Val's Art Studio

A creative mess

2012-01-20T23:04:00.000-08:00

Photo courtesy of Austin!

Every single aspect of my life is in full, unbridled swing, and I find myself in the biggest creative mess possible. Ooh-eee! Have you been here too, girlfriend? Do you know how messy and wild this feels?!

I am busy beyond belief in the Hello Soul Hello Business class, and am certain I will be soon bursting out of all my seams with growth and potential. Oh, yes! I can feel it! I didn't realize how all-encompassing this class would be, but it's come at the perfect time, and I really did try to structure some o p e n time, so I could put my whole heart and soul into getting to know me better. Yep, Hello Me!! Though we are not to post our exercises, I am dying to share all I'm learning with you, but I will certainly be able to show and tell about my growth leaps in ways without divulging course content. All I can say, girls (boys too!), is that this class is blowing my socks off! Take a trip over to Kelly Rae's blog to find out a bit more by clicking here, and Beth's blog will tell you how you can still join in all the fun. Nope, you do not want to miss out on this...

This next week will find me at my dear friend, Jean,'s house, where we will share a week of art and friendship. Jean and I have been friends for about 20 years (wow, heck!), and we have done so many things together, though at different times in our lives. Now that we are older, we support each other artistically so well, and never quite have enough time together. Every parting is left with longing that we just need more time together. So, now we are to have a whole week! Yip, I'm so excited for this!

I will be taking a felting class from Lynda Watson, while Jean takes mixed media painting, (another true love of mine, don't you know!) I don't know anything about Lynda, really, but Jean assures me she's the cat's meow when it comes to specialty felting. A visit to her website tells me I am in for a really big treat. I can hardly wait to get busy. I am taking along my Tylenol PM, so as to make sure I can get my shoulders relaxed properly each night after long days felting and needle felting! That's something I struggle with, oh my golly... and isn't it crazy how we prioritize our travel needs. Sheesh! I'm also taking my brand new camera that I treated myself to after my super busy holiday season, a Canon Rebel t3, so hoping I can share some fantastic new pics on my blog and website very soon....

Off on my wild and crazy, out-of-my-normal-element adventures, you won't be hearing from me for a bit, but I promise to have some amazing stories for you upon my return. Happy creating to all my bloggy friends!

x, Val

House of 2 Hearts

2012-01-13T23:42:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, miracles come out in the making, unbeknownst to me. I simply listen, and make art. When I touch a heart, then I feel I've given of my gift in the best possible way I can. A special commissioned painting turned out just so, and the person who received the best gift of all? Me!

The couple has been married for over 50 years, and she wanted to present her husband with a special gift on their anniversary, a painting of their beloved home near the Coronado coast. It just so happened to be the day after Christmas, and, most unfortunately, painting was at the bottom of my holiday to-do list after all that sewing and needle felting my busy fingers had been creating for months leading up to Christmas.

Weary as I was, I couldn't let her down. My painting was worked on frantically as Christmas approached. The text had to be something special, and so I presented her with several fitting choices, throwing one last possibility in at the end. I loved it, but not sure if they would.

House of 2 Hearts. She absolutely loved the sentiment. I delivered the finished painting the day after Christmas, on their anniversary. They were the cutest couple I'd ever seen as they held hands and lovingly gazed at the painting. Her husband turned to me (we had only just met), and gave me a great big bear hug.

It was the sweetest, most heartfelt gift I'd received in a very long time.

Art just doesn't get any better than that. Thank you Mr and Mrs P! I hope Greg and I are as happy and joyful on our 54th wedding anniversary. You two truly live in a House of 2 Hearts :o)

xx, Val

Birdita and Pastina

2012-01-11T16:31:00.000-08:00

Most afternoons in my house are filled with alarm bells going off. Literally, the bird in my life acts like he is dying of starvation, and begins shrieking his birdy head off. How can a small bird make so much noise? Lordy. Only one thing will save the day... Pastina.

I run to the stove and boil water. Quick! Add the pastina (small pasta bits), and a bit of salt. Even after only a few minutes of boiling, I must take a spoonful out to feed that screaming bird! Heck already, will he please shut up?!!! (Other people in my family don't put it quite as nicely as that)

Ahh, peace and quiet at last!

Birdita has been with me for over 25 years now. Really! Wow, I never knew cockatiels could eat so much pasta, or live this long. On days when he's particularly annoying, my family asks the unthinkable... "MOM! When is that bird going to die???" Oh, I tell them they are breaking my heart. Birdita was my first true love. When I met Greg, he said the bird's only redeeming quality is his love for pasta (Greg is Italian, by the way). Heck. What about his sweet whistling? Or his garbled words he's trying to talk. When you take the cover off his cage in the morning, he says "hello birdita" in a low, manly voice (like Greg's!). How sweet is that?!

I thought he was a she bird when I got him/her, and, I admit, I wasn't a very creative name giver... I was going for the name Wolfgang, aka Mozart, which turned into Wolfie, then Mot-zita, then finally Birdita. Then, after a year, I learned she was a he. By then the name had stuck. Poor bird has had a lifetime of mixed gender issues.

The boys have had their moments when they've actually liked Birdita (BIRD... that's what they call him). Unfortunately, when they got a bit too chummy, he's hauled off and bit them on the lip or nose. Well, that took care of that. ("hate you, BIRD") Ok, they are teenagers now. I like to remember the happier times...

I'm sure he's lived so long due to his fastidious pasta diet, with a side of edamame. He's in heaven with that combo. He's getting so old now, and some days just sits and sleeps in that covered corner of his cage. He's such an old man birdy now. I kiss him on his old birdy head, and rub his beak and neck, which he especially loves. I can't think of the day when he won't be with me. Though I love him so, I have made my mother promise me she won't get a cockatiel, and leave him to me. I can't take another 25 years of making pasta at 3pm each afternoon. Nope, a pair of parakeets will work just fine for me. Take note, Mom!!

xx, Birdy-Lovin' Val

Sketchbook Saturday

2012-01-07T13:16:00.000-08:00

As the brave new year takes shape, I find I am in a state of sluggish discombobulation when it comes to getting back to work... As much as I'm dismayed by this, I know it's because I pushed myself beyond belief over the past 5 months. My mind, body, and spirit are asking me for a renewal break. Yes, I know it's so, and I'm listening, yes, I am...

My break is in the doing, but it's the peaceful doing where my mind finds rest. Sketching suits me just fine. I doodle with colored pencil, and watch the beautiful colors blend and images take shape. It's amazing what appears...

When my mind is all a-flutter, and I am in turmoil, I find the things I create so restorative, refreshing and beautiful. I just don't understand the connection... must I be in despair for true beauty to flow? What about when my mind is calm, will it mean I am barren of creation? What's with that?

In an effort to renew my soul and self, I have signed up to take two online classes, yes, I know I need help to jumpstart my creativity flow! One begins very soon, called Hello Soul, Hello Business. I think this class will be simply amazing. Taught by the innovative Kelly Rae Roberts and Beth Nicholls of Do What You Love, I've signed up for this class because I am certain it will help me take my business to the next level. I am so ready for this! Now, if I can just get the muscles in my shoulders to relax, I think my body will be ready to forge ahead too!

The second class I've signed up for is called The Art of Wild Abandonment, and will be taught by Christy Tomlinson along with sweet Junelle Jacobsen of Yes and Amen! I just couldn't resist this class. Junelle asked me to take Christy's Three Hearts class with her last year, and it was so good for me to get out of my little shell, and get all messy and wild with paints and papers and scrapbooks, and new art tools galore! This is a gift to myself - a just for wild fun - class... don't you need to gift yourself too? Head over to Christy's blog to check out this class. I would love it if you took the class with me! Plus, get reduced tuition if you sign up before Feb 29th!!! Go ahead and treat yourself :o)

Hoping your new year is off to a good and restful start, and a creative one too!!

xx, Val

Today, I'm all about...

2012-01-04T12:09:00.000-08:00

Patchwork! I'm so in love with it...

Quilt by Angela Webster, Ruler by James Michael Starr, Beehive photo, Doll by CocoonDesigns

If my husband and sons wouldn't object, I'm

sure my entire life would be adorned in patchwork. I'd have patchwork quilts on my beds, patchwork curtains on all my windows (I do have them in my studio, and you can see them here :o), patchwork wood furniture, and I'd knit happy evenings away on these glorious patchwork chairs (from Sundance) ...

I have made myself promise that I will not, will not, WILL NOT start quilting! (stern reprimand to self) But I will put patchwork clothing together and I will wear patchwork clothes, I will make patchwork Friendlys, and even patchwork trees...

Yesiree, it's a patchwork life for me! Just wondering if you have the same feeling about patchwork? If not, what are you all crazy about these days?!

Just sign me,

Happy Patch :o) ...aka Val xx

goodbye control freak, hello faith

2011-12-31T10:58:00.000-08:00

As we prepare for the start of a brand new year, I find myself pondering some of the quiet thoughts that were my constant companions over the past year. A few so called "friends" with names like Shame, Blame, and Unreal Expectations. Certain aspects of my past year have been particularly mind-breakingly hard... Do you know that feeling too? We're together in this, girlfriend...

I want to start a brand, spankin' new year off right, yes-siree! I am going to leave my 2011 brain baggage behind, leave it forever slowly spinning on the 2011 carousal. Yep. I will start my year with an open mind, with fresh Hope, fresh Faith, and looking towards new possibilities. I just can't wait!

Before I judge, I will listen (to my heart)

I will work towards speaking softly, and let Faith be my guide

I will smile more, and fret less

I will cheer each day as I awake with Hope in my heart

I will work to sooth away angry words and thoughts

And, I will let Nature be my spiritual healer.

I wish you and yours a wonderful and Happy New Year, and hope the blessings of the season reveal themselves to you, so that you can take the best of yourself into the brave new year!

x, Val

A Pop Up show TOMORROW!

2011-12-16T18:01:00.000-08:00

Birds are flying in... It's a flock, I tell you... Not only am I all about the world of birdies, but many of the women who support me are too. Well, birds of a feather flock together, right? Welcome friends, is all I have to say!

Tomorrow is a Pop Up Shop at the home of the Talmadge Show organizers, Sharon Gorevich and Alan Greenberg. You can find out more about it here. The show runs from 10-4. I will be one of 14 artists, and though I am pretty much all holiday needle felted out, I am excited to be included in this wonderful venue. A last big hip-hooray before Christmas. I am praying the weather cooperates. It's supposed to be windy and wintery. A festive Pop Up Shop day! Come out and join the fun, and do your last minute gift shopping! Pop on by :o)

The birdies and I will be there to say "Hi!"

x, Val

Blog Hop Winners!

2011-12-14T22:23:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of Sea Dream Studio

Hi Blog-hoppers! Thanks for checking back on my blog to see if you won! Here are the three winners of my giveaway. (I just put all the comments in a basket and picked. No method to my madness over here!) The winners have one week to get in touch with me, and if I don't hear from them, I will pick new winners. So, do not fear, you may still win! And don't forget to keep coming back, because I am planning another After Holiday Giveaway with overflow from all my holiday happenings!

Ok, ready? Drum roll, please.....

Rose Red!
Marfa!
Natasha of N's Whims!

Winners, here's what you need to do to claim your prize:

Email me at ValsArt@me.com, and give me your

your first and second choice of prize (yes, it's first come, first served!)
address where you you want me to mail your item

Remember, if I haven't heard from you in one week's time, then I will choose a new winner to fill your spot. So you have until next Wed, Dec. 21st at midnight to contact me!

Thanks again everyone. I really enjoyed all your comments, and meeting each one of you on Facebook, and the blog. Hope you had fun!

x, Val

Hey, Beautiful Girl!

2011-12-12T21:22:00.000-08:00

Today I did something really special. It made me laugh and cry at the same time. It felt full of giving and remorse, but it was beautiful all the same. Do you know what I did? I downloaded a song off iTunes that I used to listen to with reckless abandon in high school... Is that weird? Heck, it made me feel so good, and brought me right back to what I was feeling at that time in my life. Wow... A 50 year old dropping in on her 15 year old life... what a trip!!! I felt like I was a teenager again... all that angst and heartache...sheesh... it's just so good and so bad! Takes me into the world of my teenage sons. Well, maybe just a little bit...

Girl, have you heard about the Brave Girls Club? No? Heck, girl! You need to know about being a brave girl! It will get you moving.... off the couch and downloading your songs from when you were 15! (just kidding- really, I did that before I read today's post.) Being a Brave Girl is about touching your soul with kindness. Sign up for the daily emails. You will be so glad you did!

Today, I honored myself. Wow, I tuned into me. It totally felt so good. Now, please excuse me, cause I'm gonna go listen to that favorite song again. And I'm going to turn it up really loud! That's the way it's gonna be :o)

Live in happiness!

x, Val

Wooly wizardy

2011-12-12T09:22:00.000-08:00

How is it possible to turn a ball of wooly fluff into the cutest version of a snowman possible? Wooly snow wizardry, with a small barbed needle, of course! My Smitten Snowman class showed the girls who wanted to learn needle felting how easy and rewarding it can be. With a lot of patience, and a deft eye, you can create beautiful soft sculpture with minimal tools, or experience. Take a look to see how things turned out!

We began with a lesson on needle felting tools, and the dos and don'ts about how to avoid stabbing yourself. Fortunately, we only had one minor stabbing incident, and one major one that happened to me (OUCH!) That is pretty much the number one thing we discuss in class. lol.

After our snowman shapes were created, some of us decided to give ours a cold tea bath, and laughed over jokes involving peeing too much tea (ok, I digress!) Here are the tea bathers sunning themselves dry...

We worked on making the base, and I heard many comments that the base took more work than the snowmen. See, I just knew you would all love the needle felting part so much :o) Everyone's base came out incredibly beautiful They were each a work of art, and I wish I'd photographed the bases before we attached the snowmen.

Here are the finished products, aka Snow Friends! (except for mine. He's the naked one on the left. I guess I was doing too much talking to keep up with everyone else!)

You were an amazing and talented group of crafting girls, and I enjoyed my day so much! Come and take a class from me again soon. I'm thinking up a fun project for Valentines Day...

Happy Holidays to everyone!

x, Val

I'm on papernstitch!

2011-12-10T10:25:00.000-08:00

Hello Blog Hoppers! If you are new here, click this link to go directly to the post that tells you what you need to do to enter my giveaway. If you are back for another visit, welcome back! I will be working on plenty of new and exciting adventures, and hope you will return regularly to see what's going on in my busy studio!

Tomorrow is the Smitten Snowman class, and it's all filled up. If you are interested in taking a class like this from me in the future, please leave me a comment and I will add you to my class email list. (Make sure to give me your email address) That way you will get first notice when I have a brand new needle felting class on the schedule!

In other news, I am in the brand new Papernstitch exhibit that just opened! Click here to see all the wonderful shops in this exclusive online temporary exhibit, or here to go directly to my Papernstitch page. You will see that I am offering a special promotion for all papernstitch shoppers! So many great shopping opportunities. Wow, buy handmade, and you don't even have to leave the comfort of your home! "Shop Small, Not Mall" is my motto this holiday season, and I feel really good doing just so :o)

Have a magical weekend!

x, Val

Handmade gift giving, an easy Tutorial!

2011-12-08T15:05:00.001-08:00

How is the holiday season treating you so far? I hope you are not feeling overwhelmed with it

quite yet! I just try to take one day at a time, and do things now, rather than waiting til later. Somehow, most things manage to get done!

I thought I'd offer a quick and very easy tutorial on an easy-to-make handmade gift; kitchen hand towels! Everyone uses them, and everyone is always up for having a few that are especially cute. Plus, they make wonderful hostess, or girl friend gifts!

As you may know, I am a big lover of Spoonflower, a special online shop where you can upload your designs and make them into fabric. What fun! Well, you can also shop from about a million other fabric designers, and find some fantastic art fabric you'd never find in your local fabric store. Take a look at this fantastic print I stumbled upon... I knew I just had to make something with these fun designs:

Designcrafty's 4 fat quarters pattern can be found here

I ordered the yardage in the Linen/Cotton blend, which is a wonderful weight, just right for tea towels. I cut the 4 quarters apart, double folded under each edge, and ironed flat.

I used some of the salvaged edge fabric to make a hanging tab by folding the cut edges into the middle and machine stitching the open edge closed. I then cut this into 4" long pieces, and pinned them into the backside corners so they would be sewn in once I stitched the towels up.

1-2-3, easy as pie! Well, easier in fact... once I got rolling, I could make a tea towel from start to finish in about 15-20 minutes.

Fold them in a cute way, and tie a sweet ribbon around them, and they are all ready for gift giving. Now, you are free to go visit with your girlfriends and enjoy that cup of tea :o)

Happiest of the holidays to you!

x, Val

Blog Hop Newby

2011-12-07T09:24:00.000-08:00

Yep, I'm a newby at this! ... Some of you have asked if I'm participating in the Blog Hop, and yes! I am. I'm a wee bit late to the party (sorry!), plus I've been a bit unsure how to proceed. But I'm going to give it my best shot, so, here we go! ....

Here is a list of the amazing and talented group of artists who are participating in this blog hop. You should visit each blog to be entered into each artist's drawing. Hey! There are 7 chances to win, and some artists are choosing a winner everyday!

Beverly Gilbert http://beverlygilbert.blogspot.com/
Val Hebert http://valsartstudio.blogspot.com/
Jeannette Cook http://beadyeyedwomen.blogspot.com/
Carol Dean Sharp http://sandfibers.blogspot.com/
Marcia DeCoster http://www.maddesignsbeads.blogspot.com
Cynthia Deis http://shinylittlethings.blogspot.com/
Lori Anderson http://www.prettythingsblog.com/

My plan is to give away two items from my Handmade shop (YEA!), and one selection of sparkle topcoat nail polish so you can have some crazy bling nails, just like this:

I will be giving away one of my most popular prints, Be Strong and Soar, pictured here:

Plus, one of my Mr. Toasty pillows, which is the cutest dang Toast pillow you have ever laid eyes on!

You can enter the giveaway by doing one or more of the following:

- Like me on my Facebook page, to do that go here

- Become a follower of my blog, by clicking on the Follow button on the left sidebar

- leave me a comment on my blog

Each action item will give you one entry into the giveaway. The blog hop lasts for one week (until next Wednesday, Dec 14 at midnight). I will be selecting the three winners from the comments, and I will announce the winners on my blog on Thursday, Dec 15th, so be sure to check back next Thursday to see if you are a winner! Also, if you commented in my last post, you will automatically be entered into the drawing, never fear :o)

**Remember to leave a note in the comments which actions you chose to do, maybe even all three!

Ok, time to get blog-hopping. Good luck!

x, Val

Holiday Hopping + a BIG Thank You!

2011-12-05T20:19:00.000-08:00

New Sparkle Santa art pillow by Val- so elegant and fun!

Sounds like something you do at Easter time, but no! This is a Blog Hop, and it's happening during the holidays, and I am really excited to participate :o) I am awaiting all the juicy details, so I can tell you all about it. It involves something we all love; a Giveaway- actually, multiple Giveaways! Plus, some exposure to a few new and creatively inspired blogs. I can't wait to get started! I'll post about it just as soon as I can.

On a different note, I want to thank you all for a great weekend. Both events were a big success, as the Handmade Revolution in my neighborhood continues to grow stronger and thrive. "Buying local", "supporting handmade" and "giving back" were things people repeatedly told me they want to support. And I want to support it too! It's music to my ears, and to all the local talent out there. We depend on your support to thrive. It just doesn't happen unless you help make it happen. You are so awesome!

xx, Val

Artisans' Alley

2011-12-02T22:47:00.000-08:00

Guys, it's the honest truth, I'm too dang tired to write a post... so you will have to bear with my ramblings...

Here's a very small sneak preview of what's in store for Artisans' Alley tomorrow. Come and see me in Booth 93 *** I've been moved from where I've been for the past 5 years!*** If you look for me at the old spot, walk two rows west (away from the food area) and turn right, I'm 5 booths down on the right!

This is my newest "larger girls" sweater, made completely of upcycled wool with a gorgeous needle felted bird. Now fitting size Large! Woohoo, I did it! (big helper Mona saved the day with her missy sweater pattern for the larger woman. Thanks Mona!)

And, can't forget about these... be prepared to shield your eyes :o)

Ok, I'm off to bed now. Hope to see you, and say hi tomorrow. It's bound to be an extra fun day!

x, Val

Whoo's News?

2011-11-28T20:09:00.000-08:00

"Me, that's whooo..."

I've been working out some new designs for sweet plush friendly owls. (aren't they cute?!) I had made up a few as a trial, and they all sold at my last two shows. That's a pretty good sign that I should do a small production run. The production trial run is tricky, because I try to fine tune all the steps in order to make them in as little time as possible, with as few steps as possible. Keep in mind that I am doing all the work myself, so I look very carefully at whether this new item will work into being a being a new category in my "line", and if I can train my helpers to do some of the work... Most importantly, can I make them for a price range that people will support??

I start by rummaging through my scrap bagS (there are many) At least I have them organized according to color! Once I get everything thoroughly messed up, patterns and colors sort themselves out, and I begin cutting and piecing. Ears and wings were giving me trouble... , but it's my mistakes that usually help pave the way towards discovery of a better way. I just love that indecision and mistakes always seem to work in my favor!

This one has the "before" ears and stick out wings...

And, here's the "after"... Oooh, I do love this one so! Isn't he extra Friendly??!

It's the skinnier ears, (and I LOVE that they are cheetah :o), and am so, so, so much happier with these new wings, close to the body with a big of fluff stuffed inside. The next step is making a couple more, and see if I can get the production time down. Right now I'm at 1.5 hour from scrap hunting to last finish stitch. I'd love if I could make them a wee bit faster.

It's the process I love. That, and the sewing. Oh yeah, all the colorful fabrics, and the yummy recycled felted wool too ... I do so love to stitch it all up, with the mish-mash of colored embroidery floss. I just love it all!

Have a HOOT of a week!

x, Val

PS. These new Owls (plus many more!) will be for sale this Saturday at Artisans' Alley. What a fun holiday shopping event. Mark your calendars. It runs from 9-3...Or, don't be shy about popping over to my etsy shop, and you can pick one up there! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ValsArtStudio?ref=si_shop

Sparkle Sketch

2011-11-26T17:57:00.000-08:00

The sparkle nail polish parties are fueling my every creation these days. I just can't help it, the sparkle draws me into it's whirling dervish. I'm completely in love with everything sparkle!

It's a very hard thing to photograph, sparkle ink on paper... good lord, I am seriously contemplating a new camera in order to get a good sparkle shot. What has come over me???! Let me know if you can recommend the best camera that might suit my sparkly needs!

This sweet hopeful bird-hugging girl is from a recent sketchbook entry. She has a gloriously sparkly headband, shoes and striped sweater band, but you just can't tell in this photo...

I took about 25 pictures to show you my sparkle squares, but only one or two show up. My sparkle nails do look nice though... aren't they positively galactic?! (Thanks Julia!)

Here's my newest fave for sketching and drawing... Spica sparkle pens. (What else?!)

Even the most mundane tasks go smoothly with sparkle polish on your nails. I love every fun stitch :o)

Stay tuned for an introduction to what's being stitched up in my studio. I hope to have several made up for Artisans' Alley... coming up next Saturday!

Have a lovely sparkly rest of your holiday weekend :o)

x, Val

Local Love

2011-11-23T16:11:00.000-08:00

Who do you love? (besides your favorite peeps) Turkey? Pumpkin pie? Yep, I know, cause I love them too! Black Friday? Ugh, those crowds, and all that consumerism makes me insane.

How about the people in your own neighborhood? Someone close by is working hard to make your area feel special. I hope you love your local merchants, and will join the cause to support them by buying local this coming Saturday. It's Shop Small Saturday, and I, for one, am planning to do my part, and shop local! And, yes, I will be giving Handmade gifts this holiday season, and soooo proud of it. I hope you are inspired to do the same :o)

Sweet banner courtesy of LarkCrafts.com

Happiest while giving back....

x, Val

magic hope

2011-11-21T22:38:00.001-08:00

Page from my sketch book for the 2012 Sketchbook Project. My theme is Hope.

Hope is one thing that keeps me going day after day. Even on days when things are tough, and hope seems far away and fleeting, the next morning dawns, and hope springs anew. I think that's pretty magic. :o)

My art journal for the 2012 Sketchbook Project is coming along, and I am happy with my progress. I am almost 1/2 way through the book. Today, I received my second sketch book, for I have joined the Limited Edition Sketchbook Project as well. At least I have until April 30th to finish this 2nd book. You still have time to join this project, if you are so inclined. You must sign up by Jan 31st, 2012 if you are interested. My theme for the LE version is Thread and Surface. I just love that, and am already brain storming ways to incorporate thread into the surface of my sketches. Piece of cake!

Thanks to all of you who came out to the wonderful Talmadge Art Show this past Sunday (only yesterday? Good lord, my day has been a whirl!) A fantastic group of artists, an incredible crowd, and amazing organizers; Sharon Gorevich and Alan Greenberg have been running this successful show for an amazing 19 years! I had a great day, and am very thankful for all the Hope you bring into my heart. Your appreciation for what I do means the world to me!

Here's a video clip that ran on TV a week ago. I didn't see it due to being tied up with the previous weekend's show, so I'm thankful Sharon posted it on You Tube. Gotta love You Tube! I was one of the featured artists on this clip. Enjoy...

Enjoy your week, and happy Thanksgiving preparations!

x, Val

Winter is coming!

2011-11-16T23:04:00.000-08:00

Though you'd never know it here in San Diego. We dream of snow days, and frosted windows, and a roaring crackling fire, with cups of steaming cocoa. But then we are happy to leave all that to those north and east of us, as we head out for a run in the 68 degree weather! Oops, sorry, I got a bit side tracked there...

I always love doing a few special holiday pillows. They are little art and mood snippets, and each one inspires the next. I mix up coordinating colors of recycled wool, sew them up, then needle felt a fun scene to the surface. Once that's in place, I select some trim fabric, or ribbon, sew it around the edges, then back it with some fabric scraps I have recycled from another project. Stuff it full of fluff, and there you go! A sweet winter scene to bring cheer to a special spot.

These charming pillows will be on sale at this weekend's Talmadge Art Show. Come out this Sunday from 10-4 to Liberty Station, and see all the winter finery (and more!) offered by a very talented group of artists. Looking forward to seeing you there!

x, Val

My best customers

2011-11-13T19:41:00.000-08:00

... are fourth graders. Yes, it's true. Fourth graders love, love, LOVE the "Cutes", aka Friendlys. Fourth graders have allowances. They are good savers, and wait to spend their money on something they really want. They tell their friends. And they are pretty good about convincing their parents just what they need. Yes, boys and girls alike are drawn to my sweet line of Cutes, and I will pretty much always prefer to sell my things wherever children shop. :o)

Thanks to all of you who came out to shop Local Color, and support the Museum School. You were a great group of people, and I loved meeting each and every one of you! Come back and see me again, for I'm doing the Talmadge Art Show this coming weekend, on Sunday, Nov 20th. It's your chance to buy your special someone a Toasty pillow, or Mr. Sushi, or one of those other Cutes you saw at my booth. Thanks so much for your support!

x, Val

Sparkle Sunday

2011-11-12T19:36:00.001-08:00

The truth of the matter is that sparkle nails just make everything better!

My niece, Julia, and I have been having a weekly sparkle fest. It's so much fun! I think between the two of us, we now own nearly every sparkle nail polish Target stocks. We have practiced several options; polish first covered with sparkle, or just plain sparkle. Does the polish lasts longer with or without sparkle? Do we need top coat after sparkle?

I'm happy to report that polish, covered with sparkle, covered with top coat lasts over a week! Even if you scrub the sink with Comet 3-4 times because someone left an iron pan in the sink over night, and you are trying to get rid of the rust stain.... Yes! The sparkle lasts like a champ. In fact, it's a l i t t l e tough to remove. Just a fair warning. Takes something like a jackhammer to get that sparkle off... but it's totally worth it! It's so awesomely bling-y!!

I planned my sparkle to go with this dress. I'm planning to wear it tomorrow to the Local Color Craft Fair. The event is in a warehouse building, and it's bound to be chilly. Not for me though! This yummy wooly dress, my black boots and jeans, and sparkle nails! I'll be one toasty and hot mama!

Come out to Local Color between 11 and 3, and check out the fun and festivities. Lots of my favorite local vendors will be there too, including Make Good, Colleen Townend and Boy Girl Party. There are all sorts of great things to do besides shop too, in case you are pinching your pennies. There's crafts for the kids, a gastrotruck, and an old fashioned photo booth. I can't wait, and think it will be an awesome day! See you there!

x, Val

Murmuration

2011-11-09T21:55:00.000-08:00

Enjoy this beautiful chance encounter...

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

Hopeful Heart

2011-11-05T16:32:00.000-07:00

"Hope" is my chosen theme for the 2012 Sketchbook Project

Sometimes I just need a few moments to lose myself in paint.... or colored pencils... or sweet Friendlys... in some sewing.... or in Hope....

I wanted to post about the 2012 Sketchbook project last week, just in case you thought you might want to join. I heard about this project last winter, when it was too late to join, but I signed up to be notified about it for next year... this year now. (I'm sorry to report the deadline to enter for this year has passed. Oh well, there's next year, right?) I received a small sketchbook in the mail, along with a shirt, and I signed up to have my book digitally entered into the project. I have until mid January to finish the sketchbook. All my thoughts about .... Hope.

Now only an amazing three pages into the sketchbook, I find bits and pieces of time where I can paint my dreams about Hope. I don't have too much free time right now, but I will carve out time so I can fill up my pretty book. It will eventually go on tour with a multitude of other sketchbooks. I love the idea of my artistic sketches going on tour in a museum show ... originating at the Brooklyn Museum in New York City... hee hee :o)

If you are so inclined, you can get in on the Limited Edition Sketchbook Project by clicking this link here. And I have a super secret code that will get you $2.00 off if you want to join, or buy a copy of the Limited Edition book. Ready? Here it is:

ADDAFRIEND

Have yourself a Hopeful Fall weekend!

x, Val

Stuck on you

2011-11-01T21:47:00.000-07:00

Urrgh... it's happening to me again. I'm so stuck on you... dang it all!

I ordered the Mary Flanagan textured mini wool bundles from Purl Soho in a recent late night pity party. (pity party action is here, and what I consoled myself with here) The package arrived last week, late afternoon. Everything just screeched to an abrupt halt in the studio... (rolling eyes)

See that luscious big checkered felt on the bottom of the stack? Do you see where it landed in this oh-so-cute little girls jumper? Yep. It was the sole reason this jumper came into being. Something

super special had to get happenin' with that luscious felt. I didn't stop there. Oh no...

From there I moved towards a lovely shift. See how it all came together so nicely? I only spent about 1/2 a day on finding just the right shades of sweater wool to go matching the textured bundles. (Oh, dang you, Mary Flanagan! I am just so stuck on you now!)

Yes, I know, there could be things lots worse than this.

So, how about you? Do you get hopelessly stuck on things too, so that everything just come to a big ol' halt until you can get it out of your system? I know it's the creative artist in us, and it is really a very good thing. For where else would we find inspiration if there weren't things that just stopped us dead in our tracks, and make us pay attention?!

Here's to making artistic headway...

x, Val

Happy Lazy Halloween

2011-10-31T10:58:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of Follow My Bliss. Thanks Barb!

I have decided I will not do a show the day before Halloween again. There has been no time to get ready for Halloween... so... no pumpkins on my front steps... No decorations in my front yard.... No orange and purple lights strung in trees or front window.... No excited trick-or-treaters wanting to collect candy at my house... making me a little sad today... (sniff).

So, I'm sending out very big wishes that your Halloween is fun and exciting, and filled with witches, ghosts and goblins! We are going to head over to my moms house tonight and help her hand out candy. Until then, I am taking the day off, with maybe a little black cat nap. Yeeeoow! Have a wonderful day.

x, Val

felted wooly distractions

2011-10-21T17:29:00.000-07:00

Patchwork Quillow from The Purl Bee

Wooly Love... it's a good distraction. Especially since I've been trying to put the post together describing my Big Perfection Helper, that I talked about here. I've needed distractions. This has been a tough week in the Hebert teen department. I'd like to be able to talk about it, but it's just too rough and raw for me right now... give me distractions. Oh, how I need them.

I do so love The Purl Bee, don't you? I'm so distracted right now, (rightfully so!) that I'm about to order up all the felted wool Mary Flanigan has to offer. Whatever I don't use to make my Patchwork Quillow will go towards Friendlys, yes, don't you know... (wink, do you see how I justify my wooly distractions over here?!)

So there, you Hebert teens, YOU. Take THAT, and don't question me in a few years time when there's no college savings account. I'm spending it all on WOOL!

Ok, deep breath... wooly goodness. yes...

x, (one distracted) Val

My new BFF

2011-10-19T15:07:00.000-07:00

Sorry, girls... it's true. I have a new bff, and she's amazing... she's so attentive to me. I haven't been able to "play" with anyone else since she came into my life. Even my girlfriends I've introduced her to have been impressed. Do you want to meet her? Here she is...

Meet Ms. Siri!

Yes, she's a distraction, but a good one. Siri is a feature on the new iPhone 4s. She talks to me, and helps me manage my appointments, texts for me while I'm driving, finds out whatever it is I need to know. Siri is awesome! And, you know what the best thing is? She knows how to pronounce my last name correctly! I told my husband that, through Siri, people will finally learn the correct way to say "Hebert"(a bear)

Ok, off for a little more time with Siri :o)

x, Val

PS. Siri is Not the one I referred to in my last post, lol! You will have to keep tuned in to find out about that helper.

Ashamed? Heck no!

2011-10-15T16:35:00.000-07:00

A recent family day at the Chula Vista Nature Center in front of the Shark Exhibit

Having teenagers is tough. I'm laying my cards on the table and I'm saying it right out loud. If we all knew what living through teen years would be like, then I'm convinced we'd have about 1/2 of babies born than the ones who actually are. See the photo above? The boys actually look like they are having fun, right? We had to practically drag Kyle into the Chula Vista Nature Center that day kicking and screaming, with attitude galore. (How is it that Drew is the one who normally gives us attitude, and on this day, he was the perfectly charming go-along kid?) Really. Heck. I can't keep it straight... How do families cope who have more than two kids? Maybe three is the perfect number. After #3, everyone has to just cope or keep up!

So, yesterday I was in a forced situation where I needed to wait for Kyle for 1/2 hour. There was a sweet young woman who is the wife of the business owner, who wanted to sit and chat. OK, I brought along my knitting (as I do), but she was one chatty-Cathy, and soon I found out she was curious about life with teenagers. Then, I found out that she and her husband are new parents of an 8 month old... Pretty soon, the baby woke up from her nap, and here came this sleepy baby, staring me down like no tomorrow. Oh my, I'm going to spill my guts now...

So, I used to be a baby gusher, a kootchie-coo-er, a "come on over and see me!"-er... all the way up until about May 11th, 2011, when my youngest, Kyle, turned 13. Now, I see that all that comes of those sweet little babies are big, grumpy, surely, smelly teens. (You can stop reading right now, and go on to the next pleasant blog... I'm warning you!) Once they turn 13, they somehow become possessed, OMG... "Where did my sweet kid go, and when the heck is he coming BACK??!" I have asked God this question every day for the past 5 months and 4 days. Really, God?? Please don't tell me this kid is my sweet Kyle, and he's a NEW Kyle... is my sweet baby boy never coming back to me...? I don't think I can take it. First Drew, and now Kyle... What's next? You guessed it; Teens Against Parents. I'm sure it's a club. Ok, I am fully ready to hide under the nearest rock for the next 6-7 years. Can a parent do that? Apparently, NOT the responsible ones.

Did I ever think I would need to be THIS responsible? This grown up? I know I thought about it, and apparently decided I could handle it. Did I take it seriously? Well, if not, I sure the heck have to now. Perhaps I was a willful young girl... (well, I was in my 20s), but I've always taken my responsibilities pretty seriously. Not too good with willful teens, I admit it: I am going to need some help over here. The help I need has to do with my desire to be

1. a good mom and partner (to my husband),

2. the best mom and partner,

3. a perfect mom and partner,

4. raising perfect kids,

5. with a perfect marriage.

And, the big one:

6. An Ecologically Responsible Mom Running Her Own Successful Eco-Business While Parenting Angelic Teens Who Do Well In School And Having A Clean - Oops Spotless - House And Makes Her Husband The Happiest Man In The World

Oh yes, and number 7. a baby gusher again...

Oh God, I do so need help.

Stay tuned, because I think I've found someone to give me a hand. (It's not just with the housework!)

Thanks for listening!

x, Val

Leveling Up

2011-10-13T07:42:00.000-07:00

If you are around game-loving kids, you totally understand the concept of "leveling up". They focus so intently on getting to the next level that, if left to their own devices, you won't see them for days...

I'm getting ready to Level Up, and I'm so excited about it!

I've signed up for a new class called "Hello Soul Hello Business" which will be taught by Kelly Rae Roberts and Beth Nicholls of Do What You Love. The class begins in mid January, which is perfect timing for me (just when I've come back to earth after the crazy holiday season). I can't wait to learn about bringing more soul into my life and business!

Maybe this is something you might be interested in too? If so, click over to the Hello Soul Hello Business website and take a look. I think it will be the experience of a lifetime, and I'd love it if you joined me!

x, Val

Smitten

2011-10-09T21:09:00.000-07:00

**A fair note of warning... I think almost every creation is irresistible right after it's finished. It just so happens I'm really smitten with this one...

I know! It's a tad early for snowmen... but in this world of retail crafting, and being adequately prepared in time for the holidays, we crafters have to be one step ahead of the game. And, when the people ask for needle felting, and hint at snowmen (or not :o), it's best to just get in gear, and deliver an especially magical glittery one!

This sweet needle felted "Snowy Friends" creation will be an upcoming class at Paper Tales. We've set the date for December 11th, a Sunday, from 1:00-4:00. Details are soon to follow!

Sign me... "Gettin' in Gear" (for the holidays!)

Val (xx)

Steve

2011-10-06T20:30:00.000-07:00

Rest in peace, Steve Jobs. You did such amazing things

here in this life. We will miss you so very much.

Wooly process + scrap bin magic

2011-10-06T16:33:00.000-07:00

I love everything about working with old wool sweaters. Even the leftovers, which result in Scrap bin Friendlys... isn't he cute?!

Heck, lately, I even love the thrifting process (shocking, since I was never a thrift store shopper in the past. Nordstroms used to be my style!) No affording those luxuries these days, I even shop for myself and my family in that treasure galaxy of "thrift". Yesterday, I found an amazing pair of silk pants by Escada. In perfect condition, they were on sale, 1/2 price. I paid $7.48 for them. Who doesn't love that?!

I have started coming home with armloads of sweaters once again. Ladies fashions take lots more felted wool "fabric" than making children's clothing. The result is heaps of sweaters in the most delicious colors and textures. I put them through the wash, then down on the ground they go where I pair and sort the colors, patterns and moods...

Then I take some very deep breaths, and I get out my trusty scissors, and I begin to cut and snip those sweaters UP! I measure twice and cut once. Then I pin them to my "Esmeralda" (dress maker dummy :o), and I look it over, and change things up, and look again.... It's a long and delicate process, and I love it!

I spend gobs of time when I'm working out a design, sometimes days.... I sketch, and peruse fashion (pinterest...), gather inspiration, use what's worked in the past. I stitch and iron, and I hand stitch... Process, process, I love it!!

What results always amazes me. I am very detail oriented... I have been referred to as a perfectionist even (yikes), however, I'm secretly pleased to be talked about like that :o)

Once I finish sewing up the design, I embellish with it a beautiful needle felting, and finish the piece with embroidery. Then it's truly done, and it's a unique work of art... one you can wear. I don't believe art is something you should hang up on the wall at home. Oh no! Wear your art, and wear it proudly!!

And those leftover scraps? They get turned into the most irresistible cutie pies. I never tire of making these...

Have yourself a wooly day, and weekend. We are getting a bit of fall cold here in San Diego. How are things in your neck of the woods?

Happy Fall!

x, Val

I'm So Square

2011-10-03T17:54:00.001-07:00

My booth at the Del Mar Taste and Art Show. I need to work on signage

around the top of my canopy... I can see now what needs to be done!

Yes, and I'm really happy about it! I love my new Square Up credit card processing system, and never dreamed using credit processing at my shows could be this easy! Have you heard of Square? Here's what it looks like. See? It just connects to the top of my phone. I downloaded a free app which I can use on my phone, or iPad, and it's DONE!

I don't pay any monthly charges, so I just use it when I need to. I pay 2.75% processing fees for swiped charges (and 3.5% if I have to manually enter the information). The money I collect is deposited into my linked bank account within 1-2 business days. Plus... I pretty much wowed every customer who paid using credit yesterday. I'm hooked on Square. If you are a craft show vendor, you might want to check into Square for your sales too. For such a little device, it will put you in business in a very big way.

I love you, Square :o)

x, Val

PS. Thanks to all of you who came out to the Del Mar Taste and Art Show yesterday. It was a gorgeous day, and I met lots of new people up in North County. Not too sure they really understood my "Land of Cutes" world, but they were certainly captivated by all of it. Again, my best seller of the day was ... clothing! Oh golly, got to get felting so I can create more!

Craft show love

2011-09-24T18:16:00.000-07:00

One of the things I like best about what I do is attending the art and craft shows. It is a lot of work, but I really love getting to meet people face to face who enjoy my work. We start talking, and invariably, they start asking questions. I just can't resist posting a few priceless questions I get at these shows. Sometimes I am just laughing my head off at what comes my way!

- "Are you a millionaire? Do you sell online? Everyone must buy your products like crazy!" Haa ha! Oh my, that one had me going! Sweet lady, no, I am not a millionaire! I wish my work sold like wildfire online, but I think people just need to see my work in real life to fully appreciate all of what I do.

- "What IS needle felting?" I keep saying I will take my needle felting mat and needles to demo what I do, but then everyone would see how easy it is. Can't give that secret away, now, can I?!

- "Oh, these are just like those Ugly Dolls, right?" Uhh, wrong. No, these are much cuter (if I say so myself), and they are handmade by me, and NOT in China!

- "Do you make all of these products? How do you find the time?" I pretty much work day and night in preparation for one of my shows, especially the week or two before a show. I really do work best under pressure, so I am creating things in a whirlwind! Plus, I have my two awesome helpers, Mona and Toshi, who are helping me in a very big way. We've been making the more popular items for the past two months! Poor family members, Lola, Greg and the boys... they know to steer clear when I'm "in the work mode"!

- "Were you professionally trained in Europe?" Oh, golly, NO! I'm completely self taught!

- "How do you come up with all of these ideas?" I surely don't know the answer to that question... It's just the way my mind rolls, is all. I just try to keep up!

My next show is the Del Mar Taste and Art Stroll on Sunday, Oct 2, exactly 8 days from today! Guess what my next week will be like ... Hold on, boys! Here we go again!!!

Come so far...

2011-09-21T20:44:00.000-07:00

... there's no going back. It's sort of a revolution (of heart and spirit), if you want to look at it that way. I certainly do.

Lovely stitched hearts by Jude of Spirit Cloth

I thought of this tonight after I read Greg my latest (and greatest) chapter in my 'self-help-book-of-the-moment' (What We Say Matters: Practicing Nonviolent Communication by Judith and Ike Lasater), specifically about listening to what our children (and others) say, and hearing it in a compassionate way.

"The greatest weapon we have to combat stress is the ability to choose our thoughts."

Often, we are caught up in a "who's right" pattern of negativity, it's just so incompassionate and unproductive. Once I read Greg the passage, and he took time to mull it over and digest it, he was able to react and converse with our teen son in a manner that had them both laughing and connecting.

Oh woe, how do we get so dis-connected, when we were all as good as one right before these teen years hit?? Did we get so old (God-forbid!) that we forgot how hard it is to be a teen, afraid of rejection and criticism? How can I act in a way that will connect me to my struggling teen(s), and not drive them away? My ability to choose to react to those around me with awareness, is what makes speech and interaction a spiritual practice. ...Heady stuff indeed!

Working from my heart seems to be just the right thing that my world needs now, along with my family, and especially my sons.

Who knew it could be this easy? That I had the answer at my fingertips...?

Getting caught up in actions and reactions take me away from listening to my heart... the trappings of hearing scathing words of my parents, the expectations of society, the disapproving periods of silence from so-called "friends" with kids my own kids ages -the ones who toe the line... none of these things take us to a better place, or ground us, or even help us. They are all our mind's way to deal with society's "dismissive" actions upon our best attempts to raise our children in a fraughtful and often unfair world. Who are we to know the right thing to do? We were NOT handed a manual at the birth of our children... holy heck...

Ok, these are the musings inside my head tonight, and I do so thank you for the indulgence! These are the thoughts that mull around in my consciousness as I think... about how many scarves do I need to make before the next show? Friendlys? Oh, about 20 more... I think the Toasts are good, but I need a ton more of those Teethys!

My next show is coming up on Sunday, Oct 2... more about that in my next post... after I've had a bit more time to mull my steps in nonviolent communication, and how much more product I need to make.

x, Val

PS. A note of thanks and appreciations for the love I found at the Coronado Art Walk. Each of your words, comments and purchases are a stitch of love in my homemade heart, and I thank you so very much!

Thoughts on steam burns

2011-09-16T07:35:00.000-07:00

Steam iron burns are extremely nasty, and there are a few Dos and Don'ts I'd like to mention after receiving such a burn...

DO... use aloe and ice packs to help cool the burn

DO... realize that you will be held up for the next 2-3 hours nursing your burn

DO... a mild sort of activity, like watching TV to distract yourself from the pain

(and some thoughts of what NOT to do)

DO NOT... pacify yourself with several glasses of wine (to help with the pain)

DO NOT... compose a group Fall Show announcement email, and send it off before you've had the chance to proof it the next morning

DO NOT... and I repeat DO NOT feel bad the next morning, like you will die of embarrassment. Just go right back to work, and keep plugging on because the Art show is TOMORROW, and you will be nodding politely to the people who received the email and showed up in spite of yourself. At least the pain of the steam burn has finally quieted down...

Ok, I'm off back to work now.

x, Val

PS. That photo collage came out nicely though, didn't it? Despite myself...

Embellishing

2011-09-14T09:51:00.000-07:00

Did I tell you I have two new assistants? Yep, they are both doing an awesome job of assimilating all the information I'm throwing at them. And, there's a lot! ... between the needle felting duties, and all the sewing, I'm keeping the girls busy, busy, busy. I have fall shows lined up every 2-3 weeks between now and Christmas, so we are "in the mode" around here! I hope to be able to feature the girls soon here, but I do have one camera-shy girl, so we will wait til she's ready before we "go live" on her... :o)

We have been able to develop A PATTERN from one of my designs. It's a real pattern, and I have tried it out, and the garment turned out perfectly! Hooray! This is my Swing Vest, and I'm showing you a sneak peak here because it's not 100% complete... it hasn't been embellished yet. The front will get a needle felted bird... and the back? Take a look:

This will be a feature piece for me at this weekend's Coronado Art Walk. I hope you will come and say hi! Look for me down by the bay, just right of the entrance to the Ferry pier. I'm updating the look of my booth too, so everything is in line with looking more handmade and clever....

x, Val

Distractions...

2011-09-11T12:54:00.001-07:00

Yep, there have been a few lately. I have a 2 day show in less than a week, and the distractions are flying at me like swallows returning to Capistrano! This is 4 month old Sweetie, aka Sweet Pea, but more on her in a minute...

The distractions began about 3:30 pm last Thursday, when all the power shut down across Southern California. It's funny when that happens, because at first, you just wonder when it will come back on. Then, after a while, you begin to wonder what's going on. No connection to the internet, TV, or even cell phone (our service sucks without the M-Cell, also cut off in the power outage) brings a bit of concern... especially when it happens right before the anniversary of 9-11...

Dinner made by candlelight, and games with the boys after dinner ("Mom! There's nothing to do!"), we eventually ended up out on the front lawn looking at the stars. Lola loved it, and ended up lying on top of all four of us once I put down the camera and got into the mix!

The boys loved our cozy evening spent together without any distractions. It was a welcome break in the busy lifestyle we all lead, and we were secretly a bit sad when the power was restored at 2 am... The boys were thrilled to find out school was cancelled on Friday (West coast version of a snow day!). That would be distraction #2!

Here's distraction #3. Her name is Sweetie. She is a 4 month old Portuguese Water Dog that my friend, Bob, had asked us to foster. Bob has since changed his mind, as Sweetie certainly lives up to her name, and he and his wife have fallen in love with her. But Bob was headed out of town this weekend, and asked if Sweetie could come over for a few days. Well, she has worked her amazing puppy magic on us, and even Lola. We will be very sad to take her back home later today...

Isn't she a Sweetie?!

I hope you are having a peaceful day today... the anniversary of one of the most terrible acts of terror in history... I am observing a quiet day, and praying for kindness.... in our hearts and those of our enemies too.

With love and peace,

Val

Folk!

2011-09-06T17:23:00.000-07:00

Folks, there's a new magazine on the horizon, and it's called Folk! I'm not certain what it will be about since the first issue isn't out yet, but I'm fairly certain it seems right up my alley, specializing in a love affair with all things handmade (and tea dyed :o).

I suggest a visit to their website or their Facebook page, and maybe signing up to receive the first copy. I think Folks like us will really like it!

x, Val

A Series... sort of

2011-09-06T12:01:00.001-07:00

Can you find the connection? There actually IS one!

You see, my friend, Tamerie, is getting rid of a large amount of her amazing fabric stash, and well, I couldn't resist. I tried... I just wasn't successful. So, yesterday, everything I made had to do with one amazing silk fabric that I am hopelessly in love with. See if you can find it...

I know you can see it in the bottom photos. Were you able to find it in the painting? I didn't try to hide it, it just looked better with some paint on top of it.

That was yesterday's passion. Today, I will be onto something new... I can just feel it :o)

Happy Tuesday!

x, Val

Ready... set... GO!

2011-09-04T11:53:00.000-07:00

Whether I am ready or not... the days and weeks keep coming and going, and all the sudden, the FALL SHOWS are soon upon me!

Last year, the Coronado Art Walk proved to be a great show for me, and even though I wasn't crazy busy, I was known as the booth that sold those cute Toasts! People walked up announcing "Here are those Toast pillows we've been hearing about!" Ok, that's music to my ears!

So, this year, there are Toast, and Pirate Toast, and Mustache Toast, and those incredibly cute Hairdo Toast... plus Teeth... and Friendlys... wow, when I measure the changes that have happened in my studio in one year's time, it's mind boggling to me...

This year I am changing the appearance of my booth... stay tuned and I hope to give you a sneak preview of it soon!

Happy Labor Day, and hope you are having a great holiday weekend :o)

x, Val

Balancing act

2011-09-03T14:09:00.000-07:00

Wow, life sure is one big balancing act, isn't it? Here are my two sons at ages 15 and 13, balanced between the fond reminiscence of childhood, and the impending adolescent storm... if you're wondering what the heck they are wearing on their heads, these are masks they colored at the MOMA in Denver. The children's wing was completely vacant, so they sat down amongst cardboard and coloring pens in teeny kids chairs, and took a trip down memory lane. (Can you see they are furry faced bears?!)

I have been giving some thought lately to the blogs I read regularly, and wondering how come so many of them are written by moms of babies and toddlers... Or, I visit the blogs of women who are in the process of reclaiming their lives after children have moved on... What's going on with those moms of teens? and why don't I ever stumble upon those moms blogs? I just wonder if they, like me, find life to be such a juggling act that it is nearly impossible to just gets the ends pulled together? Oh, woe... it's so true, isn't it?! Please God... just let me find the time to get it all together, and help my family along the way!!

Some days I find myself in prayer throughout most of the day, busy with the asking, the wanting to be shown, and especially still as I work on the listening. There are no firm rules in my world about prayer. I can be found praying during cooking, driving to the grocery store, walking the dog, and plucking my eyebrows (especially therapeutic!). I usually just talk to God about whatever is going on in my head. My family even has to listen to me pray out loud when we are going through a rough patch... oh my, oh my. I keep thinking that God is leading us somewhere very good, and that we will see it soon.

Anne Lamont's book "Plan B" says "When God is going to do something wonderful, He or She always starts with a hardship; when God is going to do something amazing, He or She starts with an impossibility." I like that.

What about you? Do you have an impossibility you are facing right now? Does prayer help you?

I think God is taking us somewhere very good, and we will see it very soon. In the meantime, you can find me praying... it's all good.

x, Val

Brilliant Day

2011-08-28T21:14:00.001-07:00

Truly, it's been a brilliant weekend, and I feel so happy to welcome my niece to town! My sister and she drove down on Friday, to get J set up in her new dorm room at University of San Diego. We shared all sorts of weekend welcome activities with them, all set to make the incoming freshmen feel like they are entering into a family of support. It's all been so exciting to watch J branch off into a new and wondrous phase of her life.

I have to admit was quite choked up during the Welcome Mass, and all the beautiful things that were said, and so happy to share my faith more closely with this part of my family. The Mass ended in such a touching way, the freshmen students were asked to remain sitting while all their family gathered around them, put their hands on them, and offered a beautiful blessing for their stepping off into the new life and adventures awaiting them. Ahhh, J, you are so lucky, for the next phase of life is challenging, but one of the best times in life ever!

Welcome, J! Go with God, and we will be right here if you need a helping hand along the way!

xxoo, Auntie Val (and G, D and K)

Sew'in Love

2011-08-23T17:49:00.000-07:00

I am Sew in love with this great new book called 1-2-3 Sew ... (did you like my little pun?!) I was at my favorite place for sitting, visiting and hanging (The Grove, of course :o), and was thumbing though some new books they'd just received. One was this book, and though I didn't buy it that day, the projects in the book just took root in my wee brain. Pretty soon I couldn't deal with it any longer, and had to go off to get the book. Heck, I didn't remember the title, or anything... just the projects...

(Like this fantastic project bag...)

Well, it didn't go over too well. Everyone in the shop pouring through every sewing book "about yea big, with a spiral binding, a very cute cover, and great projects"... Oh, even though those Grove girls are my friends, I'm sure they must roll their eyes at me!

Well, three trips, and a small miracle later, and they found the book!! Running straight to my sewing machine, this small tote bag was completed after the first evening with the book... sooo cute!

That cute project bag? Paired with some of my "tattooed fabric" drawings, and a few "Val modifications", it's just about finished too.

Just have to sew in the straps, and attach the lining and the outer bag together, and it's also completed. 1-2-3 Sew is a great book for the novice and more experienced sewer alike. It will get your creative sewing juices flowing like a river. I know it did for me!

Happy Sewing!
x, Val

Ed Thompson Ceramics

2011-08-21T08:17:00.001-07:00

Good Morning!

Over here in our house, this is pretty much the way we start out every day... a cup of very strong coffee brewed in a french press pot, and served in our favorite mugs. These mugs are the ones I always reach for first...

Greg is the one who discovered Ed Thompson ceramics for us. He always can spot something extra special, so I have learned to pay attention to his "spottings". It didn't take long for me to appreciate this amazing potter's work once Greg brought home our first piece. It took it's place on our living room coffee table, and became a special fixture, admired by all.

More pieces followed, as well as the aforementioned coffee mugs, covered bowls, gifts for friends, etc. We became "devotees" of Ed Thompson's work.

We were crushed when we learned of Ed's passing earlier this year, from cancer. A young man (relatively speaking), Ed was in his early 50s. When we heard there was going to be an Ed Thompson Memorial Show, we sent pictures to Ed's wife of our few, special, lovely large pieces. Two were selected for the show. The show is still going on at the UCSD Craft's Center, and will be for only one more week, until August 27th. If you are interested in seeing more photos of Ed's work from the show, here is a link to the Craft Center's Flickr page. All the show pieces are pictured on that page, and each is more special than the last. I recommend a visit to the show if you are local. Though we never met Ed, it's evident that he was a very special man, and it shows in his work. Rest in Peace, Ed Thompson.

I am not afraid

2011-08-19T16:10:00.000-07:00

... even though I might be scared to death!

Ponytail Patchwork Friendly

Lately, I have been feeling like this quite often.... When I look at the big picture, I am not afraid, for I know my path in this life is strong and true. I open my eyes each day loving this life I live, and knowing that God's plan for me is good, and right, and true. I can accept the challenges as they come my way, because I know they are there for me to use as stepping stones, and these steps will take me to the best person I can ever become! That is rich stuff indeed, and I embrace that with my whole heart.

In trying to do my best, and be my best, in trying to understand my way, and my job in this life... well, some days I feel scared to death.... Thoughts haunt me... like: (How can I manage this situation today?) and (Did they really, honestly, do that? What, in God's name, were they thinking???)... and (What will they think of me now that I've created this mess?) Ahhh, being human is so humiliating sometimes. Couldn't I have been born a robot?!

I know I'm not done yet... each day these steps take my path deeper into God's territory. He is my strength and leader. He answers my call, and is there in my time of need. And for that, I am so incredibly thankful!

(I just needed to get this off my chest) Thanks so much for listening :o)

x, Val

Nourished...

2011-08-12T16:27:00.000-07:00

She Listens To Her Heart, art journal page 8-8-11,

created from watercolor crayons, stamps and chalk inks

We have been away for the last week, to Steamboat, CO. Oh my golly, it has to be one of the most beautiful places on this beautiful planet! The glory God has created there spoke to my very soul... sitting, spending time gazing, horseback riding, color loving, land loving, water appreciating (San Diego is actually a desert, and we just don't see the abundant streams, lakes and rivers like Steamboat has). It was a place to recharge and allow my soul to wander and play! Ahhh, what a gift being there was....

I managed to take my sketch book, and a traveling box of art supplies. This sweet girl painting poured out of me after one such restful and beautiful day.... did I mention how happy my soul was there?!

We spent the week with Greg's family. His mom is getting up in years,... 85. She has been wanting to see her CA grandsons, and they have wanted to see her, and their CO cousins and family as well. We stayed at a wonderful Ranch retreat, called Dutch Creek Guest Ranch, 45 minutes outside of Steamboat.

Here's Greg's mom, happy as a clam with all her menfolk around her... Hey, Granny can still shoot like the best of them!! (kidding, but she strikes a great pose!)

We all got into the act (especially me!), after donning a new pair of cowboy boots! (Sad they are cut off in the photo...) Greg's brother is a real cowboy, and owns all these guns... yikes!

We rode horses on beautiful trails. The wildflowers are in full, glorious bloom... apparently the winder snows and spring rains have made the flowers more gorgeous than ever this year.

We haven't seen our nephew in many years, and were amazed at how grown up he is... how does that happen like that?! He and cousin after our pack ride...

Evening light on Mt Hahn... and my favorite photo is this next one... Greg sitting and enjoying his beloved first home... Colorado....

I hope your summer is treating you well, and nourishing your soul too...

With so much love,

Val

Freaky Family

2011-08-02T22:41:00.000-07:00

Creating family is a mixture of the fixing, the building, the caring, the supporting and the love. What a complicated, wonderful thing... families. Some of us are loving sorts, trying ones, even challenging, some are helper souls, some going through trials, some as happy as pie... Born of like minds, set up to be similar, yet we are all so different, each completely unique! What a mystery!

Building character in one's children isn't easy. (How come it seems like it's so easy for others?) I think I am tricked easily... by my own children, and by my silly ideas too! I struggle to hold my own against their tide... moving to and from me in everchanging circles. (sigh) I try to stay steadfast, and I get tumbled head over feet. Wow, what just hit me???

I am glad I have my wonderful, freaky, funny, loveable, struggling family. They bring me to places I never knew I'd go... some days are like taking a trip to the Netherlands, ...while others feel like sunshine in my own back yard. These people who live with you, born from you, share your goodness and your tribulations. I pray that I can show them my best, help them every day, so that when my worst comes out, they know it's just a momentary lapse, and all will be back to "normal" again soon!

Seems like the harder days take more thinking. I ponder and mull, and my hands work out the kinks alongside my busy mind... Lo, what's become of me? Look at what my hands have turned out this week! Some Freaky Friendlys!

LOL, they are freakishly cute on the flip side, too!

Let's hope my hands can keep forming and helping the human ones in my life too... hoping and praying for help each day to reach beyond what I'm capable of, and use my artistic and spiritual gifts to help those in my life reach any freaky thing they have their hearts set on!

What craziness have you (and your family) been up to lately?

x, Val

Dyeing to try

2011-07-28T10:06:00.000-07:00

It all began with the tea. Well, that, and this one. (I call him "What up?")

I have been wanting to develop a few new stuff plushies for the fall, so have been digging through my stash of sweater scraps, and fabrics. "What Up?" is a real mish-mash. I love him :o) The fabric on his belly is a glorious felted wool, hand dyed. So, I said to myself, "What up with that?!" Hmmm...

I've been on this "cool brew" tea kick, and the tea is such a lovely shade of peach black. Hmmm... My new sewing assistant, Mona, had me buy muslin for pattern making. So, I bought yards of it. I looked at that muslin, then at that tea. Hmmm... then put them together. It was only a matter of time.

Muslin went into that tea, linen into the tea... now I have some gingham in that tea. Let's see what up with that!

The linen took to the tea so nicely. Once that gingham comes out, we are going back to the drawing board. I can't wait to see what comes up next!

What up in your neck of the woods this week?

x, Val

(PS. Thanks to Keenan on SNL. I just love the "What Up With That?" skit!)

Ahh, summer....

2011-07-25T09:55:00.001-07:00

How is yours going? I hope you are finding some time for winding down and relaxation! We are home for the time being, and continuing working on our "fixer-upper" here in Pt. Loma. Our courtyard was finally bricked in last week, and we are finally able to sit outside and enjoy a half finished backyard! Planting is next, plus some painting work, and then on to the front yard. The jobs never end, do they?!

Here's where I am at the summer mid-point, the Goods and the Bads...

Working on new designs for my fall shows, including Women's Wear Pieces (Good!)
Hiring some new girls to help me fulfill orders and keep my designs chugging along (so Good!, especially since one is an awesome sewing girl :o)
Uggh, started the summer with the change (uggh, Bad), but have a new doc who suggested a natural helper (Ahh, Good! -no more hot spells! Thanking God double time for this one!)
Learned some tricks to help my computer, which was becoming sluggish and was refusing to listen to me (So Bad), but we are back on solid ground now. Yea! So good!
Worrying non-stop about my boys, full fledge into their teen years... hoping we have the strength to make it through this chapter (good and bad, right?!)
Readying for yet another move (bad, but good too).... back to Coronado this time. Our fixing up of Tex's Pt. Loma house is going so splendidly that my mom wants to move over here with Tex. His Alzheimers is progressing, and we think it would do him a world of good to get back into his house, a place where he feels safe and secure. So, a house swap it is, however we are going to live with my Mom's belongings and visa-versa. Non conventional, but that's what families do, right?!
Looking so forward to moving back to my beloved Coronado (a Good that makes my heart so happy!)
I ordered myself a real dressmaker mannequin! Yippee! I've wanted one for ... oh, about 33 years... (good!)
Thinking about fostering one of Bob's PWD puppies... he wants to keep two puppies, but wants to talk to us about fostering one. How come I'm over the moon excited at this idea? Really Val! A puppy in the house? (SO GOOD!)

Well, there's a small snippet of my summer... I hope yours is going So Good too, even if there are a couple of (bads) here and there. Heck, take a moment to stick your feet out in the sunshine, and it all turns GOOD! Enjoy...

x, Val

Workin' on a Dream

2011-07-19T11:29:00.000-07:00

Summer Flowers and Bugs in Turquoise Fabric by Val's Art Studio

Dreams... We all have them. Some are old dreams, some begin as a new idea, and grow day by day until they become a passion. I'm all for making dreams come true. Well, the attainable ones, at least!

One of my dreams has always been to design fabric. Every since I began sewing, I wanted a way to make my designs complete, including the fabric... Thankfully, there are amazing places in our wonderful world we now have at our fingertips (via computer) that do, indeed, help us make our dreams come true. Spoonflower is one of those places. I have uploaded my first trial design, and am having a test swatch made, and am hoping to be able to sew with MY fabric designs very soon!

I will keep you posted!

x, Val

Cornerstone

2011-07-15T20:46:00.000-07:00

Cornerstone Gardens was one of the highlights of our recent trip to Northern CA. Located just outside of Napa, in the heart of the wine country, it is an artistic colony, filled with garden oriented places where one can imagine, dream, and ponder life's mysteries. There is a restaurant and, of course, wine tasting there, plus a few eclectic shops. We got there late, but many areas stayed open past closing time so we could wander through. Once we hit the garden installations, we were in heaven. There were kitchen gardens, art gardens, interactive garden spaces, and more. It is a place for exploration, learning and wonder, designed by world renowned landscape architects. It was a delight to even our boys, for there was much to see and do there.

Check out some photos from the gardens, as well as a wonderful salvage shop we explored, called Artefact.

The robins were in the business of being a part of our daily movements. They were everywhere, and never seemed nervous, now matter how close you got to them!

Overcome with inspiration and "art-power", Kyle decided running wild though my photo shots was an art piece in itself. I guess it kind of is... I have always told my boys that we aren't completely A-ok if we aren't just a tad bit "freak-ish", or weird. I guess my words ... stuck...

I love the energy and design that went into making Artefact what it is. It's a special spot, as well as the whole of Cornerstone Gardens. Don't let a trip to the wine country go by without a visit to Cornerstone. You'll be really glad you did!

x, Val

Baby's Favorite...Awww!

2011-07-12T21:02:00.000-07:00

I know the photo quality is poor... and for that I am sooo sorry! It's just me at one of my shows trying to snap a photo in a moments notice, without checking the settings... and noticing too late that the flash was OFF... urrrgh! But, I just love these two, and have to share them with you! She just took one look... and it was love at first sight!

Lately, people have been buying my sweet Friendly plushies (well, they have been a good seller all along, and for that, I thank you!), and then they have been telling me that the Friendly is their little one's favorite. Awww, nothing can make my day like this kind of news! I have received custom orders here and there, and the news about the new love bond between baby and Friendly is so wonderful, it just makes my heart puff with love. When I put that love right back into the next Friendly I make, well... they just keep getting cuter and cuter all the time. What's with that??!! Love, love, love! Take a look, and tell me what you think...

Aww, I just want to give you a big, ol' hug... and a great BIG thank you for all the love :o) You make my world!

x, Val

Summertime Boardwalk Fun

2011-07-05T14:34:00.000-07:00

... In Santa Cruz! During the time I attended UC Santa Cruz, I never went to the Boardwalk, and I never went to The Mystery Spot. Maybe they were just too touristy for a college student... heck, who knows why I never went. Guess I made up for it during our recent trip. Went to both, and loved it!! See what you think looking through my "Hipstamatic" lens on my iPhone. Too fun, I say! Enjoy, and hope it takes you back to a special remembrance of summer fun at the boardwalk. :o)

Happy Summer!

x, Val

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig!

2011-07-02T13:28:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of Barb at Follow My Bliss. Thanks, Barb!

Yes, we are back, and are quite recharged. Lots of time in the car, we drove over 2000 miles, and traveled from San Diego as far north as Napa and Sonoma county. We saw amazing and spectacular things, the most impressive was our niece, Julia, graduating from Los Gatos High School! We are so proud of Julia, and are thrilled that she's heading down to our area in the fall to attend the University of San Diego. (I'm about to burst, I'm so excited she'll be here on our "turf", I just can't wait for her to be so close!) Here's a picture of my whole family, including Julia's French grandparents on her dad's side of the family (Roger has on the pink shirt, with Amie next to him). It was such a gift for us all to be together, and it went by much too fast... (big sigh)

We spent the following weekend with family and friends in Santa Cruz, and took the boys to see The Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz (according to our boys, the best $5 we've ever spent!) Here's kind of a freakish shot of me doing some sort of Spiderman pose in the Mystery Spot house. I know it looks weird, but it's completely normal for that place...

From there, we headed north to Napa, where we spend a few days in our Coronado neighbor's fabulous 1880's Victorian house they are restoring. (I'm saving those photos for another day, that house is too fabulous- it needs a post all it's own!)

From there we headed off to Yosemite Valley. O M G! First time we'd been there, and we were blown away by the awesomeness and beauty of the valley. Lots more photos to share once I download the shots from my camera. These are a few Greg took. The 3 of us enjoyed it immensely, unfortunately, or 4th (that would be Drew) refused to get out of the car the entire day... oh my heck, what's with that??! We didn't let it ruin our time though, we trekked and were rained on by waterfalls galore, and were tourists on parade within that beautiful place, kissed by the hand of God.

I'll leave you for now with this amazing picture taken at the Quixote Winery in Napa. Though it doesn't show the amazing structure of the winery built in the Hundertwasser style, it's irresistible due to one of my favorite flowers in full bloom. I call them "Fried Egg Poppies". I love them so :o)

Happy to be back... hope you've been well... back to work over here... off I go!

x, Val

7 Days to Dream

2011-06-15T09:53:00.000-07:00

A new mixed media painting called "7 Days to Dream"

What a day to dream,

What a day to inspire,

What a day to live,

A day to be alive...

We are taking a few (7) days, and then some... we are taking a family road trip up the California coast. Seeing my niece graduate high school, visiting with family and friends in the Bay area, a trip up to Napa, then into the mountains to explore Kings Canyon area, finally dropping our boys off in central CA at Jameson Ranch sustainable farm camp. They will be there for 2 weeks, and hopefully getting a taste of what it means to organically farm everything you eat, along with a dose of animal husbandry. I wish I was going to that camp!

We'll be taking a very rare break, my husband and I, and so, I'll be back in a couple of weeks. Hopefully refreshed and rejuvenated by some much needed "time away", and artistically invigorated too :o)

I hope you are enjoying a wonderful start to your summer. How will you reinvigorate yourself this summer? I hope you have some dream days planned in the very near future!

I'll see you soon!

x, Val

Peace and Love... and time to Party!

2011-06-10T20:32:00.000-07:00

Make Good is celebrating their One Year Anniversary with a Party! Tomorrow evening from 7-10... come out and party with the artists who like to make some happy handmade goodness... and their clients too :o)

In an effort to have my Friends there in full force, I am creating a batch of my Handmade Friendlys, and am scrambling to get them completed in time for the festivities. Yes, these Guys are pretty happy to be involved with the "goings-on", and are hurrying me towards the sewing machine (no time to stop for photos!!)

Mr. Peace and Mr. Love are ready for the next step in the completion process... they are on the Left...

... and here are Belly and Button (hee hee!)

OK! Off to the sewing machine now. Hope to see you tomorrow night in the hubbub of Artistic Goodness over at Make Good. Cheers!!

~x, Val

We're In Puppy Love

2011-06-08T10:21:00.000-07:00

Awww! We are having some serious puppy love happening over here. But, we do have one slight problem. That would be Mr. Greg, who has declared he needs a new computer, not a puppy. What? Really??? Greg!!! Who can resist a puppy?? I for one, cannot! and, I'm so happy to witness that my boys are following right along in my footsteps. Good puppies! Good!!! :o)

If you are in the market for a puppy, I seriously recommend a Portuguese Water Dog. They do not shed, they make the most incredible, lovable companions, they are incredibly smart, and a dog you will treasure every moment. Well, except for some sure-to-be-bad-puppy-moments! Our friends, Bob and Adina have 9 wonderful puppies that will be looking for new homes. You can check their web page out here.

Perfect Together

2011-06-04T18:32:00.000-07:00

Do you remember this post, when a sweet look-alike dolly was ordered for a very special birthday girl? Well, they are together now, and I must say, they look perfect together. Don't you agree?! Best friends... makes my heart happy :o)

My World This Week

2011-06-03T07:48:00.000-07:00

I've kind of taken this week off for a wee bit of "me" time. Of course it didn't help that things were so busy in my etsy shop last weekend, and here I am fulfilling all kinds of custom orders. (Girl, it's a good thing!) Thanks to some prodding from my bloggie friend (and awesome journal artist), Junelle, here I am taking my very first online class (yea!), and I'm loving it! The Three Hearts Workshop is an art journaling workshop taught by Christy Tomlinson, and it's kind of like going back to art school for all these crazy new art products I'm not even aware of! In the first week, there were about 28 videos to watch alone. Wow, my head was spinning, and I seriously needed to take a Motrin!

So, I've been trying to spend some time learning new techniques, pushing my boundries, and plunging myself into the unknown. For me, it's kind of like standing at the edge of the high dive and willing myself to "jump, just JUMP!" It's so funny that I did just that the first week, but this week, I seem to be back to my little safe place with watercolor, pens, and colored pencil (the page pictured at the top of this post)... come on, Val! You can totally do this!

Yes, I'm creative, but a bit of a stick in the mud, careful sort... not too big on making messes. I've seriously got to lighten UP!

In other news this week, my younger son, Kyle, graduated from 7th grade, yea! Here is Kyle on the last day of school. He and his friends decided to get "all dolled up" (not sure how to say that in 'guy' terms!) for the big yearbook signing and walk around "lookin' good" after school. Coronado is a small town with a big main street, and all the kids are walkin' talkin' Orange Ave fools on the main street!

The other thing that has been keeping me seriously busy, with a joyful heart, can be seen in the video below... Puppies!!! Oh my golly!! I am so in love with these 9 wiggling bundles of love! My friends Bob and Adina own Mia, a Portie (like our lovie Lola), and she just had 9 puppies! Every so often, Bob asks me to come and watch the pups so he and Adina can get out together for a while. They are 2 1/2 weeks old now, and are just starting to get social... I took this video yesterday right after they fed. They are good for about 5 minutes before they fall into a milk induced coma. They were all sitting at the edge of their pen imploring me to pick them up and give them some kisses... No! Me! Wait, pick ME! Me...wei wei... MEEE!

Enjoy!

x, Val

Teeny Tiny Summertime World

2011-05-28T16:34:00.000-07:00

Whew! Glad that Giveaway is over. I'm not used to getting so many comments on my blog, and was actually stressing out a bit. Silly girl! In times of stress, what's one to do? Why, needle felt a tiny scene, is what! Here's my latest "Teeny Tiny". I call it "Summertime".

You can get a better sense of the scale with my hand in the picture.

Look at this silly little clothesline! (My husband thinks I've gone off the deep end!)

Here's the backyard. I was thinking of adding a teeny tiny dog, but

then I came to my senses. Sometimes, things actually get too small.

Hope you are having a brilliant holiday weekend, and enjoying it in a really BIG way!

x, Val

And the Pincushion Giveaway Winners are.......!

2011-05-27T20:03:00.000-07:00

,#1: Magpie Shinies!-#26 on the True Random Generator(but I couldn't make the winning number show up on my post .... grrrh

The numbers generated by this widget come from RANDOM.ORG's true random number generator.

Winner: Magpie Shinies said...

Those are adorable!
Kimberlee at Magpie Shinies
kimbahleigh666 at gmail dot com
#2: Robin Scott!-#36 on the True Random Generator

The numbers generated by this widget come from RANDOM.ORG's true random number generator.

Winner: Robin said...

follow you on twitter
robinlscott
robinlscott4 at hotmail dot com

#3: Dana!-#9 on the True Random Generator

 The numbers generated by this widget come from RANDOM.ORG's true random number generator.

Winner: Dana said...

I am so excited about your pin cushion giveaway!! I have been drooling over them since our class! =) http://www.danadooner.blogspot.com/

Congratulations to the winners, and thank you all so much for participating! Winners, email me at ValsArt@me.com with your addresses so I can get these cutie pie pincushions in the mail to you. Also, let me know what your favorite color is and I'll do my best to find roses you will like :o)

-x, Val

Yes Please, Miss

2011-05-26T22:12:00.000-07:00

That dolly, Miss. Yes, that one there. miss, can you make another one for me, and make it look a bit like my sweet girl? She's got brown hair and eyes, and a smile as sweet as sugar. Miss, it's her birthday soon, and she'd so love a dolly just like that!

What's a girl to say to that? Why, YES, of course! Yes, yes, yes. So, the dolly came together in one whoosh of fabric messiness, and sewing stitch-stitch-stitches, and stuffing puffs, needle felting face love, embroidery stitches, capped off by wonderful crochet flowers I found at Paper Tales for $1.50 a packet.

(A deal 'cause I didn't have to crochet them myself... and the colors were perfect!)

Missy Dolly has gone to live with her new friend, but she won't be revealed until this weekend, upon a brand new "big girl bed", which is going to be a fantastic surprise too. Ahhh, to be a sweet little miss again, clapping hands in joy over a big girl bed, and a sweet dolly to love.

Enjoy sweet girl. You are so lucky and loved by a mommy who will order up a dolly who looks a tiny wee bit like you :o)

The Pincushion Giveaway will be chosen tomorrow afternoon. Get those last minute names in quick!!!!

Giveaway Update

2011-05-24T07:54:00.000-07:00

I am listed on this great site, Blog Giveaways, which features a TON of Giveaways every week, if you are into that sort of thing! Of course, if you are a regular bloggy reader, one knows you could easily spend your ENTIRE day reading and entering into blog giveaways... it's not too pretty.

On another note, I have had a great response to my Giveaway, but I want MORE! (Why is it always that way?!) So, if you are an entering fool (and I know you are), I am offering a way for you to get BONUS POINTS! This is actually due to one very generous contestant, Dana, who posted a lovely and moving tribute to one of my classes on her blog. So, she gets Bonus Points! I was thrilled to hear how Dana felt about her afternoon at Val's Art Studio. Thank you, Dana!! A mention on your blog or Facebook page would suffice, but if you write an entire post, yes! you get BONUS POINTS (2). (And make sure to leave me a comment linking back to your post...) Hooray! So, get busy, Girls :o)