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Christmas = Family

December 24th, 2013

The best Christmas memories are those that include family.

Last year the Reese clan gathered at Carolyn’s son David’s home. A huge Christmas tree filled with gifts greeted everyone when they arrived.

Carolyn was surrounded by generations of her family; her children, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren.

Carolyn’s sister Glenda was even there to join in the festivities.

Matt and Jen were having fun (this was a month before Matt proposed to Jen at Road 2013)

A Reese family tradition is having Santa come to surprise the kids. Last year, Dave wore the suit that his mother made years ago.

This year, the Reese family is spread out for Christmas. But no matter where they celebrate, you know they are close in heart.

Wishing you a Christmas surrounded by those you hold dear.

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Tags: Christmas, Family, Santa
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Candy Making: A Reese Family Holiday Tradition

December 18th, 2013

Do you have a favorite holiday food tradition?

For Carolyn Reese and her family, it is her annual candy making that stands out as one of their favorite (and tasty) traditions.

Years ago, Carolyn came across the 1970 edition of a cookbook entitled, Homemade Candy. Published by the food editors of Farm Journal, it holds the recipes for Carolyn’s renown confections. Using the step-by-step procedures in the book, Carolyn has perfected her own techniques through the years for such yummy delights as Peanut Brittle and Double Almond Crunch.

Besides eating their grandmother’s delicious candy, Carolyn’s grandchildren are also taking an interest in learning how to make her candy recipes themselves. Several years ago, Carolyn gave each of her grandchildren a copy of her candy making cookbook as a Christmas present. She was able to find copies of the 40 year old publication by doing a Google search. This holiday season, her son Darrell’s children have asked their grandmother to assist them. Darrell is 18 years old and asked Carolyn to help him make Divinity. Jillianne, age 14, made a batch of Peppermint Bark.

Carolyn wanted to share her recipe for her famous Peanut Brittle with our blog readers. If you have ever tried to make peanut brittle, you know it can be tricky. Because Carolyn has made this recipe so many times, she has definitely perfected the technique that can make it easy for anyone willing to try.

Before you begin, it is critical that you have a candy thermometer you can count on. Also, gather all of your ingredients and have them ready before you start. This includes spreading out a very large piece of heavy duty aluminum foil on your work area, that has been buttered. Your preparation will make all the difference!!

Carolyn’s Peanut Brittle

2 cups sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1 cup water

1 cup raw Spanish Peanuts

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons butter (not margarine)

3 teaspoons baking soda

Place peanuts in a shallow pan and bake in a slow (250 degrees) oven while the candy cooks.

Combine sugar, corn syrup, and water in a heavy saucepan. Cook slowly over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved. Continue cooking until the mixture reaches soft ball stage (236 degrees)

Add peanuts and salt; cook to just beyond the soft crack stage (290 to 300 degrees).

Add butter and soda, stirring to blend. Mixture will foam so watch out!!!

Pour candy mixture in an oval shape onto the large sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil that is well buttered. Leaving the center of the candy clear helps in stretching the brittle.

Allow candy to cool enough so that you can work with it — about 5 minutes. Lift and pull edges to stretch as thin as possible.

When cold, break in to pieces and enjoy!!! This recipe makes about 2-1/4 pounds.

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Tags: Candy Making, Double Almond Crunch, Family, Holiday Tradition, Peanut Brittle
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Road 2014 Faculty/Vendor/Sponsor Spotlight: Meet Jodi Barrows

December 14th, 2013

Jodi will be teaching a two day class, #1201 Option Overview of the Square in a Square Technique on Monday and Tuesday. She will also be teaching two evening classes, #5031 Constellation on Friday and #6031 All Spruced Up on Saturday.

Personal: Jodi Barrows led a quilting revolution before anyone knew there was a revolution. Twenty years ago, she created an easy to follow way to improve the quality and ease of putting quilt plans together known as Square in a Square. Jodi calls herself a quilting visionary. She is also an author and presenter, having spoken to quilting audiences throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, Italy, and South Africa. Originally from the small town of Hugoton, Kansas, she is the mother of two sons, and since 2012, a grandmother to one granddaughter. She and her husband also have two yorkies, Cotton and Paisley, who have appeared in some of her books and videos.

What was the last book you read? I just got a copy of my own new novel Threads of Change and just finished it.

How did you get started in quilting? My family sewed and I grew up with the sewing machine on the kitchen table that was moved only during meal time. My mother and grandmother made quilts as well as garments.

Where do you find inspiration for your quilting? My love for both history and tradition has been my inspiration for sewing.

What is the one quilting tool that you can’t live without? The one tool I could not live without would be the rotary cutter. It makes your work easy, fast and accurate. I remember the first time I saw a rotary cutter. An older woman I knew from church asked me to meet her in the parking lot after the service. When we arrived at her car, she opened the trunk and there was an eye glass case. (Her husband was an ophthalmologist). She opened the case and inside was a yellow Olfa rotary cutter. That rotary cutter changed my quilting life forever.

What do you like to do when you aren’t quilting? With a new granddaughter, my favorite non-quilting activity is seeing and playing with her. In addition, I like to read, write and visit with friends and family. I also find enjoyment in cleaning and playing in my fabric and sewing room.

What is the best class you have taken? I am learning to knit and it really helps me as I teach beginners in quilting. Being a novice knitter has taught me to make sure I start at ground zero as I teach to new students.

What do you like best about teaching? It gives me a thrill to see the ‘light bulb’ go on in the face of a student as they learn the system.

What do you want your students to get out of your class? It gives me great joy to hear from students after class about what they have learned. Many times what they learn is a technique that can be applied immediately to their way of quilting. It is nice for beginners and seasoned quilters to go away from a class that is memorable.

What is your best tip for quilters? Be yourself but stretch yourself. Always be willing to learn new things. Be positive and teachable.

Jodi and Square in a Square will be in Booths 202, 204, and 206 featuring Square in a Square rulers and tools, pattern books, and fabric kits.

You can find Jodi at www.squareinasquare.com

Road appreciates Jodi Barrow and Square in a Square for being one of the sponsors of the show.

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Tags: Olfa, Square in a Square, Threads of Change
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Why Volunteers Matter At Road

December 11th, 2013

The success of Road to California relies much on the good will of our volunteers. We appreciate the many hours donated to the event with unpacking the show, tagging quilts for judging, assisting on the judging floor and in the photography room, hanging the quilts on the show floor, and of course, white glove duty. When the show is over, generous volunteers help with signing out staff, taking down the quilts and packing them for shipping back to their owners.

Affectionately referred to as Roadies, our volunteers come from all over the United States and abroad as well. This year, a French magazine editor will be volunteering on the judging floor to get a feel for how Road handles this enormous and important task. Quilters from Australia and England have also requested opportunities to help. A Road attendee from Canada has indicated she would like to white glove. When attendees arrive at Road, especially from a distance, they often want to fill “free” time by white gloving. There are many volunteers from throughout Southern California who come back year after year because they love being involved. Both men and women volunteer. Sometimes, a husband and wife will volunteer together. Or sometimes it is a mother introducing a daughter to something she has loved doing over the years. One woman from the Bay area meets her sister from the East Coast each year and they volunteer together.

Jan Huber is Road’s Volunteer Coordinator and has been sharing her duties with Joyce Bachelder for the past three years. Jan is a quilter and has herself volunteered in several capacities for Road over the years. She has also been a part of the Road Staff, coordinating the hanging of Special Exhibits. She enjoys chatting with volunteers who return year after year. Says Jan, “It is like catching up with old friends. I love being a part of the ‘Road’ family and being involved ‘behind the scene’ at my most favorite quilt show.”

During Road to California, Jan is really involved with her Roadies. As a coordinator, she checks in the volunteers prior to their shift time, informs them of their responsibilities, answers questions, and assigns them to the specific locations they will cover. At the end of their shift, she checks them back in and gives out any “perks” that they might have earned. Jan strives to “ensure that all the bases are covered and that volunteers have a positive experience and look forward to the next year, too.”

What are some of the “perks” Jan was referring to? All volunteers that have given 4 hours of service are recognized with a Road to California pin along with a “Roadie” bar. These bars are uniquely designed every year and can be added to their special pin. In addition, volunteers who work four hours also receive a multi-day admission to the show. Volunteers who work six hours get all the perks of a four hour helper and their choice of a Special Event or Lecture Ticket (subject to availability) or Priority On-Line Registration for the 2015 Class Sessions.

New for 2014, all prospective volunteers can register on-line. Simply log on with your account at http://online.roadtocalifornia.com, change Miscellaneous Items to Volunteer Opportunities, and drag your desired times into the calendar, then click REGISTER. Volunteers will get an email confirmation of the day/time they have selected. When Roadies arrive at the Volunteer Check-In Table, they can expect a friendly greeting and a positive experience. Road wants our volunteers to come back again and again.

Roadies must be 18 years of age (due to insurance reasons), be in good physical health, and be able to stand and/or walk for a two-hour shift.

Finally, Jan offers her perspective of volunteering at Road: “Volunteering is a great way to get up close and personal with exquisite quilts and is an opportunity to interact with other quilt lovers from all over. It is also a great way to share information with the viewing public. Plus, it is great fun to be a part of a major quilt show. Enthusiasm for quilting can be contagious!”

Share your enthusiasm for quilting…sign up on-line to be an official Road to California Roadie.

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Tags: Roadies, Volunteer, White Glove
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Road 2014 Vendor Spotlight: Meet Cony Larsen of Ammee & Co.

December 6th, 2013

Cony Larsen is a first time vendor at Road. Her Ammee & Co. will be in Booth 223 featuring the Edgit! Piercing & Crochet Hooks along with “the cutest crochet kits for kids” according to Carolyn Reese.

Personal: This busy mother and grandmother also has a heart of gold. In 2008, she viewed a documentary on newborns in Honduras and saw how they were sent home from the hospital wrapped in newspaper after the country had been devastated by severe flooding. She wanted to do something to help and her “sweetie” suggested that she make crochet blankets to donate. This led to her inventing a new product, the Edgit!, and her original business, Ammee’s Babies.

How did you get involved with quilting? I have been a crafter for the last four decades. I started with crochet when I was six years old. My first grade teacher taught me how. I learned to quilt and sew and did that for 14 years for my five children when they were babies. After that, I founded a scrapbooking company and designed for the scrapbook industry for 10 years. I also knit and now I have come full circle back to my first love, crochet!

Where did you get the idea for your company? I often found it was difficult to find the time to crochet an entire project. I knew other friends were in the same situation. I also knew my product needed to be unique, high quality, and quick and easy to finish. That’s why I chose hemstitching. I had been hemstitching for a couple of decades and loved it because I could finish edging a blanket in one day. It was the perfect creative outlet for busy crafters and a great beginners project too!

Why did you change from Ammee’s Babies to Ammee & Co.? We have re-branded because we are expanding our line to a variety of craft products rather than just baby items.

How does the Edgit! help with crocheting? It is the optimal tool for smooth piercing through two layers of fabric, making it simple to crochet on the edges. It eliminates having to punch holes with a hemstitch machine and can be used to embellish aprons, kitchen towels, pillowcases, blankets and, of course, baby projects too!

What are you looking forward to as a first time vendor at Road? I’m looking forward to the high energy that quilters bring to the market. Their love for fabrics inspires me to keep trying new things. I’m also looking forward to show quilters how they can enjoy working with both fabrics and fibers at the same time in one project.

What will you be featuring in your booth? Of course, our revolutionary tool, the Edgit! Piercing & Crochet Hooks. I will also be introducing our newest pattern books: Simply Sweet Crochet Boutique Projects for Little Girls, and Just Dreamy Crochet Edges along with kits to make hemstitched blankets, bibs, and burps. Because our business began by being committed to making a difference in the way a newborn begins life, a part of the proceeds from selling our products goes toward donating blankets for babies, a win-win situation!

What advice do you have for quilters? I love quilters because they are very diversified. They are not “just quilters”; they love to try other crafts. Most quilters I know also know how to knit, crochet, scrapbook, garden, paint, etc. I guess my best advice for the novice quilter is to diversify your talent. When you do this, new ideas, new concepts, and new energy will be infused in your projects.

You can find Cony at: http://www.ammeeandco.com

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Tags: Crochet, Edgit!, Hemstitiching, Honduras
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Social Media Favorite: Laura Heine and Fiberworks

December 3rd, 2013

Laura Heine and Fiberworks has been a popular Road to California teacher and vendor since 2014.

A native of Montana, this registered nurse gave up a full time nursing position to open her quilt shop in Billings in 1994 and has “never regretted it.” Laura is the mother of two grown children – daughter Jenna and son Brandon. Her best friend is her Labrador, Hannah, who comes to work with her every day. When she isn’t quilting, Laura enjoys glamping— glamorous/luxury camping. She owns a pink 1956 Shasta trailer that she restored. She takes it on all travels that she drives to including every time she teaches at Road to California. Look for her pink trailer in the parking lot of the Ontario Convention Center!!

Laura started quilting over 30 years ago when she was expecting her first child. She took a quilting class so that she could be able to say “I made one quilt in my life.” Laura figured after the baby came, her chances to quilt again would be lost. Not true!! Since then, Laura has made countless quilts and has gone on to be a fabric designer, teacher, author and thread designer. Laura will be teaching two classes during Road to California 2018. On Monday,

1007C Paisley Bear Floral Collage

and on Tuesday,

2006C Painterly Collage…Making a Fish

Both classes are perfect for beginners wanting to learn her collage technique.

What is Laura’s best advice for quilters? “Do what you like, like what you do. You don’t always have to follow the rules.” Laura’s business in Montana, Fiberworks, is a 6,000 square foot shop where “talent, imagination and fun meets fabric, patterns, quilts, threads, and classes.” It supports a community of fiber artists that includes those just starting out, those whose work proudly adorns Fiberworks’ walls, and a delightful rainbow of colors in between. It’s a “quilter’s heaven” where “friends and quilters are invited to just bring your imagination.”

Looking for quilt items that have a modern flair at Road 2018? Then stop by Laura’s Fiberworks booth. She will have a large selection of patterns that she has designed and can only be found in her shop or on her website. Laura loves it when customers “get lost” in her booth!

What does Laura like most about coming to Road to California each year? “Meeting old friends and a whole new group of people! I look forward to the happy faces and the camaraderie that comes with quilting.” To learn more about Laura, visit her website. ]]>

Tags: Modern Quilting, Quilt Patterns, Quilt Threads
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Five Reasons Why Judging For Road Is Different From The Rest

November 26th, 2013

Quilt submissions for Road to California’s 2014 Contest were due October 1st. All accepted entries have been notified by email. During the next few weeks, qualifying quilts will begin arriving at the Road office. Soon, the judging will begin!!!

With over $50,000 in cash prizes to be awarded, our judges work earnestly in considering each eligible entry. Judging for Road is unlike judging for other shows. According to Stevii Graves, Road’s Judging Coordinator since 2002, there are Five Reasons why judging for Road to California is so unique:

1. How they are judged. Most quilt contests judge the quilts as they hang in the exhibit hall by categories. At Road, quilts are judged laying flat on tables.

2. Experience. Many of the volunteers working Road’s judging floor have been working on the floor since 1997. They know their jobs and are the key to a smoothly operating judging floor.

2013 Bet of Show “Red Feathers”

3. Expertise. Several volunteers working on the judging floor are judges in their own right.

4. State of the Art Record Keeping. Road to California has a fantastic computer program that allows judging comments to be entered on-line. It also keeps track of which quilts have been judged, what special awards they may be awarded, and more. The judges’ comments along with the final results are emailed to the quilters Tuesday evening when the judging has been completed.

2013 Masterpiece Winner: The Peaceful Ones

5. Recognition. Every quilt entered into the Road to California quilt competition is returned with a quilt label that can be sewn to the quilt that says that this quilt was entered into Road’s quilt competition. In the past, these labels have been silk screened. This year, the labels have all been machine embroidered.

2013 Director’s Award: Carousel Stampede

I can’t wait to see which quilts will be judged Road to California’s 2014 Quilters’ Conference and Showcase Award Winning Entries. How about you?

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Tags: Quilt Judging
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A Birthday Wish

November 23rd, 2013

Road to California is all about family. It is a family run business under the direction of owner Carolyn Reese, managed by grandson Matt Reese, a business dedicated to promoting a feeling of family for all who attends. And while you’ll see various members of the Reese family participating in putting on the show, there is one member of their family who can’t join in but who is always close in thought.

Glenda Kaye White is Carolyn’s sister. Born November 23, 1944, Glenda suffered a birth injury which left her with the mental capacity of a seven year old. When Glenda was younger, Carolyn’s mother took care of all of her needs and made sure that Glenda was provided opportunities to experience the world around her. Today, Glenda is happy and doesn’t have a care in the world. She lives in a special facility in Upland, California. Glenda’s favorites include country music, “I Love Lucy” re-runs, the color red, and the song, “You are my Sunshine.” But more than anything else, Glenda LOVES GETTING MAIL. Birthday cards, postcards, holiday cards, short notes — anything that the postman delivers just for her brings true joy and excitement in to Glenda’s life. She collects each and every letter and safe keeps them in her special RED purse to read over and over again.

So, in honor of Glenda’s birthday and the holiday season that is fast approaching, the Reese family would like to ask a favor of you, our Road extended family….Would you mind sending a card to Glenda? A belated birthday wish, a holiday message — any kind of card would do. Our hope is that Glenda will receive lots and lots of mail, beginning today, through Thanksgiving, and on to the entire month of December. Can you imagine what a thrill it would be for her? Here is her address:

Glenda Kaye White

1289 North 3^rd

Upland, California 91786

You can be sure that this small act of kindness will make a world of difference to one woman’s life. A real birthday wish come true!!!

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Tags: Carolyn Reese, Family, Holiday, Holiday Cheer, Matt Reese
Posted in behind the scenes, Road 2 CA Blog, Road to California | 2 Comments »

Road 2014 Vendor Spotlight: Meet Virginia Walton of Creative Curves

November 20th, 2013

Virginia and Creative Curves will be in Booth 907 featuring the Creative Curves Quilting System, the Creative Curves Kaleidoscope Ruler and the Multi-Angle, Wedge Ruler.

Personal: Virginia Walton is a wife, mother, grandmother, quilter, teacher, author, and inventor. While she currently lives near Albuquerque, New Mexico, she left her heart in San Francisco. Born in Oakland, California, she grew up in the city by the bay and has lived and traveled “almost everywhere.” Her husband was a career military man and her business has taken her to far away destinations like Europe and Hong Kong, Still, Virginia feels that, “once you are from San Francisco, and around that area, it always holds a special part of your heart.”

How did you get involved with quilting? After spending close to seven years in bed with a misdiagnosed back problem and after a couple of surgeries, I started to look for something to do for myself (aside from three children and a husband). This was about 1976 and the bicentennial had resurrected all the ‘home arts’ including quilting. We were living in the DC area and I went from taking machine piecing classes to teaching classes within a couple of months. With the sewing machine I was able to fit my love of quilting and designing around my family life

What is the one quilting tool that you can’t live without? My Olfa straight-handle 28mm rotary cutter. Though I design quilting tools, I could make templates if I had to but cutting out the shapes to sew together would become a chore if I couldn’t do the cutting with this rotary cutter. It is truly the best one for cutting 4 pieces at a time accurately and is the easiest on my body (eliminating any potential carpal tunnel problems).

Virginia will also be teaching on Wednesday #3020 Serpentine Twist

What do you like best about teaching? It is the best part of my business! Seeing the light come on in a student’s eyes when they successfully start to have fun when they are piecing a quilt using my ‘no pins’ method of machine piecing – there is nothing so rewarding!

What is the funniest or most embarrassing moment you have experienced while teaching? I was teaching in France and was explaining how to do a rotary cutting technique when I used a word that clearly meant something different in French that it does when used in the U.S. After hearing many gasps and seeing hands come up to cover faces, it was pretty obvious I had said something wrong. However, trying to have one of the students tell me what I had done or said just met with a lot of head shaking. So I finally said that the class couldn’t continue until someone told me what I had done. After a rather long pause one of the students whispered in my ear what the problem was – I rephrased my statement, we all laughed and class continued.

What is your best tip for quilters? Relax, have fun and don’t get hung up on being perfect, especially when learning a new technique. Also, change the way you are cutting your fabric. Most quilters cut horizontal to the table. Instead, they should be cutting almost perpendicular to the table and look ahead of where the rotary blade is cutting. By cutting almost perpendicular, it helps to eliminate potential carpal tunnel problems. By looking ahead when cutting instead of at the blade of the rotary cutter, your eyes will look where you should be cutting and you will be accurate. This will also help reduce damaging the blades because you won’t run into the plastic ruler or tool.

You can find Virginia at: www.creativecurves.com

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Road 2014 Vendor Spotlight: Meet Ruthmarie Hofmann of Hofmann Originals

November 16th, 2013

Ruthmarie and Hofmann Originals will be in Booth 532 and 534, featuring their product line of Bead Gravy, Bead Soup Starter, and Bead Soup glass beads.

Personal: Ruthmarie Hofmann is a compulsive dabbler in multiple techniques. Married for 30 years and the mother of one daughter, Ruthmarie finds inspiration across all ranges of mediums, be it fabric, fiber, paper or paint. She also enjoys nature in all forms, from cellular to aerial photography. She prides herself on trying to be “out-of-the-box.”

How did you get started in your industry? My needle art background is in surface stitchery, beady embellishment and canvas work. I painted custom canvases and sold a line of original work an eternity ago. That interest was born of a self-taught plunge into a 2×3 foot needlepoint rug during adolescence. My first projects were seldom small nor simple. Now, thanks to aging and never ever enough time, my projects are short, sweet and simple.

Tell us about Hofmann Originals: It is a home-based business started by me and my husband in Rocklin, California, that focuses on the embellishment delights of glass beads. Our principal products are hand-stirred beady recipes, packaged under the product lines of Bead Gravy, Bead Soup Starter and Bead Soup. Our products can be found in quilt or craft shops across the USA and Australia.

What is the one tool you can’t live without? No matter what the medium, when it comes to cutting or stitching anything, it better be a SHARP tool or needles. Thank heaven also for rotary cutters and large-handled scissors as aging just isn’t kind to rusting hands.

What is the best class you have taken? An eternity ago when I was still young and dewy, I took a weekend class with Constance Howard. A needlework maven, her delightfully intuitive yet focused approach to design and color still pops to mind today.

Ruthmarie will be teaching #4038 Beaded Fabric Brooch on Thursday evening.

What do you like best about teaching? Watching a student realize that they can easily insert their ideas and personality into a technique and that creativity is truly inherent in everyone.

What do you want your students to get out of your class? “Play” is not a four-letter word and most instructions are guidelines subject to personal tweaking.

What is your best tip for quilters? Always push a little further out of your comfort zone be it a color you don’t normally like or intuitive stitching/piecing. Even if you don’t like the results, the attempt will make you even braver the next time until you are no longer thinking “in the box”. And once you’re out of the box, there is no getting back which, ultimately, you won’t mind at all.

You can find Ruthmarie at: www.beadsoupandmore.com

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