Valori Wells

Wish Patterns...

Happy Saturday....

We have a huge lacrosse tournament in town this weekend and my oldest has two games today. It is amazing to me that she is 7 and we are already this busy with sports....can't imagine what is going to happen when all three are in sports. Before I head out I thought I would share some Wish projects...

When I have  new collection of fabric released I always make patterns - sewing cards or clothing - to give you ideas on ways to use the fabric. One of the most important things is that what I create can also be translated into other fabrics.... making the pattern useful for shops and customers alike for a longer period of time than just the life of the fabric. It is sad that a fabrics lifespan on average is 6 to 9 months. There are times that if it is really popular it will last a year.

Several years ago when I introduced my Wrenly collection I made a twin size quilt out of the voile called Betsy. It uses big pieces of fabrics that in turn make a quick quilt to piece. I thought it was a perfect "off to college quilt" and out of voile it is so soft and cuddly. I re-created Betsy out of Wish voile...

The original...

Wish version....

One of the other patterns that I recreated was the Lanie Dress....LOVE LOVE LOVE this dress. Originally I made it out of Novella rayon...which flows beautifuly.

For Wish I made it out of the Knit...talk about comfortable...

The knit is so amazing to work with I had to take the two Girlfriend patterns that I had done out of Karavan knit and make them out of Wish....

The Original Sondy...

The New Sondy...

The Original Isabelle....

The new Isabelle...

Since Wish is such a special collection to me and it connects me to my favorite people I had to make Wish Birds for my booth and for my friends....

I do love re-creating patterns but I also have lots of ideas for new patterns....

I did four new patterns for this season. First is the Jillie wrap skirt...

This skirt is so quick and easy to make and is very flattering. I LOVE maxi skirts and dresses so this skirt is long. I have made it out of knit, voile and rayon. They all have different qualities of drape and coziness.

The next is the Amelia Shawl...

This awesome shawl is a big rectangle that has buttons along both edges to create sleeves....I love to knit so I included a knit version in the pattern. When the Amelia Shawl is made out of the voile it is the perfect summer cover up.

Pockets of Wishes is a small wall hanging created with pockets for "wishes" or dreams, kids drawings, etc.

All of the pieces are top stitched onto a background rather than pieced.

The last pattern is my favorite by far....Trinity spent a lot if time in my head before I was able to create what I saw. I just love how the variety of creams and whites in the background create a great texture as well as the different substrates that I used; linen, cotton and embossed fabrics.

This card is not a beginner sewing card it is more of an intermediate technique card. I show you how to make the strips and cut them into triangles free form so your quit will be your own not exactly like mine.  I enjoyed it so much I am going to be doing more of these technique cards to go with the beginner cards.

I am being called to head to the lacrosse game.... Have a great day! More Wish projects and inspiration to come....

XO

Valori

Sew Red and Valentine's.....

Happy Valentine's Day!!! I think it is one of my favorite days because it was my grandmother's birthday, Clara Valentine....I miss her! This day is to be full of love and happiness...it isn't about gifts and roses and chocolate to me but the beauty of loving...

"We are reminded how short life really is, and how we are just passing through. So,all the people you haven't told you love lately, tell them, and live your days like you mean it." - Hal Sutton

I am excited to be posting about a great project that I was a part of.... Sew Red and the Sew Red blog tour....What is Sew Red? It is a really cool book with beautiful projects from a variety of folks in the Quilting and Sewing Industry... and everything is in RED....this book was created to raise awareness of the risks of heart disease in women! How amazing to be a part of such a great cause. I am blessed to not have lost any women in my family to heart disease. It is such a huge issue for us and it takes people like Laura Zander - the founder of Jimmy Beans Wool (btw an awesome yarn shop) to take a step up and make us all aware. Laura's from the knitting world and started her quest for awareness with Stitch Red... a needlework book that was filled with projects in red... This is an fun and important blog tour I hope you have the time to visit some of the other blogs for their projects and thoughts on heart disease....I have added a list to the end of this post on all the other folks contributing....

But I thought I would first share some pics.....

The book....

The quilt I did for the project....Love their photography!!!

Turned out so beautiful.... I really was honored to be part of such a great book.

Have a great HEART healthy Valentine's Day!!!!

XO

Valori

 

2/11 - Kay Whitt - http://blog.sewserendipity.com
2/12 - Marcia Harmening - http://www.happystashquilts.com/blogs/news
2/13 - Ty Pennington - He'll actually be posting on Stitch Red Blog, as he does not have his own blog - http://www.stitchred.com/blog.asp
2/15 - Patty Young - http://modkidboutique.blogspot.com
2/18 - Mark Cesarik - http://homeecny.blogspot.com and you!
2/19 - Amy Butler - she'll also be posting on the Stitch Red site
2/20 - Sweetwater - http://www.sweetwater.typepad.com
2/21 - Brett Bara - http://www.brettbara.com
2/22 - Saremy Duffy - http://www.saremy.typepad.com
2/23 - Nancy Zieman - www.nancyzieman.com/blog
2/25 - Tula Pink - http://tulapink.com/blog and Kaari Meng/French General - http://frenchgeneral.blogspot.com
2/27 - Anna Maria Horner - http://annamariahorner.blogspot.com
2/28 - Kristen Ashbaugh Helmreich - www.marinade.wordpress.com

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

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!

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