We are excited to be giving away over $90,000 in prize money for the winning quilts in our quilt contest; to be offering over a hundred classes taught by exceptional faculty; and to open our vendor mall with over 225 international and nationally known retailers.
We want all of our dedicated and supportive followers to get just as excited as we are for Road to California 2018. So, as we count down the days to the show’s opening, we’re going to be offering a daily giveaway from January 3rd through January 12th. Daily prizes have been generously donated from some of our wonderful 2018 teachers and vendors and include quilt patterns, DVD’s, books, embroidery design, and kits. The final prize to be offered – THE GRAND PRIZE – will be:
Entering is easy. Simply follow our Road to California Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/road2ca and our Instagram Account @road2ca every day to see what we are offering. Then, simply comment on the Facebook Post and the Instagram Post as directed. All comments entered by midnight each day will be counted and a winner will be chosen using Random Number Generator. Notification of each winner will be given the following day. The GRAND PRIZE winner will be notified January 13th. Good luck to everyone who enters.
Join the fun and get excited!!!
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Posts Tagged ‘Quilting’
Meet Road 2017 Faculty And Vendor: Jessica VanDenburgh
Saturday, November 19th, 2016 4561C Stitch Sling Bag
and on Saturday night, 6065C Diva Wallet
This native New Yorker, Jessica VanDenburgh of Sew Many Creations, has always loved to sew and discovered quilting about 10 years ago. She started making bags around the same time using her quilting fabric and tools. Her friends and family loved the bags she made so much that she began selling them as a small side business. Within a few years, the business grew so much that Jessica couldn’t keep up with the demand. She decided to try selling the patterns instead of the finished bags. According to Jessica, “it was a wonderful switch, much more rewarding and less stressful.” A couple years later, she designed her first quilt pattern and the rest “as they say is history.”
What does Jessica like most about her business, Sew Many Creations? “The fabric! I just can’t get enough!” Jessica is inspired to design more patterns because of the beautiful fabrics available. She loves how fabric speaks to her and tells her what to make it into.
Jessica “absolutely” loves to teach. To her, “there’s no better feeling than to see someone accomplish something they didn’t think they could do and know that you helped them do it.” Bags are Jessica’s favorite because they tend to have a reputation of being difficult but she breaks it down into easy steps. The Stella Sling bag is the perfect purse size with lots of pockets and includes Jessica’s favorite – a recessed zipper. The Prima Diva wallet also has lots of pockets and a beautiful metal frame closure.
Jessica hopes her students learn that bags are not as hard as they might have thought. They should be prepared: Jessica likes to have fun and laugh a lot during class. And she gives lots of tips and tricks.
In addition to teaching her classes, Jessica and Sew Many Creations will have a vendor booth featuring lots of patterns, purse hardware, fat quarters, 1 yard cuts and bag kits.
What is Jessica looking forward to when attending her first Road to California? “Meeting lots of new people. That’s always the best part of being at a quilt show.” And to this New Yorker, coming to California in January “sounds pretty good too!”
To learn more about Jessica and Sew Many Creations, follow her on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter.]]>
Tuffets: All The Rage Is Coming To Road 2017
Wednesday, November 16th, 2016 1201R Square Tuffet on Monday and Tuesday
Experiencing trying times in life sometimes end up being a great motivator in trying new things.
That’s exactly what happened with Pagen Lewis. Pagen’s mom and sister had always sewed, but according to Pagen, she “just didn’t get it.” About 17 years ago, when Pagen found herself going through a rough patch and had some extra time on her hands, her sister suggested that Pagen should take a quilting class. At first, Pagen “laughed” at the idea. After a lot of her sister’s pushing, Pagen finally agreed to take that class and fell, “hook, line, (and) sunk.” About six months after that, Pagen purchased her first long arm and started quilting for charity and customers.
When Pagen learned that her job that she had for 18 years in the computer industry was being moved overseas, she had six months to figure out what she was going to do next for work. As a single mother with 3 young children, she began researching how to start a business and what quilt shops were in her area. Guess what? There weren’t any!! Within that six months, Pagen opened Quilter’s Cocoon in Riverside, California and started running her own business. That was 15 years ago and Quilter’s Cocoon is still going strong. 
How did Pagen get involved in making tuffets? She saw a round tuffet on-line made with Kaffe Fassett prints. She searched everywhere to purchase one. She didn’t end up finding one but she did find a place to take a class that also offered certification to teach. That was in July, 2015. Pagen actually made two tuffets before she even went to the class for training.
Pagen has taught hundreds of students how to make both round and square tuffets. She started teaching her round tuffet classes in August, 2015. She wrote the pattern and had the fusible interfacing printed for the square tuffet and began teaching that class in June, 2016.
What can you do with a tuffet? Pagen says they are perfect for “special gifts.” She says that many tuffets have been taken over by students’ family pets and that grandchildren like using them to play favorite board games.
Pagen’s favorite tuffet was one she made out of red Kaffe Fassett Colletive fabrics. Once, she made a patriotic one for her father and on the bottom, put photos of him from the Korean War and his and her mother’s wedding photo.
While there is some sewing machine work involved, Pagen’s tuffet class is part of Road 2017’s non-quilting classes that include several beadwork classes.
Pagen and Quilter’s Cocoon will also have a vendor booth at Road 2017.
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Mothers and Daughters Who Quilt
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016 
Charlotte and Brittany Williams are from Riverside, California. Both quilters, Road 2016 was their first time at the show. They heard about it from their quilt guild, Raincross Quilt Guild in Riverside. Charlotte’s running partner taught her how to quilt in 2012. Brittany has only been quilting for 6 months. Since starting, she has made 7 quilts; six of them in the two months prior to the show. She has done a lot of hand work in the past (knitting and crocheting) so quilting was a natural addition. Her favorite pattern so far is a nine patch and disappearing nine patch.
It’s never too early to share your love of quilting with your daughter. Marina Caraway brought her 1 year old daughter, Everleigh, to the show.
Marina loves to quilt. Road 2016 was her first time at the show. She bought a kit for a block-of-the-month quilt and thought the displays “were beautiful.” She can’t wait to come back next year.
Grandmother Judy Brink, daughter Lori Vandenburg, and granddaughter Allison Vandenburg (9) like to go to their own quilt retreat twice a year in Palm Springs. It is a great time for them to share, swim, and quilt. Alison’s first time at Road was when she was 6 weeks old. She likes sewing pillowcases and taking the scraps from her mother and grandmother’s quilts and making little handbags. Lori’s first quilt was a baby quilt for Allison that Judy helped her make. Judy has been sewing since she was 6 years old. Judy’s mother taught her how to sew and at age 91, she is still participating in her church’s sewing circle.
The first time Valerie Yoshimura and her daughter, Vivian Shay (13) came to Road it was in 2014, two hours before closing on Sunday afternoon. “Whoops!!!” was their reaction. This past year, they knew better and stayed two nights at a local hotel so that they could take their time enjoying the show. Vivian designs her own clothes and has taught herself how to draw her own patterns. Valerie sews, embroiders, and hopes to be a quilter someday. She liked seeing what people do with their creativity. Remarked Valerie, “Road is not just for quilters. Anyone involved in fabric arts has a place here. It is worth taking a day off for!!”
Road 2016 was the third time Angie and Georgia Germain have come to the show. Residents of Escondido, California (near San Diego), Georgia, age 14, said she sees new things every time she comes. She has been sewing since she was 10 with her mom’s encouragement. She says it is a way for her to use her art skills. Georgia has made one quilt by herself and has helped her mom make others. Quilting is a hobby they enjoy doing together — and going to Road!!
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Empty Nest = Start Quilting
Saturday, May 30th, 2015When you are raising a family and working, often the only time left for quilting is spent on simply admiration. It isn’t until children are gone and retirement is looming that many of our guests finally have the time to stop admiring and start making quilts of their own.
[caption id="attachment_3192" align="aligncenter" width="629"]
Photo by Gregory Case Photography[/caption]
After Yvonne Foster’s husband passed away and her seven children (6 daughters and one son) were on their own, Yvonne knew she needed something to do. Her pastor and her pastor’s daughter invited Yvonne to take a summer quilting class with them. Yvonne wasn’t interested at first, but the more she learned, the more she liked to quilt. The hardest part for Yvonne was getting started. She had always liked to sew clothes for her daughters, but clothing had patterns to follow. Cutting out fabric and putting it together without laid out instructions was hard for Yvonne. But the more she quilted, the more comfortable she became. It’s been 13 years since Yvonne first started quilting. And now, she is sharing her hobby with her daughter, Yvette.
Yvette liked seeing her mother’s finished projects, and thought quilting would be something she would enjoy doing — when she had the time. In 2007, that free time finally came up. After finishing Real Estate classes and getting her Real Estate license, Yvette had Thursday nights open. She decided to use those free evenings and take a quilting class. Guess what? Yvette has been quilting ever since!!
Yvette was the one to introduce her mother to Road. They have been coming for the past five years. Yvette feels she learns something each time she attends and especially likes seeing the judged quilts. “They are unbelieveable.” For Yvonne, she likes talking to the winners and asking them questions about their designs.
Lois Baumgartner of Fountain Valley still has the double-wedding ring quilt that her mother made in the 1940’s. Lois always liked to sew, but it wasn’t until 10 years ago when her children had all left home, that she found the time to start quilting herself. Lois was at a fabric store one day and struck up a conversation with another woman in the store. That lady ended up inviting Lois to attend her quilt guild, the Flying Geese Guild in Irvine, California. Lois says she “quilts at her own pace,” and that her favorite place to get new ideas is going to Road to California.
What held you back from starting to quilt? What are you waiting for to start?
]]>Week 2 Giveaway: Using Up That Stash
Friday, November 21st, 2014Quilters have their stashes of fabric and Week 2’s Giveaway is full of ideas to use up some of that stash for creative gifts, embellishments, clothing, household items and more.
Save the Selvages by Sandy Thompson; Scraps Plus One by Joan Ford; Beginner’s Guide to Ribbonwork DVD by Helen Gibb; 4 Patterns by Connie Spurlock (No Sweat Quilted Jacket, Bibs for Boys, The Eyes Have It-5 designs for eyeglass cases, Hummingbird Haven applique)
As a reminder, here are the rules for entering in Week 2’s giveaway. There are up to three ways you can enter to win:
1) Write a comment on this blog post and tell us why you want to win
2) Write a comment on Road to California’s Facebook Page post featuring Week 2’s giveaway and let us know why you want to win.
3) Tweet out Week 2’s giveaway on Twitter using the hashtags #road2ca2015 #giveaway and @Road2CA
Entries for Week 2’s Giveaway begin Friday, November 21 and close Wednesday, November 26. The winner will be chosen using Random Number Generator and will be announced on Thanksgiving day on Road’s Facebook Page. Now that will be something to be thankful for!! Any questions? Contact Caryn at carynpayzant@roadtocalifornia.com
Good luck to all who enter!!
]]>Look 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.
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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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Valentines Spotted At Road
Friday, February 14th, 2014Some couples share chocolate with their Valentine. Some couples share flowers or a nice dinner out with their Valentine. And some couples share their love of quilting with their Valentine.
Lloyd and Debbie have attended Road together for 3 years. Before that, Debbie had come by herself. Since 2006, she served 5 years as a VIP (Very Important Quilter) and one year as a Roadie. Lloyd accompanies Debbie, who has had a double-knee replacement, assisting her as needed. They stay for the entire week, going to classes and visiting vendors. They like coming to Road because it is close by, the teachers are friendly, and everyone is, “Down to earth.”
Michael and Julie came all the way from the United Kingdom to attend Road!!! It was their first visit. They heard about the show through some quilting connections. Quilting is a big part of their life. They own a longarm quilting business and hope to start offering quilt retreats in the UK in the next year or two. They were enjoying the good weather in California (the UK this year is having the most rain in two decades) and were looking forward to visiting quilt shops after Road.
Herb and Betty were holding hands as they walked down the quilt arcade. It was their first time at Road They heard about the show in a mailing from Eleanor Burns. Betty started quilting years ago as a teenager but stopped about five years ago. She’s ready to pick it up again, so they decided to come to Road to find out what was new in the industry.
Do you share a love of quilting with your Valentine?
]]>Ties That Bind Through Quilting
Thursday, March 28th, 2013 Six women, ranging in age from 49-82 years of age, credit quilting for the foundation of their friendship, the purpose of their charitable work, and the source of their inspiration.
L to R: Gina, Willie, JoAnn, Andi, Jeanne, and Leslie
Originally from the small northern Idaho town of Sandpoint, these women were brought together seven years ago through a local quilt guild, Pan Handle Piece Makers. Each woman joined the guild as a way to get out of their home, reach out to the community and make friends with someone who shared their same interest. How has quilting made the difference for them and their friendship? Gina, the youngest of the group, said, “I like being with different ages. I learn from the older women’s wisdom.” When two of their members became widowed, the group was a great comfort and support. And they all get excited whenever one of their group has a quilt recognized in a show.
After their local quilt shop closed down, they decided to start (along with their guild), a Quilting 101 class for beginners. Once a year, they meet in a church for a day-long session. There is no charge. In addition to the lesson, they serve lunch to the 12-18 students who attend. It has become so popular, that this year there is a waiting list for their class. They also help out in the community by providing quilts to men’s shelters, ambulances, and foster children as well as through their “Bosom Buddies” program, where each breast cancer patient in Sandpoint gets one of their quilts. They provide prizes for 4H groups and this year they are instituting a scholarship program for graduating high school students. These are busy women!!!!
Through the years, their quilting has led to other shared interests. They all are women of faith and attend a Bible study group as well as travel. Now living in different towns in Idaho and California, Road to California seemed the perfect destination for a reunion. They were all familiar with the quilt show. Joann had previously won an award in 2007 for a quilt she had made with her husband. This year, Gina had two quilts entered in the show and made all the arrangements for everyone to attend. She even made matching shopping bags for everyone!!
What did they do at Road? Well, they “spent a lot of money,” “took a class together,” and ” bonded.”
Wherever they go, these women have come to know that quilting has a way of opening doors and bringing people together. After all, it happened to them!!!
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