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Posts Tagged ‘Road to California 2017’

Meet Road 2017 Faculty: Jacqueline Kunkel

Monday, December 19th, 2016

3006C Proud Mary

Thursday, 4006C Seeing Spots

Friday, 5006C Island Breeze

and on Saturday, 6703C Vintage Compass

Jacqueline Kunkel, her husband, and her two “wonderful Quilt Inspector Kitties,” recently completed a cross country move from Connecticut to Mesa, Arizona. Why the move? Jacqueline had been coming to the valley since her grandparents moved there in 1970.  Jacqueline and her husband had been going to Arizona for about 30 years.  She has lots of family there (Mom and Dad, Cousins, Aunt and Uncle), so  they have developed a love for the desert and Arizona. Jacqueline blames her husband for her start in quilting. When she was pregnant with their first child, he suggested that Jacqueline get a hobby.  At the time, she was a garment sewer and heavy into making baby clothes for their newborn.  She took a formal quilting class, at her husband’s urging, and hated it.  She says it was probably because of the format in which it was taught: cutting cardboard templates with scissors.  No rotary cutters, mats and rulers.  Eventually, Jacqueline took another class that had all those things and she” was hooked!!!”  That was in 1993 and it has been her hobby turned business ever since then. When Jacqueline is not quilting, she and her husband “LOVE” to hike, walk, explore, and fly (Jacqueline’s husband has his own little plane).  They fly almost every day as the Arizona weather “is just sunny and gorgeous.” What is the one quilting tool that Jacqueline can’t live without? Her glue pen.  Jacqueline says, “I use it essentially in place of pins.  It allows my fabric to lay flat and I can handle it with ease.  From paper piecing to appliqué, to binding, there really isn’t anything you can’t use it on.” When it comes to teaching, Jacqueline absolutely adores “seeing my students creating and then seeing the finished projects.  I also love helping them through the process.  It is very rewarding.” She hopes that her students walk away with more than one new tip or technique” that they can apply to their quilting in general.  Jacqueline’s best quilting tip is that she does not use steam in her iron. She always uses a dry iron as she has found over the years that steam will stretch the fabric which results in a block not fitting properly or not being square. In September, 2015, Jacqueline published a new book, Splash of Color:  A Rainbow of Brilliant Black and White Quilts. Jacqueline says that “It was born out of a desire to write about something that I love… black, white, and bright fabrics. These are fabrics that my stash is not lacking in any way shape or form.  I loved designing the quilts in this book, and better yet, thoroughly enjoy teaching them too.  I love the photos that my students and other quilters send me of their completed projects.  It is very satisfying and fulfilling… (The book) is fun, the designs are versatile, and black, white, and bright fabrics are timeless!!” To learn more about Jacqueline Kunkel, please visit her website.]]>

Giving Back At Road 2017

Friday, October 7th, 2016

“The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service.     Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Road to California has teamed up with the Robert and Beverly Lewis Cancer Care Center in Pomona, California and Anita Grossman Solomon, one of our Road 2017 Faculty, to make as many quilts as possible on the Saturday night of Road 2017. All quilts produced that night will be given to cancer patients at the center on behalf of everyone participating with this wonderful cause.roadies-give-back2

The Robert and Beverly Lewis Cancer Care Center was chosen as the recipient of Road’s night of service because Show Director Matt Reese’s mom, Shellee Reese, has been a long time employee at the center. Roadies have supported the center in the past, casting votes for the award winning video that won valuable donation dollars to the center in 2014. Linda Rasmussen is overseeing the project and the Sew-A-Thon that will take place Saturday, January 21st beginning at 7:00 PM. Linda has been a volunteer at Road in the judging room for 17 years.  She joined Road to California’s staff last year, first as Ribbon Clerk in the judging room and now the Coordinator for Roadies Give Back. Linda says the goal for Roadies Give Back is to supply lap size quilts to the patients of the Robert and Beverly Lewis Cancer Care Center.  The quilts will be made from a block designed by Anita Grossman Solomon especially for Road to California.  Road to California fans and attendees throughout the United States and overseas are invited to make the blocks prior to the show.  Then, on January 21st, all of the blocks received will be assembled into quilt tops, quilted and prepared for donation to the Cancer Care Center. During the evening there will be door prizes and raffle prizes along with yummy treats. How can you be a part of this worthwhile event?saturday-january-21-7-00-pm
  • Tell a friend.
Share this blog post in an email, with your social media or with your guild. Linda has already started to visit guilds in the area. She says the response “has been enthusiastic.”
  • Make a square (or two or more!!)
There is no limit to the amount of blocks you can contribute. A raffle ticket will be given for each square donated. We will start accepting squares at Road’s office beginning December 5, 2016. Mail them in, roper them off, or bring them to the show.
  • Register for the event.
Go to our website and sign up to assist with either piecing (class 9600C), domestic quilting (class 9601C), longarm quilting (class 9602C) or finishing (class 9603C). A nominal $10 fee will be collected at the time of registration. Half the fee will go to directly to the Cancer Center and the other half will be applied to deferring costs for supplies for the evening.
  • Join in the fun.
Stay at the show after the classes have finished and the vendors have closed. Machines will be provided for the night. Guests are encouraged to bring thread, snips, pins and any other items that makes sewing more productive for them.teachers_classrooms__i4c5741 We hope you will want to be a part of this very special event. As Linda says, “It is a great opportunity to show support to people who need to know that we are all working toward making their challenge of facing cancer just a bit less intimidating.  Something to keep you warm, made with love, showing support, is a visible way to make a difference in someone’s day.” To learn more about Roadies Give Back including getting the pattern for the squares and where to send them when you are done, please visit our website.    ]]>

Meet Road 2017 Faculty: Sharon Miller

Wednesday, September 21st, 2016

Sharon Miller will be teaching on Friday, 5067C  Espadrilles  and on Saturday,  6063C     Espadrilles  sharon-miller-one-shoe

Road to California 2017 will be featuring several handwork classes, including these beginner to intermediate level classes on how to make espadrilles shoes by Sharon  Miller. sharon-miller Espadrilles are casual, flat, shoes that originated in the Pyrenees. They usually have a canvas or cotton fabric upper and a flexible sole.sharon-miller-brocade Sharon has a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics, clothing and textiles. She began sewing, crocheting, and tatting when she was 10 years old and has created everything from clothing and costumes to home décor, bridal gowns, crafts and quilts.sharon-miller-dress How did Sharon get started in making espadrilles? “I love new things and when I saw the espadrilles I could hardly wait to start making them.  I envisioned them with kids clothes, casual wear, in leather, and a fun bridal party activity.”sharon-miller-childs There was a bit of a learning curve in learning how to make the shoes. Sharon tried all kinds of fabrics and had to figure out how to adjust the fit for unique feet.  Luckily for Sharon’s students, she has developed many quick tips to make the process easier that she will be sharing in her classes. Does Sharon have a favorite espadrilles style? She likes — and has a pair — of both flats and wedges. In her Road 2017 classes, students will be making the flat version. At Road 2016, Sharon demonstrated her espadrilles shoes in the EE Schenck Company booth in the Marketplace. It was such a popular demonstration that the Reese family asked her to offer a class at Road 2017. Previously, she has taught her espadrille class for shop owners in Portland, Oregon in 2015. Sharon is excited to share something she loves to make that has become natural to her. Students can expect to finish at least one pair of shoes and hopefully start the second pair before the end of class. Sharon describes her classes as both “fun and educational.” She adds, “We have a good time.”      ]]>

Sibling Time at Road

Wednesday, August 31st, 2016

Siblings who share family ties and quilting ties are a great combination!!

Lauraine Clark (Upland, California) and Dianne Gullino (Bonnie Lake, Washington) 164 Even though Dianne is the sister that lives the farthest away from Road’s show location in Ontario, California, she has been coming the longest, for the past 10 years. About four years ago, she began persuading Lauraine to come with her and they have been attending together ever since. Dianne figures that she generally makes about 12 quilts a year. In 2014, she made 30 pieced quilts to honor all the veterans in her Pomona High school graduating class for their 50th class reunion.  At first, she was just going to make one quilt for the student body president, a veteran who was suffering from MS and could not make the reunion. After making his quilt, she decided to make quilts for all the veterans in her class. Classmates donated the money for the fabric to help relieve Diane of some of the cost. Lauraine helped with the piecing. The veteran classmates were moved by Dianne’s gift and were very appreciative.  For some, it was the first time they had ever been recognized for their service.  Dianne made sure that those who didn’t attend the reunion still got their quilts, mailing them off after the event.   Terri Krause and Keith DommerIMG_8758 For over 20 years, sister and brother Terri Krause and Keith Dommer, have met their mother at Road to California to celebrate her birthday and do some quilting. Terri thinks Road is the best place for a family outing. While Terri loves applique, she doesn’t have any desire to do it. She prefers a more traditional style and gives away most of the quilts she makes. Keith started out making pieced quilts. After 10 years of quilting, he started doing machine applique. His quilt tops integrate bold, graphic designs. Keith has won numerous awards for his quilting including this second place award for Traditional, Large, Mixed at Road to California in 2012:photodisc   Marina (Oak Hills, California) and Lisa Caraway (Rancho Cucamonga, California)199 Sister-in-laws who both love to quilt, Lisa brought Marina for her first visit to Road in 2016. Marina loves to quilt and loved the show. She said “I can’t wait to come back.” Lisa offered some good advice for show guests from her own experience. She said,  “make the rounds to all the vendors before you commit!!” The sister-in-laws have already begun their “plotting” to attend Road 2017. Do you have a sibling that quilts?   Will you planning be getting together at Road 2017?]]>

Meet Road 2017 Teacher: Jenifer Dick

Saturday, August 13th, 2016

JeniferDick Jenifer began quilting  on a whim. She was a cross stitcher in college and was checking out a new shop in Kansas City for supplies when she noticed that half the shop was fabric. By this time, she was getting bored with cross stitching because she felt constrained by the lack of freedom in recreating the charts. Jenifer noticed that the quilt girls could pick their own fabric and put it together however they liked. That kind of freedom really intrigued her. There was a sign-up for a beginning quilting class and she signed up on the spot. This was in 1993. The rest, as they say, is history; Jenifer never cross stitched again!jennifer Dick EaglesWingsWatermark Jenifer says when it comes to quilting, “I am kind of schizophrenic.  I am equal parts bold and graphic, and equally organic!  I have a graphic design background so simple shapes and bright colors have always caught my eye. And the art of the early 20th century has always attracted me. Contrastingly, I live in the country in the woods and love my trees and birds! They often show up in my applique designs.”Jennifer Dick ExplodingWatermarked When asked what her favorite quilting took was, Jenifer replied, “I keep my tools really simple – machine, scissors, rotary cutter, mat, rulers. I find you can do 99% of what you need to do with those simple tools. I do have one tool I use that isn’t a quilting tool at all that I like! It’s an orange stick, used for manicures. It can be a stiletto, a third hand, it helps cleaning out nooks and crannies in my machine, and it helps in applique. Quite versatile for a small piece of balsa wood!” The best quilting tip Jenifer has to offer is to spend the money on a really good quality iron. Why? Because “You can’t imagine how big a difference a good iron makes! It glides over the fabric better, helps reduce fatigue, and the heavier weight helps with pressing open seams without making them wobbly.”  Though Jenifer also recommends having “a cheap iron with a non-stick sole plate on hand for gooky jobs – working with fusible, lots of starch, etc.”Jennifer Dick Birds with Watermark The best part about teaching for Jenifer is meeting the quilters and getting to know them. She says that she has found that her quilting students come to her classes with tons of knowledge and that she always learns something from the students at every workshop she teaches. Since Jenifer mostly teaches locally in Missouri, she is really looking forward to coming to Road to California and meeting her students. She hopes that they learn something new and have a lot of fun. Jenifer shared that in her classes, they laugh a lot and she gives out fun prizes throughout the day. But most importantly, she strives to teach something new – no matter how small – to even the most experienced quilter. To learn more about Jenifer, visit her website.  ]]>

Meet Patt Blair: Road 2016 Winner and 2017 Teacher

Wednesday, April 13th, 2016

Patt Blair won 3rd Place in the category Art, Critter for Summer Hunt at Road 2016Patt Blair-3rd place

Patt Blair is no stranger to Road to California. A resident of the mountain community of Mt. Baldy, California, she is surrounded by inspiration for her quilt designs. The idea for Summer Hunt came several years ago from another piece of hers, Winter Hunt, where an elusive mountain lion hunted in the late afternoon snow. Patt knew for years that Summer Hunt would come into being; it just took a while to come up with the look she wanted.   An east coast artist, B. Hautman, had produced a similar piece and was kind enough to allow Patt her own modified interpretation of his image. It took Patt about 11 weeks to finish Summer Hunt. First, she immersed herself in paining the subject so that she could really come to know it. Patt spent 8 weeks on the quilting. The further along she got on the quilt, the fewer hours were dedicated each day in the project. The blocking and facing only took a few days.Patt Blair-summer hunt detail As a quilter, Patt puts a lot of introspection in her pieces. She feels that it “absolutely pays off to really think about the elements of a piece; to decide what importance they will play in telling the quilt’s story. For example, Patt normally loves quilting airflow (the sky) using a motif that draws attention to its easy movement across the horizon. No such attention was warranted in Summer Hunt’s sky so a much more subdued motif was used. Patt was happy to hear she had won third place in the Art, Critter category, which had the highest number of entries for the 2016 show. “A piece becomes like one of my children; I was proud of it.” As a teacher, Patt LOVES the peaceful, playful rhythm that comes from a classroom of people all working and learning together.  She has just one classroom goal: that when students leave class, she wants them to feel just a bit “cocky.” In other words, that they will have the realization that they did the project and they’re proud of their work.Patt Blair-cardinal Patt will be teaching painting and quilting classes at Road 2017.  She is teaching both a two-day version of Painted Quilt Art as well as a one day Painting with Inks. In these two classes, students can use one of Patt’s many drawing options or bring one of their own as instructed on her web site. ( www.pattsart.com   button:  EZ drawing). Patt will also be teaching The Filling Station, a skill building class on quilting motifs,. This class will allow students to learn and practice stitching motifs that they can use in their own work. Patt Blair-windsong Finally, Patt will be doing a Media Mixer class exploring variety and freedom in using several surface design techniques.  Patt says this class is “totally fun and represents what my former teacher Robert E Wood Jr. coined as the meaning of CREATIVITY:  a winding path to an unknown destination.  We’ll all learn where we were going once we get there!!!”    ]]>