Keep it Simple was made and quilted by Jodi Robinson. She was awarded $5,000 from Robert Kaufman Co., Inc.
Archive for the ‘quilt entries’ Category
So You Want To Make A Winning Quilt? 2015 Outstanding Modern Quilt Winner
Thursday, August 27th, 2015Look For The Circles
Sunday, November 2nd, 2014November 2nd is Look For The Circles Day.
In the world of quilting, circles are everywhere. Enjoy these 2014 award winning circle creations.
[caption id="attachment_2559" align="aligncenter" width="498"]
Aunt Mimi’s Flower GardenOutstanding Traditional Quilt
Elsie Campbell[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2560" align="aligncenter" width="515"]
Time to Catch a DreamBest Embellished Surface
Claudia Pfeil[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2561" align="aligncenter" width="531"]
Second EncounterBest Use of Color
Shirley Gisi[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2562" align="aligncenter" width="519"]
Red SunflowerBest Visual Image
Susan Bianchi[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2563" align="aligncenter" width="550"]
Tatted HeartsExcellence in Hand Quilting
Cheryl L. See[/caption]
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So You Want To Make A Winning Quilt? 2014 Best of Show
Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014 Sharon Schamber of Payson, Arizona created the Best of Show winning entry, Once Upon a Time, and received $6,000 from sponsor, Gammill Quilting Systems.
Sharon Schamber began quilting in 1999. Her winning entry, Once Upon A Time, took 14 years to complete. This quilt was inspired by her love for the romantic and delicate details of the Victorian era. Says Sharon, “I love how things are both simple and complex at the same time. I wanted to create a medallion quilt that spoke to that romantic notion.”
Sharon chose blue roses because “they were unique and the quilt asked/demanded something special like them.” At the time she started on the quilt, there were no actual blue roses, but by the time she had finished, they became available. Sharon likes to think that “maybe the quilt knew something that the rest of the world hadn’t thought about yet.” Talk about romantic!!!
When Sharon started the quilt in 2000, her plan was to finish it as any other quilt she had worked on. But that didn’t happen. Sharon would work for a while, and then stop because she didn’t feel like she knew what she needed to do next. During each pause, she learned and developed additional techniques to have the tools needed to continue on. This lengthy process taught Sharon that each quilt truly has its own schedule and identity. “You have to follow the clues it gives you if you want the best out of it and yourself,” remarked Sharon. Even though it took 14 years to finish, Sharon felt it was an amazing adventure and she “enjoyed every minute of it.”
How did Sharon feel after she won Best of the Show?“I was ecstatic. Road to California is a prestigious and well respected show. The best quilts in the world are competing here, so winning Best of Show was an honor.”
What did she do with her prize money? “Since winning any award is a surprise, I never have plans to spend the money. I am passionate about machine embroidery, so I bought a few things that’ll allow me to explore this art form in new and different ways.”
What does the quilting future hold for Sharon? “My plan for the future is to combine every aspect of quilting into one piece. Traditional piecing; hand embroidery; needleturn appliqué; machine appliqué and machine embroidery. Each technique has its own strengths and weaknesses and I am exploring the limits of each. You name it, and it will be in my work.”
Congratulations Sharon for winning Road to California’s 2014 Best of Show.
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Quilt Challenge 2015: Step Out Of The Box
Thursday, August 28th, 2014 Road to California 2014 started out with a parade. Led by members of the Colony High School Drum Corps, followed by dignitaries from the show’s host city, Ontario, the entourage marched in to the vendor hall, and stopped near the Quilted with Honor Exhibit, a fitting backdrop for the veteran presentation that followed.![_i4c2887[1]](https://road2ca.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/i4c28871.jpg)
All quilts in the Quilted in Honor Exhibit were made with patriotic fabrics designed by IslandBatik.
These quilts made such a huge impression that Road wanted to extend their versatility by offering a new challenge using these fabrics: Step Out of the Box.
The Step Out of the Box Challenge requires all submitted quilts to be a modern aesthetic design that incorporates at least 50% Island Batik Quilted in Honor fabrics. Quilters are also encouraged, but not required, to use additional materials from other Quilted in Honor sponsors such as Aurifill thread, Pellon batting, OESD embroidery designs, or patterns from Quilted in Honor designers.
Due by October 1, 2014, quilters can submit more than one entry. After the show, all quilts for this exhibit will be donated to Operation Homefront. You can find additional entry rules on our web site.
A fun and unique way to bring together modern quilt design, patriotism and our 20th Anniversary.
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Tuesday, August 26th, 2014Claire Victor won $2,000 for her Modern Quilt Entry, Lost in Space, from sponsor, Modern Quilt’s Unlimited
About 15 years ago, Claire Victor decided she wanted to sew her own clothing. Inspired by her mother who was a great home seamstress, she started taking lessons at her local sewing store, Hartsdale Fabrics in Hartsdale, NY. Downstairs in the store, they had a quilt shop; something she had never seen before. What she saw there was so much more interesting than any preconceived notion she had had of what quilting was, and they had classes! Because of her work schedule, she was unable to take a class at that time but she sent ahead and bought the Eleanor Burns – Log Cabin Quilt-in-a-Day book, picked out some fabrics and off she went. She figured it all out on her own, laughed a lot along the way, had fun throughout the entire process and never looked back.
What inspired Claire’s winning design, Lost in Space? “I am interested in geometric patterns, especially ones with illusion. The tumbling block is my “block of choice.” I do them every which way I can think of. Recently, I had the chance to join a hand sewing group at Monica’s Quilt and Bead in Palm Desert, CA and I started to learn appliqué. All the ladies were doing more traditional patterns which did not interest me so I designed my own, an elongated tumbling block. The group came up with the name “Lost in Space”. My favorite reference books are from Sara Nephew and Marci Baker. I had also been studying an old Katie Pasquini-Masopust book.
How long did it take to make your winning quilt? What did you learn along the way? “I decided long ago to never pay attention to how long it takes to make a quilt; I just do it until it’s finished. But if I had to guess, I would say three or four months. It was a great journey; since this was my first appliqué quilt. I was (and still am) having trouble with the technique but it was very interesting to figure out the design and combine machine piecing, English paper piecing, hand sewing and then machine quilting.
What was your reaction when you won? “My first reaction was complete disbelief, and then I cried (a little). You might wish and dream about these moments but believe me they come when you least expect them. Needless to say, once I recovered, I was extremely honored.”
Did you do anything special with your prize money? “Almost immediately I ordered a custom made Sew Steady Table and the rest just went into my general sewing fund.”
Where do you go from here with your quilting? “I just continue…open to future possibilities. After saying I would ‘NEVER do appliqué’ it has turned out to be so interesting and challenging. I can achieve things with appliqué that I could not with regular piecing. I am now working on my fourth appliqué quilt.
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So You Want To Make A Winning Quilt? 2014 Outstanding Art Quilt
Friday, August 22nd, 2014Lenore Crawford won $3,000 from SewBatik, sponsor of the Outstanding Art Quilt Entry
Lenore Crawford began using fabric as an art medium around 1995. She loved the warmth, texture, and value that fabric offers as compared to other media. It was fun for Lenore to create art quilts with fabric and see how far she could take the medium.
Lenore’s winning entry, Capturing Brittany was inspired by her many visits to France. She loved France’s ancient architecture ever since her first visit when she was 16 years old. To be able to create art with fabric that resembled it was very intriguing to Lenore. Being able to achieve a very realistic design that truly looked like the real thing in fabric was so exciting. This particular piece was inspired by photos taken in a village in northern France. A class of art students was sketching that day.
Capturing Brittany was mostly created during the winter over several months. While making the quilt, Lenore learned that she loved to add fine detail to her designs, making them seem even more realistic. She fuses tiny pieces to add some of the detail where it’s still feasible, and when the pieces get to be too small, she uses a little bit of fabric paint instead of fabric. Shading and detail is what made the design look more realistic.
What was Lenore’s reaction when she won? “I was very excited to win. This means to me that I am accepted by my peers in my field. It is also a very great way to advertise my work especially for teaching.”
Did she do anything special with her prize money? “I spent a good chunk of the money on a good quality espresso machine. I love good coffee and especially missed it after getting home from our trip to New Zealand last year where you can even find a fabulous latte at McDonald’s!”
What is next for Lenore and her quilting? “That is the question of the hour! I feel at this point I want to do something different. I like change. We grow when we change. I don’t know what it will be, but I will always keep creating more art because that is my passion. I would love to learn to use Photoshop to manipulate my photos I use to create my art quilts, but we will see. Running a business keeps me very busy with teaching all over the world, maintaining my stock, doing paperwork, coming up with new patterns and classes. Life is so busy and sometimes gets in the way of the creative process. I will take some time this fall to see where I want to go now.”
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2015 Next Generation Quilt Challenge
Tuesday, August 19th, 2014 Road to California 2015- 20th Anniversary Show is bringing back a popular exhibit where young quilters are the stars.
Each year, budding young quilters attend the show, looking for inspiration for their own creations. Here is a platform to display their talents.
The Next Generation Quilt Challenge is open to youth who are 7 – 16 years of age on or before October 1, 2014. Road is working on securing prizes for EVERY entrant for this exhibit!!!
While Road to California understands that some adult help might be necessary, the primary work on the quilt needs to be done by the youth entering. Both commercial and traditional patterns are acceptable and tying is an appropriate substitute for quilting. For complete details to enter a quilt for the Next Generation Quilt Challenge, please go to our website.
The Next Generation Exhibit will be housed in the Canvas Cafe so everyone — even those supporters of young quilters who may not want to pay admission to see the entire quilt show — can still see the Next Generation Exhibit free of charge!
Is there a young quilter you know that you can pass along this exciting information?
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Thursday, August 14th, 2014 Margaret Solomon Gunn won $5,000 from sponsor Moore’s Sewing Center for her Masterpiece entry, Big Bertha. 
Margaret started sewing when she was young, mostly making clothing. She made her first quilt about 25 years ago when she got her first sewing machine. Over the years, she didn’t quilt much except for making a few for gifts.
In 2007, she decided to try quilting again by using her scraps to make a donation quilt for Project Linus. And guess what? She got hooked on quilting once more!! Between 2007 and 2010, Margaret made over 100 quilts for Project Linus (and they didn’t decrease her stash hardly at all!!) Five years ago, Margaret bought a long arm and began a business quilting shortly thereafter.
Big Bertha was inspired by Margaret’s love for taking old patterns and modernizing them with bolder fabrics. She began the Dresden plates in the summer of 2011. By the time she had all the plates hand pieced/appliquéd, she noticed that there were Dresden quilt-alongs all over the quilting blogs. This really bummed her out as she likes to make unique quilts for shows. She ended up sticking the project in a box for nearly a year. One day, when Margaret was looking for something to work on, Big Bertha was the one closest to being ready to quilt, so she pulled it out and started to work on it again. It took four months to complete the top. The quilting was done over an eight week period, taking nearly 175 hours. Big Bertha debuted at its first show in 2013.
What did Margaret learn from creating Big Bertha? “I never want to make another quilt that is this large!”
What was Margaret’s reaction when she found out that she won the Masterpiece prize? “Quite surprised! It was the single largest prize I had ever won.”
Did she do anything special with her prize money? According to Margaret, “Looks like Uncle Sam will get a nice chunk, but basically no, not really.”
What is Margaret’s next project? “I always have several show quilts in the works…one in the design stage, one in piecing/applique, and one half quilted!”
Congratulations Margaret Solomon Gunn for winning the Masterpiece category, sponsored by Moore’s Sewing Center.
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Winning Quilters Are Winning Teachers Too
Wednesday, July 9th, 2014Knowing what it takes to win in an exceptional quilt show provides great credentials for a quilt teacher. Three of Road to California’s upcoming 2015 faculty were winners in Road’s 2014 Contest:
Lenore Crawford:
2014 Outstanding Art Quilt sponsored by SewBatik.
Lenore won $3,000 for her work.
Lenore will be teaching 2 classes at Road 2015:
4601R Thursday – Saturday Fusing/Fabric Painting to Create Impressionable Fabric Art
Lenore will demonstrate her techniques to help you use your own photo to design a fused project utilizing fabric painting and machine quilting.
7003R Sunday Shredded Fabric Art
Students will learn to create their own shredded fabric impressionistic art quilt using a technique originated by Noriko Endo
Jerry Granata:
2014 Third Place: Mini Quilt Sponsored by Busy Bee Quilt Shop
Jerry won $50.00 for his work.
Jerry will be teaching three different level classes on how to quilt using your domestic machine:
3005C Wednesday Introduction to Domestic Machine Quiltling
4006C Thursday Quilting for Show on Your Domestic Machine
6006C Saturday Introduction to Domestic Machine Quilting
In addition, Jerry will be guiding students in a quilt/art form he has perfected:
5006C Friday Quilting with Unusual Fabrics
You will learn how to quilt with unusual items such as silk, satin, vinyl, theatrical gels, even aluminum foil, among many others!
Cathy Wiggins:
Road 2014 Best Painted Surface sponsored by BlocLoc Rulers USAUS LLC
Cathy won $1,000 for her work
Cathy will be sharing her longarm quilting techniques to assist students in four classes:
3012R Wednesday Quilting for Show
Students will practice techniques as well as walk the show floor to discuss the award winning quilts.
4014R Thursday Discover ‘Your’ Quilting Style
Students will go through a series of exercises to determine their personal quilting style as well as walk the show floor to discuss the award winning quilts.
5013R Friday Quilting the Art Quilt
Cathy will teach how to successfully quilt texture into landscapes, animals, plants and even people.
6012R Saturday Quilting Leather
A hands-on workshop on everything involved with the fun, new medium, leather quilting
Please go to the Road to California website for more details on these upcoming classes. Registration begins Sunday, July 13th at 8:00 a.m. PDT. For information on how to register, visit this previous blog post.
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Celebrating Earth Day With Award Winning Quilts
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2014One of the categories for the Road to California Quilt Contest is
Art/Naturescape
In 2014, 15 entries were accepted for judging. In honor of Earth Day, here are the award winning quilts for this category and a description of the places and things in nature that inspired them:
Best Wall Quilt
Where We Met – Linda C. Anderson
Hogbo, Sweden, a small village near Stockholm
Best Visual Image
Red Sunflower by Susan Bianchi
Inspired by a flower growing near Santa Cruz, California
First Place
Havasu Falls by Kathy McNeil
Located via a 13 mile hike into the Grand Canyon on the Havasupai Reservation
Second Place
My Pallette – Dr. Sandra L. Nehlsen-Cannarella
“Nature in all her realm”
Third Place
Winter Squash – Lauretta Crites
“Veggie Splendor”
Mother Nature would be proud of these winning depictions don’t you think?
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