Valori Wells

Nesting or Cleaning.......

I just finished cleaning my studio....wow what a feeling having everything put away and vacuumed....Mom recently passed down her cutting table to me as she is moving into a new house in a couple of weeks and wont need it. Now my cutting takes place on a nice big table rather than my flat files. With this new piece of furniture in the studio there was a lot of re-arranging to be done. At first it seemed so overwhelming but once I got into it.....so rewarding. Now I just want to do the rest of the house...especially the girls rooms! Soon....the nesting will get to the rest of the house......beware un-used stuff in this house!
On another studio note........I have a new baby......

My serger......I am so excited!!! Carolyn and I drove to Portland last week to get lessons on our new machines. She has a new sewing maching and I now am a proud owner of a serger......Oh, the clothes I am going to make! I have lists for the girls. Heather Ross' new book Weekend Sewing has SO many great projects. What a wonderful book......now I just have to find a few hours.....HHMMM!
Olivia had her first dance recitle last weekend......

Isn't she cute?! Part of me wonders if she is too young to be having recitles. But she loved it.....mom came over and curled her hair. Not sure she would of let me get that close with a curling iron......I was very proud of her she knew the dance and barely looked at Miss Lonnie.
We had the camera out the other day as the girls danced in the living room....

.....she told me she was a mermaid!

I love that the dresses that we make pass down from Liv to Vi. I forgot how much I adore this dress...

My sweet girl.....although she is nearing 2 and the signs of terrible two's are emerging.....AAAHHH! Life is interesting around here......Tomorrow we will get our ultrasound and find out what we are having...very exciting!!!!
So, many things to share but this will have to be it for today......I am running out of energy and I should spend a little time with my husband.......
Have a great night!!
XO
Valori

Happy Voting......

I hope everyone went out and voted today. Luckily for us we have a mail in voting system and I voted a week ago. It is such an amazing election, there is so much at stake. I am officially an CNN junkie today! Earlier there was a comment made about being a part of history - being in history - it is so true we are experiencing part of history and becoming a part of history. Anyway, I am not that eloquent with words or sometimes I just can't find them - I just hope that all of you took advantage of our freedom of choice. What an great day....although we are experiencing snow flurries - I have not left the studio today........
As I promised here are a few photos of the Halloween parade.

My little froggy - Livvy.....and her little flower sister - Violette

Violette had a blast!! She was so funny holding a candy in each hand. Digging around in her bag to find things - not that she knew what they were. It was a fun event for her......

My froggy and my friend from childhood - Deri's - little girl, Chloe, aka Monkey....The girls have been trick-or-treating every year....this is number 4. Deri and I met when we were three and have been friends since. It is fun to have our girls hang out together and be friends.

Some of the Crew from day care.....I can't wait to see how things grow over the years with this group of kids. It is too much fun!
I have started painting the next collection of fabric.....for spring 2009. All of the drawings are done and it is time to paint. I am trying to get a head of the game. I like to have some time to work with the fabric coming this spring - Delhi and another collection that I have in the works...more to come soon on that.
Have a great day!
Valori

Happy Halloween......

IT is a perfect day for Halloween here in Sisters....overcast, a little windy....the leaves are blowing around. Kinda creepy....maybe it is just the day. We have a great event in our little town on Halloween it is a costume parade of sorts. The Library organizes a parade around town to all of the businesses for trick-or-treating....rather than going into neighborhoods at night.....it is at 3:00 and way too much fun to see all of the parents and kids out and about .....the gals here at the shop even dressed up!! Liv is going as a Frog and Violette is going as a Flower.....Miss Vi gets the hand me down costumes until she can protest......saves a bit of money. Anyway, it is always fun to do....I will pass on photos......
On another note yesterday morning as I was washing bottles and sippy cups I noticed the sunrise.....oh my gosh!!!! Ran up to the studio to get the camera and really captured some amazing photos.....I PROMISE that nothing was done to these images other than downloading them from the camera to you!

This is off our deck over looking the canyon......
A little to the left looking down the canyon you can see Grey Butte and Smith Rocks......
As the sun rose it kept getting prettier and prettier....but I couldn't stand out in the cold for too long so I would go in and out of the house.
I couldn't believe how amazing the clouds looked.......
The final image that I took....I also pulled out the LOMO and this was the first photo that I took with it......the film is black and white and I am  curious to see how it is going to turn out in the darkroom.....Cheryl the challenge is on........
Have a wonderful Halloween and fabulous weekend......
Valori

Back home........

I got back home late last night - so good to be home.....great to see the fam this morning! I totally slacked on getting many photos at market. Not sure why I had my camera - just one of those things. I spent my day trying to get myself organized - made out my list and then found myself going in circles on where to start. There is a need to prioritize....that can wait until tomorrow. Being unable to focus I spent several hours - I hate admitting that I didn't work - checking out some new friends web sites and blogs. I met some great people at market - well not market itself but through Amy and David. We went out to dinner with a couple of their ultra fun, creative friends from Texas.....Chris Brown - very outgoing guy with a lot of talent and some great tattoos.....love the tattoos. And Cheryl Schulke a gorgeous gal just overflowing with creativity....the two of them are also the creators of a on line magazine.....REFUELED - I haven't ever seen a magazine like it...I love the style of these Texans...
I was totally inspired by their work....

Cheryl and I are going to have a little LOMO Challenge....those who don't know what a LOMO is let me fill you in....LOMO is a very basic camera that for me makes me forget all of the things I learned in school and just have fun with a camera....hard to explain check out their site to find out more. I am so excited to have a little project that has nothing to do with what I have been totally immersed in. YEAH to new friends and new creativity......

The beauty herself....Cheryl.
I will post my LOMO photos when we get them done....
Have a great day......
Val

good day......

Last Friday Night we had a Open House sort of party at Twiggs.....Those of you who don't know Twiggs is our Home and Garden Gift shop - Very fun! Anyway, after the event I was driving home and had to pull over and shot this....I was happy to have my point and shoot digital with me.....

This was the second stop that I had on the way home....It was a beautiful drive home......
I visited Dad this weekend and he is doing much better. Seemed to go over a certain hump but not out of the woods....I think that  he has been so sick over such a long period of time that we don't know what is going to happen. It makes me remember that it is so important to take care of my health! How important it is to be smart about your life and the ones you love.....ok enough preaching......I guess I am being pounded by health and lifestyle choices that it has made me take check of my life and the things I love. My family, my art, my choices in my life etc, etc, etc,.......You know what I mean...I will be back again this next weekend. It is good for me to have my week at home - I have been so productive - today was studio, tomorrow and Thursday the Shop...and mom comes home from Italy. I have missed her as I have felt a bit alone without her and John around to talk to.
have a great day.....
with all my heart I wish all the best...
Valori

a long week.......

My life has been crazy since my last post.....Kaffe and Brandon were here teaching for a week. Very fun! I have a few photos - my friend has some more she is going to get me.......it was hard to get into the classes all week with the girls and life........Here are a few photos........

A self portrait of Vi and I on the inspirational hike with Kaffe. Vi is not too sure about riding in the pack yet....we have to get out a bunch this summer to get her used to it. I think my hair gets in her face - have to go with braids next time...........

I got a couple of shots with my little digital and a baby on my back......I have to go back out because the wild flowers are in bloom and it is just beautiful.....someone actually found a wild violet that I want to go back with my macro lens and shot. They are so tiny and delicate!

Last but not least a photo of me and the boys.......On Friday I took Kaffe up to Portland to the airport and was going to stay with my dad and step-mom......but in the afternoon I got a call from my step-mom that my dad was in the hospital.....unfortunately he is still there and not doing great - he is in ICU and now finally off of sedation but has not woke up yet. It has been a hard week....I am going to travel back up tomorrow to see him.....I never imagined how hard it would be to see a parent in that situation - broke my heart......Take every day to the fullest even the bad days.....makes me treasure my family, my life and I feel so blessed to have what I have - to be healthy and happy!
I hope everyone is doing well and I will chat again soon......hopefully not to long from today.
Have a great day - count your blessings!
Valori

To Market, to market we go......

First, I just have to say to all of you mommy's out there - HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!! I feel so blessed to be a mom and I cherish my family every day! It is amazing to me how children remove a certain amount of selfishness and ego that comes with being young or a strong woman.....does that make sense? Anyway, I wish the best to all of those mom's out there and mom's to be and future mom's you know all of those great ladies that are a part of our lives......weather you are a mom or not celebrate being a woman!

Here we are on mothers day and I shooed everyone out for a photo in between cooking dinner....I love to cook for people so I made homemade pasta, roast chicken and sausage with lots of fresh veggies, mom, John and Grandma Jo came to have dinner.....it was a nice evening and it made me happy to feed my family....so weird I never thought I would be one of those people - that liked to feed and cook for people - but I love it. So gratifying......Then Monday rolled around and I picked up Miss Amy from the airport... we ended up hanging out with Miss Vi at the house all afternoon and I cooked dinner....again that satisfaction of feeding people......before we left for the lecture I had Ross take a photo of us....

We were definitely all smiles after a good meal and a little wine....the lecture was awesome - Amy is so generous and kind - we were very privileged to have her come to the shop.....I loved having my friend around....we headed to the new restaurant in town - Pleadies - to have a little girl time and some wine. It was so nice.....makes me sad that she lives so far away from me.....anyway, next time it is my turn to visit her.....at least I get to see her in a couple of days at market.......
       Speaking of market I am - I think - ready!!! Well, to be honest I haven't packed my suitcase but I know what I am wearing.....isn't that what matters most. I have the girls packed and the booth organized at the shop...we load up tomorrow and take the caravan to Portland.....I am nervous (usual response for me just before market) and excited (not a usual response) maybe I am gaining more confidence and security in who I am - embracing who I am........tough thing but I am working on it.
    OH - my friend Carmen came to the lecture last night and gave me a card for mother's day with two great flash cards.......

working Mother - is that not perfect!! SO I put it on my bulletin board with all my photos of family - right in front of my cutting table.....I love it! Makes me smile - Thanks Carmen!!! You rock!!!
Well, I am going to try to post while I am at market but I cannot promise but I can promise lots of photos for later.....take care!
Have a great day!
Valori

the studio.....

I recently had to take a couple of photos in the studio.....moving and cropping out the mess. I thought I would share them....as well as my cute girls!!!

This is my drawing table / painting area for the fabric...it looks out over the canyon and gets really nice morning light - this was taken in the morning....and if you look in the corner you can see Miss Vi's johnny jump up - which she loves!!! It is in the doorway to my darkroom. Sadly the darkroom has not had any use for a couple of years - pregnancy and all...but soon I will get in again! I am determined.....
Next.......

On the opposite side of the studio is my fabric.....and my very cool chair that my mom bought for me one year after Quilt Show.......it is from Anthropologie and I had been drooling over it for a long time. Anyway, these windows look out over the driveway and our front yard........

This is my idea wall.....all of my recent obsession photos of dahlias......wonder what my next fabric collection is going to be?!?!!? There are my drawings for fabric, palette ideas from magazines, table cloths, there is a dead leaf (which was really cool before it completely died) anyway....ideas! I love this wall it helps me keep track of my thoughts. And then you can kinda see my easel which has the beginnings of a painting of a dahlia....see completely obsessed....to tell you the truth I CAN'T wait to get to work on the next fabric......This wall sits on the back side of my darkroom and since it is a work space for me I have a door to outside steps and down to the driveway.....one of these days I thought it would be cool to have a studio party with lights coming up the outside stairs and have wine and food and candles on my island with paintings all over the studio.....one of these days - got to get some more painting done first - stop giving them away........rambling.....this is how I get when I am overly busy so many other things that I would like to do. So here are some cute photos of my beautiful girls......

They LOVE dada's guitar....when he plays Violette starts moving up and down and smiling...Miss Liv has his old guitar and will play along with him.....God I love those girls.....

You would think that I have nothing to do but take photos of them...how can you resist!!
Well back to my day........
Have a great one!
Valori