A brand new creative year ahead!

Happy New Year, Happy 2016!

I am formulating a few creative goals this year. They are still unfolding as I write this. I find doing this exercise extremely valuable. It serves as a good life and creative guide for my whole new year, for when I'm going along and feel stuck, or just unmotivated, I can reflect on my goals for the year and I can redirect myself. Win win :o)

So far, I am committed to these things for 2016:

• Choosing the right word for me in 2016. I've narrowed it down to love (as in taking and using care in every aspect of my daily life), or kindness (following up with the Kindness Project I began last summer), or courage (but I think I used this word really well back from 2012 - 2014, before I started setting yearly intentions). 
• Devoting myself back to my beloved needle felted birds. The one above was created last week, during my thinking process. It is actually so lovely in person that it takes my breath away every time I see it. My, oh my.
• Working on taking my needle felting up a notch. I am dedicated to getting into one of the American Craft Council shows within the next couple of years. (I'm speaking my intentions out loud here!!!)
• Sticking with ME. Meaning, I will be taking those things that have worked well for me, and working on them further. Focusing less on listening to others, and less time taking classes taught by others telling me what to do. I think I'm on a path to put all those lessons and ideas into action (whew, finally!)
• Spending time developing those ideas I have wanted to put into action over the last two years. More online patterns, kits, and ways to share my ideas and love of craft with others. This is gonna be GOOD!
• Being proud to speak out by sharing my voice, my craft, and my intentions with others. Recently, I have been working on doing this, and it's been going really well. Plus, I have been booked for a creative workshop! Wow! I think it's finally time to really shine :o)

How about you? Have you set some creative intentions (or otherwise) for 2016? I'd love to hear (if you are willing to share, that is). Leave me a comment. Let's do this together. It's a wonderful and brave way to start the new year!

xx

Val

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

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