What do you think of when you hear the words, “beyond the reef?” If they conjure up visions of a laid back, peaceful, relaxing beach setting, then you’ve entered the world of designer, Natalie Barnes.

Natalie, a former corporate commercial interior designer, started quilting in the 70’s as a way to win boys’ hearts in high school. She got started in pattern designing in 1994 when she went on a three week vacation to the north shore of Hawaii to visit a friend. During her stay, she put together a kit for her and her friend to make, utilizing Hawaiian fabrics. Another friend saw what they had made and asked Natalie for the pattern. And so her new career began. She worked part time on her own design work until 2008 when she went full time; marketing Beyond the Reef as a platform for her lectures, quilt show booths, teaching, and book writing.

Natalie embraces the challenge of staying in step with the changing force of quilting, especially with the modern quilt movement. She is “big” in to social media as a means to share her work.  As Natalie puts it, “I love what I do so it is easy to share.” What does she like best about what she does? The people she meets. “I love seeing everyone, their creativity and being a part of the quilting community.”

Natalie is involved in the beach area where she lives and works. When she isn’t designing, Natalie is a puppy sitter for Guide Dogs of America. Her dog, “Buddy,” is a good beach dog and companion. Natalie also enjoys spending time in her raised bed garden.

What does Natalie see for her future? She is excited to work with more fabric companies and publishers, providing more access to her brand. Road to California is proud to share Natalie’s Hawaiian inspired designs with our guests.

You’ve probably heard about Matt Reese proposing to his girlfriend, Jen Bennett, during Road to California.  Now, we’d like to share the details.

Jen and Matt first met while attending Etiwanda High School almost ten years ago. They were both involved in marching band and became good friends. Jen claims that Matt had a huge crush on her the whole time.  After graduating, they went their separate ways to college. Jen to study education and Matt , music performance.  A few years later,  Jen posted an inquiry on Facebook seeing if any of the old band group wanted to get together.  She was on break from teaching junior high math and was looking for something  to do. Matt responded to her post and invited her out for drinks and some “What have you been up to” conversation. Safe. Very safe. They mostly talked about school and work. Jen shared that one of her co-workers was the sponsor of an after-school sewing club on her campus and Matt offered to give free passes for her and her students to attend the upcoming Road to California. As a thank you, Jen asked Matt out to dinner (he refused to let her pay however). Little by little, they started to hang out  just “as friends” as Jen put it. Finally, Matt asked Jen out on an official date by sending flowers to her classroom. How cute was that?  In time, they got to know each other by doing their favorite things together: Disneyland, watching TV, and just enjoying each other’s company. Matt loves Jen’s cooking and how she  “knows how to lighten my day and give  me …joy.” Jen says, “Matt makes me smile. He goes out of his way to find things to make me happy or to make my life easier.” Awww….

Why Road for the engagement?  As Matt puts it, “Jen was starting to get very nosy,” about when and where the inevitable engagement would take place. Matt’s Uncle Dave suggested that the show floor during Road would be the perfect place to surprise her. After all, she knew how busy and stressed out Matt got during the quilt show, so she would never expect the big event to happen there. Jen’s family (parents, aunt and uncle, brother and his girlfriend) had planned to attend the show on Saturday so they would all naturally be around when Matt popped the question. He sent them all to walk around the vendors and look at the show while he went and staged himself in front of a quilt that had LOVE as its theme (thanks Angie Steveson for creating and entering the perfect back drop!). When he was in place and could hardly contain himself any longer, Matt sent Jen a text message to meet him in aisle 500. When she got to the aisle, she saw all of Matt’s family but didn’t see him and practically ran past the quilt where she was supposed to be looking for him. Matt then started talking over the intercom and that got her attention. The rest is history!!!

So, when is the big day? Some time in May, 2014.  And in case you were wondering, yes, Jen does know how to sew and has made one quilt so far. A match made in Reese family/Road to California heaven.

Congratulations Matt and Jen!!!

P.S. Matt was wondering if anyone at the show took  pictures of the engagement, he would love to see them. Please email them directly to: matt@roadtocalifornia  

My “Quick” Trip to Austin

This past week I made a quick trip to Austin, Texas for the Inaugural Quilt Con Show organized by the Modern Quilt Guilds.  Yes, I actually drove 2, 614 miles just to go to a quilt show.   I am one of those “queer ducks” that enjoys cross country driving. 

Stevii and I left Tuesday morning and drove to Las Crusas, New Mexico.  We saw lots of pecan groves that were just beginning to turn green.  Wednesday evening we spent the night in Fredericksburg, Texas.  Did you know that they raise Angora Goats on their ranches in the hill country of Texas?  We saw more goats than cattle and even saw a few buffalo.

We spent Thursday at the show.  Lots of quilts were on display and I am beginning to understand and appreciate what is a “Modern” Quilt.  There were quilts with piecing but not necessarily repetitive patterns.  Many of the modern quilters incorporate negative space in their quilts and they do a great job of quilting those areas.

Quilt Con invited their sponsors to participate by having a booth at the show.  Some that I visited with were fabric or book companies such as Andover, Robert Kaufman, Marcus Brothers, Michael Miller, Moda and Stash Books. Each of them were offering either “make it and take it ideas”, giving demonstrations, offering product information to the attendees or photo ops.

We spent the day visiting with people we knew, looking at quilts, checking out the vendors, shopping and just having a good time.  I enjoyed attending Quilt Con.

Friday we began our trip home.  We stopped in Van Buren, Texas to have lunch at a Mexican Restaurant named Chueys, which had been a favorite stopping place for the late John Madden, the football guy.  The building was painted inside and out with the brightest neon green, fushia, and orange.  It really shows up among the West Texas brown scenery.   We arrived home on Saturday.  You can really cover the miles in West Texas with cruise control and an 80 MPH speed limit. 

Now, I will have to work on the class schedules and other things for the January 2014 Road to California.

Carolyn