Valori Wells

The Handmade Gift.....

Yesterday was COLD, COLD, COLD and snowing a perfect day to be inside. Ross watched football and I made Christmas gifts. I have a stack of fleece blankets for the family. So, easy to do just rollover the edge and top stitch.  Then I made these owls........

 

I have a couple of old sweaters that I love.....not really going to wear again just love......I thought at some point I would make a bag out of them or something. I have been totally inspired by all of the cute, funky stuffies out there. Months ago I started making an owl out of fabric but never finished it. I the simplified pattern for the sweater owls. This family of eight was made from one sweater. I am giving them to my girlfriends for Christmas.  Along with these rocks....

 

There is a Northwest magazine called Sunset and in this month's issue is a little photo of a rock that had been drawn on. I was totally inspired.....I have all of these rocks that I have collected from the beach so I thought why not try it out. It definitely works better on the lighter rocks. It was totally fun.....I thought they would be cool to just sit about......on your desk or bookshelf, something like that. I made little drawstring bags for the rocks and am going to wrap the owls in pieces of fabric that I silk screened and tie them in yarn. The ultimate homemade gift.....I do hope they like it.

I have spent most of my day today at home with Liv - she woke up this morning with Pink Eye....poor thing. Ross took her to the doctor while I did a silk screening demo for mom's quilting group. Now she is on antibiotics and getting better. 

Then we just found out that our radiant floor is not working - no wonder it has been so FREAKING cold in our house. It is supposed to be -3 tonight. Hopefully Ross has reset it and got it going again. The heating people said they can't be here until tomorrow afternoon. So, I made the call to Camp Keenan, aka mom's house, to see if we could stay the night. What a pain!!

I am supposed to meet the girls for wine and knitting tonight......Ross has the kids. We will see what happens......Life is always an adventure in this house!!! I will post some photos of the wrapped gifts and I will have the girls pick my drawing winners tomorrow morning......

XOXO

Valori

OliveRose Free Pattern

I am posting the free pattern again because I didn't realize that the last one I put on was set for tabloid size paper.....this one will fit legal. Thanks for all the great response to the pattern...... Download OliveRose.pdf I am patienly waiting for Grandma Jo to come over so I can go work out.....Then we are having Customer Appreciation days at the shop. Carolyn and I have a book signing and then I am just going to hang out and help cutomers. Should be a nice day! Although after 17 months period free......I am now experiencing cramps again and remembering the "joy" of being a woman!!! UUGGHHH!!! Sometimes I really think that guys should get some of this.... Yesterday I didn't feel like working out and my husband couldn't understand why - he thought it would make me feel better.....I asked him how he would feel running while bleeding and cramping.....I was a bit cranky! Anyway...a bit better today!
Have a great day!
Val

Olive Rose free pattern.....

So do you remember this image........

It is the new collection of Olive Rose and the quilt that I made as a free pattern....As I promised here is the Download OliveRoseFreePatt-Web.pdf for the pattern.... please let me know if you cannot download this pattern. Hope you like it... I think it is one of my favorite quilts that I have done.  I took this photo of it out with one of the sole chairs to and the mountains......

Pretty cool- if I do say so myself......it was a beautiful day but very, very, cold!!!
    So on another note here is my latest knitting project.....

This is a bag from Louisa Harding (one of my FAVORITE knitters) she has a great book out Knitting Little Luxuries....the bag is made out of Cinnabar. It took me a while but I love the results. I even tested it out on a date with my husband before I put it in the shop......Holds a wallet, cell phone, small sketch book and little travel watercolors.....I can't help myself to take those things with me when we go out. Luckily my husband is very understanding..... Anyway....off to Portland!!
Have a great day!
Valori

Flannel....

Ross and Liv are getting dinner and Violette is having belly time......a quick note and a photo.I talked about our PJ sale recently and I finally got the photo from the shop camera...... It was early in the morning but everyone was in good spirits. A fun morning filled with familiar faces and new friends. As I promised here is the flannel quilt and pattern....

Download SoleFlannelPromo-Sophie.pdf

Dinner's here......I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving Holiday!
Valori

A Note on the grocery tote!

****Just a quick note on the Grocery Tote - ALL SEAM ALLOWANCES ARE 1/2" ********
Have a great day!!!
Valori

Grocery Tote.....

Don't we all want to be a little more green these days.....I think that grocery bags are one of the easiest ways to be green. But lets at least make them stylish....here is a pattern for a simple grocery tote that you can make out of any home decorator fabric and even traditional cotton quilting fabric. Since the bag is lined it is very sturdy.....I have tested them.

Sole Grocery Tote

Fabric Needed:
Outside of tote: 15" x 54" - 1/2 yard 54" home decorator fabric
Lining and Handles of tote: 23" x 54" - 2/3 yard 54" home decorator fabric

Cutting out of pieces:
Outside:
Cut 2 - 13" x 15" pieces for front and back
Cut 1 - 8" x 13" piece for bottom
Cut 2 - 8" x 15" pieces for sides

Lining:
Cut 2 - 13" x 15" pieces for front and back
Cut 1 - 8" x 13" piece for bottom
Cut 2 - 8" x 15" pieces for sides
Handles:
Cut 2 - 4" x 52" pieces for handles

Assembly:
1. Fold one handle in half lengthwise and press - this will give you a guide line for the rest of the pressing.
Unfold and fold the raw edge (the length of the handle) just to the previous pressed line - press and repeat with the other raw edge. Fold in half again lengthwise and press - the raw edges are now enclosed. Repeat for the other handle.

2. On the front and back outside pieces - Press 1/2" down from top.
3. Starting at the bottom of the front piece measure in 3" from each side and pin handle stopping at the pressed top edge. - Repeat with the back of the bag.

4. Top stitch the handles down starting at the bottom, stopping just before the folded edge, pivot 90 degrees and top stitch along the top, pivot again 90 degrees and finishing top stitching to the bottom of the handle. To finish top stitching the handle start stitching just past the fold edge of the top of the bag and continue around the handle to the other side of the bag, pivot 90 degrees and stitch along top, pivot 90 degrees and stitch back to the other side, pivoting 90 degrees at top and stitch, pivot 90 degrees again and finish where you started.

5. With right sides together stitch one end of the bottom piece to one end of a side piece - starting 1/2" from the top and ending 1/2" from the bottom. Repeat with the other side of the bottom and the other side piece - you will have one long piece - it will be refered to as A.
6. With right sides together pin the front of the bag to the side of piece A, stitch from the top ending 1/2" from the bottom. Fold A so that the bottom piece lines up with the bottom of the bag pin - start stitching 1/2" in from the top and to 1/2' from the bottom. Fold A so that the side piece lines up with the other side of the front , pin and stitch starting 1/2" from the bottom to the top. Repeat with the back.

7. To make the lining repeat steps 5 and 6.
8. Press 1/2" down around the top edge of bag. Repeat with lining.

9. Turn outside of bag right side out and put the wrong side of the lining to the wrong side of the bag.
10. Pin edges of bag, top stitch around top edge securing the lining to the outside.
11. Press and go shopping…….

Enjoy!
Valori