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Celebrating Inspiration – Road to California 2013 Winners

January 29th, 2013

What a Conference!!!

The number one response I heard when asking attendees what they thought about this year’s Road to California was, “It was so inspiring.” And who wouldn’t be inspired what with so many beautiful quilts on display. Among those on the showroom floor, were the 84 winning entries. How exactly were those winning quilts chosen?

Judging was again supervised by Road to California’s capable and experienced staff member, Stevii Graves. She oversaw an extensive process that involved not only our three judges (Kathy McNeil, Marti Michell, and Linda Taylor) but an additional volunteer force of 17 people working the judging floor. These volunteers — many who are skilled quilt judges in their own right — assisted the judges by keeping the quilts in order, fanning them out for viewing, and writing down notes as the judges dictated their responses.

Judging was over a period of two days. The judging floor was located in a locked area of the convention center. Uniformed guards maintained security of the quilts over night. Efficiency was the key in the judging process. Each and every quilt received its’ opportunity to be viewed by the judges. They worked in a team, discussing all aspects of the quilt and sharing their opinions. Every comment was recorded by four scribes to make sure that every assessment was remembered. While the judging was gong on, additional Road staff assisted in taking the final photographs of all the entries. Those were the pictures used to announce the winners on our website and on the official Road to California DVD.

When everything was said and done, the winning quilts were determined. All entrants received an email Tuesday evening, notifying them of the top winners as well as receiving feedback from the judges on their entry. The prize winning quilters also received an additional congratulatory email.

So, what was the $5,000 Grand Prize Winner this year? Red Feathers by Marilyn Badger:

A huge thank you to everyone who entered. Stay tuned for more winners and news from this year’s conference.

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Power Suits Aren't Just A Fashion Statement

January 24th, 2013

Quilt challenges can come from really strange sources.

Take the Road to California Exhibit, Power Suits. When art quilter, teacher and lecturer, Cyndi Souder (www.moonlightingquilts.com) was approached by a local tailor looking for someone to give his outdated fabric swatches to, her creative juices starting flowing and a quilt challenge was born. Teaming with JudyGula of Artistic Artifacts, they developed a theme, packaged the swatches, and offered them for free to interested quilters.

Living in Washington D.C., the theme, “Power Suits,” was an obvious choice. Prospective quilters were asked, “What does power suits mean to you?” Based on their interpretation, 105 artists created 108 magnificent art quilts expressing their points of view. The resulting quilts explored such diverse topics as politics, family, work life, playing cards, and super heroes.

The exhibit opened in October, 2011 and was originally housed at Artistic Artifacts Headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. Then, beginning in March, 2012, “Power Suits” became a traveling exhibit.

Road to California is excited and proud to present “Power Suits” at this year’s conference.

What does “power suits” mean to you?

Pictures courtesy of http://www.powersuitquilts.com/

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Vendor Spotlight: Artistic Artifacts

January 22nd, 2013

New to Road to California this year is Artistic Artifacts, producers of fiber art and mixed media supplies and the new owner of Batik Tambal fabrics.

Artistic Artifacts is the vision of mixed media fiber artist, Judy Vincentz Gula. Judy has been involved in fiber art since elementary school. After graduating college with majors in Fashion Design and Business Marketing, she has since learned to weave, sew, dye, stamp, quilt, bead make jewelry and more. All those experiences and contacts have brought her to fiber art and mixed media which she explores through her art quilts and fiber/mixed media jewelry.

How does a mixed media fiber artist share her passion with others? Judy says, “I inherited the coveted collector and treasure hunter genes from my family. I enjoy hunting and gathering really cool stuff which the casual observer would think has outlived its usefulness and use it in my art. Artistic Artifacts is the combination of my passions for creating unique art and collecting wonderful bits and treasures to share with others.”

Since March, 2008, Artistic Artifacts “brick and mortar” store has been located In Alexandria, Virginia in a storefront that once belonged to her family’s auto accessory business. The space that used to shelter high performance automobiles, their parts and accessories now houses, fabrics, embellishments, paint, found objects, ephemera, classroom space and more. Artistic Artifacts can also be found online at www.ArtisticArtifacts.com.

Purchasing Batik Tambal fabrics, a well-known importer of Indonesian batik fabrics and textile items in January, 2012, was a natural fit for Artistic Artifacts and their other fine products. “I’m excited to be continuing this long tradition of bringing high-quality batiks to the quilting world and beyond,” says Judy.

Artistic Artifacts will be in Booth 629 on the showroom floor of Road to California. There you can find their mixed media supplies including Stewart Gill Paints, Wood Blocks, Australian and Exotic Fabrics, Threads, and Books. They will be featuring Tentakulum German hand dyed threads and fiber packages as well. The Batik Tambal line will include hand drawn batik panels, Indonesian Fabrics, Batik Fabrics, Hand Bags, Silk Batik Scarves, and Copper Tjaps.

You won’t want to miss the demonstrations going on in the booth conducted by authors Liz Kettle and Ruth Chandler. In addition, Artistic Artifacts will be a part of the Friday Night Activity, “Roundabout.”

Road to California is thrilled to have Artistic Artifacts a part of this year’s show. Won’t you stop by and welcome the Artistic Artifacts team?

Pictures Courtesy of International Quilt Market

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Souvenirs and More at the Road Booth

January 19th, 2013

You are coming to road with your to-do list in hand: Attend classes — Buy fabric and supplies — Network with old and new friends — Have a fabulous time. But wait…there is one more thing to add: Souvenirs. Who doesn’t like to travel and bring home a souvenir either for themselves or for someone left at home?

Road to California has their own Souvenir Booth (1H) that is loaded with inexpensive gifts for you, your guild friends, your sewing buddies, or anyone else that couldn’t make it to the quilt show this year. Here is a preview of some of the great stash that will be available to purchase at the booth:

For just $1.00, you can buy a handy, Scant 1/4″ Seam Ruler.

Check out the beautiful Tote Bags. Use your bag at Road and when you get home.

There are great Tags to make sure you don’t lose track of your tote bag, luggage, or anything else.

Remember, one of Stevvi’s “Five Tips for a Successful Quilt Conference” was to utilize a Badge Holder.

If you collect Road to California Conference Pins, purchase them at the booth.

And Free to Everyone, are these Bookmarks, highlighting the important dates to keep in mind for next year’s event.

One last thing, don’t forget to buy some yummy Caramels to enjoy while you are at the show. When Carolyn and her mother owned their quilt store, they always had homemade caramels on hand to sell to their customers. Carolyn has continued her delicious caramel tradition here at Road.

We will be looking for you at 1H, the Road booth. Stop by to say hi, visit for a bit, and pick up some great Road to California souvenirs.

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Tags: Shopping, Souvenirs
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Shhhh…Have I Got Some Road Secrets For You

January 17th, 2013

With so much to offer at Road to California, you might just miss out on some of the best kept secrets of the show. Here are a couple tidbits that you won’t want to pass by:

Sit in on Lectures- Maybe you don’t have time for an entire class. Or the class you wanted to attend is sold out. You still want to learn some techniques or improve your skills. Attending a lecture might be just what you are looking for. Lectures are designed as an intimate opportunity to hear from our experts on a specific topic. They are informal and encourage questions and comments so that everyone benefits from sharing information. Most lectures cost between $10 and $40 to attend and last one to two hours long.

Support Special Speakers- After wandering around the convention center hour after glorious hour, you think you’re done and want to call it a day. Don’t you dare. Because if you do, you’ll really miss out. End each day listening to amazing presenters sharing their insights on current trends and interesting topics. This year, we’ve scheduled some really special speakers: Thursday night features Angela Walters www.quiltingismytherapy.com and Emily Cier www.carolinapatchworks.com talking on the world of Modern Quilting.

Angela Walters Emily Cier

Friday night join Eleanor Burns www.quiltinaday.com as she tells the stories of America’s First Ladies and the quilt blocks that have been designed to honor them. If you can’t make Ms. Burns’ presentation on Friday, there is always Saturday morning when she will be repeating her lecture.

And on Saturday night, nationally known lecturer, author, consultant, and curator, Julie Silber, will be sharing her insights in to the light — and more serious side of “Quilts as Therapy.” What is so compelling about quilts, how they can figure into addiction and compulsion, and how they function as healers?

Secrets are meant to be shared and we couldn’t resist sharing ours with you.

Have you found any other secret gems at Road?

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Five Tips For A Great Quilt Conference

January 16th, 2013

Whether this is your first time attending Road to California or you’ve been several times in the past, we want to make sure you have the best possible conference experience. We asked one of our staff, Stevii Graves, for her tips on how to prepare for a quilt conference. Stevii has attended many quilt conferences of all shapes and sizes and she has perfected strategies that have made the difference between a good and a GREAT conference.

Stevii’s Five Tips for a Great Quilt Conference

1) Wear Comfortable Shoes. There is a lot of walking involved at the conference. The vendor booths, exhibits, refreshment areas, and classrooms take up the entire convention center space. It is important for you to be comfortable as you maneuver around the various offerings. A podiatrist would tell you to wear socks and lace up shoes with an enclosed heel (a la tennis shoe). A thick cushy sole also helps put a bounce in your step. If your feet aren’t happy, then you won’t be either.

2) Think Layers. The convention center is a giant cavern and can be on the cool side. Eating your buffet lunch on the patio to enjoy the sunshine is enticing, but the air will probably still be a tad chilly. Classrooms can heat up quickly with so many energetic quilters at work. Wear clothing that is comfortable and layered so you can adapt easily to the varied temperatures.
3) Ditch your purse. Purses can get heavy, the straps slip off your shoulder and they are always in the way. Stevii prefers to wear a nylon name badge holder around her neck. In the badge holder she has some cash, a credit card, driver’s license and a mechanical pencil for note taking. The Road to California booth (H-1) sells the nylon badge holders. Or, if you want to be creative, you can make your own badge holder, using the Java House (booth 8-9H) pattern. Order the pattern on-line or buy one at the show so you will be ready for next year. She also recommends sticking a lipstick in a pocket and putting your cell phone where God intended you to put your cell phone… in your bra. Or better yet, go by the Graphic Impressions (booth 317-319-321) and buy a sparkly iPhone holder that goes around your neck. 4) Have a plan. Decide if your starting off place is going to be vendors or the quilt displays. For Stevii, SHE HAS to go up and down rows in some logical manner. If she’s starting with vendors, she goes to one of the back corners to start. It is less crowded back there and the vendors are thrilled to see you. If she needs supplies for home or for a class she is taking at the show, she has a written list of what she needs right in her hot little hand. Stevii always stops to see the demonstrations in the booths. After all, she figures you never know what tidbit of information you can pick up by watching and listening. Write your notes down in a Road to California Show Book that is available for $1.00 at the show. As Stevii admits, she has a hard time remembering where the cute pattern booth is located or where she heard that expensive bundle of fabric calling her name. Keeping track of this stuff in the Show Book saves brain power and a lot of frustration too. 5) Buy it when you see it. Take advantage of vendor deals and don’t risk the chance of having your favorite item being sold out. If your purchases are weighing down your arms and shoulders, you can leave your bags with the Boy Scout Sack Sitters in Room 102. The tips the Boy Scouts get from this activity send them to camp every year. You can even leave your sewing machine and supplies with them overnight.

There you have it from the expert. A little pre-planning goes a long way to making the most of your conference experience.

Do you have any other handy hints to add to Stevii’s list?

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Tags: Quilt Conference Tips
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The Food at Road is Mmm Mmm Good

January 9th, 2013

If you like to eat good food, (and who doesn’t ) than come hungry to this year’s conference. The Reese family knows that a key ingredient to any successful gathering is the food that is served. That is why Carolyn puts a lot of time and enthusiasm in planning the food choices available at Road.

For the past seven years, Savor…Catering at the Ontario Convention Center, has been providing the delicious meals, snacks, and beverages served during the week-long event. Victoria Van Damme, Director of Food and Beverage, says she enjoys providing the food for Road because “It is a very special show. The women who attend are appreciative of everything and have so much energy. It is a great event to relax, shop and eat.”

Monday through Sunday, a different buffet lunch is offered featuring comfort food and international cuisine. Beef Brisket, Shepherd’s Pie, Italian, Mexican, and a Soup and Salad Bar are just a sampling of the main courses that will be served. For just $12, guests can enjoy a full array of side dishes, desserts, and choice of beverage to go along with the main dish of the day. Yum. Yum. Yum.

A la carte items are also available for purchase. Everything from burritos, chili dogs, French dip sandwiches to pretzels, popcorn, churros, fresh fruit and cupcakes. These items can be found in The Market located in the rear of the exhibit hall or at The Express Cafe in the pre-function area of the Convention Center.

And if that isn’t enough choices, for the third year in a row, California Pizza Kitchen and All American Softie ice cream truck will be on hand for your dining pleasure.

New this year is the O Lounge—a full service sit down bar. Seating 30 people, the O Lounge will be the perfect meeting spot to unwind and visit while enjoying a cup of coffee, a glass of wine (Victoria commented that quilters love their wine!!), or other adult beverages for purchase. Meet you at the “O.”

Good friends. Good fun. Good food.

What favorite food are you going to try this year?

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Get Your Kicks With Route 66 Exhibit

January 7th, 2013

Road to California is proud to present the West Coast Premiere of the Route 66 Traveling Quilt Exhibit.

Hurray for Neon by Darlene Schrag

The original idea for this exhibit came from a conversation Carolyn had with “artist turned quilter” Patt Blair at Road to California two years ago. They found themselves brainstorming what they thought would be fun themes for a quilt exhibit and they both agreed that Route 66 would be a great fit—especially since Road to California is located just a few miles south of the famous roadway.

Patt and Kelly Gallagher Abbott of www.jukeboxquilts.com are the Co-Curators of this project. Their intent was to have a collection of quilts representing all eight states that host Route 66. When Patt and Kelly called for the entries, they asked prospective quilters to submit what they wanted to represent along the route. Everyone who participated got to see what all the other entrants were submitting so that there were no duplicates in the quilt stories. In the end, forty six “incredibly talented artists” were selected to participate. The biggest contingency –twenty four– come from California.

Patt related that the exhibit “Was tons of fun to put together.” In addition to curating the exhibit, Patt created one of the entries as a tribute to Carolyn Reese’s own personal memories of the famed route. Says Carolyn, “In 1942, when I was five years old, I was suffering from extreme allergies. The doctors told my mother that I could only get relief by leaving Southern California and go to a dryer climate. Since my parents were originally from Oklahoma and we had family there, it was decided that there was where we would go. So, in my parent’s brand new, maroon, Chevy coupe, we traveled from Lynwood, California to Meeker, Oklahoma via Route 66. One of my fondest memories was when we stopped along the way at a train crossing to let the train pass by. My mother had me get out of the car and wave to the passengers – all young men (some even boys) off to serve in World War II. I have never forgotten that experience and how I felt.”

Carolyn’s WWII Memories by Patt Blair

One of the artists, Valerie Victorino, was drawn to this project because of her close ties with the route itself. Valerie lives and works in Rancho Cucamonga, California, where Route 66 travels through the heart of the city. In addition, her parents travelled along Route 66 from Iowa to California where they eventually settled. Valerie’s inspiration came from historic photos she obtained from the Rancho Cucamonga archives. Valerie said of her experience, “I tried to be as accurate as possible which is challenging when working with fabric. It was really fun to work on.”

Valerie Victorino-Cucamonga

The exhibit was launched at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Festival in Colorado in August of last year. Since then, it began its travels to smaller quilt shows as it prepared for its major debut at Road to California. The curators will be on hand at Preview Night, 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening of Road as well as presenting curator talks and a history of Route 66 during the conference. When Road to California turns off its lights for this year, the Route 66 Traveling Quilt Exhibit will resume its travels for the next two years.

We are honored to host the West Coast Premiere and give all of our attendees an up close look at this fabulous exhibit.

California or Bust by Mary Ann Hildebrand

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Tags: Quilt Exhibit, Route 66
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Wishing You A Very Merry Christmas

December 24th, 2012

Christmas Eve finds the Reese extended family gathered together to share their family’s traditions. This year, Carolyn, her sons and their families (which includes Carolyn’s four great-grandchildren) are gathering at son Dave’s home. Included in the annual festivities is a visit from Santa Claus. Many years ago, Carolyn created the Reese family Santa Suit. It has been worn by her sons and grandson to the delight of young and old. Carolyn learned to sew at 8 years of age under the guidance of her grandmother. Years later, Carolyn perfected her sewing skills working for May Co. in Lakewood, California. Her specialty in alterations provided the perfect experience needed to put together an authentic Santa Suit. In 2010, grandson Matt wore the suit. Here he is entertaining Carolyn’s great-grandson K.J. and K.J.’s mom, Carie:

All of the Reese family join together to wish you a very Merry Christmas. We are looking forward to seeing you in the New Year at Road to California.

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Are You Roadie Material?

December 21st, 2012

Any big undertaking requires many people working together to insure an optimal experience and Road to California is no different. After all, there are only so many members of the Reese family to go around and there are so many tasks that need to be attended to during “The Best in the West” Quilters’ Conference. While there are a few paid employees outside of the Reese family, a majority of the service given during the week-long event is provided by our wonderful volunteers, affectionately known as Roadies.

Roadies volunteer a minimum of two hours per shift during the course of the quilt show. Their contributions include setting up the quilt displays prior to the show’s opening, closing down the exhibits each evening of the show, and the most important need: serving as white glove hosts throughout the event. In order to qualify for a Roadie position, an individual needs to be 18 years of age, in good physical health, and be able to stand and walk for two hours at a time. These requirements are necessary for Road to California’s insurance requirements.

Because our Roadies are so essential to the success of Road to California, gratitude is shown not only in hugs and words of appreciation, but with some additional perks as well. Depending on the amount of time served, Roadies can receive Multi Day Admission tickets, a Special Event or Lecture Ticket, or Priority Registration when enrolling online for the 2014Class Sessions.

Perhaps the most fun honor for being a Roadie is receiving a coveted “Roadie Pin” with specially designed bars for each year served. When you see a Roadie wearing the Road to California pin adorned with collector bars, you know that they have volunteered a minimum of four hours to the quilt show in a particular year. During Road to California’s tenure, over 700 pins have been given out to wonderful men and women for their dedicated volunteer service. Many of our volunteers help out year after year. Not only do they enjoy the “free stuff,” but they report they like meeting other like-minded quilters, meeting the quilt designers, and learning about the quilts and the techniques used for the quilts they lovingly attend to.

We are always looking for additional volunteers to assist with the event. If you would be interested in serving at the 2013 Road to California, please fill out the volunteer form located on our web site: http://www.road2ca.com/volunteer.html

Simply put: Road to California loves its’ Roadies.

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