Welcome to the Road to California Blog

Susan Baker Susan is teaching two classes, WE01 – Pinwheels on Point and TH14 – Quilt as You Roll. These classes use either a Moda Jelly Roll or Moda Layer Cake and are a great way to use one of these packs that you already have in your stash. More about Susan: Carolyn: How many years have you been quilting?
Susan: My first official quilting class was in 1972, although I ‘play’ quilted before that. Carolyn: What motivated you to start quilting?
Susan: Grandma Edith made quilts for us grandchildren through the years but the quilts made from flannel scraps left from our pjs were the ones we all loved. My favorite one was a tied comforter with a whole cloth top and back. What made it feel special was the carded wool batting inside. I still have that comforter, re-covered many times. Now it has a pieced top I made, but it still has the right ‘Grandma Edith” feel and is still just right when a little ‘comforting’ is needed.

Carolyn: Where have you traveled in your quilting teaching career?
Susan: Although I have lived in California most of my life, I did live in Arizona for 4 years. I retired from teaching elementary school and my husband and I moved so that he could earn his PHD at Arizona State University. This allowed me to find the ‘free’ time needed to change to teaching quilting, working in several quilt shops and quilting full time. We returned to California in 2005 and I now work and teach at the Calico Horse in Redlands. A perfect way to blend all the things I love: teaching, people and quilting. Carolyn: What is the most, unusual, frightening, funny, frustrating experience you have had in your quilting career?
Susan: I think the most frustrating quilting experience I am currently having is finishing a quilt I ‘gave’ to my parents for Christmas several years ago. I mixed several ideas together; I know where I want it to go; I’ve got it about ¾ finished and I want it to be PERFECT! I seem to have hit ‘quilter’s block’, if there is such a thing, and am having a hard time finishing it up. Sigh! Carolyn: Does anyone else in your family quilt?
Susan: I am the only quilter in the family, although everyone loves to be a recipient. Carolyn: Where did you grow up?
Susan: Growing up in San Diego was the perfect childhood. As the oldest of four, we spent our time outdoors, swimming, sailing, beaching. What could have been better? Carolyn: Do you have children – grandchildren?
Susan: Three wonderful step-children are part of my life. They were already young adults when my husband and I married so they didn’t need a mom, but I love being their full time advocate. They play a very important role in our lives, including us in the busy, interesting and adventurous lives they lead. Carolyn: What is your favorite food?
Susan: Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream… need I say more. We’ve visited the Vermont factory twice now….in fact my photo for this blog was taken there. No need to ask which flavor is best. It’s enough to say B&J. Carolyn: Do you have any other hobbies besides quilting?
Susan: I spend time serving as a Docent for the Fullerton Art Museum on the campus of California State University, San Bernardino. The Fullerton has one of the largest collections of Egyptian Artifacts on the west coast. I have been an Egyptophile since 5th or 6th grade and have traveled to Egypt to visit the antiquities there. As a docent I receive training and lead tours of our museum for school groups and other visitors. I participated in the museum’s successful bid to become one of the few accredited museums in the country. AND, best of all, I actually get to hold ancient artifacts in my own hand (even though we do have to wear gloves). Can you imagine holding a carnelian amulet that was carved and worn at least 2000 years ago? It is the best! Carolyn: What would be on your “bucket list” (like the movie) if you could do anything and money was no object.?
Susan: As to what I would still really love to do in my lifetime….well, a return trip to Egypt…. now knowing and being able to use all my training as a docent…..would be the icing on the cake of life.]]>

Mary Lou Rankin Mary Lou Rankin, designer for Park Bench Patterns, Booth No. 911, is teaching a class on using old linens etc for clothing. Sewing techniques on using these treasures will also be covered. SA20. More about Mary Lou: Carolyn: How many years have you been quilting?
Mary Lou: I started sewing when I was about 4…I do not remember ever not sewing!
I do not know why I started except I remember wanting more clothes for my doll. Carolyn: What motivated you to start quilting?
Mary Lou: I am not really a “quilter”…I learned very early that I could not make 2 squares that matched. I also get bored trying to stick to one project for very long. I am so impressed with you ladies and am so lucky to have been able to be included in so many quilt shows for all these years. I am really a dressmaker, but I don’t stick to many of the “old” rules. My talent is in helping you understand fabrics (how to pick the right ones for your project so your garment is not only attractive but is also comfortable to wear), and how to use colors in unexpected ways to create wonderful creative garments that look good, are comfortable and allow you to express your own personalty. My joy is in showing that garments sewing can be fun again.

Carolyn: Where have you traveled in your quilting teaching career?
Mary Lou: I have been traveling for 14 years and have been in most of the states and Canada. I have been teaching for 20. Carolyn: What is the most, unusual, frightening, funny, frustrating experience you have had in your quilting career?
Mary Lou: One of the biggest surprises I had was when I was invited to do a program for a group and I flew into the airport in Sioux City only to discover 2 hours later that I was
in the WRONG Sioux City. After a couple of phone calls they were nice enough to
come get me (in another state) and I was still able to do the program. We had a lot of
laughs over that. Apparently this wasn’t the first time this had happened. Carolyn: Does anyone else in your family quilt?
Mary Lou: One of my grandmothers and one aunt were wonderful quilters. My mother could not sew on a button. Carolyn: What is your birth order, only child, first, second, third, or ??
Mary Lou: I am an only child.

Carolyn: Where did you grow up?
Mary Lou: I was born in Oklahoma but have lived in southern California since right after birth. Carolyn: Do you have children – grandchildren?
Mary Lou: I have one daughter and one son. I thought I was only going to have a grand kitty, but finally my daughter quickly had 2 children just before she turned 40.
My granddaughter is sitting at my desk creating her own Park Bench pattern. Carolyn: Do you have any pets?
Mary Lou: Our family has always been cat people. The last 3 lived to be 19-20 years.
I am now “catless” but I am getting real close to adopting another one. Carolyn: What is your favorite food?
Mary Lou: I like “white” food….bread, pasta, cheese, ice cream…all the stuff that adds pounds and ups my cholesterol. Carolyn: What would be on your “bucket list” (like the movie) if you could do anything and money was no object.?
Mary Lou: If I could do anything….I would probably be doing just about what I am doing now…except I would like to be 40 instead of 70 while I’m doing it. Carolyn: Do you have any other hobbies besides quilting?
Mary Lou: I love reading (mostly mysteries & suspense & all of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum books).]]>

Lennie Honcoop Lennie is teaching a class using her Hot Ribbon Technique. The class is already full, so be sure to drop by her booth (No. 1805-1807) in the ballroom to watch her demonstrations. More about Lennie: Carolyn: How many years have you been quilting?
Lennie: I started quilting in 1993. Carolyn: What motivated you to start quilting?
Lennie: Ever since I was child, I had loved art and would paint and draw. As an adult, I shared my love for art by teaching fine arts (painting, drawing, etc.) at several local elementary and high schools for a number of years. A neck injury from a fall resulted in a loss of my fine motor skills. A physical therapist suggested I do cross stitching as a means of building up my fine motor skills. I protested strongly as I felt cross stitching was only for “old ladies.” However, when I finished my first project, I was quite proud of my creation. But I drew the line at putting the finished project in a frame. I wanted to display my project in a more artistic fashion, with a fabric border. I went to the local outlet of a national fabric store chain, picked out some fabrics, made my borders, and was “blown away” when saw that I had created a piece of fabric art. I was hooked! I went to the local quilt shop and met quilters who showed me the basics – rotary cutter, rulers, cutting mats. I started with the traditional quilt patterns but soon felt too limited. I was looking “something” that would feed my need to be more creative. I discovered that “something” when I saw Lorraine Stangness teaching a class on landscape piecing and immediately saw the possibilities for using pieces of fabric to create pictures. As they say, “the rest is history!” Carolyn: Where have you traveled in your quilting teaching career?
Lennie: I started my teaching in quilt stores in the area around my home town of Elk Grove, CA. Since then, I have held workshops up and down the West Coast – in Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona – and in Houston, Texas at the International Quilt Market. While on vacation in The Netherlands, I taught a class on the Hot Ribbon technique. Carolyn: What is the most unusual, frightening, funny, frustrating experience you have had in your quilting career?
Lennie: I have to admit that I have had a number of “interesting” experiences. The most “unusual” was probably the night I spent at another quilter’s home and discovered that I was to share a bed with a homeless woman that this quilter had taken in. Not only did the bed sag in my direction, it was quite obvious that this person’s personal hygiene was lacking! I did not sleep much that night. The most “frightening” experience occurred during a class I was teaching where one of the women nearly cut off her thumb with a rotary cutter! While someone was calling 911, we quickly placed the women’s hand in a plastic bag with milk from someone’s lunch and then put all that in ice. (The women had her thumb reattached and subsequently was able to use it.) My “funny” experience is not a single incident, but is on-going. The name of my business is Dutch Quilter because I immigrated from The Netherlands, but from time to time, someone will ask me what is “Dutch quilting!” Finally, one of my more frustrating experiences occurred when I was teaching a class on the Hot Ribbon technique which requires the attendees to have a mini iron. However, the class organizers forgot to provide electricity! No one could practice what I was teaching. Carolyn: Does anyone else in your family quilt?
Lennie: When I was growing up, we were not expected to sew – if we needed to have something sewn, someone was hired to do that. So none of my siblings quilt. As for my family now, my oldest daughter quilted for a short while. However, everyone in the extended family has put in an order for their personal quilt which I often give as a gift for Christmas or some other special occasion. Carolyn: What is your birth order – only child, first, second, third, or?
Lennie: I am the oldest child in my family and have one brother and two sisters.

Carolyn: Where did you grow up?
Lennie: I was born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands and although I was very young at the time, I remember seeing Canadian soldiers who liberated our city. I probably remember that experience because they gave me my first banana and piece of chocolate. Carolyn: Do you have children, grandchildren?
Lennie: We have 7 children who range in age from 47 to 19. We also have 9 grandchildren (number 10 will be here in December!).

Carolyn: Do you have any pets?
Lennie: I have 3 pets – Duke, a black Lab-Doberman-German Shepherd mix, who is the best natured big dog I’ve had. My other dog, Sir Rudolph Theodore (or Rudy) is a miniature Schnauzer who is so much fun to have around. And last but not least, is my cat, Stitches (or as my husband calls him – Stitch it – since he is neutered!). Stitches earned his name, when as a kitten, he would sleep under the plexi-glass table of my sewing machine. Stitches is a typical cat in that he (it) makes it very clear that I am only a visitor in his world! Carolyn: What is your favorite food?
Lennie: That’s a tough choice – I love Alaskan King Crab but also Nasi Goreng, an Indonesian rice dish. I am also hopelessly addicted to Gummi Bears! Carolyn: What would be on your “bucket list” (like the movie) if you could do anything and money was no object?
Lennie: My “bucket list” is mostly travel-related. I have always been fascinated with the Far East and would visit China to see how silk fabrics are made and Indonesia/Bali to see how batiks are made (and eat their wonderful cuisine!). I would also take my entire family to The Netherlands to show them where I grew up. I would spend time in Italy so my husband would understand why I love the Italian lifestyle. I would teach quilting classes (Hot Ribbon) in Australia and New Zealand. Finally, I would spend a summer driving to and through Alaska with our RV to enjoy the spectacular scenery and wildlife. Between trips, I would come home to my dream house in the mountains (out of the California Central Valley heat!) that has a studio large enough to hold all my fabrics, my Nolting longarm, and a workstation where I could do my designs without having to clear a work space first. Carolyn: Do you have any other hobbies besides quilting?
Lennie: Absolutely! I knit when I can; if I had more time, I would do more drawing; I love photography and am always “clicking” away at virtually every flower I see; I like to fill my yard with beautiful flowers; and I love to decorate my home.]]>

Terry and Matt and Carolyn processing registrations. Terry is manning the credit card machine and Matt is entering class requests in the computer. I am in the corner working on email replies. Just one of many stacks of your registrations. They will eventually all be filed in six 4″ notebooks. Rachel (not shown) is mailing confirmations. They have been mailed in no particular order. Not alphabetically or chronologically so if your friend gets hers and you do not. Please don’t panic. We hope to mail all of them by early August.]]>

The past few years 2 Boy Scout Troops have helped at Road. One troop helps vendors “haul” their merchandise in and out at the show. Another troop mans the Sack Sitters Booth.
Last week I ran into the leader of one of the troops. He greeted me with “There’s the quilt lady.”
Then he preceeded to tell me that “thanks to you and your quilters, we will be going to camp in a couple of weeks.” The other troop is also using your donations to go to camp. I thought that you quilters would like to know that your donations are appreciated and that they are used for a good purpose.
Thanks to all of you!!!]]>

Jean Brown, Newcastle, CA
Vendor: Jeans Impressions
www.JeansImpressions.com Jean will be teaching a class in hand quilting. More about Jean: Carolyn: How many years have you been quilting?
Jean: I learned to pick up pieces of colors by my Grandmother’s rocking chair next to a window near Amarillo, TX. She would sew them together with her needle. She lived in a tiny old wooden house with no electricity or water. We carried water from a neighbor’s house. She then put a needle in my hand letting me sew two pieces together and she would add to her larger piece. My other Grandmother in Oklahoma had a treadle machine and made quilts. I used to take naps and work the cotton seeds out of the cotton batting, making little holes in the quilts. I have quilts from both those wonderful ladies. Later, after High School in Van Nuys, CA and while in college, my friends were having babies and I made them quilts. Carolyn: What motivated you to start quilting?
Jean: I saw my first show at the YWCA in Riverside, CA and was thrilled with what ladies were doing. I made several Sampler Quilts, as that taught me many methods. Then I started teaching those to others. Carolyn: Where have you traveled in your quilting teaching career?
Jean: I have taught all over Southern California and also Oregon after moving there. I am a charter member of the Appliqué Society and have taught for that group for nine years. Other travels have taken me to Hawaii, Washington, Texas, Ohio and Colorado. Carolyn: What is the most, unusual, frightening, funny, frustrating experience you have had in your quilting career?
Jean: Perhaps trying to get back to Portland in just three days from the Columbus, Ohio show. We drove through ice, snow and hard blowing side winds, Very scary. Carolyn: Does anyone else in your family quilt?
Jean: Both of my Grandmothers, my daughter, a daughter in law and our granddaughter who made her first quilt at age 12. I told her I would help her and she said, “Grandma, I have watched you so much, I can do it myself” AND she did!! Carolyn: What is your birth order, only child, first, second, third, or ??
Jean: I am the oldest of two girls. My sister, Wanda, seven years younger lives in Washington. Carolyn: Where did you grow up?
Jean: I was born in Floydada, TX. I grew up along the Mexican Border. My Dad was the Railroad Agent at several locations on the old (now non existent) Southern Pacific Railroad, from LA to El Paso. I helped him run the trains thru, I held up the messages to the engineers on a hoop pole as the were ‘deadheading’ (no stops) thru our little town, all the while Mother was afraid I would get swept under the fast engines. But, I survived, as dad had hold of the tail of my dress. I was given great art classes from a retired Walt Disney artist in Bisbee, AZ. Dad was an artist also. Many of my friends were the Mexican girls from below the border. We would ride our horses down to spend the day with them. I lived in Columbus, NM, which is steeped in history of the Pancho Villa raids. Our home had bullet holes from those raids. Carolyn: Do you have children – grandchildren?
Jean: Our family is our daughter, our son, and one granddaughter and their spouses. Carolyn: Do you have any pets?
Jean: No pets, as we travel too much. Dave is my pet dear – (deer)! Carolyn: What is your favorite food?
Jean: Mexican food. I grew up on it. Carolyn: What would be on your “bucket list” (like the movie) if you could do anything and money was no object?
Jean: Be President of the US and straighten out.. No, No, only kidding. Probably try to do something in the Educational Field, in the US and the world to increase the level of better education everywhere. There is nothing more valuable than education before a person steps out into the world. Mine was somewhat limited, I appreciated what I could learn. Our nephew was nominated for a Noble Prize a few years ago. I am very proud of him. Carolyn: Do you have any other hobbies besides quilting?
Jean: Art. I have painted for many years, and taught it everywhere I have lived. Such a lovely thing to do. I have been so disappointed in some of the sick art we have seen during times in our history. But, it can be better!]]>

Debora Konchinsky, Brienigsville, PA
www.critterpat.com Debora is a vendor at the show, Critter Pattern Works and will be teaching a class, “Get Over Your Fear of Machine Appliqué.” More about Debora: Carolyn: How many years have you been quilting?
Debora: I’ve been quilting since my son was 5 when I took a class in 1977. Everything was done by hand in the class. The following year we moved from Kansas to Ohio and I taught the class. My students didn’t have time to do things by hand, so I taught myself how to machine appliqué (before WonderUnder was invented) and then taught the class. Carolyn: What motivated you to start quilting?
Debora: I couldn’t find any appliqué patterns I wanted to do. I have a BFA degree in Fabric Design and I didn’t want to make appliqués that had as much detail as a cookie cutter.

Carolyn: Where have you traveled in your quilting teaching career?
Debora: I’ve taught in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and England…places where they speak English. Carolyn: What is the most, unusual, frightening, funny, frustrating experience you have had in your quilting career?
Debora: I was teaching a small group of people how to use fusible, so they could appliqué. The first person glued the appliqué to the pattern, not to the background. I held the example up for all to see. “Don’t do this.” They all did exactly what I told them not to do. It was Murphy’s Law in action. Carolyn: Does anyone else in your family quilt?
Debora: No. My mother could mend. My maternal grandmother made clothes for my teddies. My paternal grandmother had quilts on the beds but I never saw her sew. Carolyn: What is your birth order? – Only child, first, second, third, or ??
Debora: I was the 2nd child of two. Carolyn: Where did you grow up?
Debora: Philadelphia Carolyn: Do you have children – grandchildren?
Debora: I have one son and seven grandcats. They scatter when I come over to visit. Carolyn: Do you have any pets?
Debora: We have two cats right now. We’ve had as many as six cats at one time and two dogs, a Border Collie and Irish Setter. We adopted Cali (short for Calico, as in fabric and cat) in December 1999. Carolyn: What is your favorite food?
Debora: Fried tomatoes with milk gravy and corn on the cob. Carolyn: What would be on your “bucket list” (like the movie) if you could do anything and money were no object?
Debora: Figure out landscape design. Explore Peru (oh, to see the very old and complicated fabrics!). Win a Best in Show. Design and make some mosaics. (My father made 3-D mosaics. I have a pelican he made with a 2 litre soda bottle inside.)

Carolyn: Do you have any other hobbies besides quilting?
Debora: I love making necklaces with glass lamp work beads shaped like animals. I collect animal beads. It doesn’t take up much space and doesn’t cost a lot. It is fun.]]>

Betty Cotton, Osseo, WI
www.quiltyard.com Betty will be teaching classes sponsored by Pfaff Sewing Machines and featuring her “Cotton Theory” method of quilt as you go. Photo: Betty and her husband, Jack More about Betty: Carolyn: How many years have you been quilting?
Betty: I have been quilting for 24 years. Previously I was a garment sewer. When you have legs that go clear up to your neck, you learn to sew out of necessity. Carolyn: What motivated you to start quilting?
Betty: I started quilting when I found out I was going to be a mother. My oldest daughter is now 23 and I celebrate Mother’s Day on her birthday, because that’s the day I became a mother. I wanted to make the entire baby’s room ensemble, consisting of bumper pads, diaper stacker, dust ruffle, pillow, and curtains and of course, the quilt. Carolyn: Where have you traveled in your quilting teaching career?
Betty: Teaching Cotton Theory Quilting has taken me to all the National level quilt shows across the continental US, Alaska, Canada and cruise ships to various places. Carolyn: What is the most, unusual, frightening, funny, frustrating experience you have had in your quilting career?
Betty: The most frustrating experience I had was not getting Cotton Theory to work the first two attempts. Good thing persistence paid off! The most frightening experience I had was a break-in, in my suburban while teaching at a show in Atlanta. The thugs decided they needed my $6000.00 sewing machine more than I did, along with my laptop and a suitcase of dirty clothes. The bright side was they left me my fabric kits for teaching, so class still went on! I have so many funny stories…..mostly while giving lectures and audience participation. When I show the baby quilt, pillow and bath mat to a group, I clearly state the bath mat is for the floor. The audience proceeds to say, I’m not going to let them walk on it. I’m going to put it on the baby’s changing table. Either way, you are going to have to wash it! Another lady who was 83 years old started complaining that she only had 2 grandchildren. She wanted a reason to make more baby quilts. She stated, that darn birth control……..it gets in the way every time! The most unusual experience I had was a gentleman in my class, Jim Taco, who never sewed before. When I asked Jim what made him sign up for my class, his answer was, he wanted to teach his wife, an excellent quilter, something she did not know how to do. What a sweetheart! Carolyn: Does anyone else in your family quilt?
Betty: My two dear darling daughters quilt when time permits. They are both in college and we know how intense this can be. I love it when they join me! Carolyn: What is your birth order? – only child, first, second, third, or ??
Betty: I am from a family of 9 children, an entire baseball team. My birth order falls in the middle. Being a twin, I guess you can say we are number 4 and 5. Then my mother, bless her heart, gave birth to another set of twins right after us. And there’s more…..The last child was supposed to be a twin, however only one baby survived. This is where birth control would have been needed, but I am truly grateful my mother decided to have more babies otherwise I wouldn’t be here! Carolyn: Where did you grow up?
Betty: I’m a country girl! My birthplace is Libertyville, Illinois and my roots go back to many homes in northern Illinois until I married my husband and moved to Wisconsin. I absolutely love the peace and quiet of country life. Carolyn: Do you have children – grandchildren?
Betty: As I mentioned earlier, I have two daughters, Sarah and Katie who I call Polly and Ester from time to time. With a last name of Cotton, wouldn’t it been funny to name them Poly and Ester Cotton? Carolyn: Do you have any pets?
Betty: I have two spoiled cats, Cujo and Madison. Cujo is quite heavy so his nickname is fatty, so when I call them to dinner, it’s Maddy and Fatty! Both of them have had their fame. In my first book, Madison is featured, prim and proper. In my second book, Cujo is featured in his usual way, spread out all over the bed claiming it to be his. Carolyn: What is your favorite food?
Betty: I love so many foods, that I cannot select just one. Fruit is the first thing to come to mind, mainly blueberries. I just love August when blueberries are ripe and the size of quarters. Carolyn: What would be on your “bucket list” (like the movie) if you could do anything and money were no object.?
Betty: If money were no object, I would put up quilting retreats all over the country. Sewing, quilting and embroidery are very therapeutic and there is a demand to get away to enjoy the finer things in life. Carolyn: Do you have any other hobbies besides quilting?
Betty: I love digging in the dirt, planting flowers and watching them blossom. Mother Nature is so beautiful! Basically I love to be outdoors, bicycling, hiking and camping. So these quilting retreats that I would love to place all over the country would have bike and hiking trails to accompany them.]]>

Cathy Van Bruggen, Garden Grove, CA