Hello - we are back from our annual August Vacation to Berney, California. Every year we visit this amazing cabin that our dear friends so graciously let us use. It is truly a spiritual place......Ross and I went to the cabin on our first vacation and have been every year - well except the years when I was pregnant with the girls. It is one of the few places that I go that I can totally let go of work and just be with my family. No phones, no internet, just us and the woods, and the creek, a perfect escape from the day to day. I always take my old poloroid with paints and paper and make a book out of the funky photos that we shot. This year both of the girls helped me paint. The only sad part was that we had to leave a couple of days early because of two fires in the area it was really smokey. We made the best of it and went back to Ashland - one of our favorite citys to visit. Since we were home early we moved the girls into the same room - it has been a really good transition. They sleep together so well and really have fun sharing a room. Now we just have to get the babies room all done.
When we returned I had my sample yardage of the 6 new home decorator fabrics that should be arriving to a local quilt shop near you........
I did four new colors of Del Hi and two that were in the spirng collection. I am working on a free bag pattern to go with the fabric. I will post soon.......
One of the other projects I am working on is the spring '10 collection of fabric - I took some sneak peak shots of the paintings to share.......not all of the designs are painted but they will be by the end of this week......I want to get everything sent out to Free Spirit by next week.
This week mom and I took my nephew back to Portland after his weekend visit with Meme and Papa and I got to meet my new neice, Samantha.......too cute!!!
Also, on this trip I was lucky enough to meet a gal that I TOTALLY admire - Kara Larson.....Who is Kara Larson? Well, let me tell you......she is an incredible clothing designer from Portland - all of her designs are made in Portland by local sewers. Little did I know that we have been clothing our girls in her designs for years.....I had one of those AAHA moments when I connected her childrens line "Wild Carrots" with her women's line "Kara-Line". Along with being a talented designer she also has two of my favorite stores in Portland, Grasshopper - the kids store - and Tumbleweed - the woman's store. I am so excited that we are going to work together with some of my fabric and her deisgns......I can't wait to have one of her dresses out of my fabric.
This is one of her dresses, Coco - even fits my 7 months of prego.......the nice thing is that it is a wrap dress and it will fit me when I am not pregnant.........and will be great for nursing.....I also really like the Mae dress and am thinking of getting it......
The girls in two of the Wild Carrots dresses........this was on Friday when Liv had her 4th birthday.
Aren't they too CUTE!!! It has been a busy week home from vacation.....it always seems like you are playing catch up after going on vacation......oh well, worth it.
I must get back to the family.....today is Ross and I's sixth wedding anniversary! We are having a family day and then the girls are staying the night at Mimi and Papa's and we are going out to dinner....I can't remember the last time we had an adults only dinner.....it will be strange not saying, "you need to eat" or "sit down" or "you have to try at least one bite".......but I guarentee that a majority of our conversation will be about them.
Have a great day!!!!
XOXO
Valori
I can't wait to get my hands on the fabric that will come from painting #2! Thanks for the preview.
Posted by: Gwen | August 16, 2009 at 11:50 AM
The new fabrics and paintings are absolutely stunning. Can't wait to have some in the stash.
Your belly is looking resplendent. Great dress too.
Andi :-)
Posted by: andi | August 16, 2009 at 02:15 PM
Those fabrics are fab!!!!! Love florals!
Posted by: Abby Bohn | August 16, 2009 at 02:40 PM
Happy Anniversary! You look great pregnant!
Posted by: mo | August 16, 2009 at 11:51 PM
Hello, I have only just started reading your blog, which I am enjoying, however what I wanted to really say was I also got married on 16 Aug 2003. We spent a family day at the beach :o) Wishing you all the best for the family and new fabrics
Posted by: Jacky | August 17, 2009 at 05:07 AM
What a wonderful week; I hear you about the conversations about the kids even on date night. The paintings for the spring '10 fabrics look wonderful! I love that blue floral. Have a great day!
Posted by: Bekhy | August 17, 2009 at 08:53 PM
Beautiful new fabric designs, Valerie. Lovely to visit your blog again,Ann.
Posted by: Ann Ferguson | August 21, 2009 at 05:52 PM
Hi Valori,
I just found your blog through my boss, Kara. I work for her at Grasshopper and couldn't agree with you more-her stores and designs are awesome!
Your fabrics are gorgeous and I cannot wait to see what you two cook up together. Your girls looks just so darling in those Wild Carrots-what fun :)
Happy Belated anniversary!
Posted by: abby | August 22, 2009 at 06:49 AM
Where I met Kara doesn't matter, but my first memory of her was walking into a studio seeing her cut fabric with two rolling scissors, no pattern and beautiful dresses on hangers by windows, sunshine streaming through them. She not only inspired me to sew (I can't read a pattern) but to write about her. I have done so plenty of times, her wedding for Country Living among them. I wear her dresses every week (they last and last) and my daughter has grown up in them and so have plenty of lucky girls that received her hand-me-downs. Again, the last and last. Interestingly, everyone who wore them, carefully washed, ironed and returned them to me once they were done, still in good shape, amazingly beautiful. Kara is a treasure as are everything she designs and has lovingly made. And not only that, her stores support folks like her.
Posted by: amy flurry | August 22, 2009 at 12:32 PM