A New Purse..........

This is a little purse that I have been working on.....I don't get much time to knit these days. To actually finish a knitting project is amazing...I have SO many in progress projects.  I love the chevron pattern so I thought that I could use it to make a cool purse.  For the yarn I used Koigu  (LOVE) and Cashshoft from Rowan. Then I lined it with some of my new collection Cocoon....

Wouldn't this be so cool as a bigger bag, one that could hold more especially since I carry so much in my bag. I will just have to find some different handles. 

Anyway.......My brain is a bit fried from sitting in front of the computer today working on fabric. I need to do something with my hands other than moving a mouse around. Maybe play with some fabric, or quilt or silk screen....hhuuummmmm! 

Off to make something......

XO

Valori

In the studio.....

I am back in the studio today. Always feels good to have a quiet day with the kitties. As I walk around my space I realize how many projects I have in progress. Some for personal satisfaction and others for work. Besides my looming fabric deadline here are a few others that I have calling to me.

This is a quilt that I started a long time ago...I embroidered one of my favorite quotes on it......

" I tell you, the more I think, the more I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people" - Vincent van Gogh

Now if I can only get Sophie off of it I could quilt it.....on my new Bernina 550 QE. Oh my, it is so amazing to sew on....its like butter! Quiet, smooth, and the stitches are perfect. I am in love!  Totally excited to quilt with it...which is one of the reasons that I haven't started quilting my "quote" quilt. Maybe tonight.....

These are two paintings that I started when Ross and I were in the City. He is so awesome about letting me have personal creative time when we are on a trip. I am very lucky! I do hope to finish these soon. It had been months since I had painted, felt so good!

And now for my beautiful Cocoon Linen all folded nice and sitting on my table waiting for me to make skirts and pillows and bags.....OH MY!  Cocoon is my spring collection of fabric, inspired by butterflies and my daughters. They love to watch the butterflies on our wild flowers and chase them around, laughing! Just makes me smile thinking of it. The rest of my sample yardage should be here soon.... yummy cottons and voile. I am planning lots of fun projects for a Cocoon Simply Made Summer.

The projects are endless....I have several more in progress. Can't seem to do just one thing at a time - I float around my studio sometimes getting bored with one project and starting another then going back to the first one. Is that normal? I wonder if it is not the best use of my time be so scattered but I am not sure how to change it.

Well, I must focus.....back to the fall collection....feeling a little stuck at this time but it will all come together, doesn't it always!

Have a great day!

XO

Valori

Tomorrow Morning.....

I am up in Portland today staying at my brothers house because tomorrow I get to be a guest judge on a Portland tv station - KATU -  that is doing a "Project Runway" type of show.

The Design Challenge is going to be a 6 week long competition between four designers from the Art Institute of Portland. This week is the first week and Westminster / Free Spirit is the featured fabric company and they asked me to be a guest judge! HEHE.....I think it will be so fun!

On Monday they introduced the designers and had a HUGE stack of my Karavan Knits on the table....I feel a little giddy when I see that...makes me feel like a kid that just got an A on a spelling test!

In case you were wondering we do have the knits in the shop....we are hoping the patterns for the Isabelle skirt and Sondy top will be done soon.....patterns can take longer than you think sometimes. Totally annoying but a fact that I just have to get used to. Try to get used to!

Well, I'm off to hang out with my family...don't get to see them much so it is fun to chat!

Have a great night!

XO

Valori

A girls day of creating.....

Last Saturday the girls came over and we had a day of creating..... A well needed time to gather as friends and just talk, laugh, make things, eat, drink...... We did a ton of silkscreening.....and then we made loation bars and candles, then bags for them to go in. What an amazing day it was. I am so blessed to have the friends I have. Very Thankful!!!!

My Wish for you this Holiday Season is to have time with your friends and family and enjoy their love.

XO

Valori

New sewing patterns.....

My sweet baby girl Vivi has been home sick for three days.....poor thing has a nasty cold. So, not much work for me this week. Luckily my husband is so awesome and helped me a lot. We have an great balance with work and family when someone is sick or gone. I never thought I would have such a wonderful family and life. Sounds strange to say that because I didn't ever think I should have a bad one just didn't know it could be like this. That I would be this happy. I am thankful!

Ok.....I am done being sappy. Photos of new patterns...YEAH!

This is one of the new Sewing Cards....$3.00 retail and you can make a skirt for anyone. If you can cut rectangles and sew them together you can make this skirt....So fun! My girls like Twirly skirts but me personally don't look that good in twirly skirts so I made one with less fabric but uses the same pattern. They were made in the Karavan Jersey Knit but I think corduroy, voile and cotton would make great skirts too.

The Josie bag.....a small version of a messenger bag with a long strap to throw over your head while your riding your bike to work. I don't personally ride the 6 hilly miles to the Stitchin' Post but my friends who live in town or close to town do. This bag was made before I got the Karavan fabric, I silk screened the Elephant on some of my Jenaveve Linen and then embroidered the fabric. I just love it....this will be MY bag!!

I have been working with a friend Nick Coman - he is a clothing designer - on a collection of clothing patterns....we should have the first two patterns out by the end of the year. The Girlfriend Series...

This is an awesome skirt made with six panels.....for my personal use I made the skirt pattern longer to make out of this sweater knit fabric I have. I think it will be fun for winter.....

The Sondy is a very versatile top that can be made into a tunic, t-shirt or dress and the back is a cowl neck, so cute.

Well, those are the new patterns....I have some free quilt patterns but I have to finish photographing them and I will post....luckily I'm saved by the fact that the fabric isn't in shops yet. The Karavan Jersey Knit wont be available until the end of the year but the flannel and cotton should be coming soon!

Have a great day!!

XO

Valori

After Market.....

I am so guilty....not sending any pre-view of Karavan booth and new patterns before market.....

I have no excuse....

Jules was shipped in a large box to the hotel in Houston...I carried her over from the hotel to the convention center. Funny got a lot comments, "did you know you have an elephant on your back?" Really?! .....I think mom got a picture. I'll have to check. Needless to say Jules stole the show. The bell of the ball.... and we got the Second Place award for the booth. I was thrilled! It was the first time that  I have done a booth at the fall market in Houston. But I think it was worth it since I was introducing a new substrate....the yummy Jersey Knit. Karavan Jersey Knit was a huge success...at least to me. We will see...It just seemed like everyone was mentioning that they have been looking to introduce some jersey to their shops. Good Timing.....

And now for the few photos I have...I was a bit distracted in setting up and doing the schoolhouses and lecture that I didn't even take out my other camera...these are all my iphone photos - with my FAVORITE app ever Hipstamatic....

Sondy and I on Sunday, wearing the Isabelle Skirt and the Sondy Top - which I made into a dress.

Jules after she received her new earring.....

Jules got her picture taken more than me....but this time they wanted us both.

Can't believe that is all the photos I took....I do have some new patterns that I will post tomorrow....new quits and clothes.

Good Night my friends....

XXOO

Valori

Karavan Photo Shot

We had a photo shot this morning with some of the "Girlfriend" series of patterns made out of Karavan jersey knit. It was Too fun to shot with my girlfriends!!! Sondy and Trea are sisters and great friends and I'm honored to call them my friends. They have all been so awesome helping me get ready for market.
Have a great evening!
XO
Valori

Oh La La!!! Knits....

A freshly washed pile of Karavan Jersey Knits!!! LA LA LA!!!! Just got my hands on the knits and I'm dying to make some yummy clothes! Since Quilt Market is two and a half weeks away I had to make a call into my girls for some help. Thursday night we are going to have wine and cheese and sewing, I love it!!

I'm off to plan what to make, get myself organized...
XO
Valori

PS I had to include a picture of Miss Liv on her Hello Kitty machine, sewing away!

Karavan goes to the park...

We had a soccer game yesterday. Vi and Teague's attention span is very short for this weekly event. Since the games are played at the Elementry School there is an awesome play structure.

Earlier that morning I was in the studio silk screening elephant legs (you'll see that project soon) and Vi requested a skirt out of Karavan. I had time so I made her a very simple elastic waist skirt.

Vi is defiantly her mothers daughter, the minute we have new clothes we have to wear them. Hence the title "Karavan goes to the park".

Hope you have a great Sunday!
XO
Valori

The beginning...

I am computerless today. Amazing how weird it feels to not have a computer. So I am checking in by iphone... But it is good because it makes me focus on Karavan sample yardage that is stating at me. Begging me to play with it, cut into it, create something beautiful! That is what I'm going to do.... Now where are my scissors.....
XO
Val

Time to myself...

Wow a few hours to myself on the weekend. I was going to take a nap but after chatting with Lilly Bean (the cat). She convinced me to go into the studio and play with this bag idea I have to use with my silk screens.
The studio is messy. I swear it has been for the entire summer. Just can't seem to keep up with it. Anyway I was cleaning off the cutting board area and I came across a LOVE note from Olivia.
It made me smile. I'm happy to be in the studio for a bit. Surrounded by things I love.
Enjoy your day!
XO
Valori

Library Show...

I was asked to show my fabric at a library show this month. It kinda stressed me out because I had no idea how I was going to show the fabric. Until day before yesterday when it struck me to cover a bunch of my canvases with fabric. Today Sondy and I hung the show. Looks pretty good.....
Have a great day! I am getting ready to tape a radio program with Pat Sloan for American Patchwork and Quilting radio. That should be fun!!!
XO
Valori

Monday, Monday, Monday...

Burning discs.... Watching the clock as I miss my window to send out my new collection.... Computers!!!! Then you add in there my computer not talking to my Internet and I'm doing emails and a bloging on my phone! Not much I can do about it right now, so I'll play with other projects.... Like the billboard quilt along.... Have you been to ohfransson.com to play along. I've been thinking a lot about a word.... It is tough to narrow it down!! But I'm excited to start! Soon.....

This is a quick snapshot of the package I send out to Free Spirit.....just missing their discs and a tie around each section and off they go onto the next process! I have been so involved, no, obsessed with this collection that I'm sick of it and am sad it's going at the same time. It will feel good to move onto another project!
Have a great day!
XO
Valori

A quilt along.....

Hello - this is a exciting day for me...I am going to start doing a quilt along with Elizabeth Hartman - an amazing quilter......

I have never participated in a quilt along before and I am thrilled to try something different and I don't have to write instructions....Elizabeth did it for me. She started this quilt at the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show this year and I love the idea. Please join us!!!!

This is Elizabeth's Quilt and it is the basis of the quilt along.....

Now I do have to finish up my fabric before I can start so I am back to it.....

XO

Valori

fabric deadline on a beautiful Summer day.....

It is a beautiful Sunday morning and I am in the studio working on a fabric deadline! UUGGHHH! Normally I don't mind but yesterday I spent the day outside playing with the kids and it was a wonderful, much needed day off! Now, I just want more.....

I do promise to get some more Quilt Show photos to you.... I keep you waiting, huh? Not on purpose of course, just in quite the time crunch for getting in my Spring Collection of fabric done. I am procrastinating on colors right now - ok maybe not procrastinate but stall.....I am really good at picking colors but I am not very good an narrowing them down. I can only use 16 to 18 colors per design and that is SO hard. 

My fall collection Karavan is in print right now....there are two new friends I thought I would introduce you to.....

Indigo....

and Jules.......

they will be coming in other colors...

I am excited to say that there will be a small collection of Jersey Knit - YEAH!!! Along with the knit and cotton, Karavan will come in a small collection of Flannels.

Well, I must return to the elimination of colors....

Have a great Sunday!!!

XOXO

Valori

Simply Made.....

Hello my friends.....it is the next instalment of Simply Made.

I love to make receiving blankets for babies out of flannel but in the summer you need something cooler. Cotton Voile...the perfect solution to a cozy and cool receiving blanket for the summer.

Summer Baby Blanket

Materials:

1 1/3 yard flannel

1 1/3 yard cotton voile

matching thread

* Wash fabrics in a mild detergent on cold, tumble dry low before sewing - I wash the flannel with the voile.

Cutting:

Fold the flannel from corner to corner to make a large triangle, cut off each edge to make a nice clean square.

Lay voile face up on a flat surface and tape edges.

Lay flannel square face down on voile and pin around edges.

Trim off excess voile.

Sewing:

Use a larger stitch on your machine, ie 3 or 3.5 rather than a 2.5. This will keep the two fabrics from pulling and puckering.

*I made a blanket with the voile on top and one with the flannel on top. Either way it is slippery so take your time and gently pull the fabrics from the back side of the machine as you are sewing.

Using a 1/2" seam allowance, stitch around entire blanket leaving an opening on one side that is 4" - 6" wide, for turning.

Clip corners and turn right side out, press.

Whip stitch the opening closed.

Top stitch around entire blanket at about 1/2" to 5/8" in from edge.

Wrap up and give to a new baby...

 

The cute elephant is Elsa one of my sewing cards...she is so easy to make and a great addition to the hand made gift for a baby.

Enjoy....

Valori

 
I hope to write again before Quilter's Affair and Quilt Show hit....next week. I want to share the amazing photos that I took while I was in L.A.

Oh Martha...

My mom called me yesterday to tell me that some of my Jenaveve linen was in the new Martha Stewart Magazine! Woo Hoo!!!! Oh so excited!!!
Have a great Sunday!
Val

The new sewing patterns....

Hello my friends.....first and foremost THANK YOU to all of our service men and women! We are lucky to have you.....

Now, as the end of May arrives and the weather is only 62...I mean really, our spring has been SO cold and icky!! Good thing I have so much to do and I can't really be outside anyway.....

Taking a quick break from drawing to show you the new sewing cards....

This is Betsy...named after the old Cadillac in the photograph. We have this wonderful Wine Bar in Sisters (Cork Cellars - if you ever make it to town) and Betsy is the owners car...Carolyn and I were able to take it out and shot some photos with the ol' girl.....too fun! The quilt is made out of the Wrenly Cotton Voile but the simple design could be used for a variety of fabrics. It is a twin size...I thought it would be a fantastic dorm quilt, easy yet looks so cool!!

Bird's Eye View is a great quilt that utilizes a large print and solids. I used the Wren Gypsy fabric and picked solids to accent the colors in the fabric and used a white so that the background would flow. It looks complicated but the solids and background fabric are put together with a simple formula which takes away all the little piecing of the squares.

This quilt was very popular at market....I was plesently surprised.

Most of you have heard about my Little Wallet pattern....well, this is the big sister, Little Cell Phone Wallet.  The design is longer and has a pocket on the back with a snap to put your cell phone in. I also added the option of a strap...which is nice for when you just want to go out with a few things and not your whole purse.

AAHHHH, the sweet Wish Bird....she is a gem. Easy construction with a pocket on the top that you can place a wish. The bird is a great way to start embroidery and play with beads, these accent the bird and make her a one of a kind gift. A more adult stuffed animal for all of us who still love stuffies and want to having something special in our home.

Mina Bag....this is your new favorite bag! SO, easy to construct and the perfect size. I really played with sizing, just big enough for all your stuff but not so big you feel like you are packing a diaper bag. The handles are the perfect length to have the bag on your shoulder but still get your hand in to find you cell phone or keys. I made the one on the cover with home decorator fabric from Wrenly and the accent fabric is my cotton linen, Jenaveve.

There you go....the new sewing cards. I really feel strong about these patterns, they are great projects yet not overly priced....ranging from $4 - $6 retail, can't beat that.

I will show you the new clothing patterns in the works soon......

Have a great day...back to drawing.

XXOO

Valori

PS Wrenly should be up on our site for Pre-Sales soon! I will let you know....

Quilt Market photos....finally!

Ohi Vey.....I have been playing catch up since I have been home from market....catch up with the family. I missed them so much. Catch up with the shop and the studio and, and, and, and!!! Never ending I guess. Market was excellent! We had so much fun putting Wrenly's Place together and showing her to everyone that attended. Thanks to all my friends that came by the booth!!

So here you go....

The party in the booth before we packed it all up...I don't think the garage was every that fun!

Loved having my friends haning out in the booth chatting and relaxing.

and now for set up.....

Here is the booth....

Tomorrow there will be some details....

Have a great day!

XO

Valori

Around the corner...

I'm writing this on my iPhone from bed. The flu took me down yesterday. It was miserable, reminds me why I hate being sick. Today is better, I think I can get to my computer and get my emails done and some photo editing.
We had a party in the garage on Saturday to unveil Wrenly's Place to my friends and family that have been so supportive of my crazy, busy schedule. It was really fun. It feels great to have the booth done. Now we just have to fit it into the truck!
I'm going to nap and hopefully feel even better when I wake up.
Have a good day!
Val

Lulu in her market outfit!