Dana E. Jones has traveled the world to explore different types of quilting and fiber arts. One such place is Caohagan Island. Through her lecture, you’ll be transported to this tiny island — just 13 acres — in the central Philippines as you enjoy images and stories of the colorful quilts and the more than 100 quiltmakers of Caohagan Island. You’ll see photos of more than 50 of these handmade, one-of-a-kind quilts plus be introduced to the unique techniques developed by these quiltmakers whose tools are simply fabric and scissors, needle and thread. Dana spent more than a month on the island, quilted with the residents, went fabric shopping with them on nearby Cebu Island, and snorkeled the reef that surrounds Caohagan. Those who view the quilts come away smiling, inspired by the creativity of these talented women and men.

The title of Carl Brown’s presentation makes us wonder just how one accidentally becomes a fiber artist? If he didn’t set out to work in this field, what else has he done? The fact is that Carl spent more than 30 years as an oncology nurse, researcher, book author and health care executive. What then inspired him to become a fiber artist?

Although he has been sewing and quilting as a fiber artist for only six years, Carl is very successful in this field. His work has been juried into a number of prestigious shows in the USA as well as Salon Pour l’Amour du Fil, in Nantes, France. He was named “Emerging New Artist” at Interpretations 2023 at the Visions Museum of Textile Art in San Diego. His fiber art pieces have been exhibited at Road to California, where he was a semi-finalist the last two years, QuiltCon, Mancuso’s QuiltFest shows, and numerous American Quilt Society shows as well.

Mama Lohde is an accomplished sewist and stitcher of beautiful wool embroidered art quilts, both large and small. She formerly taught classes on wool applique and embroidery at both Quilt Passions in Mission Viejo and at Piecemakers in Costa Mesa, and is teaching classes at Road to California in January 2026. Her work is colorful, whimsical and inspiring. On her website www.mamalohde.com you can view examples of the type of work she does, but we are going to be treated to seeing some of it in person as Mama Lohde tells her own personal story from childhood to the present. She will share how stitching and embroidery bring her joy and how she has come to be a skilled and inspiring teacher of an art that we all hope to see preserved for many generations to come.

Although we do not have a visiting Guest Speaker at this meeting we will be treated to presentations by two or three of our own Members who will bring some of their own favorite quilts to share with us. They will tell us about themselves, how they got involved in quilting, what inspires them, what type of quilts they like to make, and so on. They may reveal some interesting surprises about themselves, too. By the way, the identities of these Members will remain a tantalizing secret until they are introduced; but, you can be sure this will be a fun program, whoever they may turn out to be.

We are fortunate to have Lyn Brown returning to OCQG for our first meeting of the new year on January 12, 2027. This presentation and lecture were inspired by a particular quilt from Lyn’s antique quilt collection that she showed to us in 2024. It was a unique and eye-catching alphabet quilt which we all admired and wanted to know more about. Lyn took it a step further and built her presentation around that idea. Isn’t it nice to know the teacher?

This will be our Annual Business Meeting and Potluck Dinner which will begin at 6:00 p.m. Please note that the Business meeting, beginning at approximately 7:00 p.m., is for OCQG Members only and there will not be a Guest Speaker.