Quilt Show and more.......

Well back from the beach and now recovered from Miss Vi's first birthday yesterday.....she is full of spit and vinegar these days...moving all over the place. I think she was a bit too confined while we were camping and came home to let loose......I still can't believe that she is a year. WOW! Time really does fly by....
Before I share more Quilt Show photos I have to remember a dear, dear family friend that passed this weekend, Margaret Peters. She was like a grandma to me and a sister to my mom.....she was a great friend to the quilting community. She will be greatly - GREATLY - missed. My heart goes out to the family - especially Pete her husband. I just can't believe that I wont hear her voice again or see her smiling face. She gave the best hugs!!!! Anyway, before I start crying again I will post some photos..........

before the crowds....mom and I always go walking about 8 am....great time to see it all go up and it is not as hot or crowded. Although I have to say having the street closed it doesn't even feel crowded when it is mid day.

Mom and my brother fixin' a quilt......

Mom always has her notebook to take notes on areas to make better - better places for quilts or new places for quilts. Over the years this has been a huge benefit for us to make the best show possible.

Quite the line up at the local bakery....

I am going to leave you with this cute kitty quilt.....but not to worry I am only half way through all of the photos....more to come tomorrow - or if I really get all of my work done today I will post again tonight. You never know.....
Have a great day - hug the ones you love!!!!
Valori

The beginning of the 33rd Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show.........

PHEW!!!!! It is Wednesday night we are watching "So you think you can dance" they inspire me to want to workout more and with passion....and I love seeing what they come up with - so very talented!!! Anyway, I digress.......I'm a bit tired these days....life has been crazy so I apologize in the delay in getting  photos to you....and I have to say that I have only a few to begin with - the rest are very large images that I have to size down to blog with. My personal feeling of the show was good; nice, calm energy - people of every age and gender out and about enjoying a beautiful day. I think having the main drag (so to speak) closed off to cars put a whole different approach to the show - you could really enjoy the event - I think it was one of my favorite shows we have had. I remember when I was a kid that I would lose my mom and panic! Still gives me the willies - especially since I have kids. Anyway there area a lot of different memories - we once took my double bed from my room and the night before quilt show we baked sheet cakes and decorated them. On the next day we put up my bed and put the sheet cakes in as the bed quilt. People at the Quilt Show got cake that day - I think I was 5 or 6....I would have to ask my mom..... OH my god could you imagine having enough cake for all of those that come now!! Ok - so I have had a glass of wine and I am rambling - we get to go camping tomorrow for the weekend and I am really excited. I get chatty when I am excited and then add a little wine.........Here are some photos.........
I will get more up soon when we get back to the beach....
Love to all - and thanks for all of the support!
Valori

6:30 am - coffee in hand shooting in the middle of the street - too cool!

7:30 the firetruck arrives to hang quilts.........
7:35ish....hanging.....

7:45ish.....these are the Employee Challenge quilts - this years theme was Metamorphis which was the same as the Quilt Show Contest. My little piece quilt with the knitting was going to be my challenge quilt but alas I did not get it quilted.......Maybe next year!

The beginning for me....completing the hanging on the side of the building is always the beginning of the day for me....I go out and hang out with Sally Frey (she is one of our teachers at Quilter's Affair and she always is here to work with the firemen - they love her - we love her) I take photos and it just gets everything going....sip my coffee take a few photos.....off to the rest of the day!!!

Quilt Show office.......

Well the week is going so fast.....it is already Thursday!!! I thought I would share some photos of the quilt show office and all the quilts.......

These are some of the wonderful staff in the Quilt Show office......along with mom and the girls.

Mimi and the girls......

Mom and Liv working hard....too cute!
I promise to take lots of photos on quilt show day and at the Picnic in the Park.....I also got my strike-offs for the new flannel for this fall......looks really good. coming soon..........there will be sneak peeks!
Have a great day!!!
Valori

In the studio......

Even though we are getting ready for the show and everyone is so busy I am still in my studio trying to get some fabric work done......In the wee hours of the morning when it is not too hot. Then I head into the shop and help out......aaahhh summer. So, as I was in the studio the other morning I took some shots of the work going on.....thought I'd share........

Paintings in progress........

Another painting in progress...this one is for mom's birthday. Well a bit late but I didn't want to rush it to get it done - hopefully after Quilt Show I will be able to finish it for her.

A new fabric design with PomPom dahlias and then all of the drawings left to paint.....oh boy there is a lot of them.......

Another design.....I am loving this one......

The knitted piece I did for the little quilt....hopefully (boy I say that a lot) I will be able to quilt this soon....should be pretty cool.

After one of my long weekends with my dad I came home and my wonderful husband had put my sign from market above my studio door.....he is so sweet! Anyway I am off to the gym - gotta get in one more kickboxing workout with Jesse before it all begins........ Working out during Quilt Show week is tough to do - but my plan is to have my cruiser bike here at the shop and I am going to ride it around town during the week. Save gas, get a little exercise, and avoid a bit of traffic!
Have a great day!!!
Val

The countdown....

We are gearing up for Quilt Show and Quilter's Affair.......The Around the Block Fiber Art Stroll is this Saturday - it will kick off the week of events. Still some things to do this week to get prepared. It is amazing that we have been doing this for so many years and I still have to write out my lists for the week... Last week we had our Employee dinner at mom's house and we had our employee challenge quilts hung in the yard. I thought I would give you a little look at some of the quilts. I had forgot my camera - luckily some of the girls had camera and I was able to get some photos from them....thanks Jeanne!!! Anyway, I will try to post a few more times this week and then I will take photos like crazy so that I can share the week of fun with you all.......

For those of you that saw my piece without the knitting here it is with the knitted piece - I still have to quilt it. Hopefully before quilt show.....anyway I will get a better photo to show the knitting. It turned out pretty cool - I have ideas to make it better.....isn't that always the case.

I didn't get all of the girls quilts but I will get a shot of them on the side of the Stitchin' Post on Quilt Show day......
Have a great day!!! Happy Summer!!
Val

Sunny Days........

I think we have finally hit the beginning of summer.....yeah!! It is beautiful today - warm - sunny - just what is needed in our lives. Although I cannot complain we aren't having any of the storms or heat-waves that that the rest of the country is having, just cold and rain and wind.
Mom and I shot some photos this morning at our favorite spot.......

I think we will do a postcard of this - our traditional log cabin, my Paprika (High Desert) batik, and a more contemporary piece.....a way to showcase our shop and what we do.

Then we re-shot Olive Rose quilts in greener pastures.....
I have been working on my new fabric collection - transferring all of the drawings to my painting material  - it is a hand cramping procedure so I decided to work on a quilt idea that I had to let my hands rest......

It is just the beginning and I didn't have anywhere else to put it in the studio so I hung it on the door. Actually looks pretty cool....I am knitting a really cool piece that will be hand stitched onto the top before I quilt it......I am fascinated with trying to incorporate knitting with fabric.

Mom has a beautiful lilac bush in her yard and I thought I had better take advantage of it while it was blooming and while they still hadn't sold their house......

While I was in the photographing mood I shot some peonies and Miss Vi......

Who is finally crawling.....it has taken her awhile to figure it out - she would get on all fours and rock back and forth trying to figure out how to do it. Now I really have to watch her - she likes to get into everything and just smiles at me when I tell her no.....it is hard not to laugh with her big gummy smile as she tries to pull on the lamp cord......ahhh I think we are going to stick to two kids......

With all that has been going on in my life all of the photos and stuff I want to share get piled up so sorry for the randomness of the blog......Have a great day!
Valori

good day......

Last Friday Night we had a Open House sort of party at Twiggs.....Those of you who don't know Twiggs is our Home and Garden Gift shop - Very fun! Anyway, after the event I was driving home and had to pull over and shot this....I was happy to have my point and shoot digital with me.....

This was the second stop that I had on the way home....It was a beautiful drive home......
I visited Dad this weekend and he is doing much better. Seemed to go over a certain hump but not out of the woods....I think that  he has been so sick over such a long period of time that we don't know what is going to happen. It makes me remember that it is so important to take care of my health! How important it is to be smart about your life and the ones you love.....ok enough preaching......I guess I am being pounded by health and lifestyle choices that it has made me take check of my life and the things I love. My family, my art, my choices in my life etc, etc, etc,.......You know what I mean...I will be back again this next weekend. It is good for me to have my week at home - I have been so productive - today was studio, tomorrow and Thursday the Shop...and mom comes home from Italy. I have missed her as I have felt a bit alone without her and John around to talk to.
have a great day.....
with all my heart I wish all the best...
Valori

a long week.......

My life has been crazy since my last post.....Kaffe and Brandon were here teaching for a week. Very fun! I have a few photos - my friend has some more she is going to get me.......it was hard to get into the classes all week with the girls and life........Here are a few photos........

A self portrait of Vi and I on the inspirational hike with Kaffe. Vi is not too sure about riding in the pack yet....we have to get out a bunch this summer to get her used to it. I think my hair gets in her face - have to go with braids next time...........

I got a couple of shots with my little digital and a baby on my back......I have to go back out because the wild flowers are in bloom and it is just beautiful.....someone actually found a wild violet that I want to go back with my macro lens and shot. They are so tiny and delicate!

Last but not least a photo of me and the boys.......On Friday I took Kaffe up to Portland to the airport and was going to stay with my dad and step-mom......but in the afternoon I got a call from my step-mom that my dad was in the hospital.....unfortunately he is still there and not doing great - he is in ICU and now finally off of sedation but has not woke up yet. It has been a hard week....I am going to travel back up tomorrow to see him.....I never imagined how hard it would be to see a parent in that situation - broke my heart......Take every day to the fullest even the bad days.....makes me treasure my family, my life and I feel so blessed to have what I have - to be healthy and happy!
I hope everyone is doing well and I will chat again soon......hopefully not to long from today.
Have a great day - count your blessings!
Valori

Market.....

Well, home again but not quite here yet......we had a great weekend at market in Portland but it is so nice to be home. I am such a homebody. The whole family is happy.....anyway, then I had to change hats Monday morning while Kaffe and Brandon were here for the week to teach. We had a inspirational hike on Monday morning - Vi and I went with them to the Metolious river -anyway I am getting distracted....Market.....I didn't get out of the booth much over the weekend - it was so busy that Carolyn and I didn't get much break. I did get a chance to take a few photos....here we go........

Miss Carolyn as we start set up........

My sign and a couple of rose photos that I had printed on canvas and stretched....

in progress.....

Finally......all done. We actually didn't take all that long to get set up.....Carolyn and I actually went back to the hotel painted our toenails.....went shopping then to our dinner date....but back to how the booth ended up.

There is Carolyn....isn't she cute in the Barcelona skirt out of the medallion in Olive Rose?

The other side of the booth. Looked pretty good......

Carolyn and I on Saturday.......here are some detail shots in the booth.

The aprons are from our Lifestyle book.....

Pincushions......

easy pillows but look so great........

Grocery Tote from Lifestyle......

Project Bag sewing cards.........

I saw a lot of friends....Amy Butler, Kaffe Fasset, Brandon Mably, Rob Appell....and many new friends that I look forward to getting to know more as we continue to see each other at market....Anna Maria, Heather Bailey, Heather Ross......

Miss Amy in her BEAUTIFUL booth...she is classy and professional and always so generous....gotta love her!!

Amy and I....she had on this beautiful dress that she is going to have as a pattern soon....I love her clothing patterns they fit so well. I don't know much - ok nothing - about designing clothing patterns so I have used Amy's.......

The trio.....Liza, Kaffe, and Brandon......

Mom and Brandon.....Mom left for Italy on Sunday...lucky girl. She has wanted to go for years and finally her and John are off to Tuscany.....I do hope she has a wonderful time she deserves it - she works so hard. Anyway, I am back to figuring out how to do the Flickr thing - I have always downloaded my photos and then changed size, and cropped, and possibly adjusted the image in photoshop and then pulled them up into my blog....I kept hearing about Flickr and thought I would try to figure it out maybe it wont take me so long to post anything and besides that I was recently invited to join Ravelry....those of you who don't knit it is a knitting forum type..... my space sort of place...and to upload photos onto it you use Flickr.....so...that is something I am trying to do this evening...tomorrow is another Kaffe and Brandon class...today they painted, tomorrow and Thursday are patchwork - they use that word rather than quilt, I kinda like it - and Friday is a knitting class with Kaffe and then I will take him to Portland to catch a plane....Different hat to wear this week....it is hard to change my gears so quickly. But it is what you do. Have a great night!!
Valori

To Market, to market we go......

First, I just have to say to all of you mommy's out there - HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!! I feel so blessed to be a mom and I cherish my family every day! It is amazing to me how children remove a certain amount of selfishness and ego that comes with being young or a strong woman.....does that make sense? Anyway, I wish the best to all of those mom's out there and mom's to be and future mom's you know all of those great ladies that are a part of our lives......weather you are a mom or not celebrate being a woman!

Here we are on mothers day and I shooed everyone out for a photo in between cooking dinner....I love to cook for people so I made homemade pasta, roast chicken and sausage with lots of fresh veggies, mom, John and Grandma Jo came to have dinner.....it was a nice evening and it made me happy to feed my family....so weird I never thought I would be one of those people - that liked to feed and cook for people - but I love it. So gratifying......Then Monday rolled around and I picked up Miss Amy from the airport... we ended up hanging out with Miss Vi at the house all afternoon and I cooked dinner....again that satisfaction of feeding people......before we left for the lecture I had Ross take a photo of us....

We were definitely all smiles after a good meal and a little wine....the lecture was awesome - Amy is so generous and kind - we were very privileged to have her come to the shop.....I loved having my friend around....we headed to the new restaurant in town - Pleadies - to have a little girl time and some wine. It was so nice.....makes me sad that she lives so far away from me.....anyway, next time it is my turn to visit her.....at least I get to see her in a couple of days at market.......
       Speaking of market I am - I think - ready!!! Well, to be honest I haven't packed my suitcase but I know what I am wearing.....isn't that what matters most. I have the girls packed and the booth organized at the shop...we load up tomorrow and take the caravan to Portland.....I am nervous (usual response for me just before market) and excited (not a usual response) maybe I am gaining more confidence and security in who I am - embracing who I am........tough thing but I am working on it.
    OH - my friend Carmen came to the lecture last night and gave me a card for mother's day with two great flash cards.......

working Mother - is that not perfect!! SO I put it on my bulletin board with all my photos of family - right in front of my cutting table.....I love it! Makes me smile - Thanks Carmen!!! You rock!!!
Well, I am going to try to post while I am at market but I cannot promise but I can promise lots of photos for later.....take care!
Have a great day!
Valori

the studio.....

I recently had to take a couple of photos in the studio.....moving and cropping out the mess. I thought I would share them....as well as my cute girls!!!

This is my drawing table / painting area for the fabric...it looks out over the canyon and gets really nice morning light - this was taken in the morning....and if you look in the corner you can see Miss Vi's johnny jump up - which she loves!!! It is in the doorway to my darkroom. Sadly the darkroom has not had any use for a couple of years - pregnancy and all...but soon I will get in again! I am determined.....
Next.......

On the opposite side of the studio is my fabric.....and my very cool chair that my mom bought for me one year after Quilt Show.......it is from Anthropologie and I had been drooling over it for a long time. Anyway, these windows look out over the driveway and our front yard........

This is my idea wall.....all of my recent obsession photos of dahlias......wonder what my next fabric collection is going to be?!?!!? There are my drawings for fabric, palette ideas from magazines, table cloths, there is a dead leaf (which was really cool before it completely died) anyway....ideas! I love this wall it helps me keep track of my thoughts. And then you can kinda see my easel which has the beginnings of a painting of a dahlia....see completely obsessed....to tell you the truth I CAN'T wait to get to work on the next fabric......This wall sits on the back side of my darkroom and since it is a work space for me I have a door to outside steps and down to the driveway.....one of these days I thought it would be cool to have a studio party with lights coming up the outside stairs and have wine and food and candles on my island with paintings all over the studio.....one of these days - got to get some more painting done first - stop giving them away........rambling.....this is how I get when I am overly busy so many other things that I would like to do. So here are some cute photos of my beautiful girls......

They LOVE dada's guitar....when he plays Violette starts moving up and down and smiling...Miss Liv has his old guitar and will play along with him.....God I love those girls.....

You would think that I have nothing to do but take photos of them...how can you resist!!
Well back to my day........
Have a great one!
Valori

busy, busy, busy, did I say busy......

So I thought I was SO prepared for market - Next week - Yes Next Week......but no as Monday rolled around and I started making my list I realized HOW MUCH I still had to do.....so the list began....and is still going. I am now taking it with me because once I am in the car I think of something else. Since the whole fam is coming it isn't just packing for me it is also doing the girls laundry and packing for them, toys for them, food for Vi - which I need to get in the kitchen and make some more, sleeping stuff, my stuff, then there is the booth and the school houses......my heart beats faster as I am writing about it. To add to all of this my good friend Amy Butler is coming here on Monday to give a lecture - which I am so excited to have her visit - but we are getting ready for that at the shop - and my house since she is going to come have dinner with us before the lecture. Then......Kaffe Fassett is coming after market for a few days to teach quilting and knitting....mom is off to Italy the Sunday of market!! Lucky girl!! FEW......I am tired just thinking about it! Anyway....as we were planning the booth I realized that I needed another quilt  - so here it is!!!

Gracie - in the emerald side of Olive Rose Topaz.......Of course Sophie is helping me by taking down pieces of fabric......It is done and my friend Terri is quilting it for me....can't really do that with everything else......
I will write again soon.........
Have a great day!!!
Valori

Wow!!!

What a great response to the fabric.....but who doesn't like free fabric!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the kind words...as I have more fabric I will for sure give some away!!!! I love hearing that you are inspired and want to work with my fabric.....always makes me feel good......today is one of those not so confident days!!! I really dislike feeling like that.....but I have to remind myself that it is just a day and that it is important to have bad days to enjoy the good days...!!! Right?!?!
Have a great day!
Valori

FREE FABRIC!

Ok I figured that FREE FABRIC would get your attention...............

These are stacks of fat 1/4's ready to go to a good home.....I have 18  bundles of 8 fat 1/4's of Olive Rose for you.....so I plan on sending out the fabric on Thursday when I am in the shop....without the girl - Ross has the girls that day....a whole day at the shop without crying.....anyway, the first 18 lovely readers to e-mail me with their mailing address will receive a bundle of new fabric......
Have a great day................
Valori

Sewing Cards

Hello All!!! Last year I started these little cards/patterns that I called sewing cards.....they are simple patterns that retail for $3.00....not bad for a pattern these days. If you want you can put one in with a card for someone as a gift...anyway, I have four new sewing cards for the Spring......Shit I hear the girl (Liv) screaming......I'll be back..........................................OH My god...the drama, sometimes it's incredible!!! I guess that happens when you are 2 1/2............................Where was I...Oh yes, sewing cards.
First the project bags...three great sizes of bags that are perfect for knitting projects, sewing notions, etc., etc., etc......

Then we have some pin cushions that look like tomatoes...too cute out of different fabric and fill them with lavender or part lavender and you are good to go.......smells good when you are sewing or makes a great gift..........

Then I did a sewing card for postcards....we did a great fundraisier during Quilt Show with fabric postcards and I figured that it would make a great sewing card.....I did some embroidery on some of my cards along with the piecing and fusing techniques.

and last but not least.....we came up with Fabric Roses.....that if you want you can take them apart and make something out of it. I want to come up some sort of pattern that if you give someone 2 dozen fabric roses you can make some sort of pattern out of it...I just have to come up with the pattern...when I do you will be the first to know.

They go so well with the Olive Rose...don't ya think?  There you go.....the other four patterns....whew! I am tired. I was thinking today that I would love to have a day to myself.....but the only thing is I think that I would  miss the girls and Ross and the stuff that happens in our lives every day. What can you do..... try to enjoy every day and love my life!!!
Have a great evening,
Valori

Menssenger Bag and Quilted Laptop Case

I love this bag....so much that I have made four of them so far....first just to have one then out of figuring out the pattern......then I made one for Carolyn to take to gift show. I figured that I needed a bag to carry my laptop in and I didn't really like what I saw out there so I made a quilted one....again a few different prototypes until I got to this final pattern.....

I added a decorative touch with embroidering one of th roses on the bag....I was thinking that there are quite a few different ways that you could make it personal...embroidery, fabric flowers, beads, knitted flowers.....the possibilities are endless.....


I was also thinking that you could make the bag smaller - maybe fit a sketch book (narrower) and then have it when you go out and about when you don't need so much of a bag. I use mine for going back and forth to work and all my stuff.....I am a bag lady; computer, messenger bag, diaper bag.....oh and a nine month old baby, it is a good thing I go to the gym...... On a side note I can't believe that Vi is nine months...I think I say that every month but oh my gosh time does fly!!! I keep thinking that she is going to crawl but then nope! I guess I shouldn't rush that since then I am going to have to pay attention to all the little bits of things that Liv drops on the floor without thinking of a baby eating them......
Have a great day!!!!
Valori
 

Gracie

Here you go another pattern......Gracie started with a quilt out of Sole'......

I wanted a simple quilt that you could play with the color and fabric....I thought it turned out pretty cool so I made a different version out of Olive Rose.......

They look so different adding the solids and approaching the rounds in a different way. I am now making the second version out of the topaz color way in Olive Rose.....I will post it once it is done. I want it for the booth at market so I have to get going on it.....
Have a great day!
Valori

Rosalind.....

I don't know if you remember this photo......

My sweet Sophie getting into trouble....well this is one of the new patterns. Rosalind.....


It is a simple quilt similar to a half square triangles but I used rectangles and pieced some of them to mix in and make it a little bit more interesting...then I made a blue one......

Two completely different looks.....I like how different a quilt can look with just the change of fabric.
Have a great day....
Valori

Animal Friends

I have been talking a lot about the patterns for this spring...well, they are off to print and we should have them in the shop by May1 - if all goes well.....but I thought that I would give you all a sneak preview of the patterns over the next couple of days.....

The first pattern is Animal Friends. My girls have lots of stuffed animals and the animals that they sleep with I always call their friends. Liv now refers to them as her friends - I remember feeling as though all my animals were my friends, I would pile them all into my bed at night before I went to sleep. Well, I wanted to create some new "friends" for the girls....along with the animal friends I did small embroidered quilts. Rather than trying to describe them I will show you some photos... they were too much fun to make!!!

There are three new friends - Ginger the Giraffe.....or George if you are making a boy!

Miss Vi really likes the Gingers......

There is Leo the Lion......Leonora if you are making a girl!

and Charlie the Bird.....I think Charlie works for girl and boy birds...just fits!

I had Carolyn's little boy Maddox over and did a photo shot with him and the girls and their new "friends"

It was too much fun.....Granted it was a circus....Liv was running around - hard to take photos of her anytime - and Maddox is just starting to walk - Miss Vi was good because she isn't mobile yet.....soon that will change. It was a good thing that I had Ross, Carolyn and myself to heard the kiddos......I got so many cute photos it was hard to just pick a couple. I am really enjoying doing embroidery so the animals and the little quilts have fun embroidery. I thought that it could be a great new baby gift.... a little quilt and a friend....anyway....a new project tomorrow. Have a great day!!!

Valori

OliveRose Free Pattern

I am posting the free pattern again because I didn't realize that the last one I put on was set for tabloid size paper.....this one will fit legal. Thanks for all the great response to the pattern...... Download OliveRose.pdfI am patienly waiting for Grandma Jo to come over so I can go work out.....Then we are having Customer Appreciation days at the shop. Carolyn and I have a book signing and then I am just going to hang out and help cutomers. Should be a nice day! Although after 17 months period free......I am now experiencing cramps again and remembering the "joy" of being a woman!!! UUGGHHH!!! Sometimes I really think that guys should get some of this.... Yesterday I didn't feel like working out and my husband couldn't understand why - he thought it would make me feel better.....I asked him how he would feel running while bleeding and cramping.....I was a bit cranky! Anyway...a bit better today!
Have a great day!
Val