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Week 4 Giveaway: Nine Downton Abbey Inspired Patterns

December 5th, 2014

Fans of the hit television series, Downton Abbey will get a kick out of this week’s giveaway: Nine quilt patterns inspired by the show:

Even if you don’t watch Downton Abbey, you have to admit that these quilt patterns by Tiffany Hayes are pretty terrific.

As a reminder, to enter this giveaway, there are up to three ways you can enter to win:

1) Write a comment on this blog post and tell us why you want to win

2) Write a comment on Road to California’s Facebook Page post featuring Week 3’s giveaway and let us know why you want to win.

3) Tweet out Week 3’s giveaway on Twitter using the hashtags #road2ca2015 #giveaway and @Road2CA

Entries for Week 4’s Giveaway begin Friday, December 5th and close Wednesday, December 10th. The winner will be chosen using Random Number Generator and will be announced on Thursday, December 11th on Road’s Facebook Page. Any questions? Contact Caryn at carynpayzant@roadtocalifornia.com

Good luck to all who enter!!

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Tags: Needle in a Hayes Stack, Tiffany Hayes, Weekly Giveaway
Posted in Road to California | 53 Comments »

Road 2015 Special Exhibit: The WICKED Cherrywood Challenge

December 2nd, 2014

Are you a fan of the Broadway hit musical, Wicked?

Curator Karla Overland of Cherrywood Fabrics had wanted to organize a quilt challenge for some time and when she saw the production on Broadway, she knew immediately this quilt challenge would be a hit – just like the musical.

Artists involved in this challenge chose how to interpret the theme “WICKED.” Most of the quilts are based off the Broadway show or The Wizard of Oz. The exhibit consists of 114 small quilts. There are three quilts attached to 6-foot banners of black felt for a total of 38 banners. The dramatic impact of the display is amazing because of the cohesive size and colors.

Submissions for the exhibit were accepted through August 1, 2014. Each quilt had to be made entirely from Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabric, with the exception of embellishments. The quilts are 20” squares and used specially dyed lime greens – Cherrywood Wicked Greens – and black.

Karla hopes that the WICKED Cherrywood Challenge generates excitement and appreciation for quilts done in solid colors. Says Karla, “The color is the hero here and inspired wonderful creativity from the entrants.” Karla also added, “Our suede-look fabric is so rich and saturated. I hope people will appreciate how strong a quilt can be just using Cherrywood.” There is a photo book available of the entire exhibit including artist statements.

The WICKED challenge is the first of Cherrywood Challenges yet to come. Look for the announcement of future themes on their website: cherrywoodfabrics.com

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Tags: Cherrywood Fabrics, Quilt Challenge, Wicked
Posted in Road 2015- 20th Anniversary Show | 1 Comment »

Week 3 Giveaway: It's All About Patchwork

November 28th, 2014

We’re giving away some great inspiration to update and modernize your patchwork quilting:

On-Point Patvhwork and On-Point Ruler by Donna Lynn Thomas; Two Patch Scrap Quilts by Pat Yamin; Three Patterns by Connie Spurlock (Just Spoolin’ Around, Garden Lattice, and Blocks in Motion)

As a reminder, here are the rules for entering in Week 3’s giveaway. There are up to three ways you can enter to win:

1) Write a comment on this blog post and tell us why you want to win

2) Write a comment on Road to California’s Facebook Page post featuring Week 3’s giveaway and let us know why you want to win.

3) Tweet out Week 3’s giveaway on Twitter using the hashtags #road2ca2015 #giveaway and @Road2CA

Entries for Week 3’s Giveaway begin Friday, November 28th and close Wednesday, December 3rd. The winner will be chosen using Random Number Generator and will be announced on Thursday, December 4th on Road’s Facebook Page. Any questions? Contact Caryn at carynpayzant@roadtocalifornia.com

Good luck to all who enter!!

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Tags: Connie Spurlock, Donna Lynn Thomas, Pat Yamin, Patchwork quilting, Weekly Giveaway
Posted in Giveaways | 43 Comments »

Road 2015 Faculty Spotlight: Meet this Dynamic Father-Daughter Quilting Duo, John Flynn And Kate Flynn Nichols

November 25th, 2014

On Tuesday, John will be teaching 2012C Glorified Nine Patch and Kate will be teaching 2008C Crosses and Losses

What could be more fun than sharing your passion of quilting by giving workshops, creating innovative templates and kits, and bouncing off new ideas with someone from your own family? That is exactly what John Flynn and his daughter, Kate Flynn Nichols, have been doing for over 15 years. Both residents of Montana, they spend a lot of time together fine tuning patterns, assembly directions and pressing techniques so that their templates and laser pre-cut kits go together as easily and smoothly as possible. John got in to the quilting scene in the 1980’s when he was testing the quilt frames that he was designing and building for his wife Brooke. He soon discovered how relaxing hand quilting was and has been working at it ever since. Kate started quilting in 1988. She grew up watching both her parents quilt. She went to Guild with them and started stashing fabric at a young age. Kate entered her first quilt show at just 8 years of age!! As she got older, she was “actually surprised to find out later in life that not everyone quilts!” They each find inspiration for their designs in different ways. For Kate, it comes from nature and her parents’ old magazine collection. John has an engineering background so he finds inspiration in the geometry of objects and from old traditional quilts. John and Kate have different preferences when it comes to working with color. John’s favorite palette is the colors of the rainbow; bright primaries and secondaries. Kate likes strong pastel combinations and monochromes. Interestingly, Kate is the company’s fabric buyer; she has a sure hand in color selection. While they enjoy their partnership, working closely with each other can have its drawbacks. Kate says, “It’s hard not really having a separation between work and family. Who wants to plan their next business trip at Thanksgiving dinner?” John admits his challenge is that since he and Kate both have engineering minds, “they think alike most of the time” which can be both positive and negative. When they aren’t working together, John likes fly fishing, fly tying, and biking.

Kate, who has been married since August, 2003 to graphic designer Kevin Nichols, enjoys reading, rockhounding, gardening and watching either Animal Planet, the History Channel or the Discovery Channel. What are their favorite tips for quilters? From Kate: “Relax and be forgiving with yourself. You are a human, not a machine and your projects should reflect your humanity!” John adds, “Accuracy, accuracy, accuracy. It is easier to take your time and do it right the first time rather than rush through and do it over and over.” There is still limited space in both of their classes. You can learn more about this dynamic father-daughter quilting duo on their website: www.flynnquilt.com ]]>

Tags: Flynn Quilt Frame Company, Quilt Classes, Road to California
Posted in Faculty | 1 Comment »

Week 2 Giveaway: Using Up That Stash

November 21st, 2014

Quilters have their stashes of fabric and Week 2’s Giveaway is full of ideas to use up some of that stash for creative gifts, embellishments, clothing, household items and more.

Save the Selvages by Sandy Thompson; Scraps Plus One by Joan Ford; Beginner’s Guide to Ribbonwork DVD by Helen Gibb; 4 Patterns by Connie Spurlock (No Sweat Quilted Jacket, Bibs for Boys, The Eyes Have It-5 designs for eyeglass cases, Hummingbird Haven applique)

As a reminder, here are the rules for entering in Week 2’s giveaway. There are up to three ways you can enter to win:

1) Write a comment on this blog post and tell us why you want to win

2) Write a comment on Road to California’s Facebook Page post featuring Week 2’s giveaway and let us know why you want to win.

3) Tweet out Week 2’s giveaway on Twitter using the hashtags #road2ca2015 #giveaway and @Road2CA

Entries for Week 2’s Giveaway begin Friday, November 21 and close Wednesday, November 26. The winner will be chosen using Random Number Generator and will be announced on Thanksgiving day on Road’s Facebook Page. Now that will be something to be thankful for!! Any questions? Contact Caryn at carynpayzant@roadtocalifornia.com

Good luck to all who enter!!

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Tags: Fabric Stash, Helen Gibb, Joan Ford, Quilting, Road to California, Sandy Thompson, Weekly Giveaway
Posted in Giveaways | 47 Comments »

Road 2015 Special Exhibit: Celebrate The Day With Quilts

November 19th, 2014

Some people celebrate special occasions with wine and roses. Some people celebrate special occasions with balloons and cake. And some people celebrate special occasions with quilts.

Shannon Gingrich Shirley is curating the special exhibit, Celebrate The Day With Quilts. How did she get the idea for this exhibit? “Years ago, I found lists online of random holidays and thought it would be a challenge that could speak to many different artists.”

Members of Cabin Branch Quilters Guild, Stone House Quilters Guild, Quilt Professional Network and Mason Dixon Quilt Professionals Network submitted 72 quilts for the challenge. The artists chose the day they wanted to represent with unique wall hangings. Some of the days are serious. Others are personal, inspirational and even silly.

Shannon has been traveling around the country with Celebrate the Day with Quilts. She loves “watching viewers in front of the exhibit stop, think, laugh, remember, smile and talk…I couldn’t ask for anything more.” She hopes while at Road that the exhibit inspires other quilters who have never designed their own quilts before to give it a try. She also hopes that guilds might be inspired to expand on this challenge because it has endless beginning points.

All of the quilts displayed in the Road special exhibit can be found in Shannon’s book, Celebrate the Day with Quilts, on her website, www.onceinarabbitmoon.com.

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Posted in Road 2015- 20th Anniversary Show | No Comments »

We're Sponsoring Some Fabulous Weekly Giveaways!!!!

November 14th, 2014

You don’t see this very often on our Blog, Facebook, and Twitter accounts: a chance to win not one but NINE GIVEAWAYS!!!

Starting today and every Friday until the second week in January, we will be offering prize packages made up of books, patterns, DVD’s and novels– all written and signed by our distinguished Road faculty. The final giveaway on January 9^th will include free passes to Road to California 2015 – 20^th Anniversary Show, event tickets, and other show surprises.

Here is a preview of what we will be giving away:

Entering is Easy!! There are up to three ways you can enter to win each week:

1) Write a comment on the weekly blog post featuring the giveaway and tell us why you want to win that particular prize.

2) Write a comment on Road to California’s Facebook Page post featuring that week’s giveaway and let us know why you want to win.

3) Tweet out that week’s giveaway on Twitter using the hashtags #road2ca2015 #giveaway and @Road2CA

Entries for a particular week are accepted beginning on the Friday the giveaway is posted until the following Wednesday. Winners will be chosen each week using Random Number Generator and will be announced each Thursday for the previous week’s giveaway on Road’s Facebook Page. Any questions? Contact Caryn at carynpayzant@roadtocalifornia.com

A HUGE THANK YOU to all our faculty who contributed to our giveaways and GOOD LUCK to all who enter!!!

Now, for our first giveaway for November 14,2014:

Here’s what’s included in this week’s giveaway:

Modern Quilts and More by Kimberly Einmo *** Zen Quilting Workbook by Pat Ferguson***Mastering the Art of McTavishing by Karen McTavish***Mastering the Art of Longarm Quilting by Gina Perkes***Four different technique CD’s by Lenore Crawford.

Ready — Set — Enter!!!

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Tags: Gina Perkes, Karen McTavish, Kimberly Einmo, Lenore Crawford, Pat Ferguson, Weekly Giveaway
Posted in Giveaways | 30 Comments »

Great Faculty Make Great Authors Too!!!

November 12th, 2014

Road to California’s outstanding faculty are not only superb class teachers. Many are also published writers.

Their titles vary from quilting how-to books, patterns, and DVD’s to quilt related novels and even a cookbook!!!. Some use established publishers like C&T Publishing and Martingale. Others use smaller publishers or even self-publish themselves. All should be commended for furthering the love of quilting through their writing.

Which of the 2015 Road to California – 20^th Anniversary Show faculty have written books?

Alex Anderson*Rob Appell*Jodi Barrows*Lisa Bongean*Jenny Bowker*Cindy Brick*

Patti Brooks*Debra Brown*Eleanor Burns*Lenore Crawford*Claudia Dinnell*

Kim Eichler-Messmer*Kimberly S Einmo*Cynthia England*Pat Ferguson*John Flynn

Kate Flynn Nichols*Carrie A Fondi*Joan Ford*Carolyn Friedlander*Jacquelyn Gering

Helen Gibb*Diane Gloystein*Valerie Goodwin*Jerry Granata*Debra K Granger

Brian Haggard*Tiffany Hayes*Mary Beth Krapil*Teri Lucas*Nancy Mahoney*Peggy Martin

Karen McTavish*Laura Murray*Gina Perkes*Gina Reddin*Anita Shackleford*Connie Spurlock

Heidi Stagno*Jeanie Sumrall-Ajero*Donna L Thomas*Sandy Thompson*Ricky Tims*

Deb Tucker*Annie Unrein*Cathy Van Bruggen*Virginia Walton*Cathy Wiggins*

Patricia Yamin

Who are your favorite faculty authors?

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Tags: C&T Publishing, Quilt Authors
Posted in Faculty | No Comments »

Road's 20th Anniversary Fabric

November 10th, 2014

Road to California 2015 marks

Road’s 20^th Anniversary

There are LOTS of surprises and special events planned to make this show the best one ever!!

To start off, Road 2015 will feature a signature fabric to commemorate this milestone. Carolyn Reese commissioned Philip de Leon, designer with Alexander Henry Fabrics, to create a one-of-a-kind, Road to California 20^th Anniversary Fabric. Says Phillip, “We were flattered to be asked for this project. We were shooting high and wanted to make Carolyn happy. The end result is very ‘Road’ and very ‘Alexander Henry.’”

Over a year ago, Carolyn approached Phillip at Quilt Market in Houston and extended the invitation to create a modern print that was contemporary and millennial. She wanted a product that could be sold by the yard and used for shirts, bags, pillows and more.

The design process took two months. It began centered around the state flower of California, the poppy. “That was a must for Carolyn,” recalled Phillip. It was also important that the fabric represented Road’s “community of quilters” in a graphic way.” Phillip and his sister, co-designer Nicole, got inspiration from graphic artist Alexander Girard who is known for his clean lines and iconic illustrated style. The end result approved by Carolyn includes symbols for the industry and for Road: a sewing machine, the Ontario Convention Center, quilt designs and tools.

The fabric comes in two backgrounds—Ivory and Blue – and two weights – cotton shirting and a heavier canvas. It will be sold at the Road to California Booth in one yard cuts, fat quarters, and cut to order for lengths more than one yard. There will also be shirts for sale at the booth made out of the fabric.

What will you be making out of Road’s 20^th Anniversary Celebration Fabric?

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Tags: Alexander Henry Fabrics; Modern Fabric
Posted in Road 2015- 20th Anniversary Show | 5 Comments »

The Reese Family Is Growing

November 5th, 2014

Road to California is a family affair. Carolyn Reese, her three sons, and their families all contribute to the success of the show. Her grandson Matt Reese, is the show’s manager. As of November 1, 2014, the Reese family added another member to their dynamic Road family team.

Meet Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Reese.

Darrell is Carolyn’s youngest son. He married Jill Anderson in a small, intimate setting surrounded by family—exactly how they wanted. It had rained the night before in Southern California and Saturday morning had scattered showers and clouds. The rain stopped about an hour and a half before the ceremony providing a beautiful, sunny backdrop to their backyard wedding. It stayed that way for another hour and a half before the clouds began to gather again. Said proud mother of the groom, Carolyn, “It was a quiet, sweet affair.”

Darrell’s three children served as the attendants. His son Glen was the Best Man, daughter Rachel was the Maid of Honor and daughter Jillianne was the Bridesmaid.

Darrell and Jill have been dating the past 2-1/2 years but they actually first knew each other in high school. Jill lived next door to the Reese family where she and Darrell had a “friendly” neighborly relationship but nothing more. It took several decades and Facebook for the two to meet up again.

You can meet Jill at Road to California 2015-20^th Anniversary Show in the Road booth.

Congratulations Darrell and Jill.

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Tags: Family, Wedding
Posted in Reese Family | 2 Comments »