have depth and it's so fun to watch as they come to life. I love reading about your retreats, dogs, cats, hubby, kids, grandkids and friends because you are real and not constantly pushing for a sale. I only wish my life could be as full as yours. You keep doing you, we all love it!
Scrappy may not always be my cup of tea, BUT 1. I can appreciate someone else's work and creativity. 2. I always learn something new. 3. I was blessed with enough imagination to use it to inspire something that suits my creative vision. Keep it up!! Michelle
I saw poppies and thought about Patriotic Poppies.
I don't agree with all of your opinions but The reason I started following your blog was because my quilting was boring. I absolutely love 99.9% of your patterns and own them! I love all of the colors you put in your quilts. I have learned so much from you over the last 8 years! I personally love whole cloth backings but that is me. I have all of your books but I also love that you are selling your pattern digitally so we can pick and choose which patterns we want. Please keep bringing us your wonderful patterns. Love your blog! Happy Day!
I, for one, wish that I had so many busy, beautiful scraps. I would love to make every one of your beautiful quilts. But then I'd have to live to be 500 years old.
Your quilts are beautiful and I love the string stars!!!! If you don't have something kind to say, don't comment!!
Some of your quilts are not anything I would ever want to attempt - Guess what I do? I marvel at the workmanship you put into making that beauty, and don't buy that pattern. Then move on to the next one, and purchase it, because it sings out to me. Keep up the great work Bonnie. Your vision is what makes you awesome!
When I first saw the quilt, I just saw white and colored jewels. I didn't even see the stars. I had to scroll back up and then I noticed the stars. The quilts just glows and sparkles like a box of jewels. Be-jeweled came to my mind as a name for the quilt. It blows my mind how creative you are with your fabric scraps.
The quilt looks like “Gem Stars” to me! Love it!
Rant totally justified. I'm constantly amazed that people feel entitled to be rude just because they are somewhat anonymous on the internet. My mama raised me better than that!
By the way, thanks for the earworm...now I have to go and make another Pandora station!
Robin M.
I just LOVE your post, and I love your quilts too - and the post was so well said. Thank you! Love the pics, the song, the cat in the sun, and the quote of the day. Anyone who is talented enough to create needs to learn to how say no early in life, then we have time to create the yeses (is that a word?). And as my 90 year old Mother taught me, if you haven't anything nice to say, don't say anything.
My initials are CJ but I assure you that I would never make a comment like that ! Bonnie, your quilts inspire so many of your followers, As many of your readers have said " If you can't say something nice or positive just shut up. My own mum taught me that many years ago, and it is still true.
Don't let the negative ninnies slow you down. I admire you for being an individual. Your inspiration kept me busy and creative during a difficult time during the pandemic. I can't thank you enough for that.
I really love the new design that you are producing. I can't wait to buy that pattern. Thank you for all you do, and if you want to rant you just go girl !!
You are terrific Bonnie ! Keep doing you!
I agree. I love how Bonnie said the comment got flushed!
I think sometimes people don't remember that "each to their own", that the world is full of choices... fortunately we get to make our own choices. Hang in there Bonnie and keep singing... my husbands junior high teacher told him he shouldn't sing! And because of that he figured he wasn't any good... boy was that teacher wrong! Just because he was going through puberty and his voice was probably cracking... she stopped a kid from singing when she could have encouraged him. That's too bad for her. But, she made that choice. We all make choices... some good some not so good. Love your quilts! Jean
You are you! Please keep being you. There are so many of us that love you and what you do and are very grateful that you willingly share your talent with us.
Another good thing about your change to publishing individual patterns rather than books is that we get the benefit of your being able to write the pattern instructions the way
Bonnie I just looove your quilts. So looking forward to seeing “this one” quilted and named.
YOU GO GIRL! As you can see from all the supportive comments already, one miserable person who has nothing better to do the express their negative opinion about something they don't like should JUST MOVE ONE. BONNIE HUNTER NATION HAS SPOKEN! We don't want you here. Please go somewhere else if you don't like the style, patterns, fabric. There are plenty of other places you can go to. And Bonnie, I love all your quilts, all the different colors, all the strips and 1/2 square triangles and string stars and I can go on. You keep making what makes you happy because it sure makes me and thousands and thousands of others Happy and I can't wait for the next pattern to come out!!!
I love Paper Roses!!!!
This is a big hug from Clemmons, NC. I love all your quilts and enjoy how your mind works in making them. You've been a source of inspiration to me and many other quilters. Because of you I'm trying string quilting. Thank you for all you do.
Isn't that delete button awesome? Keep doing what you do, we love it! I have started doing what I want to do in the quilting room too, it makes for a much happier me, thanks Bonnie!
and it sounds like I would like to be one of your friends! :) because fun shines thru in quilts!
Um, you have shown everyone how to make "your" quilt "their" quilt. Meaning I should have the ability to make it less busy if that is me or more busy if that works too. Which is exactly what I do...if I want different colors I go for it, if I don't want pieced neutrals then I don't, and if I do then I do that too...I have even jumped off and made something pretty different that was simply inspired by one of your quilts. Sometimes I use a line of fabrics, most of the time no, but it depends on the mission of the quilt...
Yes! Avoiding this word when talking about myself or others has changed my life for the better.
Bonnie your quilt looks like a Spring Bouquet.
You go girl!!
I don't consider busy a negative descriptor. Your quilts have a sparkle to them because of all the different shades of each color that you use. I have made five of your quilts and I love them because of all the hidden things you find in them, I use high heel fabric, safety pin fabric, squirrels and zombies to mention a few. They are busy and that's what I love about them. Keep on making quilts that you love! I don't know how you come up with all your ideas, but I am grateful for them. As my grand-daughter sings in her chorus, "you can paint with all the colors of the wind."
I started my quilting life following “the trends” but after about 4 years, I felt my quilts were becoming repetitive. And the scraps were accumulating tote after tote. It wasn’t until I took one of your classes with my guild that I discovered the scrap madness that has taken over my quilting time. Thank you Bonnie, I am forever in your debt and will continue to follow all that you create and share. It makes my heart soar, keeps my head engaged and my hands busy.
Mary Lou Paoletti
Scrappy quilts are my favourites. They are beautiful. They are full of memories of other quilts I have made or friends who have gifted me the fabric. They allow me to use up all my leftover fabrics...so assuage my fabric buying guilt. I gift most of them to Age UK and sewing them makes me happy and feel blessed.
I wasn’t able sign in from my email for some reason,
so Theresa D is posting anonymously.
When I make quilts, mostly its for someone else, but it is MY Creative choices that makes the quilt alive and it is a gift that the person knows that I took my time for them. Please continue your search for creating quilts that represents your inner beauty. Have a good day and walking frees the sole.
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