Well, it’s January which means time to get ready for Road to California Quilt show.  This is more than a show – it’s more like an explosion of fabric, classes, vendors and amazing teachers.  So if you are ever in the Ontario, CA area in January, please consider attending at least one day to view some terrific fabric art.

Summer Stars

This was a free project from Craftsy and designed by Kimberly Einmo who I met at Road and had as an instructor.  The top is not quilted when I took this picture but my long armer did an exquisite job.  Kimberly is one of the teachers that has also published books on Jelly Roll designs.  For non-quilters, a jelly roll is anywhere from 20-40 fabrics all precision cut into 2 1/2″ strips.  You can find her books at quilt stores or on Amazon.

Spanish tiles is a pattern I bought at a Road show, bought the fusible interface that went with the design but then put it away. Pattern is by Marin and Colusa (always give credit to the designer) and the tile design is already on the fusible interface.  Not sure why, but I put it away.  Well, in cleaning out some items, I found the pattern.  Then found the interfacing so that got me started.  After a nice “cuppa tea”, I read through and found out that it wasn’t that hard after all.  I tried a couple of squares with fabrics from my stash.

Spanish tiles

I really liked it and decided to go on with the pattern.  My lap size turned out to be 5′ X 5′ 1/2 ish.  I also say “ish” as one side is usually just a tad longer or wider.  To quilt this one, I will do hand quilting.   It would a nice change of pace even though I do love standing at the long arm and getting the quilt done in an hour or two (depending on the size and pattern).

Here is a picture of the completed quilt top that Elwood decided to check out.  As usual, my quilts are CTCA, Cat Tested-Cat Approved.  Again, this was done with stash fabric.

Quilting is my hobby, my passion and my stress reliever.  However, when I want to rush through the pattern, that’s when little things will pop up – the tension gets askew, the thread breaks, one of my cats demands my attention, etc.  Plus I usually like to sew when there is day light.  However, since I wanted to get this top done to show at my guild meeting, I plowed through until 8 p.m. (Plus I wanted to watch NCIS).

So I am excited about attending Road to California again. http://www.road2ca.com.   New quilts to ogle, new tools, returning friends and new ones, returning vendors and so much more.  There are also lectures scheduled, late night mystery classes and how to design your own patterns electronically.

Thanks for reading.  I appreciate your time.  Have a terrific 2017!