Christmas treasures

Happiest of Holidays to you and yours!

I am a little bit adrift this Christmas. It's another Christmas spent in a temporary home with all our belongings in storage. So, it's time for me to make a few new treasures that I can enjoy for the moment... at least until they go off to a new home :o) One day soon (hopefully), we will be back in our beautiful home, and I can unpack, display and enjoy all my beloved Christmas treasures. In the meantime, I hope you will join me in enjoying a few of my recent creations....

"Holiday Home", needle felt by Val's Art Studio
This needle felted Holiday scene is so simple, and conveys just the right holiday mood, don't you agree?! I love how it sparkles gently in the light, and gives me a sense of the quietly, wistful Christmas mood that I love so dearly. (This one has SOLD)

"Joyful Wren" by Val's Art Studio
Here is a super cute Sparkle Bird singing a song of Joy! So happy, he makes me smile when I look at him :o) He is needle felted onto linen and cotton, with a repurposed wool scarf, and sweet snowy stitches in the background that are a bit hard to see in the photo. I have framed him in a willow hoop and his winter branches have some delightful glittered berries. Irresistible! (He is available in my shop here)

"Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" by Val's Art Studio
I just finished this delightful Santa pillow today. Isn't he cute? He is getting veeerrry excited about what's to come next week! (Not yet listed in my shop, but please check here and I will upload the listing very soon!)

"Santa" needle felt portrait by Val's Art Studio
Another charming Santa hoop, and one I would definitely treasure, bringing out each Christmas season and hanging up to bring a measure of good cheer. It would look fantastic amongst our Santa collection. I LOVE things like this! (He is available and you can purchase him by selecting the Santa option here)

"Gingerbread House" by Val's Art Studio
Last but not least, an adorable Gingerbread House scene to brighten a place that needs just that. Too, too cute! (Also not yet listed in the shop, but please leave me a message if you are interested in this pillow, and I will put it in my shop for you!)

Hey! I am doing one last Pop-Up Holiday show this coming Saturday! If you are in the San Diego area, stop by the Talmadge Art Show at their original location. Learn more info here. Hope to see you on Saturday!

xx
Val


Snowman Class is THIS weekend!


I nearly forgot to give the shout out for this super fun class that will be taught this SUNDAY at Paper Tales. Scoot on over to my website by clicking here to find out all the dets, and sign up. Only a couple of spots are left!

See you Sunday!

xx,
Val



Celebrate Handmade and Buy Local this Holiday Season!


I am, and hope you are too. Here are a few reasons why I believe in supporting our local Handmade artisans:


Image courtesy of Unique USA


Isn't that saying enough?!

Now, go buy Local. (and stay away from those big box retailers...)

xx
Val

Shop Small + Cyber Monday Special!!



Hellllllooo Holiday!

Are you ready for it? Are you in the mood? Well, I am!! And in order to kick things off properly, I am offering a 20% OFF Shop Small/Cyber Monday special on anything in my Etsy shop! Click here to visit my shop: Shop!

Please note the following:
- Sale is good through Midnight PST December 1st. So don't delay!- Use code SHOPPER to get the 20% discount applied at checkout. 
- In stock items will be mailed within 5 days of receipt of payment. 
- Custom items or out of stock items cannot be guaranteed for Christmas delivery, but I will make every attempt to get them to you in time! If you have questions or concerns, please leave me a comment, or send me a Convo on Etsy. 
- Discount is ONLY good on items ordered from my online shop. Discount will NOT be honored at any of my upcoming craft shows. Thank you for your understanding. 
- I am happy to deliver your order to you at one of my upcoming craft shows, if you are in the San Diego area, and plan to visit me at one of my shows. Please click here to see a list of upcoming Holiday craft shows in the San Diego area. 

Have yourself a Merry Little Holiday season, and please support Handmade this holiday, and ALWAYS!

xx
Val


Handmade DIY: Tea Towels!




A few years ago, I published this DIY right here on my blog. It's super simple, and what a great way to make a few Handmade gifts, or give a sweet and thoughtful hostess gift if you are a guest at someone else's home this Thanksgiving. Please revisit my original post here, and if you order from Spoonflower TODAY, there is a 2-for-1 fat quarter deal going on.... Sweet!

Quick! Click here to visit the Spoonflower site. 

Happy hand crafting!

xx
Val

Happy Halloween!



Happy Halloween to you and yours!

Don't forget, the Meet Your Maker show is this coming Sunday from 2-7 pm. Find out more by clicking here
xx
Val

Two new classes!

I am always so excited to announce new classes! 

Coming up with a new class idea is kinda like a mini birthing experience for me. Cray, I know, but it's true. Often it takes me several revisions of a project to make sure it's suitable for a class project. It's normal for me to make up something that takes me an hour or two to create, but someone who is just learning needle felting may take many more hours to make the same item. So, I do put a lot of thought and considerations into developing a suitable class project.

This cute owl is Halloween and Thanksgiving mixed up into one. Also, the "boo" yarn writing is optional.



Then, there's this adorable Snow Friend Class. I'm still dying over those Leg Warmers! They just crack me up, and make me Happy Happy Happy every time I look at him!


To learn more about these classes, and what you need to do in order to sign up, please hop on over to my website by clicking here.

See you soon!

xx
Val

Scrap happy


I often hear myself say the following phrase when talking with people about how I make my items:
"Nearly nothing goes in the trash bin when I'm in the process of creating!"
What does that mean? Well, truthfully, I can't tell you how many times I've thrown fabric scraps into the trash can only to go back over to that bin because those scraps are calling to me. Invariably, something more needs to be made with that trash those scraps!


The photo above summarizes pretty much exactly what happens.


Scraps can magically transform an embroidery hoop, and call for needlefelting to happen on their surface.


Scraps were the invention of most of my plush pals. This cute dude got a scrappy pocket, AND a removable heart!

I am the first to admit my scrap collection is generally all over the place, even though I attempt to assert some form of control...


There are sectional plates overrun with scraps (see the turquoise plate at the bottom of this pile?) I know. It's hard to find the plate...


I organize my scraps by color, and bag them in my used up fiberfill stuffing bags. How industrious, right?!


And, I have some special fabric bins which are filled up with.... what else? fabric scraps!

Eventually, things begin to shape up...


A garland made of scraps is the perfect Christmas tree ornament, don't you agree?! And look! Scraps turn into leg warmers for a snowman friend's stick legs. So, now do you get the picture?!


Happy scrapping!

xx
Val

Happy Wednesday!


"This Day" Mixed Media Assemblage by Val Hebert

Isn't it so?! 

I hope you are having a happy Wednesday, a good week, an exceptional month, a year that is working out to be one of the best yet. It's all good, so very good... just one worthwhile, beautiful day at a time :o)

xx
Val

DIY Pup-Purse Tutorial



Hi there! If you find this, or another of my
tutorials helpful and would like to make a monetary contribution 
to help me keep my woolie ideas flowing, I would be most grateful.
By clicking the "Buy Now" button below you can 
choose your own price for the tutorial. 
It's completely optional, but so appreciated! 



Howdy! I'm so glad you are here. Welcome to a super fun and easy project from the "world of cutes" desk over here at Val's Art Studio! 

This purse project is pretty simple to complete, and you can work on with your favorite little seamstress wanna-be. It took me about 2 hours to make up this project, from start to finish.

Here's what you will need to make up this sweet Pup-Purse:
  • An old wool sweater that has holes in it, and you love it too much to throw it away. Before beginning this project, throw that sweater in the washer and dryer, to shrink it up, fluff the fibers and make it nice and soft.
  • Small bits of felt in a variety of colors, OR needle felting tools and a mixture of colored roving (provided you are a needle felter, and know what you are doing. If not, stick with the bits of felt.)
  • Thick black embroidery thread
  • A small scrap of cotton fabric for the lining, approximately 8 x 10"
  • A sewing machine (for best results - if you don't have a sewing machine, you can hand sew this up)
  • Needle and thread
  • Scissors
  • Fabric glue
  • Fusible interfacing (optional) to stiffen up the sweater fabric
  • 1 snap
  • Purse strap, approximately 24" long.

Ok, let's begin!

1. Click on the pattern photo and print it out. The actual pattern should be 7" tall x 8.5" wide, however, you are welcome to increase or decrease the size to make a purse that is a different size from the one I made. Yes, that is allowed :o)



2. Cut out the sweater fabric according to the pattern. Attach the fusible interfacing to the back (optional). Do not cut out the cotton lining fabric yet.

3. Cut out small pieces of the felt and use the fabric glue to attach the eyes, nose, cheeks, and tail to the sweater fabric, using the pattern for a guide. Alternately, and if you are a needle felter, needle felt the details in place according to the pattern guides.

4. Using embroidery thread, sew the pup's mouth. Sew an "X" over the tail.

5. Pin the sweater fabric evenly along the top edge of the lining fabric, as pictured: (Make sure you pin the top of each fabric together. This will make sense once the lining fabric is put in it's proper place.)


6. Sew the sweater fabric to the lining. Sew again 1/4" away from the first sewing seam to make sure the two are attached securely. 


7. Fold the two fabrics evenly in the middle, so the lining fabric is back to back with the sweater. Then, fold it in half again so the dog face is on the front and the tail is on the back. Make sure the lining fabric is nestled in close to the sweater fabric (you can pin them together at the fold). If there is excess lining fabric, cut it away approximately 1/4" beyond the edge of the sweater fabric.

8. Trim the lining fabric around the corners to match the curves of the sweater fabric.






9. Next, unfold the piece so it is flat. Then fold the entire piece in half lengthwise with the RIGHT SIDES facing each other, and pin the edges together carefully.


10. Sew the outside seam together along the cut fabric edge, leaving a 3" wide opening on the side of the lining so you can turn the entire purse inside out. Please notice where my fingers are in the following photo- that's where you DON'T want to sew. Also, you will NOT sew along the foldover edge.


11. Clip the curves so the fabric doesn't pull in the corners once it's been turned inside out. 


12. Now turn your pup inside out, starting in the corners and pulling the fabric through the unsewn hole so the right side is now facing out. This step is always so exciting!


13. Hand sew the two sides of the lining fabric together where you turned the piece inside out.


14. Now push the lining fabric down into the purse. Remember that approximately 1" of the top of the sweater will be folded over into the inside of the purse.


15. Cut out the ears according to the pattern. My ears were cut from felted sweater fabric. I applied a small line of fabric glue to the edges so there is no chance the fabric will unravel. Let the glue dry before moving forward.


16. Determine where you will sew the ears in place. Using embroidery thread, sew the ears down. Start and end the thread behind the ears.





17. Next, you will mark the placement of the strap. My strap came with "D" rings. I attached the D rings to the inside top edge of the purse.








18. Sew a snap inside the top of the purse to keep treasures from falling out  :o)



Admire the cuteness. Yes, so, SO cute!


And that tail on the back... Woot!!!!



Oh my heck! It's just the right size for my cell phone. I am in love!!!


Thank you for taking the time to sew and felt along with me! I would LOVE to see your Pup-Purse, and hope you will leave me a link in the comments so I can scoot over to your "show off spot" and check it out! If you're on Instagram, use the hashtag #pupurse.

For more needle felt fun and goodness, I invite you to subscribe to my blog. And, I would love for you to visit my website here. Also, if you want to learn more about needle felting (Super FUN in store for YOU!), please click here to learn more about my upcoming e-course: Hello Felt! 

Thanks for visiting!

xx
Val

PS. If you are in love with that orange lining fabric (who can blame you?!), here is the link where you can find it: here. All you need to order is a Fat Quarter to make up this project.



Dudology


=^_^=

WARNING: This post contains an overabundance of Cuteness. So, don't say you weren't warned ahead of time!

Today, at noon, I learned a trip my husband and I were scheduled to take would be cancelled. Woop!! Free time! So, I quickly finished what I was doing, ... But, hold on! Some fabrics and feltie scraps called out to me. Here's what went down...


Scraps coming together and taking shape. Add some stitches. A bit of drawing on fabric...


A quick trip through the sewing machine, and he is all stitched up!


Golly, he just NEEDED a bow tie!


He's got attitude. He's a Dude!


Yup. He's killing me!


Thanks for visiting. It's all Dudaliscious over here :o)

xx
Val