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Quilt Guild Spotlight: Valley Of The Mist Quilters

September 27th, 2014

Formed in 1990 and located in Temecula, California, Valley of the Mist Quilters has 125 members who meet the second Tuesday of each month. Regular meetings with guest speakers are held seven months out of the year. In July, they host a Quilt University where members present different quilt techniques in 15 minute segments.

One of Valley of the Mist Quilters philanthropies is a school for homeless children in San Diego, California. Last year, they donated over 100 quilts to the school. The guild has also donated quilts to flood victims in Colorado.

Each fall, Valley of the Mist Quilters host a unique quilt show that is completely outdoors. This year, on Saturday, October 4^th, hundreds of quilts will be displayed throughout western themed Old Town Temecula from porches, eaves, and balconies. The opportunity quit they displayed during Road to California 2014, Garden Delights, will be auctioned during the show. The guild will also be hosting quilter Karen Brow of javahousequilts.com, during their event. It promises to be a great day to share the love of quilting.

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Tags: Old Town Temecula, Quilt Guilds, Temecula
Posted in Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2014 | No Comments »

Road 2015 Challenge: I Love Embroidery

September 25th, 2014

Sandy’s Scarecrow[/caption]

Robin Kingsley of Bird Brain Designs is overseeing the I Love Embroidery Challenge for Road to California 2015 – 20^th Anniversary Show. The purpose of this challenge is to showcase embroiderers using Bird Brain Designs embroidery pattern designs. As Robin points out, “It is surprising how embroidery as an “old fashioned” needle art is growing in popularity. Not only are ladies who say, “I haven’t done embroidery for years,” rediscovering this art but also much younger folks are becoming interested in learning to do this portable and relaxing form of needle art.”

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Friendships Garden Embroidery Quilt[/caption]

What are the requirements for the I Love Embroidery Challenge? The key for this challenge is to show off what you can do with Bird Brain Designs basic embroidery patterns and put them together to make a quilt. Participants can use any Bird Brain Designs pattern, embroidering it in multi-color stitching or selecting a favorite single color to embroider the design. Embroidering can either be hand or machine stitched on plain or patterned, neutral background fabric (like muslin or similar fabrics). Several Bird Brain Designs patterns—including the “free designs” found on their website– can be combined to create a unique design. Glitz and glamour embellishments can also be incorporated in to the design. Completed embroidery is to be showcased in a quilt which has a sleeve added to the back for hanging. The deadline for the challenge is January 8, 2015.

Prizes for the I Love Embroidery Challenge include a $10 Gift Certificate from the Bird Brain Designs website given to every entry displayed in the challenge. Three $50 Gift Certificates will be awarded for “Viewers’ Favorite RedWork” as judged by the audience at Road to California.

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Patty’s Seasons Quilt[/caption]

Robin and Bird Brain Designs is hoping that this challenge will do much to further increase the interest and popularity of embroidery, both by handwork and by embroidery machines. She is excited to see how everyone’s handiwork will be shown off and hopes guests at the show will enjoy seeing these interesting, embroidered inspired quilts. The challenge will be showcased in 50 feet of space in the ballroom during Road to California.

If you are interested in participating in this challenge, please send an email to infor@BirdBrainDesigns.net You can also contact Bird Brain Designs at their email address for additional information or answers to questions; for sending pictures of work in progress, and to alert them when a finished quilt will be arriving at their office.

Robin and Bird Brain Designs are excited for this challenge. Says Robin, “We look forward to seeing the many interesting quilts — both small and large — at the I Love Embroidery Challenge in January, 2015.”

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Tags: Bird Brain Designs, Embroidery Challenge
Posted in Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2015- 20th Anniversary Show, Road to California | No Comments »

2015 Challenge: African Folklore Embroidery Fiber Art And Quilt Challenge

September 11th, 2014

Leora Raiken is a familiar face with Road to California patrons. Owner of African Folklore Embroidery, Leora has hosted vendor booths and has taught at past Road shows.

For 2015, Leora and African Folklore Embroidery will again be sponsoring the African Folklore Embroidery Fiber Art and Quilt Challenge, offering cash prizes totaling $500.

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Roberta Peterson, Washington[/caption]

This is the fifth year of the challenge. As a teacher, for Leora, the most rewarding part is seeing the completed work of her students and customers that have purchased an African Folklore Embroidery kit or attended a class. She especially loves seeing how each person interprets the designs. One of Leora’s students completed six designs and made it into a fabric book which Leora reports as “stunning.” Other people have made the kits into quilts, table runners, jackets and pillows. One woman made “the most beautiful purse” and another woman, a tea cozy.

[caption id="attachment_2196" align="aligncenter" width="437"]

Meagan Luck[/caption]

In order to participate in this year’s challenge, one or more of the current African Folklore Embroidery kit designs on their website must be included in the entry. Completed entries can be incorporated or made into quilts, wearable art, wall hangings, pillows, or they can be mailed in “as is.” They do not have to be “made” into anything to be entered. Judging emphasizes the creative use of African Folklore Embroidery kits with regard to fabrics, visual impact, workmanship and uniqueness. Multiple entries can be entered as well as entries from previous challenges so long as the entry is a kit design currently offered on the African Folklore Embroidery website: www.aflembroidery.com

[caption id="attachment_2197" align="aligncenter" width="458"]

Mona Doshay[/caption]

There will also be a separate children’s category. Leora firmly believes that if we can get the next generation to love stitching and handwork, they will remember this skill forever.

Deadline for submissions is December 15th 2014. A full list of the entry rules can be found on the web site. Completed entries need to be mailed with the official entry form to 7258 Pondera Circle, West Hills, CA 91307. Any questions can be emailed to info@aflembroidery.com. Many of the completed entries from the 2015 and previous challenges will be incorporated into Leora’s new book, Fibers, Fabric and Fun with African Folklore Embroidery, which will be available for pre-ordering at Road to California 2015 20^th Anniversary Show.

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Catherine Redford, Illinois[/caption]

Leora hopes that this exhibit will show how easy it is to do African Folklore Embroidery and that it will inspire others to create their own hand work using African Folklore Embroidery kits and threads.

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Tags: Quilt Challenge
Posted in Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2015- 20th Anniversary Show | No Comments »

Happy Grandparents Day

September 6th, 2014

Carolyn Reese has nine grandchildren and most have been involved one way or another with Road to California.

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Carolyn with son Mike’s family that includes grandson Matt and granddaughter Sarah[/caption]

Sarah Reese Moore and Matt Reese are the children of Carolyn’s oldest son, Mike. Sarah has had all sorts of involvement with Road from modeling as a kid at the Hoffman Challenge Fashion Show, handling Road quilt entries and helping out with customer service. She has worked in the Road Booth and currently oversees the accounting and tax responsibilities for the show. Matt is Road to California’s current Show manager.

Erika Reese, Carie Reese Ruiz, and Mary Beth Reese are the daughters of Carolyn’s second son, David. When the Reese family started with Road to California, these three granddaughters were freckled faced little girls who asked guests for their tickets at the dinner tent and modeled in some of the fashion show events. Erika is Carolyn’s oldest grandchild. When she was in junior high, Erika worked in the Fabric Patch booth. In 2003, she and Carie took over as co-coordinators doing all the planning and prep with Carolyn and were also co-show managers during the show. In 2005, Erika began working for Road full time as the lead Show Manager. At the time, she was the only other full-time employee (besides Carolyn) that worked year round in planning the show. Erika left full time work with the show after the 2008 Road to California to pursue a career based on her bachelor’s degree in science. She still helps out at night and on weekends as needed.

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Carolyn with David and Susan Reese and granddaughters Erika and Mary Beth

Carolyn with David and Susan Reese and granddaughters Ericka and Mary Beth[/caption]

Carie, is a full-time wife and mother living in Virginia, and is not able to be actively involved with Road at this time.

Mary Beth has worked at the Road souvenir booth and currently is the Night Manager for the show, overseeing all of the evening classes. Her day job is an insurance underwriter at Mercury Insurance.

Carolyn’s youngest son, Darrell, has three children: Rachel, Glenn, and Jillianne. All three have helped their dad with the set-up and taking down of the show and have worked at the Road Booth. In addition, Glenn has worked at the Information Booth and Jillianne has assisted with Vendor Relations.

[caption id="attachment_2186" align="aligncenter" width="618"]

Carolyn with son Darrell's family which includes grandson and granddaughter Jillianne

Carolyn with son Darrell’s family which includes grandson Glenn and granddaughter Jillianne[/caption]

Now, the next generation is getting on board!! Carolyn has five great-grandchildren and one on the way, a great-grandson due in October.

Great-granddaughters Adrienne (5) and Paighten (3) are the daughters of Sarah and her husband, Adrian Moore, Jr. When they come to visit Road with their parents, the girls like to ride around with Gg (Carolyn) on her motorized cart, meeting all the guests and getting lots of attention!!!

Kevin Junior (KJ) (4), Laura (20 months) and Robert Glenn (6 weeks) are the children of Carie and Kevin Ruiz. Hopefully, they will be able to visit Road to California soon.

Being a grandparent and great-grandparent, not to mention owner of the Best in the West Quilt Show, is hard work—and a lot of fun!!!

Happy Grandparents Day to Carolyn Reese.

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Tags: Family, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren
Posted in Reese Family, Road 2 CA Blog, Road to California | No Comments »

So You Want To Make A Winning Quilt? 2014 Best of Show

September 3rd, 2014

Sharon Schamber of Payson, Arizona created the Best of Show winning entry, Once Upon a Time, and received $6,000 from sponsor, Gammill Quilting Systems.

Sharon Schamber began quilting in 1999. Her winning entry, Once Upon A Time, took 14 years to complete. This quilt was inspired by her love for the romantic and delicate details of the Victorian era. Says Sharon, “I love how things are both simple and complex at the same time. I wanted to create a medallion quilt that spoke to that romantic notion.”

Sharon chose blue roses because “they were unique and the quilt asked/demanded something special like them.” At the time she started on the quilt, there were no actual blue roses, but by the time she had finished, they became available. Sharon likes to think that “maybe the quilt knew something that the rest of the world hadn’t thought about yet.” Talk about romantic!!!

When Sharon started the quilt in 2000, her plan was to finish it as any other quilt she had worked on. But that didn’t happen. Sharon would work for a while, and then stop because she didn’t feel like she knew what she needed to do next. During each pause, she learned and developed additional techniques to have the tools needed to continue on. This lengthy process taught Sharon that each quilt truly has its own schedule and identity. “You have to follow the clues it gives you if you want the best out of it and yourself,” remarked Sharon. Even though it took 14 years to finish, Sharon felt it was an amazing adventure and she “enjoyed every minute of it.”

How did Sharon feel after she won Best of the Show?“I was ecstatic. Road to California is a prestigious and well respected show. The best quilts in the world are competing here, so winning Best of Show was an honor.”

What did she do with her prize money? “Since winning any award is a surprise, I never have plans to spend the money. I am passionate about machine embroidery, so I bought a few things that’ll allow me to explore this art form in new and different ways.”

What does the quilting future hold for Sharon? “My plan for the future is to combine every aspect of quilting into one piece. Traditional piecing; hand embroidery; needleturn appliqué; machine appliqué and machine embroidery. Each technique has its own strengths and weaknesses and I am exploring the limits of each. You name it, and it will be in my work.”

Congratulations Sharon for winning Road to California’s 2014 Best of Show.

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Tags: Best of Show Quilt, Gammill
Posted in quilt entries, Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2014, Road to California | 2 Comments »

Quilt Challenge 2015: Step Out Of The Box

August 28th, 2014

Road to California 2014 started out with a parade. Led by members of the Colony High School Drum Corps, followed by dignitaries from the show’s host city, Ontario, the entourage marched in to the vendor hall, and stopped near the Quilted with Honor Exhibit, a fitting backdrop for the veteran presentation that followed.

All quilts in the Quilted in Honor Exhibit were made with patriotic fabrics designed by IslandBatik.

These quilts made such a huge impression that Road wanted to extend their versatility by offering a new challenge using these fabrics: Step Out of the Box.

The Step Out of the Box Challenge requires all submitted quilts to be a modern aesthetic design that incorporates at least 50% Island Batik Quilted in Honor fabrics. Quilters are also encouraged, but not required, to use additional materials from other Quilted in Honor sponsors such as Aurifill thread, Pellon batting, OESD embroidery designs, or patterns from Quilted in Honor designers.

Due by October 1, 2014, quilters can submit more than one entry. After the show, all quilts for this exhibit will be donated to Operation Homefront. You can find additional entry rules on our web site.

A fun and unique way to bring together modern quilt design, patriotism and our 20^th Anniversary.

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Tags: Island Batik, Patriotism, Quilt Challenge, Quilted in Honor
Posted in quilt entries, Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2015- 20th Anniversary Show | 3 Comments »

So You Want To Make A Winning Quilt? 2014 Best Modern Quilt

August 26th, 2014

Claire Victor won $2,000 for her Modern Quilt Entry, Lost in Space, from sponsor, Modern Quilt’s Unlimited

About 15 years ago, Claire Victor decided she wanted to sew her own clothing. Inspired by her mother who was a great home seamstress, she started taking lessons at her local sewing store, Hartsdale Fabrics in Hartsdale, NY. Downstairs in the store, they had a quilt shop; something she had never seen before. What she saw there was so much more interesting than any preconceived notion she had had of what quilting was, and they had classes! Because of her work schedule, she was unable to take a class at that time but she sent ahead and bought the Eleanor Burns – Log Cabin Quilt-in-a-Day book, picked out some fabrics and off she went. She figured it all out on her own, laughed a lot along the way, had fun throughout the entire process and never looked back.

What inspired Claire’s winning design, Lost in Space? “I am interested in geometric patterns, especially ones with illusion. The tumbling block is my “block of choice.” I do them every which way I can think of. Recently, I had the chance to join a hand sewing group at Monica’s Quilt and Bead in Palm Desert, CA and I started to learn appliqué. All the ladies were doing more traditional patterns which did not interest me so I designed my own, an elongated tumbling block. The group came up with the name “Lost in Space”. My favorite reference books are from Sara Nephew and Marci Baker. I had also been studying an old Katie Pasquini-Masopust book.

How long did it take to make your winning quilt? What did you learn along the way? “I decided long ago to never pay attention to how long it takes to make a quilt; I just do it until it’s finished. But if I had to guess, I would say three or four months. It was a great journey; since this was my first appliqué quilt. I was (and still am) having trouble with the technique but it was very interesting to figure out the design and combine machine piecing, English paper piecing, hand sewing and then machine quilting.

What was your reaction when you won? “My first reaction was complete disbelief, and then I cried (a little). You might wish and dream about these moments but believe me they come when you least expect them. Needless to say, once I recovered, I was extremely honored.”

Did you do anything special with your prize money? “Almost immediately I ordered a custom made Sew Steady Table and the rest just went into my general sewing fund.”

Where do you go from here with your quilting? “I just continue…open to future possibilities. After saying I would ‘NEVER do appliqué’ it has turned out to be so interesting and challenging. I can achieve things with appliqué that I could not with regular piecing. I am now working on my fourth appliqué quilt.

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Tags: Applique, Eleanor Burns, Katie Pasquini-Masopust, Modern Quilting, Modern Quilts Unlimited, Monica's Quilt and Bead, Winning Quilt
Posted in quilt entries, Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2014 | 4 Comments »

So You Want To Make A Winning Quilt? 2014 Outstanding Art Quilt

August 22nd, 2014

Lenore Crawford won $3,000 from SewBatik, sponsor of the Outstanding Art Quilt Entry

Lenore Crawford began using fabric as an art medium around 1995. She loved the warmth, texture, and value that fabric offers as compared to other media. It was fun for Lenore to create art quilts with fabric and see how far she could take the medium.

Lenore’s winning entry, Capturing Brittany was inspired by her many visits to France. She loved France’s ancient architecture ever since her first visit when she was 16 years old. To be able to create art with fabric that resembled it was very intriguing to Lenore. Being able to achieve a very realistic design that truly looked like the real thing in fabric was so exciting. This particular piece was inspired by photos taken in a village in northern France. A class of art students was sketching that day.

Capturing Brittany was mostly created during the winter over several months. While making the quilt, Lenore learned that she loved to add fine detail to her designs, making them seem even more realistic. She fuses tiny pieces to add some of the detail where it’s still feasible, and when the pieces get to be too small, she uses a little bit of fabric paint instead of fabric. Shading and detail is what made the design look more realistic.

What was Lenore’s reaction when she won? “I was very excited to win. This means to me that I am accepted by my peers in my field. It is also a very great way to advertise my work especially for teaching.”

Did she do anything special with her prize money? “I spent a good chunk of the money on a good quality espresso machine. I love good coffee and especially missed it after getting home from our trip to New Zealand last year where you can even find a fabulous latte at McDonald’s!”

What is next for Lenore and her quilting? “That is the question of the hour! I feel at this point I want to do something different. I like change. We grow when we change. I don’t know what it will be, but I will always keep creating more art because that is my passion. I would love to learn to use Photoshop to manipulate my photos I use to create my art quilts, but we will see. Running a business keeps me very busy with teaching all over the world, maintaining my stock, doing paperwork, coming up with new patterns and classes. Life is so busy and sometimes gets in the way of the creative process. I will take some time this fall to see where I want to go now.”

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Tags: France, SewBatik, Winning Quilt
Posted in quilt entries, Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2014 | No Comments »

2015 Next Generation Quilt Challenge

August 19th, 2014

Road to California 2015- 20^th Anniversary Show is bringing back a popular exhibit where young quilters are the stars.Each year, budding young quilters attend the show, looking for inspiration for their own creations. Here is a platform to display their talents.

The Next Generation Quilt Challenge is open to youth who are 7 – 16 years of age on or before October 1, 2014. Road is working on securing prizes for EVERY entrant for this exhibit!!!

While Road to California understands that some adult help might be necessary, the primary work on the quilt needs to be done by the youth entering. Both commercial and traditional patterns are acceptable and tying is an appropriate substitute for quilting. For complete details to enter a quilt for the Next Generation Quilt Challenge, please go to our website.

The Next Generation Exhibit will be housed in the Canvas Cafe so everyone — even those supporters of young quilters who may not want to pay admission to see the entire quilt show — can still see the Next Generation Exhibit free of charge!

Is there a young quilter you know that you can pass along this exciting information?

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Tags: Young quilters; Quilt Challenge
Posted in quilt entries, Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2015- 20th Anniversary Show | No Comments »

So You Want To Make A Winning Quilt? 2014 Masterpiece Winner

August 14th, 2014

Margaret Solomon Gunn won $5,000 from sponsor Moore’s Sewing Center for her Masterpiece entry, Big Bertha.

Margaret started sewing when she was young, mostly making clothing. She made her first quilt about 25 years ago when she got her first sewing machine. Over the years, she didn’t quilt much except for making a few for gifts.

In 2007, she decided to try quilting again by using her scraps to make a donation quilt for Project Linus. And guess what? She got hooked on quilting once more!! Between 2007 and 2010, Margaret made over 100 quilts for Project Linus (and they didn’t decrease her stash hardly at all!!) Five years ago, Margaret bought a long arm and began a business quilting shortly thereafter.

Big Bertha was inspired by Margaret’s love for taking old patterns and modernizing them with bolder fabrics. She began the Dresden plates in the summer of 2011. By the time she had all the plates hand pieced/appliquéd, she noticed that there were Dresden quilt-alongs all over the quilting blogs. This really bummed her out as she likes to make unique quilts for shows. She ended up sticking the project in a box for nearly a year. One day, when Margaret was looking for something to work on, Big Bertha was the one closest to being ready to quilt, so she pulled it out and started to work on it again. It took four months to complete the top. The quilting was done over an eight week period, taking nearly 175 hours. Big Bertha debuted at its first show in 2013.

What did Margaret learn from creating Big Bertha? “I never want to make another quilt that is this large!”

What was Margaret’s reaction when she found out that she won the Masterpiece prize? “Quite surprised! It was the single largest prize I had ever won.”

Did she do anything special with her prize money? According to Margaret, “Looks like Uncle Sam will get a nice chunk, but basically no, not really.”

What is Margaret’s next project? “I always have several show quilts in the works…one in the design stage, one in piecing/applique, and one half quilted!”

Congratulations Margaret Solomon Gunn for winning the Masterpiece category, sponsored by Moore’s Sewing Center.

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Tags: Winning Quilt
Posted in quilt entries, Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2014, Road to California | No Comments »