Wrenly on a Tuesday...

Good afternoon... the past week has been full of drawing and inking the new collection. I am completely in love with it! Always feels good when that happens... But let's go back to Wrenly Christmas...

Do you remember making those paper chains in elementary school? I thought it would be fun to make them out of fabric....last longer, something the kids can still make with me and the fabric is perfect for it.

The amount of fabric you need will depend on the length of the chain.

Two fat 1/4's will yield - Approximately 28 strips that are 1 1/4" wide by 9" long. Once they are put together they will be approximately 72"

You will need a fusible to put in between the fat 1/4's plus enough for 28 1" x 1" pieces.

All you have to do to make this cute chain is fuse together two fat 1/4's.

Cut into 1 1/4" x 9" pieces.

To start the chain press a 1" piece of fusible web onto the inside end of the strip. Fold over and press the front of the other end onto the fusible. Wala...a chain....

Continue this process adding strips to the chain.

That's it...easy and fun. To add to the fun here is a recipe for my friend Vaunel's Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies... We make these every year, my husbands favorite!!!

Download Chocolatechippumpkincookies and the download for your recipe box...

Well, back to designing....have a great day!

XO

Valori

Novella Booth at International Quilt Market in Houston, TX...

Well, thank god the election is over! I am so tired of the ads and all of the "shit" being said back and forth. I am happy that Obama won I just hope that he can listen and honestly try to bridge the gap between parties and make a difference in the next four years.....done with my opinion....

How about some pics from market.....

There is a lot going on in the booth...it is a booth that asks you to take a minute and look! Well, at least I hope so....

AAHHH... I wish I had more. I tend to get so caught up at market I forget to get good shots of the booth. But not to worry we are putting the booth up at the shop! So excited...you put so much into a booth and for it to only be available to view for 3 days is just sad. I am lucky to be able to set it up in our shop.

On another note I am happy to announce after a long, long, long time in the works my new web site is up and running www.valoriwells.com..... I now have a shopping cart and everything! Too exciting.... Over the next couple of months I will be having specials on orders to celebrate!!! Keep your eye out on the blog, facebook (Valori Wells Designs page), instagram (@valoriwells) and twitter (@valoriwells).....

Have a great day!!!

XO

Valori

PS I have not forgotten about Wrenly....she just had to take a step back while Novella was front and center.....

Novella Indigo...

AAAHHH Monday! I love my Monday's...I tend to spend the day in the studio working on the latest obsession.

But alas....I must share my Indigo palette with you. The photo shoot that we did with Indigo was my Favorite. My assistant and I planned a dinner party late in the summer with all of our peeps. I knew I had to use my peeps others may not wear the clothes I ask to match the palette. The entire party was based around Indigo and the colors. I planned the food to match, and cooked it all.... I love cooking! Especially for friends.

We sent out invitations to the party indicating what they would wear. Then all they had to do was arrive be willing to let me take their pics and enjoy a lovely dinner.

But first the fabric....

this is in cotton sateen

this is in cotton sateen... yummy!!

Rayon...

Rayon...

Cotton Sateen and cotton

I have to warn you I have a lot of photos from the Indigo Nights Dinner Party.....it was just so fun. I can't tell you how exciting it was to pull it off. There are times when you have ideas that really are not going to work. This one did and it was perfect!!!! 

This pic was done by my lovely assistant, Sondy! She is getting good at catching a moment. So proud!!

Didn't really have any Indigo food but all of the accent colors were perfect for cooking!

Wine infused pear over peaches with a little marscapone cheese....all I have to say is OMG YUMMY!!

Without planning it we had a full moon! It was a beautiful night!

In the cool of the evening the girls ended up cuddled in Novella quilts. Made my heart fill with love and gratitude for these amazing people in my life.

Novella Indigo free pattern.... Download NovellaFreePattern-web

Finnelopy sewing card....

Tomorrow....Booth shots....I love how my booth turned out and am excited to show you. If you happen to be local...we are going to put the booth up in the  shop after our annual PJ sale on Saturday. The crate should be arriving on Wednesday.

Have a great day!!

XO

Valori

Novella Spice...

Happy Sunday! Today I am going to introduce you to Novella Spice.... A Marketplace full of Indulgence.

This was a fun photo shoot with two of my closest friends. They are such good sports helping me by modeling and dealing with my ideas...

But first what we all love THE FABRIC....

Finnelopy... Spice

Heart de flur..... Gypsy

Peony... Gypsy

Peony... Scarlet

 

Peony...StoneScarlet this is in rayon. Makes a beautiful dress or skirt....

Rain... Cinnamon

Rain... Gypsy

Rain....Raspberry in Rayon....

Zigzag....Gypsy

Novella Spice photo shoot was based at our local farmers market. Late summer when it is packed with yummy goods....

Some of my favorite shots from the day with my girls...

Sondy's dad has this amazing Ford that was eggplant - I mean of all colors...it was meant to be photographed with Novella Spice quilt...

Finnelopy quilt in Spice.

Novella free pattern in Spice..... Download NovellaFreePattern-web

Tomorrow.... Indigo...

Have a great Sunday!!

XO

Valori

Hello Novella....

College game day....the Oregon Ducks are playing at 4p.m. we are gathering to watch the game at my parents. Ross is out showing houses and the kids and I are in the studio....a great Saturday!

While the monsters are occupied I thought I would introduce you to Novella. My newest collection of fabric that I am truly in LOVE with. Novella has three color palettes with some pieces that cross over to other palettes.

The introduction will start with Driftwood.....Where Earth Meets Elegance...

This is Finnelopy....in aqua

in Curry...this print is cotton sateen. Cotton sateen is a heavier weight than quilting cotton but not as heavy as a traditional home decorator fabric.

Heart de flur.....charcoal

Heart de flur.....Gypsy

Peony.... Aquastone...this fabric is a yummy rayon. Like butter to sew with, I think it is my new favorite substrate.

Peony... Gold...this comes in the cotton sateen and rayon.

Peony... Gypsy

Rain...Aqua...this comes in cotton and rayon.

Rain...Gypsy

ZigZag.. aqua

Zigzag... Stone....this comes in the cotton sateen.

For the photo shoot of this color story I had a beautiful couple that is truly in love and I took them to a lake... Here are some of my FAVS from the shoot...

I have this vision of creating an canopy over a boat with a quilt....this is a start but my quilt was not big enough or my boat was too big. Someday I am going to get it to work.....

And now for some quilts...

This is a new Sewing Card called Finnelopy...

The Novella quilt is a free pattern... Download NovellaFreePattern-web

I created Annie several years ago...I felt it would make a great sewing card.

The Greenwich bag is so easy and versitale....fits all my needs - sketchbook, pens, camera, wallet, phone, and all those other random things the get in your purse.

My favroite picture of Lanie and Jordan...they were amazing!

I am being beckoned to play legos and barbies.....Have a great day!

XO

Valori

Gift Bird Ornament.....

AAHHH.....tomorrow I leave for International Quilt Market in Houston, TX. I have to admit having the deadline earlier for my booth to ship allows me a weekish to get other things done and not be so stressed out. Well, maybe not stressed out but BUSY and a little anxious.

I thought I would share a fun Christmas Ornament that I made out of Wrenly's Christmas. She is too cute. Simple project with a little pocket for a perfect Christmas treasure.....

Download Gift Bird Ornament

Here is the printable pattern.....Pictures included as well as the template for the bird.

If anyone is at market my booth is 1708....come by and see me!!!

Have a great day!!!!

XOXO

Valori

Wrenly Christmas.... Drawing...

Folding bundles today and I had Teague help me pick numbers. There have been 44 comments. Six have been drawn out. Keep commenting all of the other names or numbers are still in the bowl.
I will be emailing the winners today during nap time. Hope you have a great Sunday. New Christmas ideas coming soon!
XO
Valori

Soup......

Hello.....Happy Sunday! And Happy Birthday to my sweet boy.....he is 3 today!

I realized that my soup recipie did not come across very well....so I thought I would post it again and try to get the PDF to attach. Here goes!

and now the pdf....

Download Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Oh Yeah.....somedays I wonder about the internet and how much we rely on it. When my connection is bad I can't seem to do anything. I am going to have to have an electrician come and hard wire the internet to my studio. Trying to use WiFi is not working.

Have a great Sunday!

XO

Valori

Wrenly's Christmas.....

Hello my friends.....I have missed a week of Christmas so today I have two wonderful things to show you.... Last week I finished up a marathon of photo shoots for my new collection of fabric coming out this fall, Novella.

On Saturday night we did a photo shoot called Indigo Nights.....based on the palette in Novella called Indigo. I had all my wonderful friends come over to my assistant, Sondy's, house for an evening to remember. It was amazing and I will give more details when I can share the photos.....now the reason I was telling you this is because I made my Roasted Butternut Squash soup.....there were lots of requests for the recipe.

I decided it was the perfect recipe to share in Wrenly's Christmas......

This is a great soup for any occasion. I also have changed it slightly when I took out the butternut squash, added a couple more potatoes and broccoli. It makes a yummy broccoli potato soup. I don't roast the broccoli but put it in the last 15 minutes before you blend it. Sprinkle with some cheddar cheese and it is ready to go.

For your holiday needs you might want to include the Wrenly Christmas Table runner.....

This table runner came from one of my sewing cards....

Along with the table runner you can always use napkins. I have the perfect simple napkin pattern for you. Not sure I would call it a pattern but a project. Take a fat 1/4, 18" x 22" and square it up to 18" x 18". Then pull the strings from the edges until you get about a 1/4" of fringe around the entire napkin. Clean up the edges with scissors or a rotary cutter and WA-LA! Napkin......they wash up great and don't continue to fray. Wonderful!!!

Great gift too!!! They are time consuming but worth it.

Tomorrow is Teagues's 3rd birthday....Poor guy is fighting a bad cold too! If he is still sick tomorrow I am going to have to cancel his little party. I am hoping that after his nap today he will feel better.

Hopefully next week I will not have as many issues and can actually get to posting on Friday for Wrenly's Christmas.....I am going to be sending out 6 bundles of Wrenly's Christmas on Friday.....so get your comments in. And  not to worry there will be 6 more bundles in November.....

XO

Valori

Wrenly's Christmas project Mitered Flange Pillows....

Friday was such a productive day for me.....getting a dress made for a photo shoot, quilting on a quilt, doing a post for Wrenly's Christmas.....going to a office party with my husband. Then I woke up in the middle of the night and realized that I didn't publish my Wrenly's Christmas......so here is Friday's post on Saturday.....

Sometimes all we need is a little redecorating to put us in the mood for the holidays. I have decided that changing the pillows is a perfect way to change a room.

I love the flange, mitered pillow because you can play with different fabrics. Doesn't Wrenly look like the perfect little birdy waiting for Christmas.....

I have a really simple pattern for the pillows that I thought I would share. Get a jump start on holiday decorating.

I hope you have a great weekend.....We have been dealing with a nasty fire around here. The smoke is horrible in the morning but tends to lift by the afternoon. At this point our shop is still on alert to evacuate if the fire gets much closer to town but the AMAZING fire crews up there are keeping it at bay. Unfortunatley this fire will be a problem until we get some really heavy rain or our first big snow storm. There is so much fuel inside the fire line that will just gradually burn. Our beautiful forrest! So sad....

Have a great day!
XOXO

Valori

Wrenly's 12 days of Christmas....

Happy Friday!!!

A year ago I introduced Wrenly....my spring 2011 collection of fabric. She was a big hit and I thought that she would make great holiday fabric. This spring Wrenly arrived in Holiday fashion......I believe you can't have a great collection of Christmas fabric without great projects...

Since there are 12 Wrenly christmas prints I figured we needed to have the 12 days of Christmas....featuring Wrenly. Starting today....and continuing for the next 11 Friday's I will be sharing Christmas ideas, projects, decorating ideas, quilts (of course) and recipes! Along with that I will be collecting comments and giving away 12 bundles of the entire Wrenly's Christmas collection.....

Today I thought I would introduce you to the 12 patterns of Wrenly....

Wren - Pine

Wren - Snow

Ingrid - Pine

Ingrid - Snow

Wildfield - Pine

Wildfield - Cranberry

Rosette - Pine

Rosette - Snow

Rosette - Cranberry

BoHo Stripe - Pine

BoHo Stripe - Snow

BoHo Stripe - Cranberry

Now to show you a quilt that uses all 12 pieces. I do think they stand on their own quite well, of course depending on what you do with them. I just love how they all came together in this quilt - Christmas Rosalie...

Rosalie is a sewing card I introduced last spring.....with Cocoon on the cover. The pattern comes with both sizes of hexagons. The cover uses the bigger size and the Christmas quilt uses the smaller size. Both are beautiful!

Rosalie in Cocoon.

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I am off to get the cabin set up for our art retreat! YEAH!!!

XOXO

Valori

Girls Art Retreat

I am taking my dear girlfriends to our family cabin in Camp Sherman for a weekend art retreat. I am so excited..... I love, love, love planning things like this. Just us.... Food, wine, art, the river, time to just be!

I've been packing and planning for weeks. We meet tomorrow night.... There is no cell service or Internet.... Just an old rotary phone, not even a cordless phone! The cabin is very rustic a little wonky in areas but so well loved and full of memories.
I feel like we need to have times like this with our girlfriends to rejuvenate. As much as summer is a crazy time school can be too. When it worked out that all five of us could do the same weekend we had to. I know I will be inspired and ready to roll on the rest of the market prep I need to do.

XO
Val

My new web site coming soon!!!
XO
Valori

Olivia Rose....August 14, 2005

My Olivia Rose was born on August 14, 2005.....five weeks early. She was 5 pounds 14 ounces and tiny! I still can't believe how small she was and now she is 7.

The day your child is born is a day that you don't just celebrate their birthday you celebrate your own journey and who they are becoming as a person.

Olivia is my budding artist....she love to take photos, paint, draw.....everything and anything that I like to do. On her birthday she puts on a dress I made out of my fabric and we went out to photograph her in the sunflowers.

My favorite lens that I use is called a Lensbaby. They make these amazing lens's that have a "sweet" spot of focus and are tiltable (not sure if that is a word). I recently recieved the Lensbaby newsletter and they were having a Lensbaby 2012 Photo Story Challenge.....I think my sweet Olivia's photos from her birthday are the perfect story.....So here they are.....

This is my favorite picture of her. I Love her green eyes and how she can just look through me with them. And I can see her beauty beyond the surface.....she is so open and loving. My sweet baby girl!

XO

Valori

PS I used my Olympus Pen for these photos......LOVE!

Sunday Cleaning

It seems like every time I have a new fabric collection coming into the studio I do a cleaning......As much as it is my new collection "Novella" (due to arrive any day for me to dive into) I have to create a better place for my computer. I have worked on a lap top forever.....I am finally committing to a desktop. My new Apple Baby arrives on Thursday. I am so excited to have a bigger screen to work on and a faster computer. 

The problem today is that my original idea for moving my desk doesn't fit....I have been moving furniture since this morning and still haven't figured it out......My studio looks like a bomb of "stuff" went off....which makes me want to cleanse even more. But I find myself pacing around the studio trying to decide what to do.....Figured it would be a nice distraction to blog.

The mess......and I have bolts of fabric that have to find a home because the next batch will be here soon! And I admit I am a stacker. I stack things all the time. It is one habit I have that I am starting to find very annoying. Tough one to break but I am determined to at least minimize it. 

Must get motivated to keep at it!

Have a great Sunday!
XO

Valori

Simply Made Summer....

Happy Friday! One of my favorite desserts in the summer is Poppy Seed Cake....not just any Poppy Seed Cake but my grandmother's recipe. My mom makes it all the time and it is heavenly.....

For your Saturday night BBQ..... Download PoppySeedCake

It is such an easy cake it is perfect for the kids to help.....and as messy as we get when we cook we wear our aprons.....

This is a great simple apron and fun to make with your daughter or grandaughter.

Have a great weekend!

XO

Valori

Sketchbooks.....

I love my sketchbooks....I carry one around where ever I go. Kinda like my phone and wallet. The sketchbooks that I have found from Rag & Bone are the ULTIMATE! Perfect size, great paper, and beautiful covers.....

Rag & Bone use designer fabrics to cover their handmade journals. All of their product is made in the US. So cool! We send them my fabric and they cover the books and then we have unique journals in the shop. Kinda cool.....

Starting today Rag & Bone is doing a trunk show of limited edition designer books, journals and so much more! They used the Liv print from Cocoon for a series of books. I might have to go shopping.....

I have filled one sketchbook and am working on my second......I used to have a hard time keeping a sketcbook and journal but now I love it....

Images from my book.....

The paper is awesome....I travel with a little watercolor set and pull it out and paint in the sketchbook.

My new book is filling up quickly.....some new ideas for fabric.

Have a great day!

XO

Valori

PS.....not just a trunk show of amazing books but also a sale!

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show 2012....part 2

Hello.......

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

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

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

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

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

Another look of Cascade Street.....

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

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

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

Have a great night!!!

XO

Valori

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show 2012....part 1

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

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

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

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

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

I LOVE this quilt!

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

Still hanging.....

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

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

XO

Valori

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

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

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

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

The little helper.....

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

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

Have a great day!

XO

Valori