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
Ok I just have to show off my new TOMS from my girlfriend, Andrea.....
Too cute!!! I should be working but I just couldn't help myself but to photograph them.... I now have three TOMS wedges....as my friend Sondy says it is my mid life crisis, TOMS! But honestly is 38 mid life....NO WAY!!!!
Well, back to editing photos for my new website. I have been slowly working on getting the new site up and going, adding a shopping cart and a new design. It is a lot more work than I thought it would be....I have a lot to show.
I hope to have it up by the end of the year......
Have a great day!!
XO
Valori
Happy Thanksgiving my friends!!!! We are waiting for my turkey to get done so I thought I would give a shout out..... So love Thanksgiving. Family, food, wine, etc!!! Love it!!!
Have a great day!!!
XO
Valori
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
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
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
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!
Two years ago a man came into my life that I fell head over heels in love with!Teague Ashton Kennedy turns two today! I love you my sweet boy!
I am so lucky and blessed!!
Now, I'm having had a few glasses of wine and am enjoying my family......
Have a great evening!
XO
Valori
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
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
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
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
It was a lazy day here at the Kennedy House!! We played outside all day... It was wonderful to be with the kids and enjoy my garden! Hope you had a great day!!!
XO
Valori
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
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
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
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
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.
My kiddos.....and the wonderful Grandma Jo.
My brother and nephew...Braden! Nice to have them here for the weekend!
And now the Employee Chalange....
We had a great selection of quilts from our employees...
Now some quilts from Jennifer....
On a side note I was in the front so there are not a lot of full quilt images...but these are good too!
The evening ended with the lovley women from Gee's Bend singing....
I will get some more images edited.....till tomorrow! Have a great Summer Day!
XO
Valori
The finale of our Quilters Affair week.... Picnic in the Park.... The amazing Jennifer Keltner the editor of American Patchwork and Quilting will be speaking. Going to be a great evening!!!!
If your in town tomorrow I have cleaned out my fabric stash, 14 years and 25 collections later it is time to get rid of some of my fabric. Even done from my first collection. It will all be for sake behind the Stitchin Post!!!!
XXOO
Valori
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.