Blueprint Basics

March 31, 2014

I love color….

When I set out to create Blueprint Basics I made a color wheel of sorts. This was the beginning of separating the colors into seasons, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. The designs came next. The designs in Blueprint Basics started with my sketchbook, simple drawings of inspiration. I planned the designs to mix throughout the seasons.

My swatches and strike-offs covered a section of my inspirational wall for a year. The beginning of Blueprint was also the beginning of The Color of the Week idea…. One night when I couldn’t sleep, I was so excited to create a line of basics, I started thinking about how much I photograph color. Why not connect the two and create an inspirational blog once a week for an entire year. A year of color….mixed with inspirational photography, quilts and projects.

I am so very lucky to be working with Robert Kaufman and when I presented my idea they were excited and wanted to see what I could do with the project. Thanks to them my little idea is now a reality.

Let me introduce you to Spring Blueprint Basics…..

Mixed with these designs are four Kona Solids. I love to work with solids. Combining Blueprint Basics and Kona Solids was a given for this project.

Kona Solid Orange

Kona Solid Pomegranate

Kona Solid Robin Egg

Kona Solid White

For each season I have created a free pattern download. This is Spring...

We will be kitting this quilt at The Stitchin' Post.

Please join me starting April 10, 2014 for a year of color....

Color of the Week with Blueprint Basics and Kona Solids

Valori

***Anouncement****

I am moving my blog to my website. www.valoriwells.com/blog

I will keep this one active for 6 months. And put teasers of my posts....

Thanks!

Quill photo shoot & look book

January 16, 2014

Good Morning.....

The response to Quill and Blueprint Basics has been amazing....I am so proud of these collections and to be a part of Robert Kaufman.

I thought I would share the look book I created from the Quill photo shoot.... I hope you like it! I will have new projects and patterns in the spring just in time for Quilt Market!

If you haven't checked out Robert Kaufman web site you should... they have my videos up also that give you a little insight into my work on these collections. We are getting the fabrics up on our web site, Stitchin Post, for pre-orders..... YEAH!

Have a great day...

Valori

PS the free pattern downloads in the look book will be available in February.

Valori Wells + Robert Kaufman = LOVE!

January 9, 2014

So so so excited to announce that I am a designer for Robert Kaufman Company. My debut collections... yep 2 of them... were released today.

I thought I would give a little teaser of the collections and if you want or I should say need more check out Robert Kaufmans web site....I will also be posting lots of fun projects out of the collections on this blog.

The first collection is Quill...

This is the Journey Quilt made out of Quill and my other new collection Blueprint Basics. The dress is the Sondy dress.... out of Quill knit! Journey will be a free pattern this spring!

This quilt is Plume... it features Generous...my main design in the Quill Collection. The yummy pillows are out of the Quill Linen....essex linen! So wonderful to work with!

And now for the beginning of my basics collection.... Blueprint Basics....they will be released in four seasons...

This is Spring!

There will be more to come.... but alas I am waiting in the airport getting ready to fly to San Diego for the TNNA show - it is a yarn market. Should be fun to get out of town for a few days.... after all of this hard work and anticipation of the release of Quill and Blueprint.....

Have a great weekend!

Valori

I am in LOVE!

December 6, 2013

A friend recently forwarded me a blog with the most amazing photography.... I am truly in LOVE with Kristy Mitchell's work I had to share....

All of her work looks like a master at photoshop but she doesn't use photoshop to edit.... she makes everything, uses the world around her, it is mind blowing!

Kristy Mitchell Wonderland

You can see her collection of images on her website....

She will inspire you! Her story reminds me to follow my dreams and don't give up on a vision....I will continue to follow her work and be inspired!

Have a great day!!!
XO

Valori

A time of Thanks....

November 26, 2013

The holidays are fast approaching and my FAVORITE holiday is this week, Thanksgiving! Food, family, laughter, wine, food, family.... you get the picture. There are no expectations just to be together, at least that is how I approach it.

I thought I would share some of my images of thanks......
I am thankful for this man.... we just spent a wonderful vacation celebrating our 10 year anniversary in Mexico. It was a well needed rest and re-group. And I fell in love again....even more so than when we go married. Funny how that happens in the chaos of life, work, kids and marriage.

These beautiful babes...all silly and all mine!

Mother Nature and her endless supply of inspiration...

Art....my work... I truly love what I do!

Friends.....

Laughter..... silliness!

Learning to let go....

This woman.... my mom!

Clouds... And Sunsets....

Thank you for being a part of my life.....

Valori

Bridgette Lane projects...

October 25, 2013

As promised lots of great projects from Bridgette Lane. My sweet girl, Olivia, was my model for the photoshoot. Love that girl and her energy....

For the new sewing cards we have Colored Pencils and Boardwalk.

This is Colored Pencils...

Boardwalk...

I truly love this quilt.... it shows how well the little prints of Bridgette Lane cut up so well...

The kitties love it too. I honestly couldn't believe the two of them posing for me!

Both of these quilts are made out of the cotton. I did a free pattern out of the flannel....

You can download the free pattern here... Download BridgetteLanePattern_web

I love to recreate patterns with new fabric... here are a few that I came up with for Bridgette Lane.

Rosalie Quilt

Bridgette's Rosalie uses the smaller template in the Sewing Card.

Lion Around Sewing card is the PERFECT baby gift...or to cuddle under when your 8 and your mom is making you do a photoshoot on a cold fall afternoon in a sundress!

Leonardo the Lion and Elsa the Elephant were a no brianer to make out of the soft yummy flannel.

At the last minute Vivi decided she wanted to be a part of the photoshoot....

She loves her animals...

If you at the International Quilt Market this weekend come by my booth - 804, if not I will be posting on my Valori Wells Designs facebook page and Instagram @valoriwells.

Have a great weekend!

Valori

Bridgette Lane

October 23, 2013

Good Morning.....

I am heading to market tomorrow, Houston, TX. Always a trip for this small town Oregonian Girl to go to Texas. I would say after all the years of attending Quilt Market in Houston I have found some great places to eat and I know where the Anthopologie is. Two things this girl needs! As well as meeting some great people!

At market this year I am showcasing my newest fabric collection Bridgette Lane. It is a very different collection for me. The prints are small and simple but this allows for smaller piecing and fun prints for kids clothes.

Here are the prints in the collection, there are some of the prints that come in flannel. YUMMY!!

The Bouncing Elephants...

Wave...

Posies...

Dots...

Ellie....

Plaid...

Bridgette Lane is in the shop (Stitchin' Post) now.... just in case you need to get your hands on some! Quilts and projects out of Bridgette Lane to come on Friday.... keep looking. I will also be posting on facebook and instagram while I am at market!

Valori

When you are out for the count....

October 8, 2013

I am working on day 10 of a cold... quite hard for this girl who likes to do things as well as has lots to do. Alas when your sick your sick....I found myself in our big red chair watching TV. I have finished the series Orange is the new Black. Interesting...series, I am curious if they will come out with a season 2.

What do I do while I sit and sneeze...

I cuddle under lots of colors to make me happy...

I knit.... and pick up knitting projects that I haven't worked on in ages but think I might be able to finish. Wishful thinking...

I think a lot about all of the unfinished projects in the studio....even wonder around thinking I might have enough energy to work on a project but find myself back in the big red chair but now with a sketch book and paper.

Got some great sketches with this cold.....and once I am bored with that I move onto embroidery....

I am doing this embroidery out of the sketch above for an Artist Satchel that I want to make to take on a trip to Mexico with my husband in November. We are celebrating 10 years of marriage with a trip to a beach to do nothing... except I will have my sketch book and camera and possibly knitting - yes, for sure knitting. I hope that I can get it done. I have this great vision in my head of what it will look like. Now it is just bringing it to life...

I think I am on the upswing of this cold...and at least it was somewhat productive time in the big red chair.

Valori

ideas....

October 4, 2013

I have been going through all my photographs for inspirational images to put in my book and I came across a few that I had to pull out because I thought they made great quilt ideas....

This is actually a photo of a photograph in a hotel room. It completely changed once I took a photo of it. I love the graphic qualities.

I love the simplicity of these dried plants on the white background. I am not sure what I will do with these images but they sparked something. You never know where creativity will be found. Keep your eyes open for all the possibilities hidden around you in your everyday life.

What will you be inspired by today?

Valori

Monogramed Journal

September 27, 2013

I love monogrammed things... mugs, shirts, cards, anything! So why not journals or sketchbooks. Moleskin makes great blank journals with a card stock cover to decorate with stitching, painting and fabric.

Here is my journal...The "J" on the top can be taken off and has a string attached so it can be hung. Just little added detail. It is a perfect gift, quick yet personal and fun to make.

All you need is...

Blank journal

Piece of paper and pencil

Paint brushes

Soft body acrylic paint

Fat 1/4 of fabric

Fast to Fuse fusible web

Heat and Bond light fusible web

Paint brushes

Thread to match fabric

Baker's Twine or string

Paint both front and back of journal. While the journal dries prepare letters.

Draw around your journal on the piece of paper to give you the guidelines for drawing your letter. Pick a letter and draw the size you would like. Cut out letter. Cut a rectangle out of both fusibles a 1/4" bigger than the letter. Press the heat and bond to the wrong side of the fabric. Lay the letter reverse on the heat and bond and trace around. Cut out letter. Pull of the paper and fuse to the cover of the book.

Fuse fabric to both sides of the Fast to Fuse rectangle. Lay letter on top and trace around. Cut letter out.

Using a satin stitch on the machine stitch around the letter on the journal.

Stitch around letter with the Fast to Fuse.

Make a small hole at the top of the letter and on the journal, using a hole punch or an awl.

Pull a piece of baker's twine through the hole on the letter. Pull string through hole in journal and tie with a bow on the inside front cover.

Tada!!! A cool personalized sketchbook!

Have a Great Day!!!

Valori

Generation Q

August 20, 2013

Happy Day!!!! I am a cover girl! In June I did a photoshot at my house for Generation Q.... My wonderful family helped me photograph on short notice! I can't thank my mom and husband enough for dropping everything they had going on to help me.

Melissa did an amazing job on the article! She really listened to me and captured my world. Thanks Melissa!

XO
Valori

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show 2013... part 8

August 1, 2013

Save it for Sunday..... at Five Pine Lodge

It is such a great way to end the show...quilts hung in the trees along the creek...wandering through wild flowers and looking at the beautiful work.

Alissa and Elizabeth....our tour guids and speakers

The End.... until next year...and 2014 is shaping up to be a great year!

Valori

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show 2013... part 7

July 31, 2013

The last of the images from this years event...

Kids area where they could make bean bags and draw on the parking lot quilt.

This was our Quilt Block Contest...

It was a great day..... but there is still Save it for Sunday...

Valori

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show 2013... part 6

July 30, 2013

the show goes on...

Ann on her Orange Bike....

Portland Modern Quilt Guild...Funny how everyone is on their phone....

The last bit of Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show tomorrow....

Valori

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show 2013... part 5

July 29, 2013

More from our uber talented teachers.....

My little man helping me out! "Isn't this pretty, mamma? You need a picture of it."

"I'm just looking mamma, I'm not touching!"

Onto the rest of the show...

more great quilts tomorrow....

Val

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show 2013... part 4

July 28, 2013

the day continues...

Elvis is at the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show!

Olivia placed this one....

My brother and his family....Love having Cascade closed so that we can walk down the middle of the highway....

Central Oregon Modern Quilt Guild Challenge....

Entering the Teacher Tent....

More Teacher Tent and Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show tomorrow....

Valori

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show 2013...part 3

July 27, 2013

As you might know putting on the largest outdoor quilt show in the world is no small undertaking. We have an amazing staff and collection of volunteers...

I thought I would share a couple images from the Quilt Show office...

Quilts coming into the office...

Quilts waiting to be placed.... All those little pieces of paper on the walls are images of the buildings in town and how many quilts can fit there and any other specific information about size of quilts that can be there. Once the quilts start arriving the girls start picking quilts that look good together and piling them up... then they start placing them on buildings.

Olivia helping mom pick quilts for a building...

When a building is all done being filled with beautiful quilts they go in garbage bags until Saturday morning.

Saturday July 13, 2013.....

Just like every year the firemen come hang the Employee Challenge quilts on the side of the Stitchin' Post.... 7:30 am.

Lots of supervision!

The front of the Stitchin' Post was a series of quilts made by Chris Jones...we lost Chris to cancer the spring... she was a great quilter and a large part of our community. We dedicated this years show to her memory!

We get it all around here... cars covered in quilts and now a weather baloon covered in a quilt.

The walk down Cascade begins....

Water Doctors!!

Hanging quilts!

The beautiful day begins....

More tomorrow...

Valori

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show 2013.... part 2

July 26, 2013

Kathy Doughty was our speaker at the Picnic in the Park this year.....she comes to teach from Australia! She owns a shop in Sydney and has published numerous books. I would love to take a class from her sometime.....

She talked about the history of quilts in Australia and then showed us some of her creations....

Two of our quilt holders.... waiting their next duty.... they are also two of our amazing teachers and helpers at quilt show!

This last quilt Kathy and her friends made for mom and I....we are still in discussion on who gets it when. We might have to have a custody battle on our hands....or it will go to neutral territory and hang in the shop.

Have a great day!
XO

Valori

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show 2013

July 25, 2013

We had an amazing year.... our Quilter's Affair classes were wonderful and we had a excellent group of teachers.....and the Show....well, I can say one of the best ever....the weather was perfect, no rain (thank goodness), no wind and happy, happy people.

I have so many photos to share with you that there will be multiple posts....

I will let the photos speak for themselves.... I will start with Picnic in the Park.... the final event for Quilter's Affair....and the kick off for Saturday...

First our employee challenge.... This year the Stitchin' Post employee challenge was Streams of Color...