Red & White Quilting, An Iconic Tradition.
Red & White Quilts have been popular for over three centuries of quilt making and have been a staple since the mid nineteenth-century. Red & White quilts are bold, graphic and eye-catching and are the most iconic color combination in quilting. The exhibit highlighted this tradition celebrated in Linda Pumphrey’s newest book, Red and White Quilting an Iconic Tradition in 40 Blocks. The book features instructions for 40 blocks and 14 projects. Each project has three variations shown so readers can decide which version they want to make.
A total of fourteen quilts hung in the exhibit, highlighting the versatility of a two-color quilt. Eleven of the quilts came from Linda’s book and the other three came from the International Quilt Study Center & Museum located at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln which were used as inspiration for some of the new quilt designs in the book.
The production of the quilts used for the book and the exhibit, were actually a “Pumphrey Family affair.” Linda’s mother and sister each made one of the projects and the rest were made by Linda. Linda said that she “set out to develop new quilt patterns that were little on the modern aesthetics, definitely contemporary but yet classical with using very tradition blocks.” All of the quilts were quilted by Karen Kielmeyer who also did the quilting for the Special Exhibit seen at Road 2017, “Mountain Mist Historical Quilts.”
Road to California 2018 was the first place Red & White Quilting, An Iconic Tradition has been shown. After Road, the exhibit will be on tour at the Original Sewing and Quilt Expos throughout the country in 2018. In addition, the quilts and the book will be featured on an upcoming segment of “The Quilt Show” with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims.
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Archive for the ‘Road to California 2018’ Category
Road 2018 Was A Huge Success!!
Wednesday, January 24th, 2018How to describe Road to California 2018?
The sun was shining. 
Teachers and their classes were creating.
The vendor floors were busy.
Guests kept coming.
And best of all, the quilts were amazing!!!
[caption id="attachment_5489" align="aligncenter" width="625"]
Best of Show, “Fractal,” by Claudia Pfeil[/caption]
Not only was Jenny Doan, of Missouri Star Quilt Company, a popular teacher…
…her Trunk Show was inspiring.
Road’s Founder, Carolyn Reese, was honored by the Ontario Convention Center’s President and CEO, Michael Krause, for being a loyal business partner to the City of Ontario, the Convention Center, and the Community.
The new App, QuiltSpace, was enjoyed by thousands of users. The winner of the App’s Quilter Choice Award went to “Your Place or Mine” by Marva-lee Otos. She received $500 for receiving the most votes from the App users.
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“Your Place or Mine,” by Marva-lee Otos[/caption]
And Road’s new owner, Matt Reese, still found time to give 5 month old son, Braden, a tour of the show.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to making Road 2018 “The Happening Place to Be.”
We can’t wait to start planning next year’s show!!
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What's New For Road 2018
Tuesday, January 16th, 2018We have lots of new and exciting things for our guests at Road to California 2018
Already announced is the change in company leadership with Matt Reese as the new Show Owner.
Also previously announced is our new App– QuiltSpace. Guests are encouraged to upload the App from the Apple Store or Google Play Store before coming to the show so they can become familiar with it and bring any questions to the QuiltSpace Booth at the show.
Security has always been a high priority for Road. As in past years, there will be a special security detail to protect vendors from shoplifters and other other undesirable activity. A private ambulance service is hired by the Convention Center to assist guests with any medical needs they might have during the four days of the show. They are located at four stations in the Convention Center: under the stairs in the south lobby; in the pavilion tent; in the main hallway and in the north lobby. For 2018, due in part to the recent tragedy in Las Vegas, the Ontario Convention Center will be instituting new security protocol that includes each guest going through a metal detector and having their bags checked. 
Also, no outside food or drink (except water) will be allowed inside the Convention Center.
Road to California hosts a booth inside the main Exhibit Hall, stocked with all kinds of show merchandise. These items are moderately priced for our guests and they make terrific souvenirs to take home to guild friends or fellow quilters.
Gray Sweatshirts and Lanyards 
Denim Shirts
Canvas Bags
For 2018, the bags are ready for guests to personalize and make them their own.
5X7 Rotary Cutting Mats
Glass Nail Files
They carry the Road to California logo
and come in 5 colors.
Be sure to stop by the Road to California Booth to pick up these and other unique items.
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The New and Improved Road to California App
Saturday, January 13th, 2018
For Road 2018, QuiltSpace offers many helpful features. From anywhere on the App, users can swipe left to explore the show schedule and create their own custom schedule to make sure they don’t miss any important classes or events.
Under the tab Who’s Here on the Home Page of the App, guests can see who else is using the App as well as browse through the vendor list. Built-in maps to locate vendor and class locations can be found when clicking on a particular vendor or teacher’s class. The + tab allows users to share photos to the news feed, providing a digital yearbook of the show’s greatest moments and memories.
How do you find QuiltSpace to use on your portable electronic device? Search for “QuiltSpace” in Apple’s App Store or on Android’s Google Play. Or you can use the developer’s safe and easy download link: https://n463d.app.goo.gl/rRRY Whatever way you choose, the App is FREE!!!
After the App is downloaded to your phone or tablet, sign up for QuiltSpace using your email address and click on Road to California. Once you’re in, you can access the show schedule, explore vendors, and share photos to the exclusive Road to California news feed. It’s that easy!
Because Road to California was the first quilt show the developers ever attended, it has a special place in their heart. As a result, they’re bringing their entire team to Road 2018 to assist guests in navigating the new App. You can find them at the QuiltSpace booth or email them at team@quiltspace.co with your questions. 
The developers are confident they are providing Road’s guests with a great tool to help enjoy the show even more. As an incentive to encourage use of the App, they are offering 2 competitions for users to participate in that offer cash prizes:
Most Engaged User
Each day, Thursday – Saturday, the most engaged attendee on the App will be rewarded with $100 CASH! Announcements will be given each morning on QuiltSpace for details on what the challenge is for that day.Quilter’s Choice Award
Pictures of the more than 200 quilts accepted for this year’s quilt contest will be added to the App when the show starts. Users will be asked to vote for their favorite winning quilt. On Saturday, January 20th, the quilt with the most votes will be unveiled and will receive a $500 grand prize! Use of the QuiltSpace App doesn’t stop when Road 2018 comes to an end on January 21st. It will continue to be a resource for staying in touch with vendors, faculty, and other guests through picture sharing and online chats. And because QuiltSpace was created to be a welcoming space for quilters to engage with each other from one show to the next, look for other shows to be added to the App in the future. While Road to California hopes its guests find QuiltSpace a welcomed tool for fully participating with the show, we also realize that some guests might still prefer a printed Show Guide. For that reason, a limited supply of Show Guides will be available at Road 2018 for $3.00. Guests can also download a copy for their use at http://www.road2ca.com/Newsletter/2018%20SHOW%20GUIDE.pdf See you online at QuiltSpace!!]]>So You Think You Know Jenny Doan of Missouri Star?
Wednesday, January 10th, 2018Missouri Star Quilt Company, teach a couple of quilt classes during the week and offer her popular Trunk Show on Friday Night.
Are you familiar with Jenny Doan? Superfans of Jenny’s might think they know everything about her. But we asked Jenny some unique and unusual questions that you might be surprised to learn her answers.
What do you like best about living in a small town (Hamilton, Missouri – Population 1,724) I love that there is no traffic! Also it is so nice to live in a town where everyone knows your name and watches out for each other. You also can’t beat the friendliness of our town!
Missouri Star is made up of several themed buildings. Which one is Jenny’s favorite? I would have to say Penneys. It is our most colorful shop with all the solid fabric you could ever want! I love color!
It’s all about family at Missouri Star, a family owned and run business. Jenny’s children and their spouses play major roles with Missouri Star. What about the next generation? The Doans currently have 21 grandchildren, ages 7-20 years old with one on the way, a baby boy coming this May. Jenny is a You Tube star!!
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What is the hardest part of filming her show? To be honest, the hardest thing about filming is to only share 1 idea. I can see countless ideas in each tutorial I film. I see it doing so many things.
Has she had an embarrassing moment when filming? I feel like my calling in life is to do something to embarrass my children. lol But that aside, I would say one of those moments was when the puff foam part of my microphone popped off and I couldn’t find it anywhere! Luckily, I learned long ago to laugh and just go with it!
Missouri Star Quilt Company sells lots of quilting and sewing supplies. What is Jenny’s favorite sewing tool? The Splash rotary cutter. I love that you can use it with either hand and it has a quick blade release. I don’t like cutter with scissors.
As a classroom teacher, what does Jenny want for her students? I will be teaching them to ask themselves… WHAT HAPPENS IF… I want them to try to think out of the box and start having fun creating.
Road 2018 will be Jenny’s first time at the show. What is she most looking forward to? Sunshine
What can Missouri Star fans be looking forward to in 2018? We will be opening 2 NEW SHOPS in Hamilton!!
At the end of the day, what is Jenny’s favorite treat? I have 2 favorite treats. The first is frozen grapes. I love to pluck them off, pop them in the freezer and have them ready to pull out and eat. The second would be almost a daily favorite that my husband makes for me. Sugar Free Cook and Serve chocolate pudding!
Tickets are going fast for Jenny’s Trunk Show. Remaining tickets are available at the Registration Desk at the Ontario Convention Center or at the door of the event.
Meet Road 2018 Ruby Sponsors
Saturday, January 6th, 2018Road 2018 has 13 Ruby Sponsors. To be at this third level of sponsorship, (our platinum sponsor, Gammill, is the highest level), an organization donates $2,250. Their generous contribution goes toward prize money for the quilt show contest as well as help fund other aspects of the event. Some Ruby Sponsors will also have a vendor booth on the main floor while many will have their products available with retailers at the show.
The Ruby Sponsors for 2018 are:
This Swiss, family owned company, has been celebrating creativity for 125 years. To celebrate their anniversary year, Bernina has created a gold-plated special edition presser foot, available after March 1.
Brother International has more than 100 years of history in the global sewing industry. They’ve been a leader in the US for more than 60 years, offering a diverse lineup of machines with industry-first, exclusive features. Their motto is “Explore, learn and remember — being creative isn’t a hobby; it’s a way of life!”
Since around 1940, the Elna trademark has always symbolized quality, innovation and service. Today, Elna continues to build the company with these three elements as the foundation. Elna is a growing company committed to bringing excellence to our customers and our international distribution network. Elna is active in more than 60 countries, throughout the world.
The need for change inspired their beginning. They began as a royal arms factory in Huskvarna, Sweden in 1689. Almost two centuries later in 1872, facing declining demand for firearms, the artisans of the factory were inspired to make a more peaceful product—sewing machines. Today, Husqvarna Viking® is a worldwide organization that still designs high-quality sewing machines in Sweden and markets our products to passionate sewers all across the globe.
Innova longarm machines are manufactured by ABM International, a three generation family owned and operated business near Houston Texas and are engineered to meet the most discerning quilter’s needs. Based on a long term commitment to excellence, ABM International offers a full array of high quality quilting machinery.
Martelli Enterprises is an international company based in Pensacola, Florida. They make tools, equipment, work stations and machines for sewing, quilting, and embroidery. For over 20 years, they have provided quilters and other sewing and crafting enthusiasts with the tools and accessories to pursue their art and express themselves.
Modern Quilts Unlimited magazine is published quarterly – February, May, August and November — and offers quilt, accessory and home decoration patterns by exciting new designers. The publication also includes interviews with quilting innovators, machine quilting tips and quilts and projects.
In business since 1991, they have four locations in Southern California: Buena Park, Fullerton, Irvine and Garden Grove. They carry high quality sewing, embroidery and quilting machines and sergers and offer a variety of sewing and quilting classes for all levels.
Known for their Original IDT™ System – Integrated Dual Feed, their quilting, sewing, and embroidery machines provide tools for creativity and precision.
Best known for their Pineapple Packs: precut fabric collections that include 5 coordinated, quilt quality fabrics that make sewing projects a breeze. Pineapple Fabrics is an e-commerce business.
A well known Southern California quilt shop with an old fashioned look, they feature the nation’s largest selection of reproduction fabrics, homespuns, Japanese fabrics, and their own beautiful hand dyed wools. They also carry a wide variety of cotton or wool kits, notions,and all the supplies for punch needle embroidery.
Creator of Kona cotton solids, Robert Kaufman is a dual focused company, with an equally held commitment to both the Manufacturing and Quilting Retail customer. They operate two separate design studios, each one generating fabrics specific to the quilting and manufacturing customer.
A direct merchant with a passion for designing, sourcing and distributing exquisite batik and hand dyed fabrics. Their fabrics are only sold on their website, at local, regional and national quilt shows, and through their ever-growing relationships with professional longarm/machine quilters around the world.
Please support our Ruby Sponsors by stopping by their booths and/or investigating their products.
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Daily Giveaways Leading Up To Road 2018
Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018 
We are excited to be giving away over $90,000 in prize money for the winning quilts in our quilt contest; to be offering over a hundred classes taught by exceptional faculty; and to open our vendor mall with over 225 international and nationally known retailers.
We want all of our dedicated and supportive followers to get just as excited as we are for Road to California 2018. So, as we count down the days to the show’s opening, we’re going to be offering a daily giveaway from January 3rd through January 12th. Daily prizes have been generously donated from some of our wonderful 2018 teachers and vendors and include quilt patterns, DVD’s, books, embroidery design, and kits. The final prize to be offered – THE GRAND PRIZE – will be:
Entering is easy. Simply follow our Road to California Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/road2ca and our Instagram Account @road2ca every day to see what we are offering. Then, simply comment on the Facebook Post and the Instagram Post as directed. All comments entered by midnight each day will be counted and a winner will be chosen using Random Number Generator. Notification of each winner will be given the following day. The GRAND PRIZE winner will be notified January 13th. Good luck to everyone who enters.
Join the fun and get excited!!!
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Meet Road 2018 Teacher Cheryl Lynch
Thursday, December 28th, 2017Cheryl Lynch will be teaching four classes at Road to California 2018:
On Thursday, 4010C Silk Curvalicious Skinny Quilt
On Friday, 5011C Beachalicious
On Saturday, 6009C Funky Town 
And on Sunday, a handwork class, 7007C Mini Mosaics
Cheryl Lynch is an East Coast girl. Born and raised in New York, she has lived the past 25 years outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She says, “It’s the perfect location, halfway between New York City and Washington, DC and not far from all the quilt shops in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.”
If Cheryl’s not quilting, she is traveling to find inspiration for her next quilt. Cheryl commented, “I find inspiration in the world around me. It can be as close as next door or halfway around the world.” The farthest she has traveled that was quilt related was Bali. It was amazing to her to see how batiks are made.
Cheryl’s favorite quilting tool is a rotary cutter because of its impact on how quilting is done. “I can’t imagine making lots of blocks and cutting them out by hand.”
When it comes to teaching her classes, Cheryl loves sharing the knowledge and techniques she has developed. She hopes her students gain confidence and enjoyment in her classes.
What is Cheryl’s best quilting tip? “Finished is better than perfect. Relax and enjoy the process. You’ll get better over time and you’ll be able to see how much you’ve improved.”
You can learn more about Cheryl on her website.]]>
A New Generation For Road To California
Friday, December 15th, 2017 family owned and operated show. Purchased by Carolyn Reese in 1996, it began with just a few classes and through Carolyn’s vision, has become what it is known for today: a week long premiere quilt show hosting over 39,000 visitors from all over the world who come to see the hundreds of quilts on display, take classes taught by experts in the quilt and fiber art world, and visit over 225 nationally and internationally known vendors.
This past year saw Carolyn retire from Road and the show acquire new Reese leadership. Road’s new owner is Matt Reese, Carolyn’s grandson and someone very familiar with what makes Road to California the special venue that it is.
Through the years, Matt has held many different positions at Road. He started out doing “go-for-it” work: moving teacher equipment from the storage rooms to the classrooms and back as well as handling other functions during the week of the show. In February 2008, Matt was hired to help with the logistical planning of the show which gave him the opportunity to get his hands in just about everything. After he graduated from California State University- Long Beach, Matt was promoted to show manager and worked full time at Road while attending and graduating from the University of LaVerne Law School.
Why did this young husband and father decide to purchase a quilt show? Explains Matt, “I am a fourth-generation small business owner. It’s in my blood to be in business. I was facing a decision of stability for the future of my family as to whether I was going to continue at Road, or leave to join the legal profession. I knew my grandmother was getting older and whatever uncertainty may occur if something were to happen to her, left me in a position where I would not be able to offer stability to my family. Therefore, my wife and I decided the easiest solution– and the one that I preferred the most — was to purchase Road.”
Of course, continuing to produce a top-quality quilt show is Matt’s highest priority. He is currently working on a couple of new and exciting ideas that will ensure that Road’s attendees continue to have the best possible experience. Additionally, Matt hopes these changes will have a positive influence throughout the quilting industry.
During Road 2018, Matt will be directing his staff, ensuring a smooth operation without micromanaging. Guests will be able to see him at a couple of the larger events like Party Time and the Trunk Show with Jenny Doan. Matt says he will know right away if he’s done a good job planning for this year’s show: the office will be quiet but the floor will be buzzing with activity.
Matt wants to assure Road’s guests that the familiar Reese faces will still be actively helping at the show. A cousin is still coming to be the night manager. His uncle Darrell will still be managing the daunting task of all the equipment and his Dad, Mike, will be up in the office. The Road booth will still be staffed by Matt’s mom and aunt and other cousins still living local will be involved and working the show. Guests will even see Matt’s wife Jen. She handles the contest quilt unpacking and shipping program. The only Reese not with a job currently is four-month-old Braden but Matt is confident they will find one for him as time goes on!!
After being in the business for so many years, Matt says he genuinely “loves all quilts” and feels that “they all have an important place in quilting.” He has quite the collection of Egyptian Tentmaker quilts and is starting to amass a collection of artistic miniatures. Matt has also started to think about collecting some antique quilts as well.
Through the years, he has had some wonderful gifted quilts given to him. One that stands out is from the ladies of Sew Kind of Wonderful. They presented Matt with a small, modern wall hanging last year which has become one of his favorites because “the quilting is fantastic and the color scheme perfectly matches my house.”
While Road 2018 is just a month away, Matt is already looking forward to 2019 and beyond. As Matt explains, “It takes between 18-24 months to fully plan and prepare for an event. We pride ourselves on covering details that some other shows aren’t able to cover. A lot of our special touch comes from the lessons I learned from Carolyn’s travel as a vendor oh so long ago.”
Join us in welcoming Matt Reese, Road’s new owner, who is bringing a new generation of leadership to the world class event that has become Road to California.]]>
Hoffman Fabrics And Another First For Road To California
Wednesday, December 13th, 2017
Why was Road to California chosen as the location to show this special exhibit? Hoffman knew from their early planning stages that they wanted to expand the Quilt Market presentation to Road to California. Hoffman considers Road to California to be the most important consumer show for them for three reasons: 1) Because many Hoffman retailers participate at the show; 2) They often hold office/warehouse tours during the show; and 3) They have a longtime “family business” relationship with the Reese family.
The special exhibit will show Hoffman’s development from its start as Hoffman Woolens in 1924 to becoming a textile converter, introducing various fabrications to the quilting market (the originator of batiks for quilting, for instance, but also as a leader now in cutting-edge digital prints), to their impact on the surf apparel industry, and everything in-between. We’re told that there will even be an actual surfboard in the exhibit!!!
Part of the exhibit will include the Hoffman Challenge, which they have partnered with Road to California as a sponsor over many, many years. Other quilts that will be in the display were generated by Hoffman’s own “quilt fairies” – very talented industry designers/quilters with whom they’ve worked closely with over many years. Hoffman depended on them to design and make outstanding quilts. Some of the quilts have patterns sold by the designers, but many others have become patterns that Hoffman now offers as free downloads from its website. They plan to show quilts that feature their different fabrications and most well-known designs.
What will happen to the exhibit after Road to California 2018? Well, Hoffman isn’t quite sure. They say if the exhibit is well received at Road, perhaps they will show it at another major quilt show or at a quilt, textile, or other type of museum or library – even a major university. They are also thinking about recreating at least a part of it Hoffman’s headquarters in Mission Viejo, California since they offer tours to quilt/sewing guilds as their production/distribution schedule allows throughout the year. Given that Hoffman is close to hitting the century mark, they feel confident that all types of artists, makers, collectors, etc., would be very interested in learning about the history of textiles and of Hoffman Fabrics.
Be sure to stop by Booth 400 and be a part of this historic special exhibit.
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