Welcome to the Road to California Blog
August 29th, 2012
www.quiltsoup.com
(Lead-in, Classes taught and so on)
Matt: Where were you born and what is your birth order?
Barbara: I was born in a teeny tiny town in Idaho named Malad and I am the eldest of three, 1 sister and 1 brother.
Matt: Where did you grow up?
Barbara: Ogden and Roy, Utah
Matt: What motivated you to begin quilting?Barbara: I saw a beautiful quilt in the window of a quilt shop and stopped in to find out how to make it. I was taking my first class within about 2 weeks and have never looked back! I have never made the quilt that lured me but have the pattern and know I could!
Matt: Describe your “quilting studio” — is there something in it that you just can’t live without?Barbara: My “studio” right now is in two separate places! I have a have very small warehouse and production space where my fabric is housed. I sew in a little bedroom at my home when I am doing machine work. I appliqué while stating in front of the tv in my living room.
Matt: Does anyone else in your family quilt?Barbara: Unfortunately not.
Matt: Do you have any other hobbies besides quilting?Barbara: I have tried every craft known to man but quilting was the only one that held my attention for so long. I have always crocheted and have knitted a little bit. Right now I have once again jumped back into the knitting pool and am working on mastering felted intarsia. It turns out that I love color in any medium and that’s why like I like intarsia. I also love the challenge of mastering a new skill.
Matt: Do you have children, grandchildren etc?Barbara: I have one child, a grown son. He and his wife had five beautiful and unique children that inspire many of my quilts.
Matt: Do you have any pets?Barbara: No pets yet. I have toyed with the idea of getting a dog but am not sure if I would really want the responsibility and the mess.
Matt: Do you have a favorite food, what is it?Barbara: I like bland, bland, bland comfort food. I love “Sunday dinner” which is roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, boiled carrots and hot rolls. I have a huge sweet tooth which as made another part of me huge as well! I don’t like chocolate……can you even imagine that?
Matt: What is your favorite recipe for entertaining?Barbara: A reservation at a terrific restaurant.
Matt: What would be on your “Bucket List” if you could do anything and money was not an object?Barbara: I would move closer to my grandchildren. I would like to go to Wales, Ireland, Spain, Paris, Italy and Canada. I would also like to visit several areas of New York City and the lavender fields of France. I want to learn how to weld. I want to work in the set or props dept of a film company on one movie.
Matt: What is the best class you have taken?Barbara: I have been very fortunate to have taken many great classes. No one stands out more than the rest.
Matt: Where have you traveled in your quilting career? Any favorite locations?Barbara: I have been to Houston, Portland, Minneapolis, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, and California. Most recently I was in Kansas City, MO. My all time favorite is Ontario California and the Road to California Quilter’s conference. I have the best time there of anywhere I go. And I must say the weather is lovely and we are warml received by the quilters. Thanks for making it such a good time for us!
Matt: What is the last book you have read, and who is your favorite author?Barbara: I am reading a book called Housekeeping right now and just finished the Dukan diet. I like th Harry Bosch novels by Michael Connelly. I also recently finished the Hunger Games trilogy and loved them. I am working on Miss Pelican’s School for Unusual Children which my daughter in law keeps on the nightstand for me at their house whenever I go to stay with them for a few days.
Matt: What’s the best thing about teaching? Barbara: Seeing my students realize that they too can succeed at hand appliqué. I love to pass the tradition along.]]>
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August 28th, 2012
Washougal, WA (Portland, OR Metro Area)
http://alliesinstitches.blogspot.com/
Allison Aller is one of our Faculty Members for the 2013 Road show. She is teaching 4 classes: 4001 “Pretty Crazy,” 5001 “Curved ‘Piecing’ Crazy Hearts,”6001 “Essential Embroidery for Crazy Quilting and 7001 “Frame It With Flowers.” Space is extremely limited, and only available in classes 5001 and 7001 so hurry over to road2ca.com and signup while space is available!
Matt: Where were you born and what is your birth order?
Allie: I was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the youngest and fourth child with three older brothers. Tragically, when I was 4 and he was 5, my brother Freddie died, but 10 months later my sister was born. So I am a middle child, and my sister is my best friend.
Matt: Where did you grow up?
Allie: I grew up in Grand Rapids, and spent the summers on Lake Michigan near Whitehall.
Matt: What motivated you to begin quilting?
Allie: Family matters motivated me to start quilting, as it has so many of us. My oldest brother got married when I was in high school, and he received my first quilt. 5 years later my mother had a terminal illness; quilting got me through that tough time. Ever since my mom’s quilt, I have never stopped….and that was a long time ago!
Matt: Describe your “quilting studio” — is there something in it that you just can’t live without?
Allie: My sewing room is the best room in the house! We are up on a hill, so my windows look out over the treetops to the river valley below and the foothills beyond. I have lots of storage bins full of the goodies we crazy quilters use: lace, silk ribbon, trim, beads, fancy fabrics, cottons….I just wish I had more storage! But since my husband and I became “”empty nesters””, I’ve begun taking over the living room… 😉
I think I couldn’t live without the view…..”
Matt: Does anyone else in your family quilt?
Allie: Not yet, but my son’s fiance does, so soon!
Matt: Do you have any other hobbies besides quilting?
Allie: I love to grow flowers.
Matt: Do you have children, grandchildren etc?
Allie: Our two sons are Max, 25 and Chad, 22.
Matt: Do you have any pets?
Allie: We have a cat, May, who is the subject of one of my class projects, “Frame It With Flowers”. She’s a cutie.
Matt: Do you have a favorite food, what is it?
Allie: The fresh sourdough bread that my husband Robert makes is my favorite food, with lots of butter!
Matt: What is your favorite recepe for entertaining?
Allie: Pizza, salad, and cookies….gets ’em every time.
Matt: What would be on your “Bucket List” if you could do anything and money was not an object?
Allie: I would travel to Cornwall, England and apprentice myself to Amanda Richardson, one of my very favorite textile artists. A few months under her tutelage would be a dream come true! http://www.amandarichardson.co.uk/index.php
Matt: What is the best class you have taken?
Allie: It was a piecing class from Sharon Craig, 20 years ago. It didn’t impact my work so much, but it showed me how generous, lively, and organized a quilt teacher can be. Her spirit inspires me to this day.
Matt: What is the funniest or most embarassing moment you have had happen while you were teaching?
Allie: We have a tradition in crazy quilting…students bring in thrift shop prom dresses and we cut them up, giving everyone chunks of the fancy dress fabrics. It is a fun and cheap way to increase our stash. One time a student brought in a very fancy wedding gown for this purpose and we couldn’t bear to cut it up. I told them I had worn a plain outfit when I got married, and never experienced being a traditional bride…Next thing I knew, my arms were through the sleeves (the dress was too small to actually put on), the students were arranging my veil and I had a bouquet of hand-dyed silk ribbon!
Matt: Where have you traveled in your quilting career? Any favorite locations?
Allie: I’ve been to several regions around the United States and found something to love in all of them, but I have to say that Asilomar in Monterrey, California was my favorite place to work. It is so beautiful there!!!!
Matt: What is the last book you have read, and who is your favorite author?
Allie: I just finished a biography of Bill Donovan, the founder of the OSS in World War II. (I’m a spy buff.) My favorite author of fiction is Alan Furst, whose “historical espionage” makes this reader very, very happy.
Matt: What’s the best thing about teaching?
Allie: I love meeting my wonderful students, and helping them get excited about their own creativity. It’s always a thrill and a joy when their faces light up with new smiles!]]>
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August 27th, 2012
Colorado
www.helengibb.com
Helen Gibb is the owner of Helen Gibb Ribbons. She is a vendor at our 2013 Show. She is also teaching two classes, 5035 Ribbon Collage Postcard and 6033 Ribbon Flower Bracelet. Hurry to sign up for a class with Helen, space is limited!
Matt: Where were you born and what is your birth order?Helen: I am an Aussie – yep, that’s right – I’m from Australia, but I now live in the USA. I’m the eldest of two.
Matt: Where did you grow up?Helen: Being born and raised in Sydney Australia I had many opportunities to be creative.
Matt: What motivated you to begin quilting?Helen: My sister and I used to make small fabric horses which we played stables and horse jumping with. Both of us were very creative – we even made teeny tiny leather saddles and bridles for the horses and dressed small dollies in breeches and riding jackets.
I never did quilt but all the little fiddly things I made as a child have helped me in my ribbonwork. I love to make ribbon flowers – large and small.
Matt: Describe your “quilting studio” — is there something in it that you just can’t live without?Helen: I have two areas for ribbonwork – one is a design area in my computer room. In here I have all my books, inspiring little knick-knacks, photos, memorabilia etc. I love my chandelier with the zebra silk shades!
In my other space are all my ribbons. I have over 500 spools of ribbon and trim and I must say it can get overwhelming. Students and guests to my studio are amazed when they come to shop here.
Matt: Do you have any other hobbies besides quilting?Helen: i love to read and will often have two or three books going at the same time. I use a Kindle for novels but all my resource books in my office library are “real” books.
Matt: Do you have children, grandchildren etc?Helen: I have one daughter who is married with a dear little boy. His name is Liam – love him to bits!
Matt: Do you have any pets?Helen: I used to have a horse, a Westie and a cat. All are now gone BUT I want to get another Westie as soon as I quit travelling so much.
Matt: Do you have a favorite food, what is it?Helen: My favourite food is an Australian dessert called Pavlove. It is a hard shell of merangue filled with whipped cream and topped with strawberries, kiwi, banana and drizzled with passionfruit. Oh Yum!
Matt: What would be on your “Bucket List” if you could do anything and money was not an object?Helen: Take my family and rent a house in Cortona, Italy for 3 months and then rent a house in England for three months. I teach in Italy once a year and just love it. England I have always loved. I was lucky enough to be in the UK for the week of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this year. Saw lots of wonderful patriotic window displays showing red, white and blue bits and pieces to commemorate the Queen. Lovely.
Matt: What is the funniest or most embarassing moment you have had happen while you were teaching?Helen: Can’t think of one. Must have been but . . . .
Matt: Where have you traveled in your quilting career? Any favorite locations?Helen: All over the USA, and special workshops in Austraila, Canada, Italy.
Matt: What is the last book you have read, and who is your favorite author?Helen: The Shoemakers Wife – Adriana Trigiani – Fab – get it.
Matt: What’s the best thing about teaching?Helen: Empowering a student to make something lovely when they think they can’t. Nothing is too hard – you just have to set your mind to do it. I am an encourager!]]>
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August 17th, 2012
Judy Woodworth
Gering, Nebraska
www.judywoodworth.com
Judy is one of our award winning Longarm Faculty for the 2013 conference. She is teaching three “Pre-Show” classes on Monday Jan. 21 through Wednesday Jan. 23. Her classes include: 1003 Dancing with the Sashing, 2003 The Art of Good Backfill, and 2006 FreeMotion Quilting Made Easy. Her lecture, 8401 Don’t Explode Out of the Box is on Thursday. Spaces are limited in 1003, 2003 and 8401(3006 is sold out), so hurry over and sign up while seats are available!
Matt: Where were you born and what is your birth order?
Judy: I was born in Wyoming and I am the second child of five children.
Matt: What motivated you to begin quilting?
Judy: I have always loved to sew and do handwork, embroidery, needlepoint, but never made a quilt. My sister quilted and I always wanted to make quilts but with five children of my full time job I didn’t begin quilting until I was 45 years old.
Matt: Describe your “quilting studio” — is there something in it that you just can’t live without?
Judy: It is usually very unorganized but I know where everything is. I love my Gammill quilting machine most. I have the whole basement so I have an 8 foot by 8 foot cutting and ironing table made with cotton and canvas and I have two large cutting mats I can put on it to cut.
Matt: Does anyone else in your family quilt?
Judy: Only my sister now but I taught all my daughters how to make a quilts. They have each made one or two and loved it but they are too busy with small children and full time jobs now. Two of my granddaughters are learning to quilt.
Matt: Do you have any other hobbies besides quilting?
Judy: My grandchildren are into sports and with ten of them I am kept busy following them. I love to read as well. I read ten books a month. Also love my dogs. My husband and I like to go to quilt shows too, of course.
Matt: Do you have children, grandchildren etc?
Judy: Ten. Seven of them live within two to four hours away. One grandson in Vegas, and two in. California. I miss them.
Matt: Do you have any pets?
Judy: I used to raise Westhighland white terriers and then later boxers. Now I have three spoiled dogs Trooper, Buddy a Boston terrier, and Shasa.
Matt: Do you have a favorite food, what is it?
Judy: Mexican food. But always fighting my weight so have been eating lots of salads lately. Since I like vegetables, not a problem.
Matt: What is your favorite recepe for entertaining?
Judy: Oh too busy to entertain.
Matt: What would be on your “Bucket List” if you could do anything and money was not an object?
Judy: Win best of show at a major quilt show. Its fun to dream. I have won some really nice quilting honors so I am pretty satisfied.
Places to see, Alaska. My husband and I honeymooned in Hawaii on his R and R from when he was in Vietnam Nam. We would like to go back.
One of my bucket lists happened this year when I won the Paducah Best LongArm quilting award and it went into the national Quilt Museum. You can see the quilt and several interviews if you go to utube and just type my name Judy Woodworth.
Matt: What is the best class you have taken?
Judy: My first class with LindaTaylor. She has been a big inspiration to me.
Matt: What is the funniest or most embarassing moment you have had happen while you were teaching?
Judy: I was teaching how to do cherry backfill in a hands on class and a student said it looked like a “butt hole”. Everyone in class couldn’t quit laughing and now instead a seeing a sweet cherry now I see her interpetation. Oh dear.
Matt: Where have you traveled in your quilting career? Any favorite locations?
Judy: I really enjoyed Portland, Oregon. On my day off when I was teaching we rented a car and enjoyed ocean.
Matt: What is the last book you have read, and who is your favorite author?
Judy: I just got through reading C. j.Box’s book series about a Wyoming game warden. There are about ten of them and you have to read them in offer. I really enjoyed the Hunger Game series, and I read romance and mystery movies, too. The last quilting book I read was by Gina Perkes.
I also just edited my second book. How to make quilting designs and patterns. It will be out soon. My Freemotion Quilting book is still one so AQS top sellers.
Matt: What’s the best thing about teaching?
Judy: Getting students really excited. Helping them to reach a higher level. I love giving real life tips for every day quilts as well as show quilts.]]>
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August 16th, 2012
Long Beach, CA
www.beyondthereefpatterns.com
Natalie Barnes is the owner of Beyond the Reef. She has been a Vendor at Road to California for quite a while. She is teaching a lecture this year – 8505 “What’s In Your Toolbox?” Make sure to go check it out at www.road2ca.com
Matt: Where were you born and what is your birth order?Natalie: I was born in Pasadena – home of the Rose Parade – born and raised a sunny southern california girl! I was born “an only child”, so I was lucky to have a great mother to pal around with! We used to drive around in her yellow LTD singing, “We all live in a yellow LTD!” (Beatles – Yellow Submarine)
Matt: Where did you grow up?Natalie: Most of my growing up occurred in Orange County – building forts below the trees in the orange groves, climbing oak trees in Temecula, and riding horses through fields of mustards as high as my horse’s belly. And trying to sew prom dresses out of very very funky stretchy fabrics….
Matt: What motivated you to begin quilting?Natalie: I started cutting up squares of Woolworth fabrics after my high school boyfriend made me a bright yellow and green quilt for my birthday. Not to be out done, I made quilts for E-VVERYYYY-ONE.
Matt: Describe your “quilting studio” — is there something in it that you just can’t live without?Natalie: I live in a small 1940’s beach cottage, so there is not a lot of space to be had, unless you’re out on the bay or the beach. In my studio. I have a day bed, a small round table/desk, my Bernina Industrial table mounted sewing machine that can sew fast enough to scare people, and a whole wall full of bookcases and enclosed storage holding tools, books, papers, favorite pics, a ukulele and mason jars full of every color thread imaginable. Is there something that I just can’t live without? For my quilting, the view through the house into the garden. For me, I just can’t live without the friends that come to stay, and accept the space as their own….
Matt: Does anyone else in your family quilt?Natalie: I have very little family left…sadly. My grandmother, who passed away when I was in 2nd grade, was the closest I ever had to having a quilter in the family – she knit, crocheted, did some embroidery, and always made sure my Barbie dolls were very well dressed!
Matt: Do you have any other hobbies besides quilting?Natalie: I love my yoga practice. And paddle boarding around the bay. I can swing a golf club here and there (let’s not officially call it Golf…) and I knit. Sew. Embroider. Make jewelry. Have a great raised bed veggie garden. Bike. Swim…
Matt: Do you have children, grandchildren etc?Natalie: …only my good girlfriends’ kids….they’re the best!!
Matt: Do you have any pets?Natalie: I do have a great (great!) dog named Buddy. He was dumped in the hills on the Central Coast. I gotta say, he was born and bred a cattle cutting dog – as a McNab – and has ended up with a quilter as an owner. I certainly appreciate his adaptability. And the fact that we have to walk long distances as a compromise to the work that he normally would be doing, is no compromise at all.
Matt: Do you have a favorite food, what is it?Natalie: Honestly, I love a fresh from the garden arugula and blueberry salad. Warm tomatoes grown right at my door. Hand made hamburgers on the 4th of July eaten standing on the bay with the neighbors…and “made in my own kitchen” thai food with a table full of good friends. I guess you could say my favorite food is the company it keeps!
Matt: What is your favorite recepe for entertaining?Natalie: Salad, salad, salad. Wedges with blue cheese and walnuts.
Arugula with berries and a great aged balsamic.
Romaine, white rice, frozen white corn, black beans, cheese, chicken, black olives, guacamole (from my haas avo tree) and a splash of sour cream.
For winter, homemade chili and crusty artisan bread.
Hot thai coconut chicken soup with fresh basil.
Or the conversation around the bbq while cooking something for dinner.
Matt: What would be on your “Bucket List” if you could do anything and money was not an object?Natalie: I heard a great answer to this question – credit to the writers of The Mentalist – “Well, I WOULD like to have my own personal magic dragon…”
For me, I think I would like to take Buddy and “fly private” to New Zealand, and live for a year in a great big sprawling modern beach house on a big piece of land with some kind of herd and agriculture. And of course, invite all of my friends over, all expenses paid, any time they could get away to come visit.
I would have a big giant barn like structure classroom and create a ‘room and board’ place for people to come and learn and quilt and create.
Of course, world peace is still very high on the list – I would even settle for clean drinking water for all…
Matt: What is the best class you have taken?Natalie: Every class is the best class I have ever taken. Marsha McClosky for perfect accurate piecing. Roxanne McElroy for applique. Sitting next to an expert hand quilter and just watching her quilt for quilting. I would love to be in a class with Gwen Marston – Denyse Schmidt – or learn how to McTavish!!
Matt: What is the funniest or most embarassing moment you have had happen while you were teaching?Natalie: Honestly, it’s hard to pick just one embarrassing teaching moment – I have so many. On any given day, i will be on a roll, talking a blue streak and come to a screeching halt, looking for the word “rotary cutter” or “ruler” or “blue”. Inevitably, tho, whatever I am doing, ironing with an iron that’s not plugged in, cutting something the wrong size and having to toss the piece, forgetting the word “blue” – – it’s a way to engage the people in my class. A way to get human and connect.
Matt: Where have you traveled in your quilting career? Any favorite locations?Natalie: In November, my favorite location will be Long Beach. I will be teaching there. In January, it will be Ontario, California. Wherever I go, wherever there are quilters, that is my favorite location. I enjoyed Florida. If I am ever asked to the show in Japan, I will love Japan. But no more or no less than Ontario California, or Denver, or Portland.
Matt: What is the last book you have read, and who is your favorite author?Natalie: Oh oh…..this one might be a hard one… The very last book I read was some ‘guy book’ fiction about an ex military guy living on his boat. I am a pretty eclectic reader…
It’s Easier Than You Think, Sylvia Boorstein.
Lime Creek, Joe Henry (good friend of one of my good friends). Anything Jill Marie Landis (good girlfriend of mine).
What the Dog Saw, Malcolm Gladwell.
Fifty Acres and a Poodle, Jeanne Marie Laskas
Matt: What’s the best thing about teaching?Natalie: The best thing about teaching? The people, of course!! Spreading enthusiasm and joy and wonder is just the best. Encouragement. I wake up every day so very thankful that I am chosen to do these kinds of things.
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