For many years “The Fabric Patch”, our quilt shop, was a vendor at the AQS quilt show in Paducah, KY. We would pack our van with lots of “stuff” and drive cross country to the show. We would always stop in Oklahoma City so my mother could visit with her two sisters, one was a twin. A favorite part of our drive was going across southern Missouri where the redbud trees and the dogwood were in bloom. While in Paducah we always drove their city tour to see the dogwood trees in bloom. Many homeowners lighted their trees at night and they were spectacular. One year I went to a nursery and bought some dogwood trees to bring home. Southern California is definitely not the favorite growing spot for dogwoods, but mine have survived. This is the first year the pink dogwood has bloomed. It is still not a very large tree but it is trying. The pansies are blooming their heads off and the lemon tree is full of lemons and lemon blossoms. Did you know that the lemon tree is the only tree in the world that has blossoms, immature fruit and ripe fruit on the tree all at the same time? ]]>

We had a meeting with OCC management and they are working NOW to solve the problem.
They will grade and compact the vacant lot across from the Marriott for parking. That will be OK as long as it doesn’t rain. One of the office buildings has agreed to allow parking on Saturday and Sunday. There will be some parking in the car dealers parking garage across from the Convention Center. But perhaps the best is they are trying to lease space for some off site parking and have a free shuttle to the Convention Center. I will keep you posted if they are able to complete the lease arrangements.]]>

Perhaps another dubious measure of success was having a large enough attendance to attract the “Petition Signature Gatherers”. I was so surprised when I found that they were outside the door trying to gather signatures. The Petition Gatherers have a Consitutional right to be there. I can assure you they were not invited by us. There is nothing neither the OCC management or Road management can do to get them to leave. If they block your entrance to the show or won’t take no for an answer then you as a citizen can complain to the police. We cannot complain for you!
I have found at other locations that a very sharp “no” usually gets them to leave.
We are already planning for the show next year which should be just as beautiful and exciting.]]>

Erika returned from lunch and said “Grandma, we have a bird in the office!” Sure enough when we pulled back the vertical blinds in the reception area there sat a very frightened, very small black bird. It was trying valiantly to peck its way out the window. Erika brought me a fat quarter of fabric and I placed it over the bird. It was really quivering. I took it to the door and opened up the fabric and the little bird flew off to the nearest tree. I guess one could say the “new employee” has flown the coop. I wish I had taken a photo to share with you, but alas did not think of it.]]>

Parking has been a growing problem for us the last few years. We have been pushing the Convention Center to find more parking but, as evidenced this year, they did not come through. The parking – or lack of – is really controlled by the city of Ontario. I believe that they should be working on a solution to the problem, NOW.
This is where you come in. Please email info@road2ca.com and tell us if you had a problem. I would like to forward the comments to the management at OCC and to the city council. You, the customer needs to make your voices heard. We are striving to make the show even better.]]>

They are offering a hot lunch in the Canvas Cafe.
Thursday will be a Mexican Buffet featuring fajitas and a salad with beans and rice, dessert and beverage.
Friday will be an Italian Buffet with Penne Pasta, a salad, meatballs fresh vegetables dessert and beverage
Saturday will be a soup, salad and Potato Bar, Dessert and beverage.
Sunday a Mexican Buffet No. 2 featuring a salad, beef and chicken make your own tostadas, dessert and beverage.
The cost is $12 for one trip through the buffet.
Premade sandwiches will be sold in the hall.
Although food will be available at the rear of the exhibit hall, you will have to take it to the tent to eat.
Also, they will be offering box lunches on the second floor above the south lobby. Class students may purchase a box lunch and eat in the classroom as long as there are two people in the room.
Wow, seems like there should be something for everyone.
Enjoy the show!]]>

We have three new fabrics to introduce at the show. All three are Hoffman Prints.
No. 1 is a Screen Print that has post cards of various places in California. The beige background has the road logo and a highway connecting the postcards.

No. 2 is a Bali Print in bright navy with California poppies and the Road Logo.
No. 3 is a Bali Print in spice color with a California theme and the Road Logo. Sorry the photo of No. 3 spice did not come through These prints feature our wonderful state and will make great souvenirs of your trip to Road.
I deliberately avoided quilting images this time.
We will have some pillowcase kits and various other kits combining the fabrics with other fabrics.
ALSO we have had shirts made from the screen print, both ladies and mens.
Be sure to stop by booth 801 to see our new fabrics.]]>

This past year I went to google to look for black string or twine to use to hang the quilt poles. If felt that black string on black drapes would make the best presentation. Well my google search did not turn up any black string except for “black string bikinis”. Wouldn’t that have created an interesting show? My grandson (the younger ones seem to have better luck with technology) finally found a company that had black rosary twine which we ordered. The black rosary twine is sold by a company that manufactures twine for fishing nets. A real roundabout search!!
I also went to google a couple of years ago and typed in my name and lo and behold I came up. I was so surprised. Tried my ex-husbands name and he did not come up. HA HA. I came up because I had made several appearances over the years on Simply Quilts with Alex Anderson. Well now that they have pulled the shows and are not showing reruns seems that my name is not as high on the list. Now when I type in my name a young and upcoming porn movie star comes up.
We couldn’t do this business without our web site and our computers, but using technology can give some interesting results.]]>

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