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Welcome to the Road to California Blog

Meet Road 2016 Marketplace Vendor: EE Schneck Company

December 9th, 2015

Last year, Road introduced Marketplace where top manufacturers in the quilting industry shared their knowledge and expertise directly with our guests. Located right in the center of the main show floor, Marketplace is the destination for innovation and inspiration on the latest and most popular quilting products. This year, there will be 6 companies in Marketplace, starting with the E.E. Schenck Company.

E.E. Schenck Company, located in Portland, Oregon, is one of the oldest and largest wholesale distributors of fabrics and notions in the United States. Founded in 1921 as an importer of silks, E.E. Schenck has evolved to become a leading supplier of fabrics for quilting, apparel, utility and crafts, also offering a varied selection of notions, books, patterns and gift items. They carry over 50,000 items, shipping to all 50 states as well as customers all over the world.SchenckLogo2015 Twenty years ago E.E. Schenck Company began designing under the Maywood Studio brand, now known for timeless, beautiful cottons, Shadow Play blenders and the famously soft Woolies Flannel. Maywood Studio has come to represent reliable, exceptional quality and basics that can be reordered for many years. Maywood Studio adds something for every fabric lover with a growing array of design choices and a continuing tradition of classic beauty.Maywood Logos For the Road 2016 Marketplace, E.E. Schenck will be featuring and demonstrating some of their most popular products: Soak Wash Inc. The owner of Soak Wash Inc. will be on hand to demonstrate several of their product lines: Soak (cleans quilts and other fine delicates), Flatter (a light spray starch which does not scorch or leave residue on the bottom of irons) and Handmaid Crème (a luxury hand crème that leaves no residue on hands). Products come in both fresh scents and scentless.soak-logo Zirkel Magnetic Pin Cushion.  A magnetic pincushion that separates pins for easy pick up. Curve Runner.  A rolling 8” and 12” ruler that makes measuring curves a breeze.  Just roll it along and measure any length. Espadrilles.  This new Dritz product line provides a quick and easy product to make both child and adult sized custom shoes.espadrilles Galaxy Electric Seam ripper.  Quickly and easily rips seams out in seconds. Easy Binding Winder.  Keeps binding clean and neat while ironing. Maywood Pre-Cuts.  Sharing new fabric lines of strips, squares, and charm packs._MAS_Gentle_Breeze_1 The E.E. Schenck Company philosophy is to provide the best products with the best value. Come check them out and bring your questions to the Road 2016 Marketplace. To learn more about EE Schenck, please visit their web site.  ]]>

Road 2016 Faculty: Meet Valerie Bothell

December 3rd, 2015

Valerie Bothell will be teaching on Wednesday and Thursday, 3402R  Amish Bouquet, on Friday and Saturday, 5601C  Wholecloth Quilt Design, and on Sunday, 7018R Silk Ribbon Embroidery 

Valerie Bothell was recently added to Road 2016’s distinguished faculty line up. Born in Fort Collins, Colorado, Valerie has lived the past 38 years in Wichita, Kansas. A mother of four boys, ages 10 – 27, she is the only one in her family who quilts or does any kind of handiwork.ValerieBothell Valerie started sewing quilts at a very early age but didn’t really get serious about it until around 20 years ago.  At age 11, she found a candy tin filled with embroidery floss in the hall closet and hasn’t stopped stitching.Valerie Bothell DoubleWeddingRing The best quilting class Valerie has ever taken was taught by her dear friend, Candace Kling.  I Valerie loved learning from Candace how to make vintage flowers out of ribbon and silk fabrics.  She said during that class she felt like she was “living back in the 1800’s.” For many years, Valerie taught crazy quilting out of her house.  It was a good way to earn an income while staying home with her boys.  She was in the midst of teaching one day when one of her sons came in to her studio without a stitch of clothing on to let her know he had gone to the bathroom all by himself.  She still teases him about that to this day! Valerie loves teaching her students new skills. Her favorite part of teaching is to encourage her students to think outside the box and enjoy what they are doing.Valerie Bothell DressyDresden What does Valerie hope her students get out of her class?  “A sense of satisfaction in learning new skills that they can then incorporate into their own projects.” And her best quilting tip for her students? “ Enjoy the process!”Valerie Bothell amishbouqet There is one quilting tool Valerie can’t live without: her purple air erase pen. She uses it to mark her crazy quilt seams so that when she embroiders them, the stitches come out looking even every time. Valerie is looking forward to Road 2016. She will be “teaching a subject that I have loved for over 20 years, meeting new students and enjoying California weather in January!” Join us in welcoming Valerie to Road 2016. For information about Valerie, please go to her website.  ]]>

Meet Road 2016’s International Vendors

November 30th, 2015

We search all over the world to bring our guests the best vendors. The 2016 show will feature 6 international vendors:  

From Australia: Yazzii International

Owner Yasmita Magan is a fireball of energy, especially when she explains the versatility, stability, and quality of her Yazzii Bags. Proclaimed by Yasmita as “the world’s best bag,” Yazzii Bags come in a variety of sizes to meet a variety of quilting needs._I4C8203  

From Canada: Wonderfil SpecialtyThreads

Wonderfil is a family owned and run business that offers only thread products that enhance both the quality and appearance of stitching results, as well as expanding embellishment possibilities. They have a diversity of thread weights, textures, finishes, and materials. [caption id="attachment_3125" align="aligncenter" width="512"]Photo by Gregory Case Photography Photo by Gregory Case Photography[/caption]  

From France: Bohin France

This will be Bohin France’s fourth year at Road to California. Founded in 1833, Bohin is France’s last manufacturer of needles and pins. The company’s high standards, knowledge, and experience, have made it a leader in its field. Authentic  Murano glass used for their glass-head pins comes from Italy. In addition to needles and pins, Bohin also manufactures Dussaussay Gallier specialty scissors made from stainless steel.Bohin Booth at Road 2013  

From France: Quiltmania

An international company located in France, Quiltmania features both modern and vintage quilt and craft designs.couvsv17gb  

From the Netherlands: BeColourful

A quilt pattern company, BeColourful’s goal to inspire quilters all over the world with traditional designs that have a contemporary and colorful twist. [caption id="attachment_3294" align="aligncenter" width="627"]Photo by Gregory Case Photography Photo by Gregory Case Photography[/caption]  

 From Spain: Apliquick

Road 2016 will be Apliquick’s first venture to California. Apliquick has developed innovative appliqué tools for turned-edge appliqué.download (4)

Save yourself some air fare and come to Road to California 2016 for the best international quilt vendors.

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Road 2016 Vendor: Meet A P L I Q U I C K ®™

November 27th, 2015

A P L I Q U I C K ®™ comes to Road to California from Spain. A P L I Q U I C K ®™ features innovative appliqué tools for turned-edge appliqué.download (4)

A P L I Q U I C K ®™ had always been fascinated by appliqué. They worked long and hard to find the perfect technology and tools to help ease the workload of quilters and provide an easy and fun way to appliqué. Little by little, A P L I Q U I C K ®™ continues to perfect their product. It has been very gratifying to A P L I Q U I C K ®™ to hear how quilters have appreciated their innovation.   When using A P L I Q U I C K ®™ tools, an appliqué shape is traced onto light-weight fusible interfacing, cut out, and ironed onto the wrong side of the fabric. A P L I Q U I C K ®™rods and glue stick are then used to easily and precisely turn under the seam allowance before hand or machine stitching. Former Road faculty member, Kathy McNeil gives an overview of A P L I Q U I C K ®™  [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B4kh1L_dbg[/youtube] Road to California 2016 will be the first visit of A P L I Q U I C K ®™ to California. They are looking forward to visiting the area, especially local quilt stores because they expect them to be very different from stores in Spain. Most of all, they are excited for the opportunity to teach their new technology and everything their products have to offer to Road’s guests. In their booth, A P L I Q U I C K ®™ will be demonstrating all of  their various products and techniques on different shapes and sizes of quilts.  They welcome Road’s guests to come and try out their tools.   images Join us in saying Bienvenida (Welcome) to A P L I Q U I C K ®™



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Why Have Your Photo Taken At Road 2016?

November 23rd, 2015

Mini Portrait Photo Sessions by appointment only, Thursday – Saturday from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm. Why would our guests want to take time to have a Portrait Photo Session with Bonnie at our quilt show? 1. It provides a mini break to sit and recuperate before going back to see more quilts…and it’s fun. Appointments can also be scheduled before and after classes if there is space. [caption id="attachment_3589" align="aligncenter" width="565"]testimonial testimonial[/caption] 2. It’s a great way to update personal photos. Bonnie testimonialLaurie 3. Bonnie’s professional experience with posing and lighting provides the best photo. She also edits the pictures to soften wrinkles and blemishes. She will even remove a pound or two if  requested!! [caption id="attachment_3587" align="aligncenter" width="538"]testimonial testimonial[/caption] 4. It’s a great opportunity to get a new photo for Facebook, a website, blog, class promo or a new book.BonnieMcCafferyPhotoLindaThielfoldt_068crop 5. Quilt winners can have their pictures taken in front of their quilt.

How do you register for one of Bonnie’s Mini Portrait Photo Sessions? 

1. Signup today for your Road to California Portrait Session.   Bonnie needs to arrange her schedule before she makes her travel arrangements, so please register as soon as possible . 2. About a month before Road 2016, a confirmation email with session details including your scheduled date and time for your appointment will be sent. 3. Once at Road 2016, Bonnie will be texting participants with the exact on-site location. 4. Please be on time for your appointment time (don’t be late). 5. Bonnie will take several photos during each session. After the pictures are taken, you will have a chance to to look at your photos and select which ones you will be purchasing. One or two digitals are included in the session fee. You are welcome to purchase additional photos. 6. Approximately 6 weeks after Road 2016, you will receive your beautiful photos. To learn more about Bonnie McCaffery Photography, please visit her website.    ]]>

A Giveaway: Statler Educational Program At Road 2016

November 19th, 2015

Road 2016 will be offering the Statler Educational Program — a series of 4 classes taught by certified Statler instructor Georgia Stull — designed for longarm quilters of all levels.    

Gammill Quilting Systems premier machine, Statler by Gammill, recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. The machine was invented by Paul Statler for his wife, Mildred, in 1990.download   [caption id="attachment_3511" align="aligncenter" width="565"]The original Statler design by Paul Statler The original Statler design by Paul Statler[/caption] Mr. Statler sold his first Statler Stitcher technology to Gammill in 1994. He and Mildred continue today to build and advance the Statler by Gammill.     Paul and Mildred 2015 Color The Statler by Gammill utilizes cutting-edge computer software and robust hardware to beautifully stitch any design. The Statler can handle an intricately patterned king-size quilt in a matter of hours instead of days. Available with a 22, 26, 30 or 36-inch Gammill-quality machine head, a Statler gives quilters the flexibility of hands-free quilting. With exceptional features, the latest in quilting innovations, lifetime mechanical warranty, free software upgrades, and unparalleled customer service, it is easy to see why Statler by Gammill® is the choice of experienced quilters everywhere.Vision with Wunderlust by Karen Marchetti How does the computerized software work? [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlRCcf1e1uI&list=PL8TyNRnvApwZaNpYGSRoSsBjSB-KdS95n[/youtube] With a Statler by Gammill system, the possibilities are endless. Attending Road 2016’s Statler Educational Program will allow quilters to get to know firsthand some of the machine’s many features. Road to California is giving away to one lucky winner the chance to for FREE all four classes in the Statler Educational Program. There are several ways to enter:

Write a comment on this blog post

Write a comment on the blog post featuring Georgia Stull

Write a comment on Road’s Facebook Page posts featuring the Statler Educational Program Giveaway.

Entries will be accepted until November 22, 2016. One winner will be chosen using Random Number Generator and will be announced on November 23, 2016. Good luck to all who enter.

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Road 2016 Faculty: Meet Georgia Stull Plus A Class Series Giveaway

November 17th, 2015

Gammill instructor, will be teaching Road 2016’s Statler Educational Program which is a series of four longarm lecture/demo classes featuring the Gammill Statler Stitcher: 4017R  Put the Hammer Down for Beautiful Borders! on Thursday; 5015R  It’s a Photo Finish! on Friday; 6015R  Victory Lap! on Saturday; and on Sunday, 7015R Statler Pit Stop.Georgia Stull Bio pic When Georgia Stull’s oldest son announced he was getting married, she thought she would make him and his new bride a quilt as a wedding gift.  Georgia had been a seamstress (wedding gowns to window treatments) since she was a teenager so sewing the quilt was not an issue. When it came time to have it quilted, Georgia and her husband, Ivan, took the quilt to an area quilter who proceeded to tell them all about his quilting machine.  As they were leaving, Ivan said to Georgia, “You could do that!”  Her reply was “Sure, if you buy me a machine!”  Two weeks later, Ivan took off work early and bought Georgia a machine!! She couldn’t have been more surprised.  Ivan was all ready to buy a Statler by Gammill for Georgia but she just wasn’t sure she could do it.  They did lots of research and eventually bought a Statler four months later.  And guess what? Georgia can do it!!stull honeycomb It didn’t take too long after Georgia started quilting that her husband, Ivan, decided he should learn all about quilting.  He pieced and quilted his first quilt with a little help from Georgia.  Now, he has pieced and quilted 5 quilts.  Georgia is hoping that their oldest granddaughter, Ellie, will be a future quilter. She is off to a promising start.  Together, Ellie and Georgia made a quilt for Ellie’s doll babies this past summer. Since most of Georgia’s quilting is for customers, her inspiration comes from the quilt tops they bring to her.  Georgia is a “computerized quilter” and she is honest to say that she “designs by credit card!”  While there are many wonderfully talented digital pattern designers, the trick is to find the perfect pattern to bring a quilt to life.  Georgia loves the challenge of putting together the perfect combination of designs for a quilt.  She is also inspired by the fabulous quilting of others. As a teacher, she is exposed to the very ‘best of the best’ quilts. Georgia remarks, it is “such golden inspiration!”Stull dresdan Georgia has used a Statler by Gammill from the very beginning. Because the Stulls live in Harrisonville, Missouri (just outside Kansas City), it was easy for them to take classes at the Statler facility in Columbia, Missouri. Georgia actually learned from the master, Paul Statler.  She counts Paul and Mildred Statler as good friends whom she respects and admires very much. Both Ivan and Georgia have showed up so many times at the facility that they are sure the Gammill people thought, “It’s those Stulls again!” gammill_plain In 2008, Georgia was asked to be a beta tester for the software and she also became a Certified Statler Instructor. She has come to know many of the members of the Gammill team as she’s traveled and taught. Georgia says that “the Gammill team always takes good care of me as a teacher.” Georgia loves meeting quilters from all over the world. She has been fortunate to travel as far away as England and Wales to teach. She always tries to remember how when she bought her Statler, she was more than a bit overwhelmed and thought, “What did I do?”  She loves helping her students go from “What did I do?” to “I love my Statler!”Stull closeup At Road 2016, Georgia’s desire is for students to become efficient and effective quilters without compromising quality. And more importantly, she hopes that they enjoy the process because, as Georgia says, “quilting is FUN!” What is Georgia’s best quilting tip?   “Don’t be so critical of yourself and your quilting.  Computerized quilters, especially, tend to expect absolute perfection.  I am all about doing the best that I can on every quilt but it is never going to be perfect.  It’s so hard to enjoy the process if you expect perfection.”Stull cherry blossom How would you like to meet Georgia and take her Statler Educational Program classes for FREE? Road to California is going to award one lucky winner admission to all four classes in the series!! To enter, simply comment below, by midnight November 22, 2016, why you want to participate in the Statler Educational Program with Georgia Stull. You can also enter by commenting on Road’s Facebook Page post about the contest. One lucky winner will be chosen by Real Number Generator and announced on November 23rd. Good luck to all who enter.]]>

Road 2016 Faculty: Meet Weeks Ringle of Modern Quilt Studio

November 13th, 2015

Third in Road’s video series introducing their newest faculty, you are invited to listen to fabric designer and author, Weeks Ringle, of Modern Quilt Studio

Weeks Ringle will be teaching on Thursday, 4014R  Improvisational Piecing; oon Friday, 5011R  The Role of Color in Your Quilts, on Saturday, 6010R  Working with Large Scale Prints, and on Sunday, 7010R  Understanding Value & Piecing Curves

Who is Weeks Ringle? [youtube]https://youtu.be/WVkepLtSRr0[/youtube]

Weeks has a unique story on what led her to quilting: [youtube]https://youtu.be/Ds654b9_0Ms[/youtube]

Weeks explains “Modern Quilting” [youtube]https://youtu.be/aqQnAbS5YYI[/youtube]

Where does Weeks find her quilting inspiration? [youtube]https://youtu.be/s4Ff-CBpOGM[/youtube]

What are the quilt tools Weeks can’t live without? [youtube]https://youtu.be/8rYeJ4el6LU[/youtube]

What does Weeks like best about teaching? [youtube]https://youtu.be/VKMF52LpYB4[/youtube]

What is Weeks looking forward to at Road to California? [youtube]https://youtu.be/em_R3GE-_V4[/youtube]

Weeks talks about her classes at Road 2016:  [youtube]https://youtu.be/oDPJiwIADAo[/youtube]

What is Week’s best quilting tip? [youtube]https://youtu.be/uVmOh5stVEY[/youtube]

Weeks has a message for her Road 2016 Students: [youtube]https://youtu.be/RO8bcWFZJP0[/youtube]

To learn more about Weeks, please visit her website.

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So You Want To Make A Winning Quilt: Road 2015 Best Use of Color

November 10th, 2015

Cheryl L. See received $1,500 from sponsor, Primitive Gatherings, for StarletteBest Color

Cheryl See has had a needle in her hand since she was 3 or 4 years of age. However, she didn’t start quilting until the early 1990’s.  Her foray into quilting was inspired by all the small scraps of bright colored fabric that were too small to make anything else except to use in a quilt. Starlette was inspired by her big sister, Star Struck, which is in the National Quilt Museum.  Cheryl wanted to make a smaller version to use when she gave lectures and taught. Starlette is  entirely made by hand using English Paper Piecing, applique, trapunto, embroidery and hot fix Swarovski crystals. It is reversible with the back having woven appliqued bias strips in a triangular pattern. Starlette includes 4,582 hexagons, 335 circles and 192 ovals. It took Cheryl 9 months to complete Starlette. Cheryl recalled, “It took only 9 months, but I put in a lot of hours in those 9 months.” During that time, she was writing her book, Star Struck & Starlette, and wanted some great step-by-step photos.  She found it very helpful to be working on a quilt while she was writing because it helped her to find just the right words to describe to others how to do each step.  Cheryl believes, “We continue to learn as we teach others along the way.” Cheryl was happily surprised to win the Best Use of Color Award as she usually competes in the Hand Quilting or Innovative categories. Cheryl used her prize money to buy more fabric to make more quilts. “It’s funny how the next quilt doesn’t ever seem to use up much of my stash!” remarked Cheryl. What is next for Cheryl? “I love all handwork and I love innovative quilts or the unexpected.  With my next quilts, I hope to surprise and inspire more quilters to see hand quilting as more than just traditional.  I want to keep hand quilting alive and continue to teach new quilters how to quilt by hand.” Another one of Cheryl’s future plans is that she will be teaching  four classes at Road 2016: on Thursday, 4015R    English Paper Piecing Technique, on Friday, 5013R    Innovative Hand Quilting, on Saturday, 6012R    Hexie Daisy and on Sunday, 7012R    Innovative Hand Quilting.   To learn more about Cheryl, please visit her website.]]>

Community Outreach for Road 2016

November 6th, 2015

Road to California believes in giving back to the community.

Carolyn Reese, Matt Reese, and the entire Road to California has a long tradition of helping those in need.

Road supports charities like Pomona Valley Hospital’s  Robert and Beverly Lewis Family Cancer Care Center Endowment Fund Celebrate in Style and Quilted in Honor, a charity benefiting veterans and their families.Quilted in Honor Road also supports quilting friends with their charities, helping to raise money for John Flynn’s bike rides to benefit MSJohn_Flynn bike riding or the granddaughter of our friend, Kathleen of Starr Design Fabrics, who is suffering from Cystinosis.11888123_10153151925768391_1397178779313471519_n

For Road 2016, this giving spirit is being extended to allow youth and older citizens the chance to personally experience this outstanding quilt show.

Carolyn has enlisted the help of her friends and fellow quilters, Bonnie Rangel and Rene Hicks, to organize free docent tours of Road to California 2016 for youth groups and senior citizen retirement homes. These tours will include seeing and learning about the winning quilts up close, meeting with award winning quilters, and learning about quilting tools from established vendors. Rene said that she is happy to be a part of arranging this community outreach because she “enjoys seeing the joy on the guest’s faces when they experience for the first time quilts coming to life for them at Road to California.” Last year, Innovative Horizons Charter School, accepted the invitation to attend one of these tours. They met with Eleanor Burns (whom they already knew about and were big fans of her) and the Egyptian Quilters as well as have special access to exhibits and using quilt tools._I4C8024 What is the motivation for Road to extend this community outreach?  Sharing Inspiration.  Carolyn Reese remarked, “It’s important to let the younger experience the different aspects of quilting and learn that it’s much more than making blankets.”  And for the retirement home residents, “It gives our respected, older generation  a chance to leave their regular routine and see how the quilting industry has evolved from what they might have been familiar with.” To extend the opportunity for this community outreach, we need your help. If you know of youth groups (schools, 4H, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Campfire, etc.) or retirement homes that are local to Ontario, California and that you feel would benefit from participating , please contact Bonnie Rangel at bonnie.rangel@yahoo.com to arrange for a tour. Sharing the love of quilting is a wonderful way to outreach to the community, don’t you agree?    ]]>