Lazy Sunday....

Just finished cleaning the house - I am not sure why Sunday just seems like a day to clean. We finally have some nice weather and I think we will get to the park today.....the girls will be SO excited.
We woke up on Friday morning to the electricity being out! As much as we rely on power it was a wonderful day - with a fire burning and the house quiet except for the kids playing. Kinda nice - well maybe not the part where we couldn't flush the toilet. I ended up spending part of the day finishing a painting. It was very meditative to just paint in quiet. I normally have music on but I think I might try this quiet painting again. That night I had a showing of my work in Bend for the First Friday Art Walk in Downtown.  My work is hanging in my favorite shoe store, North Soles....It looks great!!! I can't believe that I forgot to take my camera and take photos. I am going to take my mom in to see it and take some photos then.....it was a busy night will all the "art strollers"  out and about. It was great to get to see my work in another venue.....thanks to Margaux!
Well, the laundry is calling so I will leave you with a few photos......

These were shot off the canyon at our house.....love how they look on the rocks.
Have a great day!!
Valori

So many photos so little time....

Getting ready for market is always a busy time for me. I have been working on quilts and projects for months. Now, patterns are being written and everything is getting ready to print. Last week Carolyn and I took a drive over the pass for a photo shot. I really try to take as many photos locally as possible but I needed a little green as our winter is still lingering here in Central Oregon. We went into the lush green valley near the MacKenzie River......where a family friend has a lavender farm, Blackberry Hill Nursery - Carol was so gracious to let us come invade her property to take photos. We loaded up the car early and set forth with coffee and yummy treats that mom picked up for us.

The night before our we left I was laying in bed thinking of how I wanted to shoot the Del Hi Street quilts - I wanted to have a road with a fence that one of the quilts could hang on and have Carolyn run with the other quilt floating behind her down the road. I had painted a sign with "Del Hi Street", that would be nailed to a post. That was the "vision" I had....I get those a lot for photos but can't always make them happen. WELL......there was a road next to the canal by the nursery.....with a fence....perfect! Here is what we got.....

Very exciting to find something so similar to what I saw in my head and then to have to have it actually work.....
I will have more photos to share later.......
Have a great day.....
Valori

Totally forgot.....

Oh my gosh I totally forgot to mention that my taping of The Quilt Show aired last week....my brain is so full and I sure do tend to be forgetful these days......doesn't help that last week I had a bad cold. Anyway, as some of you may remember I went to La Veta, Colorado last September and taped the show with Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson. Way fun......and after watching the show it sure did turn out good.

If you get a chance it is a great program to subscribe to. Lots of great information and they are very fun to watch.
Back to work......
Valori

Snow again.....

A few days before spring and we are in a total white out snow storm. Very beautiful and it is much better than the rain we had yesterday. I do hope it goes away soon as I have a lot of photos that I wanted to take this week....photos without snow.....
I have been busy in the studio with all of the patterns and projects.......Sophie has been keeping me company as usual......

Too bad she doesn't know how to use her paws to help iron or sew or something......she does test the quilts to make sure they are comfortable.....This one is kitty approved.
We have some new patterns that we are doing in the shop - more classic patterns with a Stitchin' Post twist. They will be introduced this spring.....I thought I would share the coves that I have designed for them.


I have two more photos to take - hopefully this week......
Well, all of this snow makes me want to just hang out in the studio and work....good day for it!
Have a great day!
Valori

Fresh snow....

We have about 4 inches of fresh snow....oh so pretty. It was great to wake up to snow especially when I didn't know it was coming. I was up early in hopes of getting some work done in the studio - 5:30 but Miss Liv decided to get up.....I ended up coming into the shop before 7 so I could shovel snow. What a great work out - didn't have to go to the gym and be on one of the machines. Exercise outside is a lot more rewarding to me.
I have so many projects going on at once that I am not sure how to keep track of everything....lists upon lists! I was working in the studio this weekend and the whole family came to play - got some cute photos of the girls playing in their fabric drawer....

They were TOO CUTE!!! It makes me happy that the family can be in my studio and I can still be with them even though I am getting quilts done, or whatever has to happen that day. I don't want them ever thinking that all I did was work and that they never saw me......at least they see me and we play a bit.
Have a great day.....
Valori

Hello from fogged in Sisters......

Good morning....I am recovering from a cold that my lovely girls gave me. Gotta love daycare! I am happy that it isn't that bad......just really tired. I have not had time to pick my 100th posting winners but I have some great fabric to give away....I have some studio scraps of the new Del Hi, bundles from Sole' - the first collection I debuted on my blog.....and more!!! I will have the girls help me this weekend to pull names.
In the meantime......Carolyn - my girlfriend and assistant photographer - and I have been out shooting every week. We made a deal with ourselves that we would go out every week and do new photos of fabric, quilts, gifts, anything and everything to have some new material to work with. I thought I would share some of our recent adventures in photography.......

This was our first shot we did after our pact.....we are at my mom's new house - well under construction new house - The contractors thought we were crazy carrying all of these stacks of fabric out to the fence and taking photos of them. But we came up with a great ad......

We have so much fun taking the photos and coming up with the ads. The girls upstairs find us very entertaining as we pat ourselves on the back when we come up with something great....it is so fun to work with someone that you connect with.....LOVE that girl!

We didn't think that we were going to get to shot this day but had an ad due in a couple of days and had to make it work.... our ad had to include quilting, sewing, knitting and gifts......Here is the finished ad.

Meanwhile we shot Lulu - that is our manquine - by herself.....

Love this shot.....She looks so good in the dress - I wish we would of had the sweater sample the day before I would of wore it to the show opening.......
This week - before sickness set in - we did a photo shoot at my house......here is what we got. A bit of tweaking to do but they are pretty good!

These are candlesticks out of antique glass that we carry in Twigs......they are too cool.

Caldrea is a product that we have carried for years.....dish soap, laundry soap, etc.....we are wanting to use these images for the Twigs web site that we are working on....

Our little nest.....

Miss Carolyn - aka Charlie - is my wonderful model.....This is the fist quilt finished from Del Hi.....It is going to be the free pattern - Del Hi Street. The palette is the High Desert palette....I am working on the Mediterranean palette now.....
There are all sorts of projects going on in the studio and as they are finished I will share.....
Have an awesome day!!! I will be e-mailing my winners this weekend.....
Valori

100th Post.....and more......

HELLO!!! I have finally hit the Century....100th post! I thought I would of got here sooner but life happens and playing with the girls is more fun than sitting at the computer. Thanks to all of you that read my blog - I do hope that I have inspired you in some way. I will strive to continue inspiring and bringing you new ideas and things that I create. Onto the rest of the fun things to talk about......

Last night was my first art show reception.....WOW! it was fun! Lots of wine and lots of people and food and, and, and.......I had Ross taking photos - he tries very hard and got some good ones. I need to put the camera in his hands more often so he can get comfortable with shooting. Besides sometimes it is nice to not be the one with the camera. Although it is a security blanket when I am uncomfortable or in an situation that I don't know anyone. Well, here are some photos from the show - it was so much fun and I couldn't stop smiling.....

Mom shot this of Ross and I......That is the dress that I made out of some of the new Del Hi....


Lighting is a little off but not bad for an Athletic Club.....


Big Dahlia painting, "Crimson", that I wasn't sure if I was going to put in but my girlfriend, Carolyn, convinced me to...I am glad I listen to her!

I had my photographs printed on canvas and stretched - they were around 22x33....the images look great on the canvas almost like paintings or drawings......

I am really into birds right now.....as you can see 6 out of the 7 paintings are birds. And I have done them all in the past 6 weeks or so.....

I finished the "Tweet" painting the night before the show........just got a roll.





Honestly, I couldn't believe how many people came........we need more events in Sisters. Gets us out to socialize and not stay cooped up in our homes. I have to say THANKS to all my family and friends that came by to see me.......

So for my 100th post I thought I should at least give something away......I am not sure what but I will take e-mails until next Wednesday the 18th....I am sure I can figure out something to pass on by then. It will be a surprise....
Thanks to all......I hope you have a great day!! My high is still going from last night.....
Valori

kinda exciting.....

Ok I have to say I am totally excited about this.....my girlfriend Andrea called me the other day to say that she saw my fabric on tv. I was a surprised.....want to know more!!?? Well, TNT cable network is doing a movie called Gifted Hands - on the preview of this movie there is a beautiful woman wearing a dress - at least I think it is a dress all you see is from the waist up - out of my Brown Roses from Olive Rose..... I have now seen the preview - so cool - and am going to record the movie. It airs tomorrow night at 8pm - I think it will actually be a great movie - it stars Cuba Gooding Jr.
 

Here is my brown roses. I have to tell you it makes me want to make a dress out of the fabric. I do have a skirt but a dress would be do pretty. Thank goodness for Andrea she had the eagle eye for my fabric!! Thanks girl!!!
Have a great day....
Valori

Lots going on......

Well, as usual life is crazy busy, but good! I can't complain. Let me see all sorts of things to fill you in on. This year at our Quilter's Affair - a week of classes and lectures that we put on before our annual Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show - we are lucky enough to have some of the ladies from Gee's Bend. SO EXCITED!!!! If you have not heard of or seen any Gee's Bend quilts take a second to check them out. Their composition and color choices are beautiful.....very inspiring and freeing.  Since they are coming to the show we have decided to do our employee challenge based on the inspiration of Gee's Bend. Every year we do employee challenge quilts that have a theme and then are hung on the side of the shop on Quilt Show day......the firemen hang them up for us. Anyway, mom has been giving mini lecture and technique classes based on Gee's Bend. Last week I shot some photos of the little class - I even started a piece....I am not sure I will be able to get it done for the show. I don't think I have completed a challenge quilt in years. I always have good intentions then market comes and getting ready for the show.....ok totally rambleing.......let's see some photos.

The little lecture - our staff is so attentive!

Quilts......

Inspiration.......

Sewing a gentle curve......

After a few curves and some pressing this is what she had.....I did crop off the edges - you have to square these things up.
 
For those of you who remember this is mom's New York quilt - I think she calls it City Scape - it has a lot of the same sort of piecing. I am excited to see what the staff is going to come up with. A lot of them are using what they have - old shirts, jeans, etc. I am going for the solids and a bit of a print and working on the technique rather than using something old. That is what is so cool about our challenges and having such a variety of people at the shop - everyone interprets things a little bit different....I will keep you posted.
Now for other news........

Most people in Sisters just think of me as someone who quilts, some of them know me as someone who designs fabric and there are few that know I do other art but not many.  I am excited to have my first show with my photography and paintings.......our athletic club is a great space to show and there is a lot of traffic......I am interested to see what happens and what the response is....a bit nervous also! I haven't put myself out there in this fashion before........good for me to take a risk and step outside of my box!
Anyway, if anyone is in town come on by......
As far as the studio is concerned there is a huge mess of Del Hi fabric all over - gotta love the creative juices.....one quilt is done and three or four more to come! Not too sure how many I am going to do. Then I just finished three new paintings for flannel for this fall, I finished 5 paintings for the show next week all with birds - I have been a little obssessed with birds........and.....and.....oh yeah - got a wild hair and decided that in the mix of this I wanted to make a dress out of the new fabric for the Show next week.....I took one of my dressed that I liked and made a muslin pattern out of it - suprised myself it worked! Just a few minor adjustments and am going to cut the real thing......God I hope it looks good when all is said and done.  Ok....I will go for now and once I get the camera unburied from the fabric I will get some photos.....
Have a great day!
Valori

Interview......

Good Afternoon! I have been trying to get on here all day to get this out.....a quilting friend of mine, Pat Sloan did an interview of me this winter and it was posted today! I am so honored to be included in her blog - it turned out great.  SO, if you get a chance check it out!

Last week we were socked in with an temperature inversion and freezing fog.....it was BEAUTIFUL, for a couple of days then I started to feel a little closed in! Since it was oh so pretty I shot a bunch of photos.....helped to keep my mind of all of the cold, cold, fog!

The day after I shot these mom came over and was so excited about the frost on the fence around the aspen trees I was out again.The first photos were shot in the evening 5ish and the second set in the morning. I love how different the colors were in the photos even though it didn't seem all that much darker in the evening.

Ok, last one I promise!!!

It was just too cool! Very cold though - like to the bone cold! Glad that is over......My sample yardage for Del Hi has arrived and I am starting to work on it.

The collection has been refined since I posted all of the strike-offs.....I do love this collection.
At the same time I have been trying to finish some other work. I feel so torn some days on what to work on. Sometimes it is great and I can bounce back and forth from one project to another depending on how it is going. This week I just had a hard time getting started with anything! UUGGHHH! I keep getting frustrated about what I don't get done in a day. Then, oddly enough, I remember a line in Kung Fu Panda, one of our favorite movies, I dont' have the first part of it memorized but I remember the last line - Today is a Gift that is why it is called The Present! Makes me take good check of myself.......Next time I watch the movie I am going to get the rest of the quote and pass it on! Some of the animated movies have more for the adults than the kids......
Anyway, check out Pat's blog, and website and knitting blog if you get a chance - she is a busy girl! Thanks Pat for the great interview!
Have an awesome day......it is a Present!
Valori

So many things going on......

Wow, there is a lot going on here in the studio. Where to start.....Tuesday, I was in the studio and had a very productive day....it started with this quilt that I had been wanting to do based on the PomPom Dahlia. Here is what I have so far....

I am not much of a hand appliquer so I think that I am going to top stitch the petals down and then do some heavy quilting. I want to put this up in our newly painted entry way that is a greyish blue color. It should look pretty cool. It is a test quilt for one that I want to make out of my new Del Hi fabric. As I worked on this I also worked on a fabric design for the fall and a new painting. Here is the painting that I am almost done with.....

I am so excited about it - really a bit obessed to tell you the truth. There are days that I am so easily distracted with all of the different projects and ideas that I flitter around the studio back and forth. I figure as long as something gets done it can't be too bad. Anyway, what is next......My girlfriends little girl turned one last week and we were so privleged to be invited to her birthday.....the girls and I attened as Ross was at a Portland Trail Blazers basketball game. I felt very honored because we were the only people there that were not family. So, for Miss Vaughn's birthday I made her a dress from Amy's book Little Stitches.

Too Cute! I realize that I need to practice my sewing skills, this is my second attempt. I have the other one half ripped out as it needs some help. I had cut out two of them because I figured that Vi would look adorable in the dress - well good thing I did since I totally messed up the first one. I am determined to get better at sewing clothes. The girls need some cute clothes and it sure does save money.  Needless to say Andrea and Miss V. loved it. Can't wait to see her in it.
There is more to share but it will have to go into the next time - it is late and I should spend a little time with my hubby. We put the girls to bed and I started another painting and now am doing this post. Hope everyone had an awesome day!!!
Valori

Zen sketching....

When we were in Hawaii mom and I took up Zentangles. What is a Zentangle you may ask?! Well, it is a meditative sort of sketching that you do on small pieces of paper with a pen. The company has created a kit that has all you need to get started. I purchased two of them for mom and I so that when we were relaxing - ok, when the girls were asleep - we could do some sketching. I love the concept becasue it is very simple and freeing and very addictive.  At Christmas all of us girls were doing Zentangles while the boys were watching TV. Anyway, I have been wanting to show you some of my sketches and I finally got them scanned.

You start using a pencil to create a shape and then quadrants in the shape. Put the pencil down and pick up the pen and start creating repetitive shapes......

The kit has a dice with numbers that corespond to some of the suggested design repeats. It is a fun  way to start and you don't have to think. I find that thinking can ruin a good meditative setting....

Once you are done filling in the space you can use the pencil to shade if you like. Some of them I shaded and other I didn't. Kinda fun either way.

Once you get the hang of it you will start seeing simple repetive shapes all around.

I love that it is creative but doesn't put pressure on you to be perfect or have to figure out how to paint it or put it into repeat.....
I try to do one at least once a week. I am getting a great stack. Wouldn't they be cool on the front of a card. I love to send cards - nothing like getting a hand written letter in the mail. Not that e-mail isn't OH SO convient but the hand written note is time. Time that someone took to tell you how life is, or how special you are. One of my good friends from college and I have a letter/card relationship. We live only 3 hours away but we keep in touch, except for the occassional phone call, by writing letters. I love it, makes me stop and take check of myself, find the words, find the space to just be and write to someone.
Anyway, off on a tanget.....hope you like my zen sketching.
Have a great day!
Valori

As the paint dries....

I would like to say that the paint  that is drying is from a new design but alas it is not.....We had a major leak in Olivia's room the Saturday after Christmas and are finally getting a chance to paint the newly sheet-rocked room. So the primer is drying and then off to paint the wall and ceiling. Which I might add is such a pain - the ceiling. I lost part of the tree that I painted before she was born and will have to recreate it. But at least it wasn't the whole tree. I am not sure I would of been able to handle that. I am so emotionally attached to that tree. I finished it about 4 days before she was born. There is a Lovely photo of me VERY pregnant on a bakers rack painting the ceiling. AAAHHH memories. I just figured we would paint over it when she was a teenager and totally sick of it. So here is our leak.....

Luckily we were standing in the hall when it sounded like a shower being turned on in the room......Liv and I went running and frantically got all of her books on the floor out of the way. We filled three large coolers with water - our fabulous snow was melting like mad that day.

 Our house has been in extended chaos for a almost two weeks and it is getting on everyone's nerves - ok maybe just mine. I just hope that we can get it all painted today and her moved back in. The studio will just have to wait another day......
Have a great day!
Valori

The Picks.....

Well, I had Liv and Vi help me pick the 16 winners of the Urban Flannel bundles and a special kit of Urban Baby. I will be sending out e-mails tomorrow for addresses......they were so cute helping me. I so wish I could give one to every one who e-mailed me. Thanks so much for all of the kind words!!! They are always appreciated and treasured!

all of the yummy give aways!!!!

Happy New Year from the Kennedy's!!!
I wish everyone the best in the new year, love all of those around you and live your life to the fullest!
Have a great day!
With Love,
Valori

Boxing day.....

As my brother reminded me today is Boxing Day.....So Happy Boxing day - these days it has lost it original meaning and is now a "shopping day". I don't think I would go out shopping today - like the black Friday sort of day....too many people for me. 
I have officially gotten sick - Miss Vi is getting over a cold and I thought I had managed to only get a little sick but no! Glad that all the hub-bub is over and I can just be mellow.
I am going to get all of the e-mails together and do the Urban Flannel drawing.....first I have to put together the bundles and see how many winners there will be. I will be e-mailing you and then send out the packages on Monday - I hope.....Have a great day!!!
Valori

Kind of how my head feels......

Merry White Christmas.......

Merry Christmas to all!!!! We are enjoying a beautiful white Christmas. I think we have at least a foot or more of snow. LOVE IT! It just makes me smile......it is not winter unless we get some snow and I say bring it on....I would love to have more. You want to go play out in the snow and then come in and get cozy by the fire....Anyway, had a great morning with the girls. Vi was a little overwhelmed - me too! Liv was just excited!!!! Fun all around. I found a great recipe for Sourdough Coffee Cake on the Internet and made that for breakfast....yummy! If I do say so myself! I thought I would share some winter wonderland photos that I shot this morning and last night as it was snowing......

The trees were beautiful last night. I could of stayed out there for hours.....but there were Santa duties.

Looking over the canyon from the deck this morning......

Black Butte.....

Three Sisters......Well I am off to get dinner ready. We have 10 of us for dinner tonight. I love cooking.......Have a Wonderful day!!!!
Valori

Urban Flannels have arrived.......

I have been meaning to tell you that Urban Flannels finally arrived in the shop. Carolyn did a great display with the fabric. Come check them out in the shop - even in the snow it is a great way to get you out and about. I say this as it is snowing - Love it!!!!

So in the spirit of Christmas I am going to be giving away some bundles of Urban Flannels. I am going to take e-mails over the next week and then pick out of the e-mails the fabric winners. So send me your e-mails.....I will pick on the 26th of December.
Have a great Day!!
Valori

Home to snow.......

Home to snow from the 80's in Hawaii. I have to say I love winter as much as I loved the vacation Christmas just isn't the same without cold and snow. It was so weird seeing all of the holiday decorations in Hawaii it just seemed unreal to me. Liv and Vi were taking a bath when we got home and we overheard Liv say, "Vi, isn't it nice to be home in our bath?" Too cute! Those girls take after me - true homebodies!
We went Christmas Tree Hunting yesterday in a blizzard. The girls didn't last for too long. John pulled them in the sled and once he dumped them I think they lost all patience with the cold and wind and snow. They were good sports as Ross and I found the perfect tree. We put up the tree this morning, Liv helped put on ornaments while Vi took a nap. This is the first year she has really been into Christmas and it is fun. When Vi got up she was pointing and talking to all of the decorations. Now the house is decorated and it is snowing again outside and I am enjoying  some mulled wine as I finish up the Christmas cards. I decided to make the cards this year. Ross looks at me like I am crazy - "don't you think that will take a lot of time" but I love it and it is more personal.
On another note I just got some of the Hawaii photos downloaded and thought I would share. I can't wait to get the medium format photos back. I don't think I have the time or patience to develop the film myself so I am going to send it out to Portland.  Here are some digital images......

Nothing like a good sunset in Hawaii - even with the clouds.

The fam....

The second day there the surf was really high. The water was a beautiful aqua.

Nothing like a cute baby in a two piece!

I have to say we did spend a lot of time chasing the girls. Vi especially she was everywhere!

LOVE how this photo turned out.

I have a new obsession - Plumeria.....

My girls!

The whole family on our last night. I have to say surprised that I could get every one to sit for this. Well, now I am off to make my list of gifts to make - don't have a lot of time to get things done.....but there is nothing like making things for your friends and family!
Love to All!!!!
Valori

Aloha!!!

Greetings from the Big Island of Hawaii.....the girls are napping, Ross and John are golfing, mom is reading and listening for the girls and I have a chance to check my e-mail and read this totally awesome post from my friend Tina Kim. She is the Knitting Contessa. This fall Tina asked me to be a part of her Knitting Contrissmas - she decided to included the fiber artist - me - with her knitting artists. What an honor....anyway, I loved doing the interview. She had great questions - things that I have not thought about in ages - she made me think about where I have been and where I am going. So if you have an chance check it out. And check out the Knitting Contessa - if you haven't already.
I hope to get some photos downloaded soon and pass on some of the beauty of Hawaii!
Aloha!!!
Val

Thanksgiving photos....

I am watching the Civil War game between the Oregon Ducks and the Oregon State Beavers....little did I know this is the 112th Civil War game. Amazing......I am pretty neutral but I have to say I am rooting for the Beavers today because if they win they go to the Rose Bowl. That would be cool. At this time we are in the 3rd quarter with 4 min remaining and the score is Ducks 44 - Beavers 31....Go Beavs....Anyway, I thought I would share some photos of Thanksgiving at our house. We had 10 people, my brother and his family along with my mom and stepdad - John. Here we go.......First my table. I was really happy with my table - way too much fun to do. I love entertaining and cooking......

I had a lot of fun taking photos of the table and the PEARS so forgive me if I show way too many photos.

Ok here are some family photos.....

My brother, Jason. It is hard to get a photo of my brother....

My brother, Maggie, Braden and Arwin the dog.

Mom and John......

Why is is so difficult to get a photo of everyone where there isn't someone looking funny or not looking at the camera, etc.....so I take a bunch and wish I could mesh them together - anyway.....another shot.

Now for the pears.....I was a little obsessed with taking photos of the pears. I got the idea of the pears from my friend Sondy......I had already stamped the names of the guests on the paper and sewed them onto fabric that matched the table cloth but didn't like just setting them on the plate when Sondy told me about pinning name tags into the pears....very cool! Thanks Sondy!

You have to have a little wine while cooking.....a good Oregon Pinot Noir....yummy!

To end with my family....I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving spending time with family. To me that was the best and I love to cook for them and make the event special. Makes me happy!
With Love,
Valori

PS the game now is 51 Oregon - 38 Oregon State, 4th quarter 5 min 45 sec to go.....we will see what happens it can still go for Oregon State with that much time. With all of the mishaps with my post time has just flown by.......