Inspired by.... Clouds

May 21, 2015

May in Sisters, Oregon... rainy (which we are all very, very, very, happy about since our winter was extremely dry) and full of great clouds. May is also a busy time for me. I just returned from Quilt Market and we are 6 weeks away from Quilter's Affair and Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show....OMG how does that happen so fast? Reminding myself to breathe and enjoy the excitement of preparing to celebrate 40 years of quilt show.... and this weekend is the shop's 40th birthday party....all of these things will happen only once and I have to remember to be there.....

The Clouds this time of year really speak to me... oddly enough keeping me grounded and in the moment.

Living on a canyon we get really amazing fog...

and then this happens....

Oregon Coast has fabulous clouds...

Who doesn't photograph clouds when your flying?

I couldn't show photos of clouds without some from Morocco.....

A sunset on the roof top of Peacock Pavilions in Marrakesh, Morocco! When I see this image I can remember the smell of the air, giggling with Louise as we ran out of the main house to the roof top to capture this amazing sunset... trying not to mess up the Henna tattoos we had just received...

Isn't this why we love photographs so much...

Have a great day!

Valori

Color of the week....Cinnamon

July 10, 2014

Cinnamon

I love cinnamon in my Americano first thing in the morning....so very yummy! Besides the lovely flavor there is the smell of cinnamon and the color.....I find brown and brownish fabrics are hard to find...especially ones with a variety of shades in one print. I wanted my Cinnamon to have the depth of the spice in color...

We have been so busy around here with our Quilter's Affair Classes and the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show on Saturday...lots of fun and lots of work but worth every second to get to be with all of these wonderful people - men and women, mothers and daughters...and grandmothers, best friends, old friends... it is such a special event and since I was a year and a half when all of this started I can't imagine my life without it! THANK YOU to everyone who has ever come to our classes or the show or even just put a quilt in the show you have touched my life in ways I can't describe!

XOXOXO

Valori

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show 2013... part 8

August 1, 2013

Save it for Sunday..... at Five Pine Lodge

It is such a great way to end the show...quilts hung in the trees along the creek...wandering through wild flowers and looking at the beautiful work.

Alissa and Elizabeth....our tour guids and speakers

The End.... until next year...and 2014 is shaping up to be a great year!

Valori

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show 2013... part 7

July 31, 2013

The last of the images from this years event...

Kids area where they could make bean bags and draw on the parking lot quilt.

This was our Quilt Block Contest...

It was a great day..... but there is still Save it for Sunday...

Valori

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show 2013... part 6

July 30, 2013

the show goes on...

Ann on her Orange Bike....

Portland Modern Quilt Guild...Funny how everyone is on their phone....

The last bit of Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show tomorrow....

Valori

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show 2013... part 4

July 28, 2013

the day continues...

Elvis is at the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show!

Olivia placed this one....

My brother and his family....Love having Cascade closed so that we can walk down the middle of the highway....

Central Oregon Modern Quilt Guild Challenge....

Entering the Teacher Tent....

More Teacher Tent and Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show tomorrow....

Valori

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show 2013...part 3

July 27, 2013

As you might know putting on the largest outdoor quilt show in the world is no small undertaking. We have an amazing staff and collection of volunteers...

I thought I would share a couple images from the Quilt Show office...

Quilts coming into the office...

Quilts waiting to be placed.... All those little pieces of paper on the walls are images of the buildings in town and how many quilts can fit there and any other specific information about size of quilts that can be there. Once the quilts start arriving the girls start picking quilts that look good together and piling them up... then they start placing them on buildings.

Olivia helping mom pick quilts for a building...

When a building is all done being filled with beautiful quilts they go in garbage bags until Saturday morning.

Saturday July 13, 2013.....

Just like every year the firemen come hang the Employee Challenge quilts on the side of the Stitchin' Post.... 7:30 am.

Lots of supervision!

The front of the Stitchin' Post was a series of quilts made by Chris Jones...we lost Chris to cancer the spring... she was a great quilter and a large part of our community. We dedicated this years show to her memory!

We get it all around here... cars covered in quilts and now a weather baloon covered in a quilt.

The walk down Cascade begins....

Water Doctors!!

Hanging quilts!

The beautiful day begins....

More tomorrow...

Valori

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show 2013.... part 2

July 26, 2013

Kathy Doughty was our speaker at the Picnic in the Park this year.....she comes to teach from Australia! She owns a shop in Sydney and has published numerous books. I would love to take a class from her sometime.....

She talked about the history of quilts in Australia and then showed us some of her creations....

Two of our quilt holders.... waiting their next duty.... they are also two of our amazing teachers and helpers at quilt show!

This last quilt Kathy and her friends made for mom and I....we are still in discussion on who gets it when. We might have to have a custody battle on our hands....or it will go to neutral territory and hang in the shop.

Have a great day!
XO

Valori

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show 2013

July 25, 2013

We had an amazing year.... our Quilter's Affair classes were wonderful and we had a excellent group of teachers.....and the Show....well, I can say one of the best ever....the weather was perfect, no rain (thank goodness), no wind and happy, happy people.

I have so many photos to share with you that there will be multiple posts....

I will let the photos speak for themselves.... I will start with Picnic in the Park.... the final event for Quilter's Affair....and the kick off for Saturday...

First our employee challenge.... This year the Stitchin' Post employee challenge was Streams of Color...

You will notice the little legs holding quilts.... My nephew, Braden and the girls wanted to help....

This is mine.....

Almost missed this one going by...

The picnic in the park is a fun event....

Waiting patiently....

Tomorrow..... Kathy Doughty from Australia.... she was the speaker Friday night. Amazing woman!

Have a great day!!!

Valori

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show 2012....part 2

August 7, 2012

Hello.......

Here is the second instalment of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show photos......

It was only 8ish and town was full....

Even the Cowboys were out looking at quilts! How often do you see that?!

My friends little boy "Water Doctor" out for the day keeping the visitors well hydrated!

I always love the line outside the Sisters Bakery on Quilt Show day....all across the street.

Another look of Cascade Street.....

The first Annual Man Land Exhibit.....way cool to recognize our Men Quilters!

I will end with the Wizard of Oz....

What is truly amazing is that I started this blog in the morning and with all the interruptions I am sending it now..... I came upstairs to finish......hope nobody has noticed that I'm gone!!!

Have a great night!!!

Valori

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show 2012....part 1

August 6, 2012

Happy Monday!!! I got my first canning lesson today with my step-mom. We made dill pickles! So domestic of me...in between the canning process I started working on my Spring 2013 collection of fabric. Makes my brain hurt to think that far ahead right now. I have spent so much time trying to keep myself in the now it is hard to think out that far.

The pickles are done, the lids popped (I guess that is good). Teague is still sleeping. It is peaceful so I thought I would share some Quilt Show photos from this year......

The day always begins with the Sisters Firemen hanging our Employee Challenge Quilts.

Mom and I out for our morning walk.....

I love the look down Cascade St, aka Highway 20, first thing in the morning. I think it was about 7:30ish.

I LOVE this quilt!

Rob Appell....sporting his Quilt Rescue t-shirt. He volunteers every year to help with Quilt Rescue. Very Cool!!!!

Still hanging.....

Rob hard at work fixing a quilt.....and we have barley made it 2 blocks.

I will have to end here...my little monster is calling! Keep your eyes out for part 2 and part 3....

Valori

Picnic in the Park....part 2....

August 1, 2012

Hello......back from vacation! Wow a fun trip but I am tired.....why does that have to happen? I am happy to have the house and studio to myself! It is quiet no one needs anything from me and I can catch up...think a little!

Now back to the Picnic in the Park......after the showing of the Employee challenge quilts we were ready for the main event! The FOLK ART CHICKS.......

Gwen Marston, Sue Spargo, and Tonye Phillips......

The little helper.....

The Chicks did great....and all of their quilts are beautiful!

I love this quilt that one of our wonderful quilters made out of past t-shirts! Too cool!

Have a great day!

Valori

Picnic in the Park.....part 1....

July 25, 2012

Hello....

Today is my brother and I's birthday, Jason is 43 and I am 39.....yep same birthday! It is a great day.....on this beautiful July day I thought I would start my series of images from the Picnic in the Park, Quilt Show and Save it for Sunday events! Three awesome events.....

The Picnic in the Park is the last event of the week of Quilter's Affair classes.....it is followed by an outdoor lecture. This year our featured lecture is from the Folk Art Chicks....Gwen Marston, Sue Spargo, and Tonye Phillips......But I wil start with a few fun pics and our traditional showing of the Employee Challenge Quilts. This year's theme was Pieceful Village or something similar to that.....

Aunt June, Mom and I.....can you tell we are all related! Except my dorky smile.....

Music from our talented kids from Sisters!

Three tired but happy teachers.....Alethea Ballard, Emily Cier and Scott Hanson.....all vergins to Quilter's Affair and Quilt Show......

Mom and Vivi.....

The diners.....

The Chicks getting ready for their lecture!

Quilt Holders for the event....Lawry and Mindi - mother and daughter, Lawry has worked for my mom since Mindi and I were 7, & Colleen Blackwood - teacher and family friend.

My hubby and Rob Appell - our surfer boy teacher and good friend!

Let the Employee Challenge begin.....this is mom's quilt - she had the grandkids draw houses and she used them for templates then the kids picked the fabrics they wanted their houses made out of....too cute! She is so clever!

Quilts from our amazingly talented staff at the Stitchin' Post!! They did such an amazing job.....

Next on Picnic in the Park.....part 2, The Folk Art CHICKS!!!!!

Valori

Day two Quilters Affair

July 10, 2012

Day two of Quilters Affair....
Classes are in full swing.... Everyone is having a blast! Here are a few pics from the morning.
We have the amazing Rosalie Dace...
And Fabulous Elizabeth Hartman!!
Just to name a few of the wonderful teachers we have from around the world. I love being able to say that, Rosalie is from South Africa and then we also have Karin Helaby from England.
Have a great Day!!!
XO
Val

PS totally thought my post from yesterday actually went live but no. It was sitting here this morning. Darn technology!

It has begun...

July 10, 2012

The first day of Quilters Affair!!! Classes are started. Everyone is excited.... Vaunell is wearing a beautiful top out of Cocoon. Vaunell and Laura are in charge at the school where we do classes. They are awesome!!!! Have a great day!
XO
Valori

It has begun...

July 9, 2012

July's first Simply Made Summer....

July 6, 2012

Hello.....FRIDAY!!! The last relaxing day until Quilt Show is over. Sunday starts the whole event off with the Fiber Arts Stroll, Monday is the beginning of Quilter's Affair Classes at the high school....and the week goes on....I am really excited for Quilter's Affair and Quilt Show this year. I think it is going to be a great year!

The Quilt Show office is now open and sorting quilts.....

They are so organized....it is truly amazing that 1500ish quilts come into this space get organized and then One Summer Day in July....Sisters, Oregon is transformed with quilts hanging all over town! It is beautiful!

We are having a bbq tonight to start off the party......

But before I get to my cooking and mixing of sangria I will share my Simply Made Summer for today.....

It is BERRY season around here and Oregon does have the most amazing berries. That being said I have to share my Summer Berry Crisp recipe. It is the perfect last minute dessert....takes no time at all and is truly yummy.

Download SummerBerryCrisp and the download for your recipe box....(I Hope)

Olivia and I made this crisp last night....unfortunately we didn't have any ice cream so in turn we put chocolate chips on it. When the crisp is warm it is so yummy with the chocolate. Fun new addition to the recipe.

Now when you make this lovely crisp you will need a pot holder to get it out of the oven....In case you are tired of your old pot holders I have a pattern for you....

My Flutterby Pot Holder Sewing Card......super cute and easy......can't go wrong with that!

Now I am off to prepare for a BBQ.

Have a great weekend!

XO
Valori

Quilt Show 2011....part 1....

July 19, 2011

Ok, the beginning of Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. We always begin with the firemen hanging the quilts on the side of the building..... this has become such a spectacle that I even think the firemen get a kick out of it. I swear there were at least 8 of them supervising the event.....

I have also included some of my Hipstamatic iPhone photos...love that App!

Love this shot...I have to admit that the idea for the image came from one of our local photographers, Gary Miller, who did a shot similar to this last year. I loved it.....perfect way to show us!

Hipstamatic....

some new quilters.....

Early morning....the day begins!

Love this with the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show t-shirt quilt hanging below...

My brother and nephew helped hang the Gee's Bend Quilts.

nothing like a pig drinking a Black Butte Porter....

Cindy Young our excellent, featured Machine Quilter....and an employee at the Stitchin' Post.

That is all I can do today....I have a fabric deadline and I have to get back to it! Next...the Teacher Tent!

Have a great day!!

XXOO

Valori

Friday Night....before Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show....

July 15, 2011

I am gradually getting all of my photos from last weekend edited....I find that Quilt Show doesn't end on Saturday for me...we have Save it for Sunday. Wait till you see those photos, amazing display of mom's quilts hung in the pines of Five Pine Lodge. And then it is catch up for the week...But I am getting ahead of myself.....

Friday night was amazing...Jennifer Keltner, editor, of American Patchwork and Quilting gave the lecture and a sneak peak of quilts that are coming in the next year.....Now enough chatter....time for photos.