The Story Behind the Quilt
Bonnie Corson
February Online Magazine 2016

Meet Bonnie Corson:
Strong, Alive and Amazing!
Those words describe Bonnie
When we say alive, we truly mean alive. You see, Bonnie is a cancer survivor. After beating cancer a year ago she decided to buy her machine and start her own quilting business. She decided that if she was going to be the best quilter she could be that she was going to take classes from someone who is one of the best, Jamie Wallen. Bonnie had never quilted in her life when she decided to do this!
The interesting part of this story is that Bonnie bought a Harley Davidson and two weeks later found out that she had breast cancer. This was devastating because the mastectomy, chronic infection, five surgeries and chemo made it impossible to ride the bike, so she sold it a year later. Bonnie also had a long time job and was working in a one person office, but because of the many hospital stays they could not hold the position open. The business needed someone full time and as Bonnie says, "So, needless to say, breast cancer really beat me up and my whole life changed. I became very depressed and cried a lot. Breast cancer is a horrible disease and robs you of yourself. I found myself trying to figure out who I was and how I could start over, my life became a huge question mark."
Sister Cheryl Steward, Jamie Wallen, and Bonnie Corson
Once Bonnie found out she had cancer and that she was going to lose her
hair she decided to take control of the situation and had a "hair shaving
party". Months later, in May, after beating cancer Bonnie was thinking about buying her machine. She called her sister Cheryl Steward of Sew Much Fun Quilting in Mooresville, Ind. and said that she was ready to purchase her machine. It is most important that I mention that Cheryl also has been a HUGE support in Bonnie learning to quilt and in starting her business, not to mention, that she was cheering Bonnie on all the way.
Without her she feels that it would have been so much scarier and harder! Bonnie credits her sister for leading her to AQ because Cheryl bought her Gammill from Jeff about 11 years ago & then upgraded to her new Innova in 2014! Cheryl loved the service provided to her and feels that Jeff and the whole AQ team has been wonderful in customer service and support. She felt comfortable because of her experience to refer her sister to AQ. "So I talked my husband into moving and we sold our home in four days! We had to scramble to find a home. In this home we have a living room and a family room and I found myself visualizing my Innova in the living room. That is just where I put it and it's PERFECT!" Bonnie said.
hair she decided to take control of the situation and had a "hair shaving
party". Months later, in May, after beating cancer Bonnie was thinking about buying her machine. She called her sister Cheryl Steward of Sew Much Fun Quilting in Mooresville, Ind. and said that she was ready to purchase her machine. It is most important that I mention that Cheryl also has been a HUGE support in Bonnie learning to quilt and in starting her business, not to mention, that she was cheering Bonnie on all the way.
Without her she feels that it would have been so much scarier and harder! Bonnie credits her sister for leading her to AQ because Cheryl bought her Gammill from Jeff about 11 years ago & then upgraded to her new Innova in 2014! Cheryl loved the service provided to her and feels that Jeff and the whole AQ team has been wonderful in customer service and support. She felt comfortable because of her experience to refer her sister to AQ. "So I talked my husband into moving and we sold our home in four days! We had to scramble to find a home. In this home we have a living room and a family room and I found myself visualizing my Innova in the living room. That is just where I put it and it's PERFECT!" Bonnie said.

Some people are so beautiful inside and out that they don't need the outward embellishement of hair. Look at that courageous smile!
Bonnie made one huge point that she wanted me to share with all of you. As Bonnie stresses, "I feel this way; it doesn't make sense to invest your money in a Longarm machine and then wait for months to be able to use it and reach the skill level to make money with it. I took classes right from the start from Jamie Wallen. Jamie helped me build my confidence and bring out the artistic talent I have within myself. I was able to begin quilting customer quilts and making money right away."
What Bonnie went through is unbelievably hard and how she rose above it all and became a champion, a hero as many of us would call her, shows her strength and "the fabric she is made of." Many of us face hard things in our life and Bonnie is such an inspiration!
Strong, Alive and Amazing! Three simple words that really describe a living
example of the human spirit. Thank you Bonnie for letting us into your world!