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Meet Road 2017 Teacher Claudia Pfeil

Wednesday, October 19th, 2016

Claudia Pfeil will be teaching six, hands on, stand up longarm classes that allow for two students per machine head:

Pimp My Quilt! on Monday 1012N and Saturday 6015NPaisley Parade on Tuesday 2017N

Bubbles, Curves & Straight Lines – A Way to Modern Quilting on Wednesday 3016N

Claudia’s (P)fantastic (P)freemotion Borders on Thursday 4015N

And on Friday 5016N Modern (P)freemotion Wholecloth

At Road to California 2017, several of the class instructors are coming from outside the United States and Claudia Pfeil is one of those teachers. Claudia is from Germany. She grew up in Hemer and has lived in Krefeld since 1985. A town with a population of 240,000 in the mid-west part of Germany, close to the border of Belgium and Netherlands, Krefeld is known as the “Town of Velvet and Silk” because of its history of silk weaving. Growing up in a family of bankers, Claudia was the one who loved to draw and paint. She tried everything from pottery, silk painting, water color painting, and even making carpets out of knots. When she graduated from school, she moved to Dortmund and started an apprenticeship as a display designer in a warehouse. It was through that job that in 1985 she was first exposed to quilting by attending Creativa –Europe’s leading exhibition for creative design.

The biggest sewing project Claudia has ever done was the first quilt she ever made. It was made without using any rotary cutters or rulers and the basic sewing machine she used could only secure the layers for hand quilting. She taught herself the tricks of making templates and seams. According to Claudia, “there was much ‘trial and error’.” After the birth of her first son, Julian, in 1992, Claudia delved in to quilting. She found some fabric pieces she had stored away; 12 inch squares she had woven on a 16 shaft loom while attending university. She just knew they belonged in a quilt. Needing thread to put the quilt together, Claudia went to a local sewing shop and they introduced her to her first rotary cutter, mat and quilting ruler. With perseverance, Claudia set out to “learn by doing.” She recalls that those “experimental times gave her the courage to improvise. I was soooo happy and I got hooked.” Looking back, Claudia says, “I have to smile about my self-confidence without having any clue.” Claudia has been a student of textile design, an independent textile designer, a patchwork quilting teacher, and a quilt shop owner. But she says her world changed completely in the spring of 2005 when she bought an APQS Longarm. Having taught throughout the United States, Australia, and Europe, Road 2017 will be Claudia’s first time at the show. She says, “I am really happy and proud to be invited.” All of her classes are hands on, longarm quilting classes. Her goal is to set her students free to think out of the box. She hopes they will leave the classroom with a big smile on their face, happy and proud of themselves, and remember her tips when they go home to work on their projects. To see more of Claudia’s work, please visit her Facebook Page. ]]>

Tags: Claudia Pfeil, German Quilter, Longarm Quilting, Modern Quilting, Patchwork quilting, Wholecloth Quilting
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Meet Road 2017 Faculty Anita Grossman Solomon

Saturday, October 15th, 2016

Anita Grossman Solomon will be teaching six classes, Wednesday through Sunday, at Road to California 2017:

Wednesday 3005C and Sunday 7004C: Self-Mitered Log Cabin

Thursday: 4004C Two-Color Pineapple

Friday: 5004C Big Bang Stars

Saturday (Half-day Morning Class): 6004C BeJeweled

Saturday (Half-day Afternoon Class): 6012C Double Wrench

[caption id="attachment_4391" align="aligncenter" width="345"]

Double Wrench Quilt[/caption]

New York native, Anita Grossman Solomon, grew up in Niagara Falls, New York. She learned to sew garments at the Singer Sewing Center on Falls Street where she “aced” her first dart on a treadle sewing machine!! After graduating from college as an art major, Anita immediately moved to Manhattan where she lives today. Her office and sewing room/studio are both within her apartment. Anita says when she needs to venture outside, she turns “on the Today show to see what the bystanders are wearing” to know how to dress for the day,

The idea to start her company, Make It Simpler, began in the summer of 2001. Anita was attending a C&T Publishing retreat in northern California and showed their acquisitions editor Polaroid pictures of her work. The editor took notice of Anita’s workaround methods and said, “I know what you do, you make it simpler.” A week later, Anita registered the domain name for Make It Simpler. Quilt blocks are what inspire Anita and define her work. “Just place one in front of my eyes and I’m fascinated.” Her first block design for Make It Simpler was a paper piecing pattern for an unusual quilt block based on a block found on the cover of a book by Terri Zegart. “The block engaged and soothed me when I needed a distraction from the real world, ” recalled Anita. “As I closed my eyes to sleep, a radical new way to paper piece came to mind.” That began Anita’s relationship with C&T Publishing and her innovative paper piecing books. What is Anita’s favorite sewing tip? “To thine own self be true. Make what you like and enjoy. Do what comes naturally. Trust your color and design instincts.” In her Road classes, Anita hopes her students “get satisfaction from my techniques and leave with inspired additions to their quilt-making repertoire. A lucky someone in each of my classes will win a fat quarter bundle of Make It Simpler KONA cottons courtesy of Robert Kaufman Fabrics. As for me, I always win when someone tells me ‘That tip was worth the price of admission’.” Road to California appreciates Anita’s contribution to their charity quilt event at Road 2017 on Saturday evening, Roadies Give Back. Anita specially designed the block that is being used for the quilts, deconstructing and making simpler her favorite block, Jacob’s Ladder. Of the event benefiting the Robert and Beverly Lewis Cancer Care Center, Anita says. “I’m finding comfort while sewing my blocks for Road. I hope you’ll follow (Road’s) footsteps and assemble a block. You can’t fathom what’s missing from the process until you try it for yourself.” Anita is really looking forward to being at Road 2017. She hopes to “run into quilters I’ve previously met, see what they’ve been up to, and look at every quilt in the Show.” She bets that while she is in sunny California, when she turns on the Today show, she’ll see everyone in New York walking around in the snow!! You can learn more about Anita at her website and on Craftsy. ]]>

Tags: Anita Grossman Solomon, C&T Publishing, New York, Paper Piecing, Quilt Blocks, Roadies Give Back
Posted in Faculty, Road 2017 | 1 Comment »

An Afternoon of Celebration

Wednesday, October 12th, 2016

Robert and Beverly Lewis Family Cancer Care Center located at Pomona Valley Hospital by purchasing a table for their annual fund raising fashion show and luncheon at the Sheraton Fairplex. Because cancer has struck the Reese family in the past, both Matt and Carolyn Reese feel that it is an important cause to support. In addition, Matt’s mom and Carolyn’s daughter-in-law, Shellee Reese, has worked as the Administrative Director for the cancer center for the past 15 years. Carolyn’s guests included members of her extended family [caption id="attachment_4380" align="aligncenter" width="625"] Back row (l-r) Jen Reese, Matt Reese, Shellee Reese. Front row (l-r) Lee Ann Akers, Debby Bennett[/caption] As well as two friends who are both cancer survivors. Elainne Edwards is a 15 year thyroid cancer survivor who enjoys making charity quilts. Lavella Fitzgerald, also a quilter, is a 15 year breast cancer survivor. [caption id="attachment_4378" align="aligncenter" width="625"] Elainne, LaVella, and Carolyn[/caption] Being at the luncheon brought back emotions for Lavella. ” It is wonderful to be with so many survivors today and to know that everyone is working for a cure.” The day included a delicious Asian theme luncheon followed by a fashion show where the models were each cancer survivors in their own right. Men and women modeled three outfits: casual, business, and formal. They were joined on the runway during the business section with the health professionals who they credited with helping them overcome their cancer. Then, for the last segment, each model chose a family member who was especially supportive during their cancer journey to walk with them down the runway. Each model’s story of courage in their trials was very inspiring for all in attendance. At the end of the event, Elainne remarked, “It encourages me to see the support of this community and know that you are not alone.” Road’s support for this important community center will continue at Road to California 2017 when they will hold their first Roadies Give Back evening of service on Saturday, January 21st beginning at 7:00 p.m. The goal for the evening is to make and quilt as many charity quilts as possible to donate to the Robert and Beverly Lewis Cancer Center. Sewing machines will be set up in several rooms and guests can choose to participate by helping to put together quilt tops, quilting the quilts, or finishing the quilts. The Roadies Give Back quilt block design was specially created by Road 2017 faculty member, Anita Grossman Solomon. In order to speed things along that evening, Road is asking for the quilt blocks to be made ahead of the show and delivered to their office starting December 5th. Whether or not you plan on attending Road 17, anyone can participate by making as many quilt blocks as they would like, following the approved design. Road to California is honored to give back to the Robert and Beverly Lewis Cancer Care Center, where there is found “A passion for healing. A love of giving.” For more information regarding Roadies Give Back, please visit our website. ]]>

Tags: Cancer, Charity Quilts, Roadies Give Back, Robert and Beverly Lewis Family Cancer Care Center
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Giving Back At Road 2017

Friday, October 7th, 2016

“The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Road to California has teamed up with the Robert and Beverly Lewis Cancer Care Center in Pomona, California and Anita Grossman Solomon, one of our Road 2017 Faculty, to make as many quilts as possible on the Saturday night of Road 2017. All quilts produced that night will be given to cancer patients at the center on behalf of everyone participating with this wonderful cause.

The Robert and Beverly Lewis Cancer Care Center was chosen as the recipient of Road’s night of service because Show Director Matt Reese’s mom, Shellee Reese, has been a long time employee at the center. Roadies have supported the center in the past, casting votes for the award winning video that won valuable donation dollars to the center in 2014. Linda Rasmussen is overseeing the project and the Sew-A-Thon that will take place Saturday, January 21^st beginning at 7:00 PM. Linda has been a volunteer at Road in the judging room for 17 years. She joined Road to California’s staff last year, first as Ribbon Clerk in the judging room and now the Coordinator for Roadies Give Back. Linda says the goal for Roadies Give Back is to supply lap size quilts to the patients of the Robert and Beverly Lewis Cancer Care Center. The quilts will be made from a block designed by Anita Grossman Solomon especially for Road to California. Road to California fans and attendees throughout the United States and overseas are invited to make the blocks prior to the show. Then, on January 21^st, all of the blocks received will be assembled into quilt tops, quilted and prepared for donation to the Cancer Care Center. During the evening there will be door prizes and raffle prizes along with yummy treats. How can you be a part of this worthwhile event?

Tell a friend.

Share this blog post in an email, with your social media or with your guild. Linda has already started to visit guilds in the area. She says the response “has been enthusiastic.”

Make a square (or two or more!!)

There is no limit to the amount of blocks you can contribute. A raffle ticket will be given for each square donated. We will start accepting squares at Road’s office beginning December 5, 2016. Mail them in, roper them off, or bring them to the show.

Register for the event.

Go to our website and sign up to assist with either piecing (class 9600C), domestic quilting (class 9601C), longarm quilting (class 9602C) or finishing (class 9603C). A nominal $10 fee will be collected at the time of registration. Half the fee will go to directly to the Cancer Center and the other half will be applied to deferring costs for supplies for the evening.

Join in the fun.

Stay at the show after the classes have finished and the vendors have closed. Machines will be provided for the night. Guests are encouraged to bring thread, snips, pins and any other items that makes sewing more productive for them.

We hope you will want to be a part of this very special event. As Linda says, “It is a great opportunity to show support to people who need to know that we are all working toward making their challenge of facing cancer just a bit less intimidating. Something to keep you warm, made with love, showing support, is a visible way to make a difference in someone’s day.” To learn more about Roadies Give Back including getting the pattern for the squares and where to send them when you are done, please visit our website. ]]>

Tags: Anita Grossman Soloman, Cancer Quilts, Road to California 2017, Roadies Give Back, Robert and Beverly Lewis Cancer Care Center
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Meet Road 2017 Faculty: Rose Mary Jameson

Tuesday, October 4th, 2016

Rose Mary Jameson will be teaching 4018R Laguna Crochet Necklace on Thursday

5019R Bead Embroidered Needle Case on Friday

6019R Beaded Felted Cuff on Saturday

And 7012R Infinity Button Bracelet on Sunday

Rose Mary Jameson is all about reinvention. A graduate of Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM), she began a custom design business, working in Ultrasuede for professional women and then later, designing bridal gowns.

When a local ice skating rink opened, she connected with the first coaches and showed them a few costume design ideas. For more than seventeen years, she designed costumes covered with Swarovski crystals and sequins for competitive skaters and a few pros who traveled the world. When the rink closed and the skaters moved away, Rose Mary replaced the ice with the dance floor and began to have the same relationship with dancers. [caption id="attachment_4357" align="aligncenter" width="398"]

Costume for Cirque 1[/caption] Following the opening of a large quilt and bead store, Monica’s Quilt and Bead Creations in Palm Desert, California, Rose Mary approached the owner, armed with her designs and an idea. As a result, Rose Mary has been a teacher, pattern designer and consultant for the store for over 10 years. Her adventures have included best-selling patterns, such as the Twirly Batik Skirt she developed in 2009.

Inspiration for Rose Mary’s bead designs come from “everywhere:” birds and flowers, architecture, the beach, and current fashion trends. She writes her ideas down in a journal, along with a quick sketch, notes on color combinations, or ways to wear a piece. [caption id="attachment_4358" align="aligncenter" width="500"]

Rose Mary made this necklace for her daughter’s wedding.[/caption] Rose Mary is not a new face to Road to California. She has taught several Roundabout events in the past, meeting lots of fun and creative people. “I always love being in a good space where there is creative energy and Road is certainly one of those places.” Although most guests come to Road for the quilting, Rose Mary feels that “having a little diversion could prove to be great inspiration.” She hopes that by the guests getting their hands into something a little bit unusual, perhaps their brains will start to think in different ways, leading to more excitement with their first love, quilting. Rose Mary knows many quilters who love to bead, paint and write and thinks it is “healthy to know and practice our art with diverse group of skills.” Who should attend one of Rose Mary’s classes at Road 2017? “Anyone who might like to learn more about the art of bead-weaving or adding a little bit of bling to their lives or to their quilts. And who doesn’t like a little bit of sparkle now and again?” Rose Mary says that quilting skills translate easily into this medium and that she is looking forward to sharing with her students the “many ideas that are swirling around in my head.” She enjoys watching her students play with her ideas. “Helping others realize they might already have the skills needed to create something from a little stash of beads is always heartwarming.” You can learn more about Rose Mary Jameson on her website, Sewfast Design, or on her blog, Sewfast Beader. . ]]>

Tags: Beading, Monica's Quilt and Bead, Quilt Embellishment, Rose Mary Jameson, Sewfast Beader, Sewfast Design, Twirly Batik Skirt
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How to Enter Your Quilt Online

Tuesday, September 27th, 2016

Is your quilt ready to submit for the Road to California 2017 Quilt Contest?

By now, you have read and become familiar with the complete Road to California 2017 Quilt Contest information including rules, quilt categories and definitions at our website. You’ve spent hours and hours working on your quilt design and then having it quilted. You are finally ready to submit it to our office and we are ready and waiting to receive your entry. We want to make sure you are confident on how to complete that last step: submitting your quilt entry.

The deadline to enter your quilt(s) for Road to California 2017 is Monday, October 3, 2016.

Entries can be mailed in to Road’s office or submitted online. By entering online, you save both time and money. Online entries save $10.00 on their submission.

[caption id="attachment_4055" align="aligncenter" width="336"]

Award Winning Quilt Best of Show Road 2016

Best of Show Road 2016 – Silk Road Sampler by Melissa Sobotka[/caption]

Matt Reese, Road’s Show Director, has provided these easy step-by-step instructions to help you enter your quilt online:

In order to process an online entry, you need to have an online account and be logged in. If you have any questions about the log-in process, please check out this previous blog post that explains how to log-in. Although the article focuses on how to register for classes, the process to log onto our online system is the same).

Once you are logged on, move your mouse over to ROAD2017 and click Contest Entry. (Don’t worry about the dates in our examples below. The procedure is still the same). First, on the upper left hand corner, you need to select Quilt under division. Second, you need to choose a Style which will be either Art, Innovative, Miniature, Modern or Traditional.

I selected Art. Next, you need to select a Theme. Since my entry is a quilted photograph of Pug, Max. I’ll select Art Critter. (For information on themes, check out the information on the rules. If you have any questions about what theme your quilt belongs in your can either email us at info@roadroadtocalifornia.com or make your best guess and if the jury/judges determine it belongs elsewhere, they will move it).

Next you need to put in the Dimensions of your entry. My quilt is 60 x 60. If your quilt meets the size requirements for the category you choose, a green message saying “Road to California entry category: xxxx” and a green Submit button will appear.

Enter the Title, Maker’s Name and Quilters Name. Please Note: we have had complaints in the past about failing to list the quilters name. We print what you submit, and have no way of knowing if you have not changed the Quilters Name. It is the entrant’s responsibility to ensure the entry form is accurate. The Design Basis is a required field. This is where you should list what your design basis for your entry is (Pattern, Book, Photograph and so on.)

I started my quilt in 2010 and completed it in 2013. I am a first time entrant. I quilted my quilt with a computer assisted longarm machine. Lastly, I completed my Artist Statement. Once finished click Submit. When you click submit, you should be taken back to your account home page which shows a purple box with Contest Entry information.

Next, I need to submit my Photos. Click upload under front to upload a front picture of your quilt. Helpful Hint: make sure your photos are at least 2,000 pixels on the smallest side prior to uploading. Any smaller than 2,000 pixels will be rejected.

Once you have uploaded your photos, pay the entry fee by clicking pay bill. Enter your credit card information and you’re all set!

If you have any questions about our online entry process, please let us know by email: info@roadtocalifornia.com

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Tags: Online Entry, Quilt Contest, Road to California 2017 Quilt Contest
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Meet Road 2017 Faculty: Sharon Miller

Wednesday, September 21st, 2016

Sharon Miller will be teaching on Friday, 5067C Espadrilles and on Saturday, 6063C Espadrilles

Road to California 2017 will be featuring several handwork classes, including these beginner to intermediate level classes on how to make espadrilles shoes by Sharon Miller.

Espadrilles are casual, flat, shoes that originated in the Pyrenees. They usually have a canvas or cotton fabric upper and a flexible sole.

Sharon has a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics, clothing and textiles. She began sewing, crocheting, and tatting when she was 10 years old and has created everything from clothing and costumes to home décor, bridal gowns, crafts and quilts.

How did Sharon get started in making espadrilles? “I love new things and when I saw the espadrilles I could hardly wait to start making them. I envisioned them with kids clothes, casual wear, in leather, and a fun bridal party activity.”

There was a bit of a learning curve in learning how to make the shoes. Sharon tried all kinds of fabrics and had to figure out how to adjust the fit for unique feet. Luckily for Sharon’s students, she has developed many quick tips to make the process easier that she will be sharing in her classes. Does Sharon have a favorite espadrilles style? She likes — and has a pair — of both flats and wedges. In her Road 2017 classes, students will be making the flat version. At Road 2016, Sharon demonstrated her espadrilles shoes in the EE Schenck Company booth in the Marketplace. It was such a popular demonstration that the Reese family asked her to offer a class at Road 2017. Previously, she has taught her espadrille class for shop owners in Portland, Oregon in 2015. Sharon is excited to share something she loves to make that has become natural to her. Students can expect to finish at least one pair of shoes and hopefully start the second pair before the end of class. Sharon describes her classes as both “fun and educational.” She adds, “We have a good time.” ]]>

Tags: EE Schenck Company, Espadrilles, Handwork, Road to California 2017
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Meet Road 2017 Teacher Susan Else

Wednesday, September 14th, 2016

Susan will be teaching two, two day classes: 4502C “People, People, People!” on Thursday and Friday

and 6702C Beasts in the Jungle on Saturday and Sunday.

A native of Northern California, Susan Else is known for her use of 3-D elements. She is nationally and internationally known, and teaches at art centers, museums, conferences, and fiber guilds across the U.S. Her work is in public and private collections, and she has completed many commissioned pieces. In addition, Susan serves on the board of the Studio Art Quilt Associates, so between that, teaching, and working in her studio, she is one busy lady!!

Susan has always an interest in textiles; she started out as a weaver and spinner. She grew up in a family of artists and learned a great deal from watching their process, even though she never expected to become an artist herself. Her mother was a sculptor and she also taught Susan to sew. Susan learned how to quilt by taking an adult ed quilting class so that she could make a baby quilt for her first child. She didn’t actually finish that project until her daughter was seven years old. Since then, she’s has learned bits and pieces from every class she’s taken,although what she does now, she has developed on her own. Susan began her journey into 3-D in 1998 when she attached 3D elements to flat wall quilts, and it took off from there. One source for her inspiration was Michael McNamara’s bird figures and she patterned some figures of her own. Susan shares, “My brain seems to generate these wry commentaries on contemporary life. My work is often based on my own experience in some way.”

What are Susan’s favorite quilting tools that she uses with her technique? “My stuffing fork, my spring-loaded scissors, and the extremely thin curved needles I use for all my hand-work. Over the years, all of these have helped to keep the arthritis in my hand stable, and I’m still able to sew.” Susan has traveled as far away as Finland with her fabric art experiences. She is looking forward to teaching at Road 2017 because she loves when her students get excited about what they can do with the techniques she teaches them. “It opens up a whole new way of looking at fabric,” says Susan. She hopes her students will “play” and get more tools of what they can do with fabric and thread.

To learn more about Susan Else, please visit her website. ]]>

Tags: 3D Fabric Art, Fabric Art, Susan Else
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Meet Road 2017 Father/Daughter Teachers: John Flynn and Kate Flynn Nichols

Thursday, September 8th, 2016

Tuesday classes.

John will be teaching 2003C Double Wedding Ring

and Kate will be teaching 2004C Storm at Sea

In addition, Kate will be teaching a Friday night class, 5061C Half Rail Fence

What could be more fun than sharing your passion of quilting by giving workshops, creating innovative templates and kits, and bouncing off new ideas with someone from your own family? That is exactly what John Flynn and his daughter, Kate Flynn Nichols, have been doing for over 17 years. Both residents of Montana, they spend a lot of time together fine tuning patterns, assembly directions and pressing techniques so that their templates and laser pre-cut kits go together as easily and smoothly as possible.

John got in to the quilting scene in the 1980’s when he was testing the quilt frames that he was designing and building for his wife Brooke. He soon discovered how relaxing hand quilting was and has been working at it ever since.

Kate started quilting in 1988. She grew up watching both her parents quilt. She went to guild meetings with them and started stashing fabric at a young age. Kate entered her first quilt show when she was just 8 years old!! As she grew older, she was “actually surprised to find out later in life that not everyone quilts!”

They each find inspiration for their designs in different ways. For Kate, it comes from nature and her parents’ old magazine collection. John has an engineering background so he finds inspiration in the geometry of objects and from old traditional quilts. John and Kate have different preferences when it comes to working with color. John’s favorite palette is the colors of the rainbow; bright primaries and secondaries. Kate likes strong pastel combinations and monochromes. Interestingly, Kate is the company’s fabric buyer; she has a sure hand in color selection. While they enjoy their partnership, working closely with each other can have its drawbacks. Kate says, “It’s hard not really having a separation between work and family. Who wants to plan their next business trip at Thanksgiving dinner?” John admits his challenge is that since he and Kate both have engineering minds, “they think alike most of the time” which can be both positive and negative. When they aren’t working together, John likes fly fishing, fly tying, and biking.

Kate, who has been married since August, 2003 to graphic designer Kevin Nichols, enjoys reading, rockhounding, gardening and watching either Animal Planet, the History Channel or the Discovery Channel.

What are their favorite tips for quilters? From Kate: “Relax and be forgiving with yourself. You are a human, not a machine and your projects should reflect your humanity!” John adds, “Accuracy, accuracy, accuracy. It is easier to take your time and do it right the first time rather than rush through and do it over and over.” There is still limited space in both of their classes. You can learn more about this dynamic father-daughter quilting duo on their website: www.flynnquilt.com

Tags: Flynn Quilt Frame Company, John Flynn, Kate Flynn Nichols, Quilt Teacher
Posted in Faculty, Road 2017 | 1 Comment »

Road 2017 Special Exhibit: The Lion King Cherrywood Challenge 2016

Thursday, August 25th, 2016

Road to California 2015 – The 20^th Anniversary Show, Cherrywood Fabrics presented their popular The WICKED Cherrywood Challenge special exhibit. Road 2017 will be hosting Cherrywood’s second in their series of quilt challenges, The Lion King Cherrywood Challenge 2016. Explains Karla Overland, owner of Cherrywood Fabrics, “The Lion King was a natural progression after doing “WICKED” for our first challenge. The resources we had for that first challenge led me to the Lion King and it happens to be their 20th Anniversary in 2017. They will be showing off some of the quilts at the Minskoff Theatre in November of 2017.” The exhibit is made up of 120 small art quilts that were submitted for The Cherrywood Challenge 2016. When displayed together, they create a dramatic (jaw-dropping) visual experience that covers 80 feet. The cohesive color, size, theme and texture of the Cherrywood fabric makes it easy for the viewer to see the entire exhibit as a whole. The excitement of discovering all the details of each little work of art makes this collection unforgettable. All entrants started with the same four hand-dyed Cherrywood fabrics (golds and black) and designed their own original quilts within a 20-inch square. Accent colors had to be Cherrywood as well, but techniques were wide open. Karla said that they “saw many examples of thread painting, coloring with pencils and pens, Zen tangle drawing, intricate piecing, all kinds of appliqué methods, and even tatting. Images of the final squares were uploaded to ArtCall, a website designed for the jury process. A panel of three jurors was enlisted to select the final quilts for the exhibit using a point system. It was an extremely difficult process considering there were over 300 quilts entered from 41 states and 9 countries. After the 120 finalists were sent to Cherrywood, three prize winners were chosen as well as a “Cherrywood Choice” and 20 “Disney’s Choice” quilts – they could not decide on just one! Compared to the WICKED exhibit, The Lion King Challenge is slightly larger than WICKED which had 114 quilts. Since there were so many more submissions for The Lion King Challenge, Cherrywood was able to get the cream of the crop and select exactly what they wanted for the traveling collection. It was interesting to Cherrywood to see the wide variety of interpretations, skill level and workmanship. The exhibit made its debut at AQS QuiltWeek Grand Rapids in August 2016. After traveling with AQS in the fall, it will be shown at International Quilt Market and Festival in Houston, Texas. The 2017 season kicks off with Road to California. After Road 2017, the exhibit will continue on to 13 other locations, ending up at the Minskoff Theater in New York City. Cherrywood has been able to already meet several of the artists who worked on the exhibit. While each quilt has an artist statements that adds to the quilt, Karla remarked, that hearing “them tell their stories in person is the best part of this adventure. We did get submissions from well-known quilt artists, and yet several people said they had never tried a challenge, or had never shown their work in public, and some had just started quilting!” Karla was able to meet the first place winner, Jill Cranford, and her family. Karla said that Jill “was a young woman who had sewn her whole life and was quietly teaching herself quilting on her own. I was so impressed with her workmanship from the design concept which has many layers, to the perfect stitching, both machine and hand. It is good to see up-and-comers in the quilting world.” [caption id="attachment_4276" align="aligncenter" width="625"] First place winner Jill Cranford and her mother.[/caption] As with any quilt challenge, the intent of this project was to allow people to push themselves beyond what they are used to; try working with colors and fabrics they normally would not have chosen; and grow creatively. As Karla observed, “It is not easy to put yourself out there.” A photo book of the exhibit has been created to give the artists a chance to have their work published and be part of a timeless collection. What will be Cherrywood Fabrics next quilt challenge? They will be announcing the new theme at Quilt Festival in Houston. Stay tuned… ]]>