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Road 2014 Faculty Spotlight: Meet Laura Murray

Wednesday, July 31st, 2013

Laura will be teaching on Thursday 4034 Panitstik Inspirations

Personal: Laura Murray hails from the Mid-West. She was raised on a small farm in Minnesota. The owner of two Siamese cats, Laura enjoys walking and reading. The last book she read was one of the Mary Russell stories by Laurie R King. Linda travels 35,000 miles, coast to coast, on an annual basis to vend at quilt and sewing shows across the country.

How did you get started in quilting? After a long history of sewing, crocheting, and needlework, I was ready for something new. Inspired by a daughter who wanted a handmade quilt, I decided to take a sampler class at the nearby quilt shop. There, I learned basic skills and completed a queen size quilt, using 16” hand sewn blocks, and the “quilt-as-you-go” method. More importantly, I discovered art quilts — a medium that I hadn’t known existed. This launched me on a journey through the competitive, juried quilt show circuit that was rewarded by blue ribbons at large shows. My focus on continual skill development led me to many workshops with national level teachers, who all contributed to my skills and knowledge.

Where do you find inspiration for your quilting? Nature, art galleries, books, the internet. quilt exhibits. Inspiration is everywhere!

What is the one quilting tool that you can’t live without? Because I can create the fabric of my dreams with paintstiks, I would find it extremely restrictive to depend on purchased fabric for my projects. I would find it hard to live without Light Steam-a-Seam2, because I use it extensively in my techniques.

What is the best class you have taken? Jane Dunnewold’s Complex Cloth Workshop

What do you like best about teaching? Seeing the excitement and pleasure of my students who have just created an original design.

What is your best tip for quilters? Learn to understand the huge importance of value in selecting fabrics for your projects. Color gets all the credit, but value does all the work.

What do you want your students to get out of your class? I want them to have fun while learning new skills. This should be the joyful part of our lives!

You can visit Laura on her web site, www.lauramurraydesigns.com

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Tags: Paintstiks
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Road 2014 Faculty Spotlight: Meet Patt Blair

Friday, July 26th, 2013

Patt will be teaching a two day class on Monday and Tuesday, 1202 Painted Quilt Art and two evening classes, one on Thursday 4030 Media Mixer and on Saturday, 6034 The Art of Quilting. Patt will also be one of six instructors on Cruising with Road to California April 15-29, 2014.

Personal: The two t’s in Oklahoma born Patt Blair’s first name can easily stand for teacher-traveler. Patt loves traveling to find interesting new places and people as well as relaxing in familiar surroundings with nature all around. She has done quilt traveling to such faraway places as the Baltic and Ecuador. And as an experienced teacher, she “LOVES the peaceful, playful rhythm that materializes in a classroom of happy quilters/artists…Many of my students are new to my artistic approach to quilting and I work hard at making them a success.’

How did you get started in quilting? Had To!! Weekend walks with quilter friends left me out of conversations for a long time so I had to get into it and of course was hooked.

Does anyone else in your family quilt? My math minded fire captain brother in law abandoned his wood shop for a while as he loved quilters tools so he jumped in to learn and produced 2 beautiful quilts so far.

Where do you find your inspiration for your quilting? Having been born on the plains of Oklahoma with nature and a special dog being my earliest ‘friends,’ I find my favorite subjects in nature and am generally drawn to images that include a heartbeat. I love driving home the connection between two beings. As to the actual quilting of the piece, I sometimes think I need to join(or maybe just start) a special addiction group for quilters as I find interesting patterns of line everywhere… freeway walls, advertisements, bottoms of shoes, floor mats, fabric samples, etc., etc.

My Gentle Giant Ben ( Best Painted Surface Road to Ca 2012, Master Award for Machine Artistry 2012 Houston International)

What is the one quilting tool you can’t live without? I used to say my seam ripper 🙁 … but now I would say it is a Supreme Slider. Quilting atop this product makes my quilt life MUCH easier and eliminates some occasional stitching problems.

What has been the best class you have taken? That is easy to say… the one that got me started painting on fabric. In the year 2000, I took a two day, Hollis Chatelain painting with dyes class, at Road to California. I had been a long time painter on canvas and paper, and longing to transition to painting on fabric. That class opened the door for me to search for a medium that possessed the elements of transparency I so loved in watercolors. I eventually found permanent inks as my most used medium for painting fabric and I am eternally grateful for that first chance to explore wet medium on fabric.

In Quitos Market

What is the funniest or most embarrassing moment you have had while teaching? I find the funniest things often come up in class from lips of students… all in fun.

What do you want your students to get out of your class? I have always said I have one rule and one goal in my painting classes. The RULE is theirs ( no self-criticism) so they have a freedom to explore without anxiety. I do say that they can criticize me but hopefully when I’m out of earshot. 😉 And the GOAL is mine. I want students to leave at the end of the class feeling a wee bit “cocky” that they produced something of which they are enormously proud.

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Tags: Art Quilts, Cruising with Road to California, Patt Blair
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Quilting + Cruising = A World Of Fun

Wednesday, July 24th, 2013

One thing you can be sure, Road to California is all about having a quality good time. So when the opportunity came to have Road sponsor a quilting trip through the Panama Canal, Carolyn knew that this would be another great way for quilters to have fun. After all, what could be better than a group of like-minded quilters, sailing on a world class ship, seeing the world and quilting all the way?

The Road to Panama Quilt Cruise is being coordinated by Deb Roberts and her World of Quilts Travel and Textile Tours. Deb is herself an experienced quilter, historian, collector, teacher, author, judge and appraiser. She has been interested in quilts since childhood and passionate about travel for as long as she can recall. While traveling several years ago, it dawned on Deb that she was spending much of the time seeking out places to see quilts, getting to know quilters, buying unique fabrics and seeking out those who knew about the area’s quilts and quilt/textile history. After seeing things that opened her eyes to what has been available in other countries for centuries, gave her pause to think about sharing all she was experiencing with others, and thus she organized her first tour to France in 2004.

What had Deb meticulously planned for Road to California? A trip that leaves Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, travels through the Panama Canal, goes up the Mexican Riviera, and ends in San Diego, California. The itinerary includes over 25 fun filled workshops, inspirational scenery, and amazing classes taught by extraordinary instructors. Sewing machines are provided as well as shipboard accommodations, on-board meals and entertainment. The trip also includes open sewing sessions, a “Pirates of the Caribbean” block contest, and a “Splash from your Stash” contest. The trip ends with a Farewell Fiesta and show and tell. And for those people who love swag, there will be plenty of surprise gifts along the way.

Whatever your interest: meeting new quilt friends, travel, learning from the best teachers or cruising and whether you like to travel alone or with family, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Won’t you come quilting and cruising through the Panama Canal with Road to California? The ship leaves port April 15-29, 2014. Visit www.road2ca.com for more information. Adios and Bon Voyage.

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Tags: Panama Canal, Quilt Cruise, World of Quilts Travel and Textile Tours
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Mastering The Art of Long Arm Quilting

Friday, July 19th, 2013

Last year when reading student’s class evaluations, many asked for more time on the long arm quilting machines without sharing the machine with other students. To answer these requests, Road 2014 has scheduled long arm classes that are four hours in length with one student per machine head. These classes will have only 10 students in the class giving everyone more time for individualized training and practice. It’s almost like a private lesson!! Handi Quilter is providing their Sweet 16 machine.

For the first time at a quilt show, Gammill is providing their Charm model for students to use. This “sit down” machine uses techniques that can be applicable to domestic machines as well.

During Road 2013, acclaimed modern quilter Angela Walters, shared her tips on how to enhance your long arm quilting:

Use thread that blends with the background. Look at the quilt first and then choose what thread to use. The thread color should lie over the entire top. One of the biggest errors is to use light thread on a dark fabric.
All over quilting adds interest to a quilt. Stitch the biggest components first, and then go to the smaller areas. Highlight what you notice the most.
Contrast comes in the quilting, not the thread colors. Use quilting to echo the lines. Use favorite designs in the borders.
Stitch from top to bottom on the quilt. Float the quilt top and pull in to the middle.
Keep the bobbin loose and don’t use the stitch regulator.
Remember: quilting is a skill and a skill can be learned. Don’t over think your quilting!

The four hour, long arm quilting classes are being offered throughout Road to California 2014. There are six sessions scheduled on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, January 20-22; three in the morning and three in the afternoon all days. Two sessions each will be held on Thursday and Friday nights. There is one evening session on Saturday night and finally, two morning classes on Sunday, January 26th. The Road to California web site has all the information for exact times, teachers, projects, and machines that will be featured: www.roadtocalifornia.com Sign up now to take one of these classes that features skilled instructors, quality machines, individualized training and lots of practice to learn or improve your long arm quilting skills.

2013 Winner-Excellence in Long Arm Quilting Sponsored by Handi Quilter

Claudia Pfeil

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Tags: Angela Walters, Gammill, Handi Quilter, Long Arm Quilting
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Road 2014 Faculty Spotlight: Meet Cathy Weirzbicki

Wednesday, July 17th, 2013

Cathy will be teaching the following classes: 4017 Falling Leaves; 5015 Forever Yours-Triangles With No Measuring!; and 6015 Mock Pineapple. Please Note: Forever Yours-Triangles With No Measuring! has sold out and Road is adding another session of that class on Sunday, January 26th. Registration for the new session will open the week of July 22nd.

Personal: Cathy was originally from a small town in Michigan and through the years has lived in Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, and Washington. Currently, she spends her summers in northern Minnesota and winters in Seattle. Remarks Cathy about her winter home, “Yes, it’s wet there but we don’t have to shovel it.”

Cathy has been married 39 years to her junior high sweetheart, Tom. This is a picture of them at their prom.

Today, they have two children and five grandchildren.

Her daughter, Stacey is a “new, up-and-coming author.” She just released her first fiction romance novel Just One Song. She’s busy finishing up her second novel which will be available in July. You can find her book on Amazon.com.

When she isn’t quilting, Cathy is hooked on crossword puzzles. “Nothing beats sitting on the dock listening to the loons while working a crossword puzzle… I get stumped quite often, but I enjoy the challenge.”

How did you get started in quilting? I consider myself an accidental quilter. It wasn’t something I deliberately sought, but my mother, grandmother, and mother-in-law all encouraged me. I guess you could say it’s in my genes.

Where do you find your inspiration for quilting? After trying a myriad of techniques and styles, I always gravitate back to traditional quilts. I never know when an idea will strike…maybe in the shower, or on a long car ride, in a dream, or the lyrics of a song.

What is the one quilting tool you can’t live without? Triangle Genie is truly in-genie-ous! It’s like magic…triangles with no measuring, no kidding! Also, every quilt needs a binding, and every binding needs The Quilter’s Boot for perfect mitered binding in three angles. My quilts just wouldn’t be the same without these handy tools.

What do you like best about teaching? I enjoy the satisfaction of seeing a student grasp a new technique and accomplish something they thought was beyond their ability.

What is the funniest or most embarrassing moment you have had while teaching? I once showed up to teach a class only to discover the students came prepared with fabric and pattern for a different class. I had to shift gears really quick! On another occasion, a quilt shop was struggling with low class sign-ups, so they sent out an email blast and offered the class for free. They also provided lunch. The class filled quickly, everyone had a great time, and the shop sold a lot of fabric that day…talk about turning lemons into lemonade! It was a win-win for everyone, and the shop created lots of good will with their customers.

Where is the farthest you have traveled that is quilt related? I have taught at venues large and small from east coast to west coast and north to south. I also had the pleasure of teaching on a Caribbean cruise.

What do you want your students to get out of your class? I’m very “hands-on” in my classes, and I try to ensure every student is successful. Don’t be afraid to try something new or put your own spin on a design. Most of all, enjoy the process.

You can reach Cathy on her website, www.timetoquilt.com

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Road 2014 Faculty Spotlight: Meet Claudia Dinnell

Wednesday, July 10th, 2013

Claudia will be teaching a three day class, Monday-Wednesday, #1301 Tis the Season

Personal: This Phoenix, Arizona native loves chocolate and reading biographies. Her favorites have been “No Ordinary Time” by Doris Kearns Goodwin and “John Adams” by David McCullough. “Both are brilliant,” says Claudine.

Claudine has three children and ten grandchildren and wants everyone to know, “I am not that old — I just started early as did my children!!”

How did you get started in quilting? I started quilting in my 20’s. I have always enjoyed working with fabric and manipulating it in different ways. Applique was my first love and still is one of my favorite techniques today. About 14 years ago I purchased my first embroidery machine and quickly embroidery has become my passion and love! I have turned my favorite hobby into my company, Claudia’s Creations. I have been digitizing and designing ever since that first embroidery machine and can’t imagine doing anything else.

Does anyone else in your family quilt? My maternal grandmother and great grandmother both enjoyed sewing. My grandmother was an excellent seamstress and my great grandmother was an expert quilter and hand embroiderer.

Where do you find inspiration for your quilting? I seem to find inspiration when I am not looking for it and least expect it! I am always inspired from workshops I take and enjoy the challenge of incorporating those techniques into my patterns.

What is the one quilting tool you can’t live without? One of my favorite quilting tools is my cutting/ironing table. It is high enough that I do not have to bend over to cut or press fabric. The height is crucial for sustaining comfort, strength, and endurance.

What do you like to do when you aren’t quilting? If I am not quilting I am surely digitizing! I not only find digitizing fun and exciting but relaxing and rewarding!

What is the best class you have taken? One of my favorite classes was a week-long landscape workshop with Gloria Loughman, a quilt teacher from Australia. She is inspirational, fun, and generous with her knowledge and time.

Where is the farthest you have traveled that is quilt related? I teach nationally and have taught across the United States from California to Virginia and Montana to Texas.

What do you like best about teaching? The best part about teaching is watching the face of a student grasp an idea and light up! Their eyes widen, lips curl upward, and joy reads on their face. When the spark of knowledge is understood and that student starts to add their own touch into what they are learning, viola creativity is born!

What is your best quilting tip? My best tip for quilters is accuracy! If the pattern calls for a quarter inch seam, measure to make sure you have a quarter inch seam! The reason most quilts do not lay flat on a wall is because the seam allowance is not accurate. Always measure before adding another piece of fabric. Before adding borders, measure the top, middle, and bottom width. They should all measure the same before adding any borders. The quilt will lay flat if it measures square!

What do you want your students to get out of your class? My students will learn how to properly stabilize and hoop fabric for embroidery. They will master my “Perfect Placement” technique for multi-hooping with complete precision and accuracy. They will learn how to hoop the fabric within millimeters of the exact spot. These skills will produce better embroidery in every project they create!

You can contact Claudia at: http://www.claudiascreationsaz.com

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Road 2014 Faculty Spotlight: Frieda Anderson

Friday, July 5th, 2013

Frieda will be teaching three, all-day classes at Road 2014: #4001-Aspen Leaves Table Runner on Thursday; #5001-Rambling Rose on Friday; and #6001-Little Landscapes Art Quilt on Saturday. On Sunday, she will be teaching a half day class: #7001-Iris

Personal: Frieda Anderson has taught quilting classes in such faraway locations as Australia and New Zealand. No matter where she goes, she has found that quilters are all the same. Frieda was born in Corinth, Mississippi and has one older sister. She has three sons, two grandsons and a faithful companion, her 14 year old Jack Russell Terrier, George. No one else in her family (including George) quilts. Her favorite food is coffee ice cream. When she’s not quilting, Frieda enjoys photography, art, knitting, and old movies. The last book she read was, A Dance with Dragons by George RR Marin.

How did you get started in quilting? I have always made things, even as a very young child. I made my first quilt for my dolls, and made my first big quilt in high-school with the help of my maternal grandmother.

Where do you find inspiration for your quilting? All around me. Much of my inspiration comes from my daily walks in the woods with George. Trees, leaves, bark, wildflowers and the flowers and birds in my garden and yard.

What is the one quilting tool you cannot live without? My iron. It makes everything clean and crisp.

What has been the best class you have taken? A shibori class.

What do you like best about teaching? Meeting all the great people. I find that I always learn something from my students and meet so many kind and fun people. I feel like I get to make new friends every time I teach.

What has been the funniest or most embarrassing moment that you’ve had while you were teaching? Well, I ran into a person I knew in high-school. She was a year younger than me and her brother was in my class. Terri White and I reconnected after 35 years. It really is a small world.

What do you want students to get out of your class? The freedom to create what they can dream.

What is your best tip for quilters? If you fail, do not give up. Try again.

Please visit Frieda on her website: www.friestyle.com

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Tags: Art Quilt, Frieda Anderson, Nature
Posted in Faculty, Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2014, Road to California | 2 Comments »

So You Want To Make A Winning Quilt? Thoughts From Our 2013 Director's Award Winner

Wednesday, July 3rd, 2013

This year’s Director’s Award was given to Macon, North Carolina resident, Cathy Wiggins, for her quilt, Carousel Stampede. Cathy received a $1,500 prize from the award’s sponsor, Superior Threads.

Cathy became interested in quilting after she attended her first guild meeting held in Lake Gaston, North Carolina, in 2002. Up to this point, she had never owned a sewing machine. She went out and bought a $99 machine and used it to make several quilts before upgrading a few years later. After attending her first quilt show in 2003, she knew she was born to make quilts. She bought her longarm in 2006 and has never looked back.

Cathy had been collecting carousel horse images for a while and knew that she would one day make a quilt of them. Once she started painting quilts, the time was right to create her stampede of carousel horses. All of Cathy’s show quilts are a game of some kind and this one is no different. She decided to give each horse a name so the viewers could identify their favorite horse. She tried to include a horse that would appeal to everyone.

Approximately 600 hours were spent creating Carousel Stampede. Cathy started with white muslin and spent 250 hours painting it, followed by 300 hours of quilting and another 40+ hours adding the crystals.

When Cathy found out she had won the Director’s Award, she was “thrilled.” Said Cathy, “I love seeing people enjoy my quilts while hanging at shows but when they win a large prize such as this one, it just means that many more people will be able to enjoy something I have created through publications, articles, etc.”

What did she do with her prize money? Cathy purchased an iPad Mini to replace her old, original iPad.

Where does Cathy do next after winning such a prestigious prize? She is going to continue painting her quilts, keeping her tradition of making them in to some sort of puzzle. She loves creating quilts that bring a smile to people’s faces.

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Tags: Cathy Wiggins, Director's Award Winner, Superior Threads
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So You Want To Make A Winning Quilt? Thoughts From Our 2013 Masterpiece Winner

Sunday, June 30th, 2013

Denise Havlan of Plainfield, Illinois, was awarded $3,000 from Sew Batik for her winning entry, The Peaceful Ones. This quilt took 2 years to create as Denise balanced her quilting time with her family and grandchildren time.

How did Denise get started in quilting? Back in 1989, she unknowingly entered a quilt shop and was interested in what she saw. However, she “had no knowledge of sewing, let alone quilting. I took some classes and fell in love and the rest, as they say, is history.”

The Peaceful Ones was inspired by her favorite subject as a painter: Native Americans. When Denise started quilting, she wanted to render their images in fabric. Her work process was a journey that involved stretching her imagination, extending her physical capabilities, and making creative decisions that affected the outcome of her work.

What was Denise’s reaction when she won the Masterpiece prize? “It was the ultimate satisfaction when others recognized (my) creative efforts.” Denise feels that if one puts so much effort into a quilt, it needs to be recognized. She says it is thrilling to have other’s see her work in a quilt show and to come home with a ribbon is great. When asked if she did anything special with her prize money, Denise replied, “The prize money is always spent before I get it…the ribbon is my award that lives on!”

There is no stopping Denise with her quilting endeavors. It is “forward in to the future” for her.

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Tags: Native Americans, Quilt Show, Sew Batik, Winning Quilt
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Road 2014 Faculty Spotlight: Mickey Lawler

Wednesday, June 26th, 2013

Mickey Lawler will be teaching three classes: 3008 Painting Textures for Quilts on Wednesday, January 22; 5603 Creating Landscape Fabrics, a two day class on Friday and Saturday, January 24 and 25 ; and 7006 Painting Sky & Water Fabric on Sunday, January 26

Personal: Mickey Lawler is all about the Northeastern United States. A lobster lover, she was born Narrowsburg, New York, a very small town on the Delaware River in the Lower Catskills. She was the second of four children. Her older sister, Susue, had Down’s Syndrome and lived to be 65 years old. Mickey also has two younger brothers who are both married and live on Cape Cod. Mickey has three “wonderful” daughters and a “terrific” six year old grandson. Mickey has a little retreat on Cape Cod which is a wonderful place to get away and recharge her creative energies. When she isn’t painting fabric, she is planning her gardens (“working in them isn’t half as much fun!”) and reading. “I read voraciously,” says Mickey. The last book she read was Please Look After Mom by Kyung-Sook Shin.

How did you get started in quilting? I learned from my grandmother’s quilts and started in 1971 with a simple baby quilt made of 12 rectangles!

Does anyone else in your family quilt? As I mentioned, my grandmother made quilts along with her Ladies Aid Society. My daughters also have made quilts though they have little time to make many with their busy lives.

Where do you find inspiration? I find inspiration from my landscape and seascape photographs.

What is the one tool you can’t live without? My favorite tools are my paints and brushes. When I do make quilts, the tools I enjoy using most are my working wall and the large mirror across from it that allows me to make decisions about composition and design.

What has been the best class you have taken? Two teachers were absolutely my best: Elizabeth Busch and Michael James. Amazing artists, amazing teachers!

What do you like best about teaching? I thoroughly enjoy seeing students progress from feeling insecure with a paintbrush and paints to an almost therapeutic moment when they find the enjoyment of putting paint on that pristine white cloth! I love seeing their recognition of empowerment!

What do you want your students to get out of your class? I want them to get a sense of art as play. I love it when they get to that place where they say, “I wonder what would happen if….”

Please visit Mickey on her website: www.SKYDYES.com

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Tags: Cape Cod, Mickey Lawler, Painting Fabric
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