Road to California « The Backroads to Road to California

Archive for the ‘Road to California’ Category

Celebrating in Style

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014

Saturday, October 18, 2014 found Road to California at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California supporting the 11^th Annual Celebrating With Style Fashion Show and Luncheon. This event raises vital resources for the Robert and Beverly Lewis Family Cancer Care Center Endowment Fund at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center.

Carolyn Reese sponsored a table and invited nine guests to attend. Those sitting with Carolyn included several members of her quilt guild, Night Owls, and her son Mike whose wife, Shellee, is the Administrative Director for the Cancer Center. Said Carolyn, “I am pleased to support this great cause that helps bring relief and hope to cancer patients and their families.”

Two of Carolyn’s guests were cancer survivors themselves: Lavella Fitzgerald and Maria McKendry.

The morning started with an opportunity for guests to bid on beautiful gift baskets followed by a delicious lunch and then a fashion show. There were seven models participating in the fashion show – men and women – who were all recent cancer survivors. As they modeled clothes from Banana Republic, Chicos, and Carducci Tuxedos, their individual journeys through cancer were shared by two moderators with the audience. Casual wear was the theme for the first segment as the audience heard about the models’ diagnosis stories. During the second segment, the models wore business wear. Each model had their physician accompany them down the ramp as the moderators told of the treatment each model had received. For the third and final segment, special occasion wear, each model expressed thanks to those caregivers that helped them through their cancer experience, especially their families. It was so inspiring to hear each story and see the “other side” of cancer.

In-between the modeling segments, they showed Pomona Valley Medical Center’s award winning video for the Pink Glove Dance. Thanks to all our Road supporters who voted and helped this upbeat video win the grand prize:

Road to California’s table was really lucky as three of Carolyn’s guests won gift baskets.

All in all, it was an amazing day supporting a cancer program that offers excellent treatment in a positive and caring environment.

]]>

Tags: Night Owls Quilt Guild, Pink Glove Dance, Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, Robert and Beverly Lewis Family Cancer Center
Posted in Reese Family, Road 2 CA Blog, Road to California | No Comments »

Quilting Latina Style

Thursday, October 16th, 2014

Road to California welcomes quilters from all over the world to attend its conference. Meet these Latina quilters who cross international borders each year to broaden their quilting experience.

For the past three years, Perla Cabanillas (Mexico), and Carolin Menendez (Puerto Rico) and Susan Labounty (Cypress, California), have chosen Road to California as their destination spot to renew their friendship and support their love of quilting.

The three originally met through their church. They became friends when Susan taught a quilting class that Carolin and Perla joined. For six years, they met on Thursdays at Sue’s home to quilt.

Susan has been quilting for the past 10 years. She first learned to quilt along with her neighbor at a quilt store near their house. Carolin began quilting 13 years ago. She first learned to sew in school in Austin, Texas. Perla credits Carolin for introducing her to quilting. Carolin had invited Perla to attend Susan’s class and helped Perla buy the fabric for her first project.

Why do they love meeting up at Road? “Nothing compares to Road,” stated Carolin. “I like how the show combines old traditions with modern approaches.” Added Perla, “I love seeing all the modern quilting.”

You might be aware that tour buses come from all over the country to bring excited quilters to Road to California. But did you know there is a tour bus that brings quilters from across the border? Three friends from Tijuana, Mexico, made the journey by tour bus to attend Road for one very full day.

Maria has been quilting for the past 10 years. She and Tere have made the trip to Road from Tijuana for the past 5 years. In 2014, they invited another quilting friend, Antonia to join them.

Why come all the way from Tijuana for just one day? Says Maria, “I do hand quilting and Road has good materials for me to use.” Antonia thought everything at Road was “very beautiful.”

While only Maria spoke some English, the three did not feel that their language barrier created any problems. After all, a love for making and appreciating magnificent quilts knows no boundaries.

How far will you travel to attend Road to California’s 20th Anniversary Show January 21-25,2015?

]]>

Tags: International Quilters, Latina, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Quilt Tours, Tijuana
Posted in Road 2 CA Blog, Road to California | No Comments »

So You Want To Make A Winning Quilt: 2014 Outstanding Innovative Quilt

Wednesday, October 1st, 2014

You may have missed our deadline this year to enter your promising award winning quilt for Road to California 2015 – 20^th Anniversary Show competition, but there is always next year!!

Gail Stepanek began her journey of making an award winning quilt by taking a quilt class at a local church in the early 80’s. It was a quilt trimmed in lace. Four quilts later, she learned that there was supposed to be binding on a quilt. On the fifth quilt she made, she learned that she was supposed to make her own matching binding…not buy packages of blanket binding. “Talk about being a slow learner!” recalls Gail.

How did Stars to Mars come about? Gail likes to paper piece and she decided to try her hand at designing several stars. She didn’t feel that she was proficient enough to draft the quilt in EQ7, so she asked Barb Vlack to help her and Barb was kind enough to draft it for her. Gail learned that all she needed was one star pattern. By changing fabrics and sewing lines, she could create different looking stars.

It took over a year and a half to make the top and her collaborative partner, Jan Hutchison spent three months quilting it. Road to California 2014 was the first show that Stars On Mars was entered in and we were overjoyed at winning such a great award. Jan and Gail shared the award money– $3,000 given by Handi Quilter. Gail has used her winnings to attend several quilts shows throughout the year. In fact, she just booked her flight to Ontario, California for the 2015 Road to California show!!

What does the future hold for this award winning quilt maker? Gail and Jan hope to continue their collaboration for years to come. She just received another quilt that Jan had recently finished quilting. Gail was burning the midnight oil to make the deadline for Road 2015 so watch for it in next year’s competition.

]]>

Tags: Handi Quilter, Winning Quilt
Posted in Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2014, Road to California | No Comments »

Road 2015 Challenge: I Love Embroidery

Thursday, September 25th, 2014

Sandy’s Scarecrow[/caption]

Robin Kingsley of Bird Brain Designs is overseeing the I Love Embroidery Challenge for Road to California 2015 – 20^th Anniversary Show. The purpose of this challenge is to showcase embroiderers using Bird Brain Designs embroidery pattern designs. As Robin points out, “It is surprising how embroidery as an “old fashioned” needle art is growing in popularity. Not only are ladies who say, “I haven’t done embroidery for years,” rediscovering this art but also much younger folks are becoming interested in learning to do this portable and relaxing form of needle art.”

[caption id="attachment_2226" align="aligncenter" width="569"]

Friendships Garden Embroidery Quilt[/caption]

What are the requirements for the I Love Embroidery Challenge? The key for this challenge is to show off what you can do with Bird Brain Designs basic embroidery patterns and put them together to make a quilt. Participants can use any Bird Brain Designs pattern, embroidering it in multi-color stitching or selecting a favorite single color to embroider the design. Embroidering can either be hand or machine stitched on plain or patterned, neutral background fabric (like muslin or similar fabrics). Several Bird Brain Designs patterns—including the “free designs” found on their website– can be combined to create a unique design. Glitz and glamour embellishments can also be incorporated in to the design. Completed embroidery is to be showcased in a quilt which has a sleeve added to the back for hanging. The deadline for the challenge is January 8, 2015.

Prizes for the I Love Embroidery Challenge include a $10 Gift Certificate from the Bird Brain Designs website given to every entry displayed in the challenge. Three $50 Gift Certificates will be awarded for “Viewers’ Favorite RedWork” as judged by the audience at Road to California.

[caption id="attachment_2227" align="aligncenter" width="602"]

Patty’s Seasons Quilt[/caption]

Robin and Bird Brain Designs is hoping that this challenge will do much to further increase the interest and popularity of embroidery, both by handwork and by embroidery machines. She is excited to see how everyone’s handiwork will be shown off and hopes guests at the show will enjoy seeing these interesting, embroidered inspired quilts. The challenge will be showcased in 50 feet of space in the ballroom during Road to California.

If you are interested in participating in this challenge, please send an email to infor@BirdBrainDesigns.net You can also contact Bird Brain Designs at their email address for additional information or answers to questions; for sending pictures of work in progress, and to alert them when a finished quilt will be arriving at their office.

Robin and Bird Brain Designs are excited for this challenge. Says Robin, “We look forward to seeing the many interesting quilts — both small and large — at the I Love Embroidery Challenge in January, 2015.”

]]>

Tags: Bird Brain Designs, Embroidery Challenge
Posted in Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2015- 20th Anniversary Show, Road to California | No Comments »

Happy Grandparents Day

Saturday, September 6th, 2014

Carolyn Reese has nine grandchildren and most have been involved one way or another with Road to California.

[caption id="attachment_2187" align="aligncenter" width="609"]

Carolyn with son Mike’s family that includes grandson Matt and granddaughter Sarah[/caption]

Sarah Reese Moore and Matt Reese are the children of Carolyn’s oldest son, Mike. Sarah has had all sorts of involvement with Road from modeling as a kid at the Hoffman Challenge Fashion Show, handling Road quilt entries and helping out with customer service. She has worked in the Road Booth and currently oversees the accounting and tax responsibilities for the show. Matt is Road to California’s current Show manager.

Erika Reese, Carie Reese Ruiz, and Mary Beth Reese are the daughters of Carolyn’s second son, David. When the Reese family started with Road to California, these three granddaughters were freckled faced little girls who asked guests for their tickets at the dinner tent and modeled in some of the fashion show events. Erika is Carolyn’s oldest grandchild. When she was in junior high, Erika worked in the Fabric Patch booth. In 2003, she and Carie took over as co-coordinators doing all the planning and prep with Carolyn and were also co-show managers during the show. In 2005, Erika began working for Road full time as the lead Show Manager. At the time, she was the only other full-time employee (besides Carolyn) that worked year round in planning the show. Erika left full time work with the show after the 2008 Road to California to pursue a career based on her bachelor’s degree in science. She still helps out at night and on weekends as needed.

[caption id="attachment_2188" align="aligncenter" width="639"]

Carolyn with David and Susan Reese and granddaughters Erika and Mary Beth

Carolyn with David and Susan Reese and granddaughters Ericka and Mary Beth[/caption]

Carie, is a full-time wife and mother living in Virginia, and is not able to be actively involved with Road at this time.

Mary Beth has worked at the Road souvenir booth and currently is the Night Manager for the show, overseeing all of the evening classes. Her day job is an insurance underwriter at Mercury Insurance.

Carolyn’s youngest son, Darrell, has three children: Rachel, Glenn, and Jillianne. All three have helped their dad with the set-up and taking down of the show and have worked at the Road Booth. In addition, Glenn has worked at the Information Booth and Jillianne has assisted with Vendor Relations.

[caption id="attachment_2186" align="aligncenter" width="618"]

Carolyn with son Darrell's family which includes grandson and granddaughter Jillianne

Carolyn with son Darrell’s family which includes grandson Glenn and granddaughter Jillianne[/caption]

Now, the next generation is getting on board!! Carolyn has five great-grandchildren and one on the way, a great-grandson due in October.

Great-granddaughters Adrienne (5) and Paighten (3) are the daughters of Sarah and her husband, Adrian Moore, Jr. When they come to visit Road with their parents, the girls like to ride around with Gg (Carolyn) on her motorized cart, meeting all the guests and getting lots of attention!!!

Kevin Junior (KJ) (4), Laura (20 months) and Robert Glenn (6 weeks) are the children of Carie and Kevin Ruiz. Hopefully, they will be able to visit Road to California soon.

Being a grandparent and great-grandparent, not to mention owner of the Best in the West Quilt Show, is hard work—and a lot of fun!!!

Happy Grandparents Day to Carolyn Reese.

]]>

Tags: Family, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren
Posted in Reese Family, Road 2 CA Blog, Road to California | No Comments »

So You Want To Make A Winning Quilt? 2014 Best of Show

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014

Sharon Schamber of Payson, Arizona created the Best of Show winning entry, Once Upon a Time, and received $6,000 from sponsor, Gammill Quilting Systems.

Sharon Schamber began quilting in 1999. Her winning entry, Once Upon A Time, took 14 years to complete. This quilt was inspired by her love for the romantic and delicate details of the Victorian era. Says Sharon, “I love how things are both simple and complex at the same time. I wanted to create a medallion quilt that spoke to that romantic notion.”

Sharon chose blue roses because “they were unique and the quilt asked/demanded something special like them.” At the time she started on the quilt, there were no actual blue roses, but by the time she had finished, they became available. Sharon likes to think that “maybe the quilt knew something that the rest of the world hadn’t thought about yet.” Talk about romantic!!!

When Sharon started the quilt in 2000, her plan was to finish it as any other quilt she had worked on. But that didn’t happen. Sharon would work for a while, and then stop because she didn’t feel like she knew what she needed to do next. During each pause, she learned and developed additional techniques to have the tools needed to continue on. This lengthy process taught Sharon that each quilt truly has its own schedule and identity. “You have to follow the clues it gives you if you want the best out of it and yourself,” remarked Sharon. Even though it took 14 years to finish, Sharon felt it was an amazing adventure and she “enjoyed every minute of it.”

How did Sharon feel after she won Best of the Show?“I was ecstatic. Road to California is a prestigious and well respected show. The best quilts in the world are competing here, so winning Best of Show was an honor.”

What did she do with her prize money? “Since winning any award is a surprise, I never have plans to spend the money. I am passionate about machine embroidery, so I bought a few things that’ll allow me to explore this art form in new and different ways.”

What does the quilting future hold for Sharon? “My plan for the future is to combine every aspect of quilting into one piece. Traditional piecing; hand embroidery; needleturn appliqué; machine appliqué and machine embroidery. Each technique has its own strengths and weaknesses and I am exploring the limits of each. You name it, and it will be in my work.”

Congratulations Sharon for winning Road to California’s 2014 Best of Show.

]]>

Tags: Best of Show Quilt, Gammill
Posted in quilt entries, Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2014, Road to California | 2 Comments »

So You Want To Make A Winning Quilt? 2014 Masterpiece Winner

Thursday, August 14th, 2014

Margaret Solomon Gunn won $5,000 from sponsor Moore’s Sewing Center for her Masterpiece entry, Big Bertha.

Margaret started sewing when she was young, mostly making clothing. She made her first quilt about 25 years ago when she got her first sewing machine. Over the years, she didn’t quilt much except for making a few for gifts.

In 2007, she decided to try quilting again by using her scraps to make a donation quilt for Project Linus. And guess what? She got hooked on quilting once more!! Between 2007 and 2010, Margaret made over 100 quilts for Project Linus (and they didn’t decrease her stash hardly at all!!) Five years ago, Margaret bought a long arm and began a business quilting shortly thereafter.

Big Bertha was inspired by Margaret’s love for taking old patterns and modernizing them with bolder fabrics. She began the Dresden plates in the summer of 2011. By the time she had all the plates hand pieced/appliquéd, she noticed that there were Dresden quilt-alongs all over the quilting blogs. This really bummed her out as she likes to make unique quilts for shows. She ended up sticking the project in a box for nearly a year. One day, when Margaret was looking for something to work on, Big Bertha was the one closest to being ready to quilt, so she pulled it out and started to work on it again. It took four months to complete the top. The quilting was done over an eight week period, taking nearly 175 hours. Big Bertha debuted at its first show in 2013.

What did Margaret learn from creating Big Bertha? “I never want to make another quilt that is this large!”

What was Margaret’s reaction when she found out that she won the Masterpiece prize? “Quite surprised! It was the single largest prize I had ever won.”

Did she do anything special with her prize money? According to Margaret, “Looks like Uncle Sam will get a nice chunk, but basically no, not really.”

What is Margaret’s next project? “I always have several show quilts in the works…one in the design stage, one in piecing/applique, and one half quilted!”

Congratulations Margaret Solomon Gunn for winning the Masterpiece category, sponsored by Moore’s Sewing Center.

]]>

Tags: Winning Quilt
Posted in quilt entries, Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2014, Road to California | No Comments »

Now Showing: TheQuiltShow.com

Tuesday, August 12th, 2014

Have you visited TheQuiltShow.com, the friendliest, interactive, online community for quilters worldwide?

Hosted by Alex Anderson, former host of HGTV’s Simply Quilts and Ricky Tims, quilt teacher, author, and performing artist/entertainer, TheQuiltShow.com is the most diverse website for quilters ever created. Subscribers can watch fully produced web “TV” shows, featuring great instruction as well as entertaining segments that provide insights into the lifestyles of well-known quilt personalities.

The show is the first quilting show series to be shot in front of a live audience. TheQuiltShow.com recently moved to a new much larger, state-of-the-art venue called WEST WORKS Studios in Littleton, Colorado. While filming for the new shows begins in November, all previous shows can be found in the site’s archives.

TheQuiltShow.com is ever evolving and is jam-packed with a multitude of topics for all levels of quilters. Some of the website features include a Daily Blog where members can stay current with all the opportunities on the site, a Forum (message board) for sharing insightful and helpful quilting information and techniques, Chat Rooms for those who like to be instantly connected, and the world’s largest online Quilt Gallery with a search feature that allows you to locate quilts all over the world. Once you log on, you’ll be hooked with this innovative and comprehensive site.

How do you become a member of this amazing community? Simply go to the website and enroll as either a Basic or Star Member. Whichever membership you choose, you will automatically become a member of the TQS World Quilt Guild –another great benefit of TheQuiltShow.com.

If you enjoy watching Alex and Ricky on TheQuiltShow.com, then you will love seeing them in person as they teach the new Lecture-Demo Classes at Road to California 2015. Both Ricky and Alex will be teaching two classes each on Friday and Saturday, sharing their expertise in a lecture hall setting.

Join the new wave of quilters. Watch TheQuiltShow.com where “It’s a new day – every day!”

]]>

Tags: Alex Anderson, Ricky Tims
Posted in Road 2 CA Blog, Road to California | No Comments »

Road 2014: An Evening With Alex Anderson

Tuesday, August 5th, 2014

What led you to become a quilt maker?

For Alex Anderson, it was being one unit short of graduating from San Francisco State University. One month before graduating, and in a bind (pun intended), Alex approached her college counselor to get permission to obtain that remaining credit by finishing her Grandmother’s quilt that was begun in the 1930’s. Permission was granted and Alex was off to a local quilt store to buy the materials she would need to finish the quilt, which was the size of a bath mat. She wanted to stay true to the period the quilt was created in, so she purchased batting that had cotton seeds woven in it and for the back, chose some Laura Ashley upholstery fabric. Alex finished the quilt, got her degree, and forever after, became a quilt maker.

Alex’s first quilts were inspired by Amish quilt designs. In the beginning, she wanted to be an art-quilt maker. Her advice for those starting out with their own quilting adventure: “It doesn’t matter what kind of quilt maker you are. What is important is that you quilt.”

Alex reminded those in her class to take advantage of all the resources available to assist them with their quilting. “You have a virtual tool belt,” she told the 100+ crowd in her lecture. “The more tools you add, the more equipped you will be as a quilt maker.” Is there something holding you back in your quilt making? Alex had this advice: “Face your villain and embrace it.” For her, machine quilting was her demon. Alex explained that she was “a really good hand quilter” and didn’t feel she could adapt to machine quilting. After an attitude adjustment and 150 hours of practice later, she felt she finally became competent with machine quilting. The Key? “Anyone can master machine quilting if you stitch straight and get rid of the walking foot.”

The love of quilting has taken Alex on quite the quilt journey. She made 20 quilts using other people’s publications before she decided to do her own quilt book, Start Quilting. Today, it is in its 3^rd Edition and has sold over a quarter of a million copies. What this tells Alex is that “there are still people who want to quilt.” Her latest book, Scrap Quilting, came out September 13, 2013 and celebrates her “stash.”

Start Quilting led to her first television show, Simply Quilts, which had an 11 year run. Who stopped by on the first day of taping her show? Her quilt hero, Jenny Byer. And believe it or not, half the people who worked on Simply Quilts became quilters themselves! Alex’s motto: “If someone taught you to quilt, bring someone else into the quilt fold.”

Where has her quilt making taken her to today? Partnering with fellow quilter Ricky Tims in presenting the “friendliest, interactive, online community for quilters worldwide, TheQuiltShow.com. Members who join TheQuiltShow.com community not only enjoy the full length, “Web TV” programs but receive other membership perks such as multimedia tips, techniques, and tutorials, blocks of the month projects, and access to top quilting experts.

Being a quilt maker brings joy to Alex. To all quilt makers, Alex says, “As you put one foot in front of the other, you will grow as a quilt maker. Bring others in to the fold and keep our community growing.”

]]>

Tags: Amish Quilts, Quilt Maker, RJR Fabrics, Scrap Quilting, Start Quilting, TheQuiltShow.com
Posted in Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2014, Road to California | No Comments »

The Ultimate Friendship Road Trip

Saturday, August 2nd, 2014

What does it take for nine friends, who live in Arizona, Oregon and Nebraska, to get together? Why a 10 day vacation centered around Road to California of course!!!

Last January, we caught up with part of the group outside the vendor mall. Their Road Trip took a whole year to plan. A couple of the ladies had never met before this trip but that didn’t matter. Everyone’s love for quilting was all it took to embark on this friendship gathering.

It was friend Barbara (on the far left) who brought all these women together to stay in one house and to explore Road to California and Southern California. She was the one friend who knew everyone. As she put it, “I am like a rolling stone…I gathered all this “moss.” (Oh my–there’s a photo bomber?!! I guess she wanted to be a part of their group too)

Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Barbara had a 1,000 square quilt studio in her home. A few of these friends met Barbara by coming to her home to quilt. When her husband retired, he and Barbara established a winter home in Goodyear, Arizona. She joined the local Pebble Creek Quilt Guild and that’s how she met the other women. Because Barbara loves all her quilting friends, she wanted to find some way for all of them to meet and play. Road to California was the perfect choice. Especially since one of the friends, Chris Taylor, had three quilts entered in the show.

[caption id="attachment_2115" align="aligncenter" width="669"]

My Blue Loge Cabin – Honorable Mention- Traditional, Wall, Pieced[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2116" align="aligncenter" width="635"]

I Have Felt Lonely In A Crowded Room – Modern Piecing[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2117" align="aligncenter" width="642"]

What’s Up Buttercup?-Art, Naturescape[/caption]

What did they all think about their Road Trip? Cindy, a 30 year quilter from Oregon and an Arizona Snowbird, said, “There was so much to see. It was so inspiring for all of us.”

Happy Friendship Day to these terrific quilting friends.

]]>

Tags: Friendship, Road Trip, Winning Quilts
Posted in behind the scenes, Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2014, Road to California | No Comments »