Valori Wells

May 10.....

Last night Olivia helped me package my treats for market.....M&M's with my "V" printed on them.....too cool! She was awesome a filling the bags and even the little ones helped!

My pic from today....and last night!

XO

Valori

May 8th......pic(s)

Mom and I headed out this morning to meet up with the ladies - very talented ladies - that participated in The Quilt For Two Rivers. This project is a collaboration of quilt artists and the forest service..... I don't have the best words to describe it so here is what is on the blog....

Quilt for Two Rivers celebrates the outdoors in a classic American art form

 By Maret Pajutee, Ecologist, Sisters Ranger District, U.S.ForestService

To date, the Tale of Two Rivers conservation campaign has generated an original microbrew, an annual cycling event, a plein air paint-a-thon and a movie screening.

Now up: a modern quilting bee.

A collaboration between the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, the National Forest Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service, Quilt for Two Rivers brings together 20 leading Pacific Northwest fiber artists who are combining talents on a single work; a 40-foot quilt with Whychus Creek running through each individual segment.

Fulfilling one aim of the Treasured Landscapes program, the project is strengthening community connections to the outdoors, specifically to two Wild & Scenic-designated Oregon rivers, Whychus and the Metolius River.

“These are not your grandma’s quilts, they are works of modern art,” notes Ann Richardson, Executive Director of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, a co-sponsor of Quilt for Two Rivers.  “And this is a unique, inspiring way to tell the story of how salmon and steelhead are making a comeback in these important waterways.”

Jean Wells, founder of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show (the world’s largest outdoor quilting festival), named her segment of the quilt “Coming Home,” honoring restoration work that is bringing back native fish to Whychus Creek.  Her project is a family endeavor:

“My son Jason took me to the magical place on Whychus that you mostly see in the piece.  Other elements come from a hike to waterfalls in the upper reach I took with my six-year-old granddaughter, Livy, who took some of the photos I used in conceptualizing the work.  My daughter Valori is going to paint steelhead in the water section of the quilt.  My dream is to see them coming home to Whychus, and having Jason be able to go fishing there.”

The 17-panel final masterpiece will be sold either as a complete installation or as individual quilts.  A second, smaller quilt (four panels, seven feet long) along the same theme is also in development.  Half the proceeds from sales of the quilts will go to restoration projects on the two rivers, with the other half going to the quilters.  Both quilts will be unveiled June 1, with the large work exhibited at the Sisters quilt show as well as in Portland and Tacoma.

One goal has already been met: encouraging people from different walks of life to visit outstanding natural areas they may not know about in their own back yards.

Stay tuned for the upcoming “name the quilt” contest, blog posts and a short video by Liking the Quilt for Two Rivers Facebook page.

I was lucky enough to be a part of this awesome project.....I wanted to make one of the panels myself but it just wasn't douable so I got to be a part of moms....I painted the steelhead.

Today we took a picture of all of the quilts and some of the artists.... I had Ann take a quick pick for me for my pic of the day....well there are four.

This is how the quilt will hang ..... If you put the two together you would see the river flow....isn't that cool!!!

We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful area.

XO

Val

 

A photo a day in May.....

I am a big fan of Instagram and while I was looking through it this weekend I saw a friend of mine - HappyZombie - was doing A photo a day in May..... I figured I can do that. Especially since I take at least one photo a day... SO here is my start....

May 1, 2012

Ross and I were celebrating sending off the crate for market...... and look we found a wine called Novella. Which happens to be the name of my fall collection of fabric. Yummy!

 

May 2, 2012

My new belt buckles.....yeah!

 

May 3, 2012

New purse that I knitted and am putting handles on....

 

May 4, 2012

A pretty tree beginning to bloom....on my way to surgery.

 

May 5, 2012

Knitting while on pain killers....not too bad.

 

May 6, 2012

After Teagues escape from his nap yesterday we modified the crib to a big boy bed. He fell out this morning but should get the hang of it soon.

Today the photo has not been taken..... will come later.

XO

Valori

Saying Goodbye....

My parents recently sold the house I grew up in....

They moved into their new house about 3 years ago and I had not been back to the old house since.

I grew up in this house. We moved in when I was 6. I came home A LOT during college and after I moved into the little studio apartment above the garage while I saved money to build the house we live in now. Ross proposed to me in that little apartment and a little late we were married in the yard. I watched my girls play in the creek and have family dinners on the deck. So many memories and so many stories....

 

Before the keys were handed over I went back to the house. I couldn't go in - it was completely empty and it would of been creepy. So I said good-bye by exploring the property and some of my favorite places....

An address that will be embedding in my brain forever!

My mom and I planted this Crab-apple tree when we moved in. It was so tiny and now big and beautiful, right outside my childhood bedroom window. I still have dreams about that room. I only tried to sneak out once from those windows and got caught. Teenagers are so stupid!

Apple trees don't grow that great around here but my mom didn't care she planted this tree when my brother returned from Desert Storm. I wonder if it will ever have apples.....

I spent A LOT of time outside as a kid and we had 8 acres to play on. These rocks were close enough to the house but just far enough away, I used to have forts in the rocks finding pieces of plywood to put over the top. There were enough groupings that is was like a little village.

This was my tree fort.....the Juniper has gotten so big all that is left is the few rungs of wood. The only problem with this fort was all the pitch. But I remember fond times up there.....

Then there was my brother and the neighbor boy's tree house. I was NEVER allowed up there. They had a bit more complexity to their fort, I had a piece of wood rested between branches. I was tempted to go up there but not sure after all of these years how stable it is....

When my real dad was around we had horses....I loved my horse Dixie. The neighborhood girls and I would take our horses out bareback and race in the meadow after we got home from school.

I can still smell the hay and see my horse when I am in the barn.

The back side of the house by the yard.....I spent a lot of time photographing the flowers in my mom's yard when I was in college. I was the artist that did the pretty work not the social or political work....got a lot of grief on that. I loved discovering what was blooming when I took my time to just be in the yard...I always found things mom didn't see.

This rose bush was from my Great Grandma's yard.....it is like a weed with these beautiful little yellow roses..... Some of it came home with me and I hope will take root and grow in my garden. Ross thought I was crazy when I came home with garden trellises that were left behind and part of a rose bush. Mom was happy that I thought about it....she has put that house out of her mind.

She did SO much in that garden and it was becoming way too much work. After three years it is really run down with grass it almost doesn't look the same....it definately doesn't have mom's touch!

Her greenhouse.....

Ross and got married in the gazebo....the there was a beautiful slate walkway that is now overgrown with grass.....we planted wildflowers all along the edges and placed the chairs in the flowers for our guests....it was so beautiful....

Well enough of memory lane.....reality I have a meeting at 2:00pm....

Have a great day!

XO

Valori

January 20, 2012....

I find that when I go through change I retreat, into myself, into my studio, but that is when my best growth comes out of me. I can honestly say I have changed so much over my 38 years. Or maybe change is not all that has gone on, I have discovered so much about myself, who I am and who I want to be. Not always an easy road for me.

Recently I have been wanting to get my tattoo for Teague. And the only person I want to do it is a old college friend, Cheyenne Sawyer. He gave me my arm band in college…. I love that piece no matter how simple it is. I think about who I was in college….I was….uummm, in my 20’s and still trying to find myself. I was a bit of a basket case at times and I really went through a ton of growth in college. But I am so different now than then.  Really only recently can I say I have  truly found myself….REALLY….38 and finally feeling secure in who I am, loving who I am. Finding my balance and feeling grounded. And with this new found confidence my creativity has soared.

I have been in a “retreat” mode for several months…..thinking…….but still trying to get work done. As I come out of my cave I realize how much I have neglected my blog and my photography, my art, painting etc….just been off. Time to rectify that….

Step One - start blogging again rather than just thinking about blogging and then not making the time for it just do it!

Step Two - Find your love of Photography and Painting again.

To accomplish both of these Ross and I have gone away for the weekend....we find ourselves in Portland. We are sitting 7 stories up at the Vintage Plaza on the corner of Washington and Broadway. Working….Yes, working. I have a fabric deadline and worked this morning on them but this afternoon feel the need to blog. Show some of the cool city shots I have taken with the new addition to my family….the PEN.

My new camera.....LOVE!! It is compact but packs a punch - the Oympus Pen E-P3.

Our drive over Mount Hood. We traveled over this pass because there was a landslide on Hwy 20 - Santiam Pass.  Nice to have a change of scenery.

Yep - THE STAG.....we were so tempted to stop!

Of course there are some Hipstamatic images included...just can't help myself!!!

Foggy, rainy, beautiful Portland! I really do love this city!

Mother's Cafe is one our favorite places to eat. We decided we would sit in the bar because we don't get to do that much...I didn't have to ask for a booster seat and I got to enjoy my meal with out scolding a child. We are on vacation!!! WOO HOO!

My beautiful, wonderful sister-in-law, Stephanie got us a suite at the Vintage Plaza downtown. WOW! Love!

Our View.....

I love the grey light of the city in the winter...sounds funny but the color is amazing and the rain can be great to shoot in. I don't miss living in the rain but LOVE to visit.

I find the city to be a new source of inspiration one that I haven't explored in a long time.

See Ross worked! I swear he is not on Facebook!

This is what I worked on......

Then we had afternoon cocktails.....

So I will leave you heading up the spiral staircase to get dressed for dinner in the city.....

with thoughts of water named FRED......and....

little metal moose on the wall......

Sweet Dreams!

XOXO
Valori

New sewing patterns.....

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

After Market.....

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

Quilt Show 2011....part 1....

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

 

Friday Night....before Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show....

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

Market two....the details....

As promised some of the details of the booth....

We did coloring therapy in the booth....a great way to relax. This is my friend Kaye Prince!!! Isn't she cute....

My girl, Carolyn and I just before take down!! A long weekend but very good!

XXOO

Valori