As Usual, No Fanfare

Posted on October 11, 2019 by prairiemoonquilts in Give-Aways, Studio News

Back in June, it was the 10th anniversary of the start of my blog! I let it slip by without noticing. I woke up in the middle of the night last night, thinking about longarm quilting (am I the ONLY one who does that?), and suddenly realized I’ve been at it for over 10 years!

Here’s a little timeline for you:

  • • In 1970, my grandmother enrolled me in 4-H sewing classes (I was 8 years old), and I learned to use a sewing machine. I had already been wielding a needle and thread by hand since the age of five.
  • • In 1972, on one of her visits home, my Great-Aunt Charlotte brought me a huge black garbage bag of scraps, and I was bitten by the quilting bug. (I never finished the first quilt I started, nor do I still have the pieces of it.)
  • • In 1996, I started teaching quilting classes at our local Vo-Tech Adult Education evening program. I got asked for my patterns so much . . .
  • • In 1999, I started my pattern company. Back in January, marked the 20th year of that! I usually celebrate every few years with a new Welcome pattern, and this is the one I made for our 20th anniversary HERE.
  • • In late 2008, I started a web site for my little company.
  • • In May, 2009, I bought my first longarm machine.
  • • In June, 2009, I started blogging.
  • • In August, 2010, I quit my “real job”, and started quilting full-time.

Wow! What a ride it’s been, and what a long way I’ve come! Whew!

I never dreamed I’d be quilting for famous designers, or that I’d have a book of my own by now! And I’ve met soooo many wonderful people along the way, both in person, and as super online friends. And I really appreciate all of you who stop by and read my ramblings!

Since I think it’s worth celebrating, and I haven’t done a give-away in awhile, let’s do it now!

I’m gonna pick 10 winners who can each have one PDF pattern of their choice from my Etsy shop, so go have a look around and see what you’d pick from HERE. You have 38 patterns to choose from, if you’re one of the winners. I’ll draw for the 10 winners on Tuesday, the 15th, so you have until then to leave a comment here to get entered. That’s all you have to do — just leave a comment on this post! If you’re chosen, I’ll contact you and email you the PDF file, so be sure and leave me a valid email address.

If you’d like to get all the News From the Ranch on the regular, just fill out the subscription form at the upper right to get notifications of new stuff. Next year, I’m hoping to start some new things that are for subscribers only, so you’ll wanna be a subscriber to get in on some more fun stuff!

PS: Since I began blogging, I’ve published 1638 posts (3240 posts if you also count the ones over at The Life of Hazel Ilene), and since I began longarm quilting, I’ve quilted 914 quilts. When I get to my 1000th quilt (sometime in 2020), I’ll be doing a give-away related to longarm quilting, so stay tuned!

UPDATE: And the winners are (chosen with Random Number Generator):

  • Phillis
  • Ginny
  • Shasta
  • Sharon
  • Paula M.
  • Laura
  • Angela Neese
  • Carole S.
  • Carolyn Schomaker
  • Clara Chandler

Thanks to everyone for reading and playing along!

37 responses to “As Usual, No Fanfare”

  1. Wendy says:

    Oh what fun to read this, Shelly! Congratulations! You’ve inspired me to just keep at my blog and my sewing. Who knows what might come next? Here’s to another 10-20 years or more!

  2. Andrea O'Brien says:

    That is so exciting! It is amazing that you have only. Even longarm quilting (or at least with your own machine) since 2009! Congratulations on your anniversary and best of success for the next 20+ years!

  3. Kari Elliott says:

    Oh Shelly what a marvellous journey you have had in the land of quilting! Congratulations….
    I have always loved your ability to connect with all us readers!

  4. Maurine Johnson says:

    Happy anniversay! Belated as it is, oh well! We have so much in common–I enrolled in 4-H in Idaho in 1971 and had been bitten by the sewing bug long before that. I didn’t start quilting until 2000 though. I am so happy for you that you got to quit your “real job” LOL!! Someday I hope to do the same….

    Congratulations!

  5. Aileycat17 says:

    Wow time has flown. I don’t remember when I found you but it is always fun!
    Love the Autumn Welcome pumpkins. They are so Cute!!
    Happy Quilt-a-versary!
    Aileen

  6. Mary Howland says:

    Amazing! Congrats on your anniversary with many more to come. Thanks for sharing your love of quilts.

  7. Marlene Clausen says:

    So much fun o read about and see your work, not o mention to rub shoulders with someone who rubs shoulders with the stars . . . so to speak. Hey, from my point of view, you are a star, yourself. Look forward to many more stories and photos!

  8. Paula M says:

    I retired in July 2015, and started reading blogs. I enjoy reading viewpoints on life, sewing, cooking , ect.
    I am amazed always to hear how long folks have had their blogs…. where was I when all this started!

  9. denniele says:

    What fun to read about your amazing career! Congratulations! I wish you many more successful and fun filled years, my friend. You have earned them.

  10. Donna says:

    Congratulations! I’m an avid fan of yours to which my many unfinished quilts can attest. I look forward to having you quilt them!

  11. Laura says:

    Hi Shelly,

    I’m happy to see your progress over the years. Love reading your newsletters. You’ve done a great job in the quilt world.

    Thanks,
    Laura

  12. Sharon says:

    Congratulations Shelly. I love reading your posts. I also love seeing the quilting you do on the quilts of “famous designers”. I’d love to be as good – and patient – as you. It takes a long time to do the intricate quilting that you do.

  13. Kate says:

    Congratulations. I signed up for your blog because you were so honest about the fabric on your cutting table. I identified with the what to do next. Thanks for your news from the ranch. I have been in the presence of some baby goats and thought of Ranger… hope your tribe is doing well. Kate

  14. Mary Delia says:

    Congrats on turning your passion into your career. Live your patterns and quilts. Thanks for sharing so much with us.

  15. Angie in SoCal says:

    This is my 10th blog anniversary, too. Congratulations, Shelley. All your inspiring work keeps us motivated.

  16. Ginny says:

    Congratulation for all the wonderful milestones. I have only been a part of your life for a few years. I cherish our friendship and the quilts you have longarmed for me. It is because of you that I got back into quilting and ramped up the number I finished.
    Thank you for all you share! I like being a very small part.

  17. Angela Neese says:

    As usual – a great read on my favorite blog! Time sure flies, doesn’t it, girl?!

  18. You are not alone when it comes to waking in the middle of the night when something pops in your head from nowhere. I love your blog and being part of the 350 Block Report. It helps me a lot to keep going, most of the time, lol.

  19. Shirley Guier says:

    I didn’t realize you formally started your business about the same time I retired, end of August 2010. Loved hearing your timeline. Wow, you have quilted a lot of quilts. Wish I had kept track of mine. I started to and lost track around 10! I was going to put the quilt number on the back of each quilt. I started out with good intentions!. I like Starflowers.

  20. Randy Menninghaus says:

    You go girl. You must be SOSO proud. I know there were parts of this years that were really hard… so revel in the wonder of all those quilts. You have helped me get organized… not sure I can stay organized once I get in and start rooting about…. I must have 16 projects going…. I love being part of the 250 blocks.

  21. Celia says:

    Congratulations, you have had quite a journey. Isn’t it neat how one thing leads to another?
    I am so glad that I have been able to see your quilts and the wonderful quilting that you do.

  22. Tonia says:

    I think I have been following for about three years, and I always enjoy your posts! We all feel like a little community in the quilting world. Congratulations on your anniversary!!

  23. Maureen says:

    Wowzers! 10 years….way to go Shelly. I enjoy your blog & have it in my favourites. I love that you are just down to earth & real! Your quilting is fabulous. Thank you always for sharing!

  24. Phillis Harding says:

    I enjoy reading your blog posts.
    You are such an inspiration to
    the quilting community. I began
    reading about Hazel Ilene and
    really enjoyed her journey.
    I don’t know how you manage
    to farm and find time for
    quilting and blogging. I appreciate
    all you do for us.

  25. Jane says:

    Time flies when you’re having fun doesn’t it?!!
    Congrats and wishing you decades more.

  26. Carolyn schomaker says:

    Congratulations on your blog. I would think that wipould be hard to keep up. I too wake up in middle of night with an idea or answer to a question in my head. Boy you made a lot of quilts. How many do you have or rather how many have you given away.

  27. Angela says:

    As I read through the chronology of your quilting history it was as I was reading through my own life’s quilting history. I didn’t realize just how many similarities we share … starting with the year we were born and ending with both of us buying a Longarm and quilting for famous people. The differences being you have an Etsy store to sell your designs (I love your Cowboy Boot Stockings and have at least a dozen of them), you are a blogger (I’m far too introverted to be a blogger) and you have a book published (I’ve only had one of my quilts on the cover of a magazine).
    Wow, you have truly embraced your gifts and made the most of them. 😊

  28. Christi Bentley says:

    Congrats on the anniversary………..even if you overlooked it! It’s nice to reflect on how you got here.

  29. Congratulations on the blogiversary! That is quite the milestone. Thanks for sharing your story time line with us. It’s always nice to know the how people got to where we get to sit and enjoy their posts from the comfort of our home. Love the Cowgirl Boots. Here’s to looking forward to another twenty years at least of reading your posts.

  30. Linda dixon says:

    Congrats first off!! I enjoy sitting down to go through your adventures with you; and reading up on your quilts and the fun you have making them!

  31. Helen says:

    Congratulations obviously you are having fun to make time fly by so quickly

  32. Clara Chandler says:

    Congratulations, Shelly. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and look forward to seeing the projects you sew. I “discovered” your blog as I was looking for a BOM project and then, I connected with Sew Sweet Quilt Shop. Thank you.

  33. Shasta says:

    Congratulations on 10+ years! It’s always fun to see what you are creating.

  34. Raewyn says:

    Congratulations on your 10 years of blogging! How exciting that your love of quilting has become such a great fulltime ‘job’ for you!! Best wishes for more successful years of blogging, sewing and quilting!

  35. Cindy Wienstroer says:

    I enjoy hearing what you have been working on. Encouraging others to keep sewing. I love your Christmas Cowboy boots stockings and keep thinking i should make some. Someday – baby quilts to make!😃

  36. Carole S. says:

    Congratulations!!! I know the quilting world is richer for having your talent in it. Thank you for sharing all these years!

  37. sharon says:

    I don’t have a blog. but I also learned to sew when I was about 8. at a local singer sewing center. I did not keep it up as schooling (many years of) got in the way. but, now that I am no longer in the paid work force– I can sew and quilt– I love your story of how you made your hobby at 5 into a full blown career!

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