Presidents Message - May, 2024
President’s Message - April 2024
I was recently thinking about when I gifted a quilt to my mother many years ago. It was early in my quilting life, so believe me, it wasn’t “museum quality,” just a pretty quilt that I crafted with love, the best of intentions and my finest work. I was so happy to present it to her, and she was equally as excited to receive it so when she exclaimed “it’s too pretty to use, I don’t want to ruin it” I was both flattered and disappointed at the same time. I assured her that quilts love to be loved and that I wanted her to use it and when she did, she should think of it as a “hug” from me. If she wore it out, I’d make her another one. Well, she did use it - so much that I eventually had to replace the binding. She loved that quilt and “my hug” covered her while she rested in her favorite chair when she slept and in time as she was limited to her wheelchair.
After she passed, I kept that quilt. It’s faded and worn from a lot of use and many washings., but it makes me smile when I look at it, knowing how it brought her so much comfort and warmth. It comforts me now.
Have you ever had a similar reaction from anyone when you’ve given them a quilt? Do you encourage them to love it and use it or “keep it safe?”
I’ve been enclosing “use and care” instructions with my quilts that I give as gifts in the hope that they will then be used as they were intended. If they have a life of love they may indeed show signs of wear (as we all do) but it only makes them more unique.
I hope that you are working on something that brings you joy and comfort.
Sincerely, Barbara
Philanthropy Pillowcase Sew Day!
What fun we had making pillowcases for Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, while getting to know new and old quilting friends and learning more about each other! Tons of fun! In the process we were able to create 26 pillowcases today.
We will be having a second Philanthropy Sew Day in May. The details have been posted to the events calendar. Please plan to attend! Why? Because many hands make light work and its for the kids!!
We estimated the hospital probably goes through about100 pillowcases a month. So you can see how important it is for us to help.
26 bright, beautiful Pillowcases were created today
Presidents Message - March 2024
I recently read this quote by Anna M. Aquino. “In your life the people become like a patchwork quilt. Some leave you with a piece that is bigger than you wanted and others smaller than you thought you needed. Some are that annoying itchy square in the corner, and others that piece of worn flannel. You leave pieces with some and they leave pieces with you. All the while each and every square makes up a part of what is you.”
Reading that made me think of my own “life quilt” that has grown and surrounded me because of the people and occurrences in my life. I imagine it to be fairly big with many different squares. There are rows that are straight and even and colorful. There are some that are a little crooked, maybe with gray or faded areas, definitely some that are dark and somber. In the mix would be red - my favorite color (and my Dad’s) - and polka dots, of course. I’d probably find a few squares of itchy burlap and a few of rich velvet and soft flannel. But as my eyes and hands travel its surface, I would hesitate at those areas that were worn and threadbare because of lots of use and love. In those places, there would also be a heart shaped appliqué piece to strengthen and secure where it’s needed most. The back would be pieced from memories that I held dear and the whole thing would be held together by frayed binding. I imagine this would be may favorite quilt because it would represent me and my life.
What would your quilt of life look like? Would it be squares, diamonds, yo yo’s, applique or a crazy quilt? I find it interesting to see the different styles, colors and techniques we choose. We’re all so different yet are still able to create beauty in our own way and in a way that suits us perfectly.
I hope you are working on something that’s bringing you joy and showing your inner self.
Sincerely, Barbara
BBQG 2024 Opportunity Quilt
Busy Bees Quilt Guild
Introduces Our
2024 Opportunity Quilt
Our guild would like to give you an opportunity to win this beautiful quilt. The design was voted on by the guild membership and then painstakingly sewn together by a few diligent paper piecers. The beautiful quilting was done by another of our members, Larry Bertuccelli, of American Quilt Works. It is an over -sized throw made of high quality jewel toned fabrics and would be a beautiful accent to most any décor.
You may purchase tickets from any Busy Bee guild member or contact us at busybeequiltguildsc@gmail.com. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. The drawing will be held October 6, 2024 at the conclusion of our “Honey of a Quilt Show” in Fountain Inn, SC.
Presidents Message - February 2024
Wow, that was cold - January, I mean! Let’s hope that was the last of the really cold weather we’ll see this year. What projects have you been working on so far this year??? Are you finishing up your 2023 Block of the Month quilt for inclusion in the Mancuso show or maybe entering one on your own? Have you given any thought to your entry in our own Busy Bees quilt show in October? I’m working on those projects and more as I have a list of personal goals I’m trying to achieve. It just depends on the day, I guess. I don’t know about you, but some days I feel ready to take on a big challenge and jump right in and other days I’m happy to pick up a work in progress or a smaller project for one of our deserving philanthropies or our upcoming boutique. Still other days even sewing on binding, or a quilt label gets me closer to checking something else off that list. Whatever your reasons may be, I hope that you make time in your day to do what brings you joy and peace. As always, I look forward to seeing what you have created.
Sincerely, Barbara
BBQG’s 2024 Block of the Month
February Block
The All Star Quilt - 2024 Block of the Month
The All Star Quilt will be comprised of, you guessed it, all stars. Primarily, we will explore variations of the Ohio Star block. Here’s how it will work
Most months you will be provided a link to online directions for that month’s block. These directions will be published in the Block of the Month Facebook group.
A one time $5.00 registration fee
Blocks will vary in size from 3” to 12” square
One block design will be designated each month, however, sometimes you will ne directed to make on or more of them, or, make additional blocks of a pattern made previously.
You must choose the colors for your quilt from 5 different colorways
You must also choose one background fabric color. White, Black or Gray and it must be a solid or a tone on tone fabric.
You will be provided, two months before the end of the BOM, one or more optional quilt layouts
There will be…….
Monthly check in and prizes.
A private FB group for registrants
A big reveal at the culmination of the program with a grand prize drawing.
Bring $5 to the next meeting to get started and quilt along with us on the 2024 BOM Journey!
Laurie Wozniak
Philanthropy Update
Busy Bees delivered an amazing outpouring of love for our community in 2023. On December 11 Diana Gange and I delivered 20 quilts to the Laurens Sheriff's Office and a representative of the Fountain Inn Police Department will come to our January meeting to pick up their quilts. Over one hundred quilts were donated this year!
Here are the suggestions for next year’s philanthropy work. We will vote in January and choose two of the following three options to be our main projects for next year. We will work on one project for the first half of the year and then switch.
Greenville Shriner’s hospital for Children
Piedmont Women’s Center
Local Police Departments such as Lauren’s County Sheriff, Fountain Inn PD or Simpsonville PD.
I am hoping that more of you will be able to join us for our philanthropy workdays.
More detailed information can be found in our January Guild Newsletter
We are very proud of the work our Philanthropy group is doing for our community.
They’re making a difference!
2024 - Busy Bees Quilt Guild “Aunt Het Honey of a Quilt Show”
Busy Bees Quilt Guild is excited to announce our
“Aunt Het Honey of a Quilt Show”
The guild hosts a show that is open to the public. This is an exciting event where members can share the art and love of quilting with the community. We will have many quilts on display, vendors, and items for sale.
October 4th, 5th, and 6th, 2024
Fountain Inn Activities Center Gymnasium
Fountain Inn, SC
2023 Mary Isabel Award Recipient
In the spirit of our founder, Mary Isabel, who has left her legacy as a longtime advocate for the love and promotion of quilting in the Upstate of South Carolina. It is the mission of Busy Bees Quiet Guild to encourage interest in and appreciation for the art of quilt making via educating members, and or others through fellowship and philanthropy in the Upstate while providing programs that promote full discussions and exchange of ideas. The Mary Isabel award is awarded to the guild member nominated who exemplifies the spirit of giving and carries out the mission. of the Busy Bees Quilt Guild.
“There were several deserving members nominated for the 2023 Mary Isabel Award this year, which shows we have some very outstanding and dedicated members in our guild. Some of the things said about this person in particular were that she exemplified the spirit of the Mary Isabel Award and was helpful, resourceful, patient, kind and creative. Also, she continually provided incredible lectures and extra classes. It is my Pleasure to announce that this years recipient of the Mary Isbell Award is our Vice President extraordinaire - Robyn Christie”
(Right to Left). BBQG President Barbara Gentner presenting Mary Isabel Award to Vice President, Robyn Christie December 2023.
President’s Message - January 2024
President’s Message January 2024
Happy New Year 2024!
'‘I hope 2024 is a happy and healthy one for everyone. Let’s be grateful for a chance at another fresh start, renewed energies and an optimistic outlook for the new year ahead.
I’ve taken a look at the long list of projects that I wanted to get done in 2023 and realized that like real life, our priorities shift and change as the year unfolds.
What might have seemed like “top priority” in our personal lives or project goals may have moved down on the list or forgotten entirely when something that changes those plans happened unexpectedly. That’s ok. I think that we are all capable of pivoting when the need arises. Whether it’s with lists or journals to keep us organized, or friends that help us stay focused along the way, we just need to keep our goals on the horizon. Many of my 2023 goals were achieved, some were scrapped and some were moved to my 2024 list.
I am grateful for everything that I was able to accomplish and for everything that I learned in 2023. As always, I have high expectations and a long wish list for 2024 even though I know things don’t always turn out exactly as planned. My wish for all of you is that you are able to do what brings you joy and peace in 2024 even if it’s not what you envisioned.”
Sincerely,
Barbara